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7 Trends from Clerkenwell Design Week 2023
Which colours, surfaces and innovations were on display at this year’s event?
Amanda Pollard
25 May 2023
Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors and architecture.
Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors... More
From outdoor living and bold colours to biophilic lighting and bespoke products, there were plenty of inspiring designs and ideas at Clerkenwell Design Week this year. The festival took place in east London from 23 to 25 May and included more than 130 resident showrooms, over 200 exhibitors and 10 design destinations.
We went along to see the products and innovations on show and listen to talks on the topics that are interesting industry thought leaders right now.
We went along to see the products and innovations on show and listen to talks on the topics that are interesting industry thought leaders right now.
1. Optimistic colours
Colour palettes were bright this year at Clerkenwell, a trend exemplified by Yinka Ilori’s debut tile range (pictured), designed in collaboration with Domus. The bold kaleidoscope of hues includes yellow, pink, lavender, blue and green and “aims to encourage playfulness, joy and boundless possibility into surface design and interiors”.
New technology is enabling designers to introduce more of these cheerful colours to sustainable ranges, too. Vepa showcased new colourways for its Felt seating collection, made from recycled PET plastic bottles.
“The recycling process is particularly lengthy and, up until now, the seat colours came in two beautiful shades of grey,” the firm explains. “However, following considerable investment in R&D, the Felt family is now available in ‘technocolour’.”
Colour palettes were bright this year at Clerkenwell, a trend exemplified by Yinka Ilori’s debut tile range (pictured), designed in collaboration with Domus. The bold kaleidoscope of hues includes yellow, pink, lavender, blue and green and “aims to encourage playfulness, joy and boundless possibility into surface design and interiors”.
New technology is enabling designers to introduce more of these cheerful colours to sustainable ranges, too. Vepa showcased new colourways for its Felt seating collection, made from recycled PET plastic bottles.
“The recycling process is particularly lengthy and, up until now, the seat colours came in two beautiful shades of grey,” the firm explains. “However, following considerable investment in R&D, the Felt family is now available in ‘technocolour’.”
2. Switched-on switches
If you were thinking those knobs and buttons we flick to turn on a light or appliance are only there to be useful, it’s time to think again. Designers at Clerkenwell showed that the humble, functional switch can be a thing of beauty in itself.
Take home automation expert JUNG’s collection of switches, for instance, which comes in a range of colours, materials and designs to match different interior schemes. You can choose from 63 Le Corbusier® shades or even 24-carat gold leaf.
For those who want a mix-and-match look, Dowsing & Reynolds launched its exclusive range of combination switches, which enable customers to combine different designs on the same switch plate.
An even more unusual creation on show at Clerkenwell was Bioo’s biological switch (pictured), which uses technology to allow a plant to decode people’s energy to turn on a light source. You plant the succulent into the ceramic lamp and, once you’ve calibrated it, you can simply touch the plant to switch on the lamp.
Thinking of renovating? Find everyone you need, from interior designers to builders, carpenters and decorators, on Houzz.
If you were thinking those knobs and buttons we flick to turn on a light or appliance are only there to be useful, it’s time to think again. Designers at Clerkenwell showed that the humble, functional switch can be a thing of beauty in itself.
Take home automation expert JUNG’s collection of switches, for instance, which comes in a range of colours, materials and designs to match different interior schemes. You can choose from 63 Le Corbusier® shades or even 24-carat gold leaf.
For those who want a mix-and-match look, Dowsing & Reynolds launched its exclusive range of combination switches, which enable customers to combine different designs on the same switch plate.
An even more unusual creation on show at Clerkenwell was Bioo’s biological switch (pictured), which uses technology to allow a plant to decode people’s energy to turn on a light source. You plant the succulent into the ceramic lamp and, once you’ve calibrated it, you can simply touch the plant to switch on the lamp.
Thinking of renovating? Find everyone you need, from interior designers to builders, carpenters and decorators, on Houzz.
3. Enlightened lighting
Talk of the Bioo design leads nicely into a lighting trend we noticed at Clerkenwell this year, where illumination is created to be in tune with nature and wellbeing.
At Design Fields, for example, Keramik showed off its ceramic lights inspired by natural phenomena, such as its Flume pendant lamp that replicates flumes and waterfall trails.
Elsewhere in the Light venue, Ana Bridgewater of Abalon displayed her Coralo Collection of biophilic lights made from porcelain and wood (pictured). The lights are inspired by coral reefs and are designed to mimic nature.
In his Tempus range, Ben Rousseau uses the therapeutic qualities of light to change the way we experience time. Instead of numbers, the timepieces feature a geometric pattern of light segments, which build up to represent time. Ben’s aim is to “transform the way society thinks about time in order to appreciate the importance and joy of living in the moment”.
Talk of the Bioo design leads nicely into a lighting trend we noticed at Clerkenwell this year, where illumination is created to be in tune with nature and wellbeing.
At Design Fields, for example, Keramik showed off its ceramic lights inspired by natural phenomena, such as its Flume pendant lamp that replicates flumes and waterfall trails.
Elsewhere in the Light venue, Ana Bridgewater of Abalon displayed her Coralo Collection of biophilic lights made from porcelain and wood (pictured). The lights are inspired by coral reefs and are designed to mimic nature.
In his Tempus range, Ben Rousseau uses the therapeutic qualities of light to change the way we experience time. Instead of numbers, the timepieces feature a geometric pattern of light segments, which build up to represent time. Ben’s aim is to “transform the way society thinks about time in order to appreciate the importance and joy of living in the moment”.
4. Bespoke and beyond
Products and materials that enable interior designers and their clients to customise their homes are increasingly popular, with brands at Clerkenwell displaying unique responses to these requests.
Flooring and surfaces manufacturer Schotten & Hansen, for instance, held a series of workshops to coincide with the launch of its naturally coloured veneer collection. Attendees could experiment with colour and even create their own shades.
Curiousa is an expert in custom-made lighting and displayed its Wave chandelier at the show. Clients can choose from 22 glass colours and use the in-house 3D drawing service to help them visualise their final chandelier design.
The ultimate in flexible design at the show came with the Umbra Lux table (pictured) by FirthByDesign, which can be continuously updated by the owner depending on their ever-changing tastes. The adjustable design allows users to mould and manipulate it to highlight different colours and shapes.
Products and materials that enable interior designers and their clients to customise their homes are increasingly popular, with brands at Clerkenwell displaying unique responses to these requests.
Flooring and surfaces manufacturer Schotten & Hansen, for instance, held a series of workshops to coincide with the launch of its naturally coloured veneer collection. Attendees could experiment with colour and even create their own shades.
Curiousa is an expert in custom-made lighting and displayed its Wave chandelier at the show. Clients can choose from 22 glass colours and use the in-house 3D drawing service to help them visualise their final chandelier design.
The ultimate in flexible design at the show came with the Umbra Lux table (pictured) by FirthByDesign, which can be continuously updated by the owner depending on their ever-changing tastes. The adjustable design allows users to mould and manipulate it to highlight different colours and shapes.
5. Sustainability goes mainstream
Where sustainable products would have been a rare sight a few years ago, design fairs nowadays are showcasing ecofriendly products in abundance.
Most brands are embracing ways to be kinder to the environment, with the majority of exhibitors at Clerkenwell displaying products made from recycled materials or manufactured in ways that are less harmful.
Tile brand Parkside showed how sustainability could be produced on a bigger scale than before with its new Principle wall tile (pictured), which contains 91% recycled material. “It represents a huge step forward for the industry, as a mass-produced, high recycled content wall tile made in standard production,” the company says. “Every square metre of Principle diverts 8kg of waste from landfill.”
Where sustainable products would have been a rare sight a few years ago, design fairs nowadays are showcasing ecofriendly products in abundance.
Most brands are embracing ways to be kinder to the environment, with the majority of exhibitors at Clerkenwell displaying products made from recycled materials or manufactured in ways that are less harmful.
Tile brand Parkside showed how sustainability could be produced on a bigger scale than before with its new Principle wall tile (pictured), which contains 91% recycled material. “It represents a huge step forward for the industry, as a mass-produced, high recycled content wall tile made in standard production,” the company says. “Every square metre of Principle diverts 8kg of waste from landfill.”
6. Outdoors that feels like indoors
Brands are responding to the ongoing popularity of outdoor living with furniture and lighting that can turn a garden into a living room.
Norr11, for example, showcased outdoor versions of its Studio and Hippo seating collections at Clerkenwell this year, while Ethimo displayed its range of outdoor furniture that would look equally at home indoors.
Lights that can be used inside and out were also on display at the event, including Humble’s collection of rechargeable Two lamps (pictured). These compact linen table lamps have an IP65 waterproof rating and stay charged for up to 95 hours.
Brands are responding to the ongoing popularity of outdoor living with furniture and lighting that can turn a garden into a living room.
Norr11, for example, showcased outdoor versions of its Studio and Hippo seating collections at Clerkenwell this year, while Ethimo displayed its range of outdoor furniture that would look equally at home indoors.
Lights that can be used inside and out were also on display at the event, including Humble’s collection of rechargeable Two lamps (pictured). These compact linen table lamps have an IP65 waterproof rating and stay charged for up to 95 hours.
7. Beauty in multifunctionality
Hybrid working has prompted a desire for products that can be both multifunctional and attractive at the same time, and some Clerkenwell exhibitors have managed to fulfil that brief well.
Abstracta, for example, displayed its Abstracta x Wall of Art collection of acoustic panels featuring contemporary art. Each panel is both a beautiful piece of art and a sound absorber made of recycled textiles.
More good-looking acoustic panels were on show from Rockfon, whose Lamella range of slatted panels comes in a choice of wood veneers.
Gresham’s Monoko collection of stylish seating (pictured) was designed to meet the needs of mixed-use spaces. The Scandinavian single and double seaters are both stylish and comfortable, to allow for a functional and elegant workplace/living space.
Tell us…
Did you go to Clerkenwell Design Week this year? Which products and innovations caught your eye? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
Hybrid working has prompted a desire for products that can be both multifunctional and attractive at the same time, and some Clerkenwell exhibitors have managed to fulfil that brief well.
Abstracta, for example, displayed its Abstracta x Wall of Art collection of acoustic panels featuring contemporary art. Each panel is both a beautiful piece of art and a sound absorber made of recycled textiles.
More good-looking acoustic panels were on show from Rockfon, whose Lamella range of slatted panels comes in a choice of wood veneers.
Gresham’s Monoko collection of stylish seating (pictured) was designed to meet the needs of mixed-use spaces. The Scandinavian single and double seaters are both stylish and comfortable, to allow for a functional and elegant workplace/living space.
Tell us…
Did you go to Clerkenwell Design Week this year? Which products and innovations caught your eye? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
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