Making it – the London Design Festival

Showing his metal: bed maker Daniel Spring at work. Photograph: Wayne Kirk

Tired of the samey furniture and homewares to be found in high street shops? Take inspiration from local designers taking part in this year’s London Design Festival which runs from today, 14th September, until the 23rd.

Hackney is awash with designer-makers who have original and collectible items for the home, and several of the events even allow you to become a designer yourself.

You may, for example, find something cool for yourself and your home from brand new designer collective and studio BLACK + WHITE + COLOUR.

The brainchild of graphic designer Emma Kalkhoven, illustrator Susie Hogarth, the new studio will feature original graphic design and illustration. Their launch this month  includes a pop-up shop and events space in London Fields as part of the festival.

Here you can find covetable design-led homewares, fashion, jewellery and stationery available for purchase, whilst The Events Container will be host to workshops by cult children’s magazine Okido and local screen printing studio All Cats Are Grey, and artists’ film screenings.

Alternatively, you might set your sights on a designer bed from Daniel Spring. His new range includes items in materials such as polished and plated nickel, bronze and brass, as well as sumptuous textiles.

Spring, who has lived in Hackney for his entire adult life, bought his workshop here twelve years ago.

“When I first moved in, the area was run down, dangerous and quiet, so I had to watch my back,” he recounts. “Watching the revitalisation of the The Events Container will be host to workshops by cult children’s magazine Okido
and local screen printing studio All Cats Are Grey area has been incredible. Now, rather than being a no-go area, London Fields is a famous destination throughout the UK and even the US.

“I think that the appeal of my beds lies in their simplicity, clean lines and honest materials, which means they can work with a variety of interiors – anything from a really industrial loft to a grand home. Clients also like that they can speak directly to the designer, and that everything is not only handmade, but manufactured entirely right here. This means that they can trace – and trust – the piece of furniture.”

“Because everything is made to order, my clients can participate in the design process. I think they also like the idea of supporting a small, sustainable business, as well as the fact that each piece of furniture I make has its own story”.

If a designer bed is beyond your means, you might perhaps consider getting crafty yourself. Participatory events that form part of the London Design Festival include a workshop run by Barley Massey of Fabrications. At this event the Broadway market-based designer shares some of her signature textile techniques.

For more go to:
londondesignfestival.com
blackandwhiteandcolour.co.uk danielspring.co.uk
fabrications1.co.uk