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Collection by Aaron Britt

London Design Festival: Day 2

I spent my second day at the London Design Festival in the Shoreditch Design Triangle in East London. The neighborhood is a good deal scrappier than where I was in the west yesterday, but the place was positively abuzz with energy. I adored the small show I saw called "Living Room" in the shop Luna and Curious, and had a fine time wandering around the handful of blocks bounded by Old Street, Great Eastern Road, and the Shoreditch High Street. Here are the highlights.

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The Dezeen Watch Store is a great spot online to pick up a new timepiece, and here at the Dezeen Space they were showing off their wares. I'm not totally sure why they were laid out in pet cages, but I suppose they were cheaper and more available than your typical jeweler's display.
The Dezeen Watch Store is a great spot online to pick up a new timepiece, and here at the Dezeen Space they were showing off their wares. I'm not totally sure why they were laid out in pet cages, but I suppose they were cheaper and more available than your typical jeweler's display.
I popped into the amazing SCP design department store on Curtain Road for a glimpse of SCP's British-made products by a host of wonderful young designers like Donna Wilson, Matthew Hilton, and others. SCP's offices are just above and they were setting up for a party later that night. Here's a look at an entire corner of Wilson's cute goods.
I popped into the amazing SCP design department store on Curtain Road for a glimpse of SCP's British-made products by a host of wonderful young designers like Donna Wilson, Matthew Hilton, and others. SCP's offices are just above and they were setting up for a party later that night. Here's a look at an entire corner of Wilson's cute goods.
I hied over to Rivington St. to the men's shop Start to see this fine pair of objects: the table is by Harry Hanson, and the candle holder—with a spot for your fresh matches, the candle, the burned matches, and a place to strike them—is by Jun Baba.
I hied over to Rivington St. to the men's shop Start to see this fine pair of objects: the table is by Harry Hanson, and the candle holder—with a spot for your fresh matches, the candle, the burned matches, and a place to strike them—is by Jun Baba.
Gallery FUMI was up next, where I had a good chat with Max Lamb about his new Woodwares series of furniture. He makes it all by hand in his shop, though the schematics could be followed by any manufacturer or woodworker. The furniture has a wonderful simplicity to it and is made from finished sticks of wood. Max tests it out for us.
Gallery FUMI was up next, where I had a good chat with Max Lamb about his new Woodwares series of furniture. He makes it all by hand in his shop, though the schematics could be followed by any manufacturer or woodworker. The furniture has a wonderful simplicity to it and is made from finished sticks of wood. Max tests it out for us.
The design shop Chiki Chic on Leonard St. was showing a handful of new textile and pillow designs. My favorite was this series by Mela B. called Soft Symphony. Each is different from the next, and they button together to form long chains.
The design shop Chiki Chic on Leonard St. was showing a handful of new textile and pillow designs. My favorite was this series by Mela B. called Soft Symphony. Each is different from the next, and they button together to form long chains.
I stopped into a cafe I'd read about online called The Book Club for lunch. It was charming with its mismatched furniture and artsy vibe, though I feared that in the end it might be a bit twee (and this from a man whose outfit was compared to Sherlock Holmes about a half hour before). My concerns were allayed when my delicious lamb shank arrived and they played Dire Straits' "Sultans of Swing" twice!
I stopped into a cafe I'd read about online called The Book Club for lunch. It was charming with its mismatched furniture and artsy vibe, though I feared that in the end it might be a bit twee (and this from a man whose outfit was compared to Sherlock Holmes about a half hour before). My concerns were allayed when my delicious lamb shank arrived and they played Dire Straits' "Sultans of Swing" twice!
Though I'd been seeing loads of contemporary design, I wanted to make a special stop into Rocket Gallery for some mid-century action. I was not disappointed with this room dedicated to the work of Jens Risom. We love Jens at Dwell and seeing so much of his output in one place was incredible.
Though I'd been seeing loads of contemporary design, I wanted to make a special stop into Rocket Gallery for some mid-century action. I was not disappointed with this room dedicated to the work of Jens Risom. We love Jens at Dwell and seeing so much of his output in one place was incredible.
Elsewhere in Rocket Gallery they had on an exhibit of post-war Dutch design that had all the purity of form and clarity of purpose you'd expect. The gallery had the feel of a small museum, and one where no one hollered at you if you laid a hand on a bit of steel or leather.
Elsewhere in Rocket Gallery they had on an exhibit of post-war Dutch design that had all the purity of form and clarity of purpose you'd expect. The gallery had the feel of a small museum, and one where no one hollered at you if you laid a hand on a bit of steel or leather.
Perhaps my favorite stop of the day was at the exhibit Living Room at the shop Luna and Curious on Calvert St. It was in a small room and was made to be a high-design take on a British living room. Eighteen brands, all made in the UK, were represented and I just loved it. The shelves are by Max Lamb for Deadgood, the chair is Matthew Hilton for De La Espada, the pillow is Donna Wilson for SCP, the table is by Dare Studio, and the teapot is by welovekarou. Even the paint on the wall was made in the UK by Adam Bray.
Perhaps my favorite stop of the day was at the exhibit Living Room at the shop Luna and Curious on Calvert St. It was in a small room and was made to be a high-design take on a British living room. Eighteen brands, all made in the UK, were represented and I just loved it. The shelves are by Max Lamb for Deadgood, the chair is Matthew Hilton for De La Espada, the pillow is Donna Wilson for SCP, the table is by Dare Studio, and the teapot is by welovekarou. Even the paint on the wall was made in the UK by Adam Bray.
As the day came to a close, I had the rare chance to visit the studio of a living legend of British design: Jasper Morrison. They were throwing a party for the festival and also to celebrate a limited edition colorway of his clock for Punkt. This edition is to raise money for victims of the tsunami in Japan and only 500 have been made. I did learn from Punkt's US distributor that he has bought up 100 of them and Americans will be able to lend a hand too and get a hold of the unique clock.
As the day came to a close, I had the rare chance to visit the studio of a living legend of British design: Jasper Morrison. They were throwing a party for the festival and also to celebrate a limited edition colorway of his clock for Punkt. This edition is to raise money for victims of the tsunami in Japan and only 500 have been made. I did learn from Punkt's US distributor that he has bought up 100 of them and Americans will be able to lend a hand too and get a hold of the unique clock.
I finished my day back at SCP for a quick chat with Donna Wilson, who was as charming as can be. But better than anything I scrawled in my notebook from our chat was this drawing she made of me. The likeness is so-so (I'm 30, not 13), but the bow tie is spot-on. Don't miss a word of Dwell! Download our FREE app from iTunes, friend us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter!
I finished my day back at SCP for a quick chat with Donna Wilson, who was as charming as can be. But better than anything I scrawled in my notebook from our chat was this drawing she made of me. The likeness is so-so (I'm 30, not 13), but the bow tie is spot-on. Don't miss a word of Dwell! Download our FREE app from iTunes, friend us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter!