Collection by Aaron Britt

London Design Festival: Day 3

My third day traipsing about London for the Design Festival had me venturing east again, starting my day in Clerkenwell (that's pronounced CLARK-en-well, I learned) and then, as ever, heading back over to Shoreditch for the press preview of the much-hyped Tramshed show. I'll tell you now, it was worth it. Here's what I saw.

This print by Catrina Stewart called "Farmhouse Fruit Power" was my favorite.
This print by Catrina Stewart called "Farmhouse Fruit Power" was my favorite.
From there, I wandered up the street to the Moroso/Flos showroom where the Italian coffee vendor Illy had installed quite the set-up. The event was to celebrate Illy's collaborations with various artists on limited edition espresso cups, but for me, the stand itself was the real star. The showroom, to its credit, was just as colorful.
From there, I wandered up the street to the Moroso/Flos showroom where the Italian coffee vendor Illy had installed quite the set-up. The event was to celebrate Illy's collaborations with various artists on limited edition espresso cups, but for me, the stand itself was the real star. The showroom, to its credit, was just as colorful.
Downstairs in the Moroso/Flos showroom they are hosting talks with various designers, like Marcel Wanders. Michaelangelo Pistoletto designed a table in the shape of the Mediterranean Sea and placed chairs made in each country bordering the sea around it for the talks.
Downstairs in the Moroso/Flos showroom they are hosting talks with various designers, like Marcel Wanders. Michaelangelo Pistoletto designed a table in the shape of the Mediterranean Sea and placed chairs made in each country bordering the sea around it for the talks.
Further on in my Clerkenwell walk I stopped into the Modus showroom. Though much of the inventory and all the new stuff had been carted off for display at designjunction, I did quite like the exploded diagram of how certain Modus chairs are made on the wall. This one shows Monica Forster's Dune chair.
Further on in my Clerkenwell walk I stopped into the Modus showroom. Though much of the inventory and all the new stuff had been carted off for display at designjunction, I did quite like the exploded diagram of how certain Modus chairs are made on the wall. This one shows Monica Forster's Dune chair.
I was encouraged, nay, forced, to look up the restaurant St. John by Dwell's art director Alejandro Chavetta. I am pleased that he was so forceful. The rough, charming space was ideal for an afternoon pause, and I've never had a better Welsh rarebit.
I was encouraged, nay, forced, to look up the restaurant St. John by Dwell's art director Alejandro Chavetta. I am pleased that he was so forceful. The rough, charming space was ideal for an afternoon pause, and I've never had a better Welsh rarebit.
As I headed along the Clerkenwell Road toward Old St, I stopped into the gallery/materials archive Scin. Though I was taken with the services they offer to architects—come here to check out all kinds of new materials for all sorts of interior and exterior uses—it was this puckered felt portrait of the queen that warmed my Yankee heart. The work is by Melissa Watts.
As I headed along the Clerkenwell Road toward Old St, I stopped into the gallery/materials archive Scin. Though I was taken with the services they offer to architects—come here to check out all kinds of new materials for all sorts of interior and exterior uses—it was this puckered felt portrait of the queen that warmed my Yankee heart. The work is by Melissa Watts.
Next up was the bike shop Look Mum No Hands, which was showing three new bike storage solutions by Quadterre. You can see each of them, idea for hanging bikes inside, in this photo.
Next up was the bike shop Look Mum No Hands, which was showing three new bike storage solutions by Quadterre. You can see each of them, idea for hanging bikes inside, in this photo.
I finally got to the Tramshed in the early evening, and though they were still setting up, I was still impressed. Here's a Pod by Benjamin Hubert for de vorm. Hubert was the star of the show as his work for De La Espada was just across the aisle from the de vorm booth.
I finally got to the Tramshed in the early evening, and though they were still setting up, I was still impressed. Here's a Pod by Benjamin Hubert for de vorm. Hubert was the star of the show as his work for De La Espada was just across the aisle from the de vorm booth.
Upstairs at the Tramshed was a show of Studioilse's work for De La Espada. It's all lovely, spare, and wooden, but I really liked this Companions Writing Desk with its small cork baskets that hang underneath. The top opens up to reveal a bit of cork board or you can keep it closed to hide away office supplies.
Upstairs at the Tramshed was a show of Studioilse's work for De La Espada. It's all lovely, spare, and wooden, but I really liked this Companions Writing Desk with its small cork baskets that hang underneath. The top opens up to reveal a bit of cork board or you can keep it closed to hide away office supplies.
Danish designer Søren Rose poses in his PA Chair that is also from De La Espada. He told me that the base of the chair is modeled on the bases Verner Panton was designing in the 80s. A fine homage.
Danish designer Søren Rose poses in his PA Chair that is also from De La Espada. He told me that the base of the chair is modeled on the bases Verner Panton was designing in the 80s. A fine homage.
Another Tramshed highlight was this set of enamelware from Falcon. The brand, which has been around since the 20s, is getting an update and a bit of a revival. I loved the homey, nostalgic quality of these bake sets and bought a quartet of cups for myself.

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Another Tramshed highlight was this set of enamelware from Falcon. The brand, which has been around since the 20s, is getting an update and a bit of a revival. I loved the homey, nostalgic quality of these bake sets and bought a quartet of cups for myself. Don't miss a word of Dwell! Download our FREE app from iTunes, friend us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter!