September 2009 Newsletter

September heralds the start of an exciting season of events and launches in the interiors world.  

The highlight being the London Design Festival.  A full two weeks packed with design and interiors events taking place all over London that include exhibitions, talks, product launches and trade shows.   Major interiors events during the Festival are 100% Design at Earls Court, Decorex at Chelsea Hospital, Focus at the brilliant Design Centre at Chelsea Harbour, Tent at 

the Truman Brewery and if you visit the Victoria and Albert Museum you'll discover specially commissioned pieces dotted all around the museum. 

For more information on this massive event visit:  www.londondesignfestival.com

The highlight of the Festival for me is 100% Design covering everything from furniture, lighting, 

surfaces, the latest in sustainable materials as well as product launches of established design companies and brand new talent.

100% Design encompasses 100% Detail, 

100% Materials and 

100% Futures highlights the talent of tomorrow.  It's really a trade show but opens it's doors to the public on Sunday 27 September.  If you're interested in design give yourself a treat and make sure you get to 100%.

To find out more about 100% Design, click on this link to see a video of last years show:

http://www.100percentdesign.co.uk/page.cfm/link=363

If your love is fabrics and soft furnishings then the event for you is FOCUS at Chelsea Harbour Design Centre. Running from 27 - 30 September the Chelsea Harbour Design Centre is home to over 70 showrooms of the major fabrics, furniture, flooring, lighting. wallcoverings and accessories companies as well as the renowned klc School of Design.  FOCUS is a trade show but the doors open to the public on Wednesday 30 September with an excellent seminar programme where major names in the interiors world deliver a series of lectures throughout the day.  A special onsite restaurant will be created during Focus and these seminar days always make for a great day out. Visit the Chelsea Harbour site for more information (the animated features make moving around the site slow and annoying but do persevere).   Visit www.chelsea-harbour.co.uk/

Another show I'll be visiting during the London Design Festival is Decorex held in some rather glamorous tents in the grounds of Chelsea Hospital.  It's another interiors trade show but the public are welcome to attend on the afternoon of Tuesday 29 September.  Exhibitors at Decorex are high end and you can expect to see bespoke furniture, exclusive hand made tiles, custom made flooring, sumptuous wallcoverings, fabrics and lighting.

http://www.decorex.com/page.cfm/NewSection=Yes/GoSection=0

GRAND DESIGNS BIRMINGHAM

The London Design Festival is great if you live in the South but if you're further north then you won't have to wait too long until Grand Designs Live hosted by Kevin McCloud opens at Birmingham's NEC from the 9 - 11 October.  Go to www.granddesignslive.com for more information.

GREEN ISSUES

The Phasing out of incandescent light bulbs

I've been asked by a couple of clients this week to explain the EU regulations regarding the phasing out of 100 watt and all frosted incandescent light bulbs.  There's been a bit of scare mongering in the press in the past couple of weeks making people nervous about whether they'll still be able to use light fittings they already have in their homes.  The answer is there's no need to worry as the industry is working hard to produce alternative eco-friendly replacements to the old bulbs that we've become used to.  Philips and Osram lead the field so when you next need to change a light bulb check out what's available from these two companies.  The Osram website has an informative section that compares the light output of the old high wattage incandescent bulbs with new energy saving replacements.  In terms of dimmer switches, Lutron is the brand to look out for as it's a world leader in dimming technology and continues to forge ahead in the development stakes.

 

Here's the official word on the phasing out of incandescent light bulbs from the European Union,  the following is an extract from their official press release website:

"From September 2009, lamps equivalent in light output to 100W transparent conventional incandescent bulbs and above will have to be at least class C (improved incandescent bulbs with halogen technology instead of conventional incandescent bulbs).

By the end of 2012, the other wattage levels will follow and will also have to reach at least class C.  The most commonly used bulbs, the 60W will remain available until September 2011 and 40W and 25W bulbs until September 2012".

AND FINALLY

As lighting is a topical issue this month let me share the addresses of a few of my favourite lighting designers and artisans.

Firstly Robert Kaindl, a true artisan and master of glass blowing who produces stunningly beautiful fantasy pieces.

http://www.robertkaindl.com/index.htm

Sharon Marston

If you've never seen Sharon Marston's work you'll be blown away by these gorgeous waterfalls of light that give a whole new meaning to the term 'fibre optic technology'.

http://www.sharonmarston.com/

Bruce Munro

A lighting designer who is a master of sculptural lighting and dramatic light installations.

http://www.brucemunro.co.uk/home.asp

Have a great month.  

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