From Green Grads to the Innovation Gallery, through to CIUK’s Material Library, the 2025 edition of Surface Design Show (SDS) will have even more unique features for visitors to discover in 2025. Held from 4-6 February, SDS brings together the best in material innovation with over 180 companies showcasing thousands of materials many of which will be launched at the show, alongside a range of features and collaborations that have been designed to educate and inspire.
Exhibiting at the Surface Design Show 2025 for the first time are the Green Grads, a platform that spotlights recent graduates from UK universities who are confronting the world’s most urgent environmental challenges. “Our graduates are tackling sustainability, climate change, circular production, waste and pollution, biophilia, bio-diversity and much more. They include engineers, product and furniture designers, material scientists, ceramicists, textile and graphic designers, craftspeople, artists, and film makers.” explains founder and curator Barbara Chandler, who brings over 25 years of experience as the Design Editor of the London Evening Standard. The materials showcased will be biomaterials made from woodchips, breadcrumbs and wool, algae-based dyes an alternative to synthetic and often toxic pigments and materials made from organic waste such as eggshells and banana peel.
Commercial Interiors UK (CIUK) will be launching its Supplier Finder Material Library at SDS, a curated collection of groundbreaking materials from its members. Visitors can explore over 100 innovative material samples which have been designed with commercial interiors in mind, including textiles, wallcoverings, solid surfaces and timber. The interactive displays offer a tactile experience with materials displayed on wire mesh panels with informative tags that provide sustainability credentials and production processes along with information about the brand.
The Innovation Gallery is a further debut for 2025, designed to champion up-and-coming material innovators, it is the place to discover groundbreaking materials and concepts emphasising new companies at the forefront of material innovation. With a strong commitment to fostering small businesses, the Innovation Gallery provides an invaluable platform for independent creators and SME’s to showcase their work on a global stage.
A team from the Journal of Biophilic Design, the publisher and broadcaster of research into the health and environmental benefits of Biophilic Nature-inspired Design, will be present to bring visitors knowledge, inspiration, case studies and ideas on how to design and help businesses reach net zero, how to increase biodiversity, and how biophilic design improves the whole value chain from real estate to employee costs.
For Everyday.Life (FE.L) will showcase ‘Housing Salinas’, a project that was designed in response to community displacement in Puerto Rico as a result of Hurricane Maria. It is the creation of a long-term solution that strives towards a future where residents can live, work, and flourish in an environment that embodies the highest standards of social and environmental responsibility. The low cost, 3D printed housing solution is constructed from mortar-based concrete and combined with the robotic capabilities of construction company, ICON. Jorge Mendez-Caceres, Co-Founder at FEL said: “The Housing Salinas project highlights our commitment to creating a vibrant and sustainable solution that could be measured against the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The ambition is to provide more than just houses; there is an aspiration to cultivate a harmonious living environment that prioritises social inclusivity, environmental responsibility, and economic prosperity.”
Features returning for 2025 include Surface Spotlight, The Stone Knowledge Hub, Furnishing Futures and Mastercharge.
Located right in the heart of the show, Surface Spotlight will once again be presenting a selection of carefully selected surfaces, finishes and materials that embrace the 2025 show theme ‘Creative Conscience’. Curated by material, design and trend expert Sally Angharad, the trends highlighted will be blended, softened, curved and polished. Surface Spotlight is an interactive display that allows visitors to get up close and personal with some of the materials that will be shaping our future.
SDS is proud to announce its continued partnership with Furnishing Futures, an incredible charity founded by interior stylist, writer, and social worker Emily Wheeler. Furnishing Futures focuses on creating beautifully designed, fully furnished healing homes for women and children who have suffered from domestic abuse. After escaping domestic abuse these individuals often find themselves in social housing without basic amenities, such as flooring or white goods. The charity addresses this critical gap by partnering with the interiors industry to repurpose good quality ex-display items, returns, props, or donated furnishings and designing beautiful safe spaces. Based in Leyton in East London, Furnishing Futures will be present at the show, giving visitors the opportunity to see examples of their work and discuss this important topic in more detail.
Returning for 2025, Mastercharge will provide a recharge point for all exhibitors and visitors to use during the 3-day show. Alongside being a sponsor for the show, Mastercharge’s recharge point will focus on integrating wireless charging technology into various surfaces without affecting the appearance.
SDS25’s new Main Stage Partner is Procédés Chénel International, a team of creative individuals that help designers with worldwide development, production and distribution of decorative solutions, technologies and materials. Their team will be designing and installing the main stage at the show which will hold the extensive programme of debates, panel talks and insights into the latest material innovations.
The Stone Knowledge Hub is also returning to the 2025 Surface Design Show, with confirmed exhibitors including Albion Stone, Arcturus Stone, Brittanicus Stone, Burlington Stone, Fila Surface Care Products, Stone Cladding Systems and Welsh Slate. The go-to place for architects and designers looking to find inspiration and information for their natural stone projects, the Stone Knowledge Hub is host to some of the leading names with the UK natural stone sector.
Visit the 2025 Surface Design Show for a unique exploration of new and returning features.
About Surface Design Show
Surface Design Show is the event of choice for architects and designers. The exhibition is where the industry immerses themselves in the latest materials for the built environment, gain new insights and network with like-minded designers, architects and suppliers. Join thousands of professionals from across the A&D sector, and be inspired by 180 exhibiting companies, dedicated to furthering material innovation.
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From 16 to 20 January, Paris will host the unmissable Maison&Objet fair, a landmark event for interior design and decoration professionals. This year’s theme, “Sur/Reality,” challenges attendees to explore a fascinating space where imagination and creativity transcend the boundaries of the everyday. For members of the Society of British & International Interior Design (SBID), the fair offers a unique opportunity to discover bold inspirations, groundbreaking designs, and innovative concepts shaping the future of the industry.
SBID Members can receive FREE tickets!*
*Email [email protected] to claim or click here to discover the benefits of SBID membership.
The theme of Sur/Reality sets the tone for an exploration of the unexpected, blending the fantastical with the functional. Designs that play with illusion, reinterpret forms, and transform materials invite visitors to reimagine spaces as dreamlike yet tangible. This approach speaks to a collective desire to escape monotony, creating environments that evoke wonder, provoke thought, and foster emotional connections.
Among the many highlights of this edition is the recognition of Faye Toogood as Designer of the Year. A celebrated British talent, Toogood is renowned for her multidisciplinary approach, which bridges design, art, and architecture. Her installation, “Womanifesto,” serves as a powerful exploration of the Sur/Reality theme. Combining her unique creative voice with the broader dialogue around the role of women in design, “Womanifesto” celebrates the fusion of artistry and activism, offering a deeply personal yet universal commentary on how the surreal can shape reality.
Another key feature of the fair is the Women & Design programme, an initiative dedicated to spotlighting the achievements and perspectives of women in the design world. Through keynote talks, panels, and networking sessions, the programme fosters meaningful conversations about gender equity, diversity, and the transformative impact of women’s contributions to the industry. For SBID members, these sessions provide valuable insights and inspiration to engage with inclusivity and innovation in their own practices.
With over 3,000 exhibitors, Maison&Objet presents an extraordinary platform to explore cutting-edge designs and connect with a global network of creators, manufacturers, and visionaries. From surreal installations to practical workshops, the event is rich with opportunities to expand horizons and spark fresh ideas.
Beyond the halls of the Parc des Expositions in Villepinte, Paris itself extends the surreal experience. The city’s vibrant galleries, exhibitions, and pop-up events offer a complementary journey through art and design, making this January edition a fully immersive adventure.
Maison&Objet is more than a trade show; it is a celebration of creativity, a platform for dialogue, and a springboard for innovation. For SBID members, the combination of Sur/Reality, Faye Toogood’s visionary “Womanifesto,” and the empowering Women & Design programme makes this edition an unmissable opportunity to redefine what’s possible in interior design.
About MAISON&OBJET PARIS
The lifestyle show in Paris brings together a 360°product offering for designers and specifiers; decoration, design, furniture, accessories, textiles, tableware and more. M&O showcase an excess of 3,000 international brands to over 70,000 interiors professionals twice a year in Paris.
MAISON&OBJET PARIS, Paris Nord Villepinte Exhibition Centre, 16-20 January 2025
Dornbracht is returning to HIX this year, revealing a new Brushed Light Gold finish and displaying a strong focus on capabilities for bespoke hospitality projects. Christian Sieger, owner of Sieger Design, which is responsible for the design of many Dornbracht fittings, will join Dornbracht in hosting a meet and greet on 27 November, offering insight into the creation process of the manufacturer’s iconic and enduring fittings.
MEM will be displayed on stand in the new Brushed Light Gold finish alongside the Vaia in Brushed Bronze and the more traditional lines of Madison in Brushed Dark Platinum. With designs to suit both contemporary and traditional projects, these finishes are set to inspire the A&D community as Dornbracht presents a move towards warmer fittings in hospitality, particularly in high end specifications. Brushed Light Gold and Brushed Bronze are the first finishes from Dornbracht’s new PVD production line, offering more variety in terms of the colour palette.
There will furthermore be a dedicated area for bespoke solutions, showing for example unique handle inlays which can be personalised to individual projects, using recent collaborations with Nature Squared and Glass Design as examples.
“We always look forward to HIX and the chance to hear from our A&D customers first hand,” comments Craig Johnstone, Sales and Marketing Director, Dornbracht UK. “Our finishes were really popular at HIX last year and we enjoyed the response from our visitors. HIX was the natural place to unveil our new Brushed Bronze finish and we look forward to the feedback this year. With the additional presence of Christian Sieger at our stand this year, we are looking forward to inspiring the industry again.”
For more information visit www.hixevent.com. Visitors can register for free at HIX Event 2024 (visitcloud.com).
Dornbracht at HIX - 27 and 28 November 2024 - Business Design Centre London - Stand 1 - Free and unticketed event with Champagne and canapes on 27 November from 6pm with Christian Sieger
About Dornbracht
Dornbracht, with headquarters in Iserlohn, Germany, is a leading specialist for superior designer fittings and accessories for bathrooms, spas and kitchens. The company was founded in 1950 and today is internationally renowned among architects, designers and luxury consumers for its product portfolio in more than 125 markets.
HIX LDN – Europe’s leading hotel design event – is back for 2024 with more of the best hotel interior experiences. Bringing the hospitality design community together for two days of networking, talks, installations, and an exhibition of over 160 leading interior design brands, HIX is a true celebration of everything that makes hotels incredible.
Last year, HIX welcomed 4,280 guests to London’s Business Design Centre, including architects, designers, operators, developers, investors, project managers, specifiers and more. Gathering the entire hotel supply chain under one roof, HIX returns on 27 & 28 November with new spaces, new experiences, a new theme, and a newly expanded exhibition of the latest interior products.
The theme for this year’s HIX, ‘a sense of place’, explores the unique connections that exist between a hotel and the area it serves – be that a specific building, a neighbourhood, a district or an entire city. As guests seek out increasingly authentic localised experiences, tapping into these connections has become a key marker of both commercial and cultural success. As such, designers have been tasked with facilitating organic, sustainable relationships with close-knit surrounding communities.
Every element of the HIX 2024 programme will be guided by this idea; from the topics up for debate on the HIX Talks stage and the form of the event’s signature HIX installation, to the soundtrack and menus at one of the many industry networking receptions.
Featuring a curated selection of over 160 cutting-edge design brands, the HIX show floor represents the best of the bathroom, surface, technology, furnishing and fabric sectors – a one stop shop with everything you need to bring the guest experience to life. This year’s line-up includes returning HIX favourites like GROHE, Laufen, Roca, Hansgrohe, Chelsom, Duxiana, Hypnos and Muuto along new members of the HIX exhibitor community like Cane-line, Woodio, Pablo Designs, Frandsen and Bensen. Elsewhere, back for a third year, Collection is HIX’s expo-within-an-expo comprising a micro-edit of 30 European labels presenting exclusive new products, while the all-new Gallery Hall adds 30 new stands and activation areas served by their own programme of content.
How is the rise of responsible tourism changing hotel design? Is hotel F&B the key to unlocking an authentic local experience? Will hotels evolve to be more like homes? HIX Talks asks the big hotel design questions with a lineup of the industry’s brightest minds. This year’s speakers include Marriott, IHG, Hilton, Accor, AvroKO, Nomadic Escapes, Luxury Frontiers, Squire & Partners, Holloway Li, Studio Lost, Richmond International and more.
Running parallel, a newly launched series of breakout talks curated by HIX partners Design Anthology UK, Festival of Hospitality and Studio Skov will complement the main programme with discussions centred around branding, investment and the future of travel. Taking place on the new Gallery Stage, these breakout sessions include panels, presentations and intimate one-on-one chats with the people and perspectives shaping the future of hotel design.
Each year, HIX collaborates with leading hotel designers to create immersive installations that push the boundaries of the hospitality experience. In 2022, HIX worked with WeWantMore and organic material artist Côme Di Meglio to develop the world’s first mycelium bar, whilst 2023 upped the stakes with a pair of spaces by Blacksheep and MIXD that showcased two distinct ‘rooms with a point of view’.
This year, under the guiding mantra of ‘a sense of place’, the signature HIX installation will mark the event’s largest and most ambitious project yet. Partnering with four leading hospitality design studios in Purcell, 3Stories, Atellior and 4Corners Design, this year’s project sees the team reimagine Islington’s iconic Business Design Centre as a hospitality experience.
Presented as a large-scale multimedia gallery within a space by set designers Cloud & Horse, each vision draws from a deep-dive historical report on the building and local area by heritage consultants Historic Productions, and celebrates the power of locality, community and heritage in hotel design.
About HIX
HIX is the ever-changing experience that makes hotels incredible and Europe’s leading exhibition for hotel design. The event brings together the entire design and interiors supply chain—including bathroom, fabrics, FF&E, furniture, lighting, objects, outdoor, wellness, surfaces, technology, and more—with the interior designers, architects, specifiers, hotel operators, procurement professionals, and developers who shape the guest experience.
HIX, Business Design Centre, 27-28 November 2024
Held at the Business Design Centre in Islington, London, LiGHT 24 is the UK’s only trade show dedicated to high-end lighting specification. Held annually, over two-days in November it attracts designers and specifiers from all areas of the industry looking to be inspired, educated, and grow their professional network.
Having attracted almost 5,000 visitors in 2023 - architects, interior designers, lighting designers, engineers, and specifiers head to LiGHT in their thousands to see the very latest product innovations and launches from 100s of exhibiting architectural and decorative lighting brands.
Run by [d]arc media – the leading media company in lighting design - the show also features the highly regarded [d]arc thoughts talks programme. Moderated by editors from the leading lighting design magazines arc and darc, as well as guest moderators, the talks delve deeper into the latest topics and trends affecting lighting and design – whether that’s looking at circular economy and sustainability, designing for wellness, or diversity in design.
LiGHT also provides endless opportunities for visitors to make new connections, whether that’s through the late-night drinks party, networking brunch, or while working in the dedicated co-working space, or re-energising in the Associations Lounge.
The 2024 edition of the show will take place on 20 and 21 November and is completely free to attend. For more information, including an exhibitor list and talks programme schedule, click here.
About LiGHT24
Architects, interior designers, lighting designers, engineers, and specifiers head to LiGHT in their thousands to see the very latest product innovations and launches from 100s of exhibiting architectural and decorative lighting brands.
LiGHT24, Business Design Centre, 20-21 November 2024
The Independent Hotel Show, in partnership with James Hallam Insurance Brokers, returns to Olympia London on 15-16 October to bring together the independent hotelier and interior design community for two busy days of networking, product discovery and learning about the latest industry trends.
Independent Hotel Show Event Manager Glenn Wallace comments: “One of our key aims for the Independent Hotel Show is to curate an immersive, design-led trade show which provides an elevate experience for visiting hoteliers, and an opportunity for our design partners to demonstrate their talents by bringing the show’s features to life.”
Design partners for 2024 include Design Command, Fibi Interiors, Luke Edwards Interior Design, Anya Brakha Interiors, studio ATARA, Amit Dixit Design, OMO Interiors and Spacebrand.
Fido Fawo, Founder of Fibi Interiors and designed of the show’s Members Suite, says: “When the Independent Hotel Show calls, you answer! It's such an honour to be a part of this year's show. Fibi Interiors have been huge fans of the show for several years now so being a part of such an impactful event is a defining moment.”
Sarah Dudley, Founder and Creative Director at Spacebrand, the studio behind the show’s Dining Room and Hotel Business Stage, adds: “Spacebrand are excited to become design partners supporting the Independent Hotel Show 2024 with our designs for both the Hotel Business Stage and the Dining Room.”
“Spacebrand are committed to helping hoteliers transform their businesses, by being part of this show we hope to provide an experience that will inspire them to bridge the gap between design feasibility and product viability and help the event to drive the hospitality sector forwards.”
Discussing his design for the show’s Sales Lounge, Luke Edwards of Luke Edwards Interior Design says: “It could simply be boiled down to a few words, flexibility, sustainability, nature, peaceful, and luxurious comfort - but they don’t do justice to the deeper context.”
“I wanted the Sales Lounge space to ultimately be multi-functional and more than just a space at the event for conducting meetings. I wanted it to have the feeling that it could easily be the interior of a hotel lobby but with the flexibility of three spaces; being able to hold private meetings, have more open small group work areas, and also providing a luxuriously comfortable space to relax.”
Design Command Founder Clare McDonald, the studio behind this year’s Innovation Stage design, says: “As a growing design firm, we value building strong relationships and learning from a diverse range of hospitality businesses. Independent hotels often have unique perspectives and are passionate about creating distinct guest experiences, which aligns with our approach to design.”
“For us, connecting with independent hotels is a chance to exchange ideas, explore new opportunities, and continue building our network. We’re excited to establish meaningful connections and explore how we can support these hotels in creating spaces that reflect their individuality and vision.”
Trends and innovations in design are also an important part of the show’s seminar programme, this year reflecting on the show’s theme of ‘Beyond the hustle and bustle’.
Melanie Rozencwajg, Founder & CEO of DataThinkLab and Nathalie Rozencwajg, Founder & Director at NAME architecture, will be taking to the show’s Innovation Stage, sponsored by Mews and designed by Design Command, for the session ‘Escaping the hustle and bustle through intelligent design solutions’.
Melanie comments: “As a data analyst, I'm excited to explore what online reviews reveal about 'escapism' from both qualitative and quantitative perspectives. These reviews provide unique insights into how people experience escapism in the hotel landscape.”
“Our session is crucial because hotels and brands are just beginning to fully grasp the power of analysing customer reviews to enhance their offerings. Guest feedback is invaluable, and online reviews offer rich data that helps us deeply understand guest experiences and desires, especially around key trends like escapism. With today's digital tools, we can better meet guest needs and create personalized experiences, making this the ideal time to leverage these insights.”
Meanwhile, the session ‘Namaste: The importance of designing for wellness and escaping the hustle and bustle’ will be examining the growth and lasting impact of wellness on hospitality design, plus how the trend might evolve in future years.
Moderator Vanessa Brady, CEO of The Society of British & International Interior Design (SBID) will be joined onstage by Josh Chadwick, General Manager of The Tawny, Beverley Bayes, Director at Sparc Studio, Ben Harper, CEO of Watergate Bay Hotel, Another Place Hotels, SeaSpace Hotels and Beach Retreats, and Neil Fairplay, Director at Sparc Studio.
To find out more about everything happening at the Independent Hotel Show 2024, and to register for your complimentary trade ticket, visit independenthotelshow.co.uk.
About Independent Hotel Show
The show is the only industry event dedicated entirely to the needs of luxury and boutique hoteliers and designers, explore what’s on here. Dedicated to supporting the needs of the modern hotelier, the Independent Hotel Show delivers aspirational content alongside practical solutions, as well as facilitating those unanticipated connections that could totally transform your business.
Independent Hotel Show, Olympia London, 15-16 October 2024
The countdown is on to Europe’s leading high-end interior design event, Decorex, which returns to Olympia Events, London. Taking place from 6-9 October, more than 280 brands will exhibit their latest design innovations and product launches offering visitors the chance to discover curated interior collections for every design project.
SBID Members can redeem FREE VIP tickets to attend!*
Discover the handpicked line-up of this year’s exhibitors and explore the latest offerings from brands at the show, including Heirlooms, Holmes Bespoke, Lilla Rugs, John Cullen X Hux, COAT Paints, V&A Enterprises, Clearwater Interiors, Hendel & Hendel, Officine Gullo and Alternative Flooring. This autumn Decorex will provide unbeatable interior inspiration, opportunities to make connections with new and familiar faces and be the place to source a vast range of exciting new products.
Whether behind the scenes or on the show floor, sustainability is at the heart of Decorex. The Better Stands initiative aims to reduce waste that stands and exhibitions can create by adopting reusable structures. This year, the show is powered by 100% renewable electricity, preventing the creation of an estimated 21.5 tons of CO2, significantly reducing the event's carbon impact. To reinforce sustainability values within the design industry, Decorex is continuing to work with the Sustainability Task Force. Created in 2023, the Task Force is formed of sustainable brands; Edward Bulmer, Haines Collection, Holmes Bespoke, Naturalmat, Persona Abode, Soho Lighting, Studio Suss, Bluepatch and B/ABLE, each leading the way in creating a greener community. This year will also see the launch of the Decorex Sustainability Awards, for which the Task Force will judge four categories throughout the event including ‘Innovative Design’ and ‘Driving Social Change’. Soho Lighting will also launch the winning design for the Cleaner Ocean Project, a competition in which Primary school children have designed lighting using plastics salvaged from beach cleanups. The winning young designer will attend the show as a VIP guest to see their design brought to life using the gathered materials, which will be recycled and 3D printed.
Together with design creative Ellen Merchant’s colourful prints, Decorex is also collaborating with renowned design studio BradyWilliams who will be designing the show’s iconic bar area in the centre of the show floor. Sustainable paint brand YesColours will transform the VIP lounge with their unique and colourful approach. Visitors can also see two exciting show floor entrance features designed by The New Craftmakers; an organisation who commission and sell unique contemporary objects that are rooted in craftsmanship and narrative. Their range is made by a growing network of makers from across the British Isles. These innovative and highly creative designer collaborations will ensure that the event is packed with inspiring interior design moments throughout the event.
The 2024 edition of Decorex will host a rich programme of talks by design industry professionals. Hear from over 85 expert speakers on a variety of specialist topics, ranging from sustainability to using AI in interior design. The renowned talks programme is the perfect opportunity to learn and be inspired by industry peers with in-depth knowledge and experience of the subjects explored. More sustainability talks and workshops will also be available in the Sustainability Lounge in association with The Green Room, aimed to empower interiors brands to become more sustainable.
For over 45 years, Decorex has connected interior design professionals with the very best in interiors; from designer collaborations, interactive workshops, showcases from up-and-coming artisans and an unmissable talks programme.
The countdown for Decorex 2024 is now on, with tickets available online for this year’s unmissable design event. Register to connect with interior design professionals and the very best in interiors; from designer collaborations, interactive workshops, showcases from up-and-coming artisans and the highly anticipated Talks Programme.
Click here to register now.
About Decorex
With 280+ of the finest brands, Decorex showcases exclusive, bespoke products that celebrate quality and craftsmanship. Be captivated by 85+ design experts sharing invaluable tips, advice, and trend insights.
Decorex, Olympia London, 6-9 October 2024
As one of the world's premier design events, the Festival showcases the diversity and dynamism of the global design community while highlighting London's pivotal role as a hub of creativity. This year's Festival promises to be a beacon of inspiration, bringing together leading designers, architects, brands and innovators to explore the transformative potential of design in addressing societal challenges and enriching our everyday lives.
Following on from TECH EDEN, which focused on the invigorating alliance between technology and nature, Maison&Objet and creative strategy consultancy Peclers Paris are continuing their optimistic, resilient, and stimulating exploration in September with a new theme: TERRA COSMOS.
“Where the vastness of space mingles with seemingly finite terrestrial territories... Where universal fantasies and earthly materiality collide... Where science and magic intertwine... New and lasting fictions are born, and are sure to have an impact on the real world.” Brune Ouakrat, Strategic Planner in charge of foresight at Peclers Paris.
TERRA COSMOS deciphers these new desires and the expectations of consumers in search of awe-inspiring experiences. This cosmic vision of the future remains firmly rooted in the reality of an exhibition that is resolutely focused on novelty, creativity, and innovation.
SBID Members can redeem FREE tickets to attend!*
*Subject to availability. Email [email protected] to claim or click here to discover SBID membership.
The prospect of space travel is now a real possibility, and the technological advances that have been projected in futuristic fiction herald profound changes in the way that we live our lives. Some 55 years after man first set foot on the moon, new scientific successes are rekindling our fascination and igniting our imagination focused on the cosmos, and synonymous with a promising future.
“In this new approach, it is no longer simply a matter of an extraterrestrial elsewhere. We are part of the cosmos, and this position implies responsibility, as well as resilient and virtuous creations and practices. It imposes a broader, more esoteric, magical vision in which we can imagine ourselves as tourists in zero gravity, choosing to claim the stars or seek beneficial connections with the elements” Brune Ouakrat, Strategic Planner in charge of foresight at Peclers Paris.
“Connection, immersion, virtuality, smart materials, 3D, AI*... A part of the fantasy is becoming reality and consumers are ready for immersive, sensory experiences, while new aesthetics are invading into their daily lives and enchanting them once more.” Brune Ouakrat, Strategic Planner in charge of foresight at Peclers Paris.
These materials may be brutalist or sophisticated, iridescent or transparent, evocative of both the mineral surface of the stars as well as celestial and stellar expanses. The novelty of TERRA COSMOS is crystallised in the intensity of the materials, reflecting the formal explorations of Objects of Common Interest designers and their experimental way of working with both metal and glass.
“The materials express a sensory futurism that dresses interiors in mineral ruggedness and invests them with constellations of satellite objects.
The random shapes, roundness, and ovality accentuate the cosmic aspect as much as they soften its contours. The luminaires produce vibrant halos, diffracting colours into shifting spectra and magical projections.” Charlotte Cazals, Designer and Trend Forecaster at Peclers Paris.
For a brand such as Lexon, new frontiers venture far beyond the bounds of technology. They include aspects such as sustainability, well-being, and diversity, where opportunities for innovation are numerous and crucial to meeting the challenges of today's world.
In the food services and hotel industries, TERRA COSMOS expresses itself in the vastest of terms. Between immersive discoveries and extreme experiences, it is no longer enough to simply mobilise the senses; they must be amplified and confounded through both technology and whimsical storytelling. The Danish chef Rasmus Munk, who defines himself as an "alchemist", is proud of this approach. His "holistic" menu is best enjoyed in the immersive setting of his Copenhagen restaurant, where he takes guests on a journey from the depths of the sea up to the northern lights.
To set foot in the El Cosmico hotel, in a deserted Texan landscape, is an experience on the border between the cosmic and the terrestrial. This luxury campsite will soon be equipped with 3D-printed dwellings so that, as promised, you can escape the pressures of everyday life, reconnect with your senses, and observe the celestial vault.
From the Acne Studios boutique to the Moncler pop-up store in Tokyo, the cosmic references in retail become even more accomplished where futuristic, uncluttered decors meet digital, connected shopping experiences. Avant-garde aesthetics are paving the way for a new form of consumerism.
The spaces look as if they have been plucked straight from the metaverse, inspired by architectural and virtual creations such as those by artist Hugo Fournier. Immaterial objects and environments are already coming to life in the spaces designed by Harry Nuriev, with Crosby Studios. Minerality is often complemented by chrome, transparency, and glass, offering versatility to clean, pure lines.
“Beyond its forward-looking vision, the TERRA COSMOS theme will also be embodied at the show. Visitors will be able to find it materialised in three practical aspects: product curation, events, and the visitor route, which will be guided by the TERRA COSMOS symbol.” explains Mélanie Leroy, the exhibition's Managing Director.
“Through the eyes of our curators, François Delclaux and Elizabeth Leriche, we are offering visitors an insight into the theme that is both palpable and wellhoned,” adds Mélanie Leroy. They were given carte blanche in their interpretation of TERRA COSMOS in order to create a sense of surprise and awe in the What's New? In Retail space and the What's New? In Decor space, with a wide range of products sourced from exhibitors and integrated into inspiring displays... The What's New? In Hospitality space will be assigned entirely by the next Designer of the Year.
The Well-Being Experience, What's New? In Hospitality, and The Talks: Maison&Objet strives to combine experiential foresight with usefulness. “To meet the challenges facing professionals, Maison&Objet relies on one of the levers that makes it unique – its large international community of recognised experts in the decoration and design industries – to share and lead exchanges that are as relevant as they are instructive”, points out Mélanie Leroy. The theme will therefore be evaluated, examined, and enriched at key moments of the exhibition through immersive scenography in each of the spaces, masterclasses with key opinion leaders, coaching tailored to each business, and round table discussions.
The TERRA COSMOS theme and its new codes will be used throughout the Maison&Objet ecosystem, from the selections on the Maison&Objet and More – or "MOM" – platform, to showrooms and certain Paris Design Week events such as the Design sur Cours exhibitions, where designers may display their designs in the courtyards of Paris.
"Our primary mission is to decipher and highlight the market trends that will drive the success of our customers in the future. In practical terms, this means highlighting new markets and growth markets, and curating brands and products, as well as colours, materials, motifs, and inspiration, through experiential and useful events. In short, it is essential to provide practical solutions to three key challenges: innovation, creativity, and eco-responsibility.
With TERRA COSMOS, we are bringing another angle to bear on the re-enchantment of everyday life through the cosmos, the earth, and even our relationship with the beyond. Product curation will underline sectors or sub-sectors that are currently buoyant and represent a growing market trend. This encompasses the entire universe of Well-Being, as well as those of magic and esotericism. Lithotherapy and astrology are real market trends." Mélanie Leroy, Managing Director of Maison&Objet.
In the 1960s, the Space Age movement found its inspiration through space exploration and nuclear imagery. Its heritage is still expressed at the exhibition through objects with organic shapes and pop colours. Fisura's lava lamps are perhaps the most meaningful example.
Founder of the eponymous Elizabeth Leriche Trend Consultancy and Curator of the What's New? In Decor space.
What is TERRA COSMOS? Only with our eyes on the stars and our feet firmly planted on the ground can we be in touch with the universe.
What images does this theme conjure up for you? The joy of dreaming before a starry sky, bathed in the glow of the moon or the radiance of the sun…
Looking to the future: what will the next What's New? In Decor look like? I wish to try to see things through the eyes of a child filled with wonder, to evoke dreams and emotions, to find poetry in the face of this futuristic, technological world. Sky vs. ground, weightlessness vs. roots, craft vs. cave, metal vs. earth, transparency vs. opacity, infinitely small vs. immensely large... I intend to play on these oppositions.
Founder of the Nouvel Air agency and Curator of the What's New? In Retail space.
What is the cosmos? The bearer of dreams and fantasies. The conquest of space is taking on the dimension of a "new frontier". This context also influences the lifestyle and design sectors and their quest for new adventures, but also new materials, surfaces, colours...
Which works do you think instantly represent the theme? First of all, those which play on raw minerality, in reference to lunar or Martian vistas. Pulpo often uses primary – if not "primitive" – materials, as if fallen from a meteorite, thus imposing the very shape of the object. The treatment of light is somewhat reminiscent of the magic circles used by Le Deun Luminaires. Fuoriluogo Design's creations are redolent of myriads of stars.
Looking to the future: what will the next What's New? In Retail look like? An invocation of three emblematic planets in our solar system!
Alexis Martial and Adrien Caillaudaud, Founders of Amca Oval.
We are intrinsically inspired by the Space Age, firstly through our passion for the future, but also through our obsession with oval, organic, and all encompassing shapes. The Space Age is above all a philosophy, a quest for innovation and a fantasised future. The idea is not to recapture the design of a bygone era, but to extract its essence and bring it to life in a contemporary way. All with new environmental objectives and new technologies. When it comes to fashion, it is first and foremost functional minimalism that links us to this creative movement.
As for design, it is more so about the retro-future concept. The result is a playful, forward-facing way of life.
Frédéric Boutin, Product Director at Lexon.
In a world where mental and physical health are increasingly valued, we are responding in kind by offering consumers a new range of "Care" products that combine design and technology to promote well-being.
Companies may also seek to push back the boundaries of inclusion and diversity, by ensuring that their products and teams reflect the richness of the times in which we live.
MAISON&OBJET PARIS, Paris Nord Villepinte Exhibition Centre, 5-9 September 2024
House of Rohl is delighted to once again be part of the interiors event of the Summer, WOW!house at Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour from 4th June - 4th July. For its third installation, House of Rohl has collaborated with renowned architecture and interior design practice, Michaelis Boyd, to create a primary bathroom suite that offers a space for tranquillity, relaxation and luxury escapism.
The suite features the statement Taizu circular bath from Victoria + Albert, made for the first time in a subtle Matt finish, and presented with an on-trend Olive Green exterior. This is matched with Perrin & Rowe Georgian brassware in a beautiful Satin Brass finish from the House of Rohl portfolio. The design project was led by Christina Gregoriou, a Partner at Michaelis Boyd who saw the design as “An opportunity to reframe our traditional understanding of the bathroom, elevating it from a place for private time to a luxurious experience.”
Taking place from the 4th June – 4th July, WOW!house is built within the Design Avenue and is a one-of-a-kind showhouse stretching 500 sqm2 with 19 full-size rooms and outdoor spaces to be explored. Nigel Palmer, Head of Communications Marketing for House of Rohl said, “Now in its third year, WOW!house has become one of the pre-eminent interiors events in Europe. As one of the event’s initial sponsors, House of Rohl is delighted to be involved once again. Christina and her team at Michaelis Boyd have conceived a spectacular bathroom, full of flair and imagination, wholly original and meticulously planned. It is the perfect showcase for our Perrin & Rowe and Victoria + Albert brands, and has many clever ideas for visitors to take away.”
On specifying Victoria + Albert’s Taizu bath Christina said, “The Taizu bath was the perfect ‘protagonist’ in both style and scale. Once its location was decided the remaining design and layout unfolded from there”. Surrounding the bath within an uplit dome is an ethereal woodland mural by French artist Claire Basler. Claire was commissioned for her outstanding attention to detail and an ability to encapsulate serenity, with a sense of movement within her work.
The brassware is from Perrin & Rowe’s Georgian collection in Satin Brass. Christina comments, “We love the craftsmanship of Perrin & Rowe, from the hand-poured casting to the perfectionism of the final polishing. The Georgian collection gives the bathroom a root in tradition.”
The charming feature vanity unit was designed and built by Goldfinger. Finished with a Rainforest Green marble from Diespeker, it includes two Laceno 56 basins, new this year from Victoria + Albert. They are paired with Perrin & Rowe Georgian Wall Mounted Basin Mixer taps, once again in Satin Brass. The vanity unit is wrapped in a ruffled skirt made of ‘Old Hollywood, Flame’, a linen-blend material by de Le Cuona.
The bathroom was strategically designed to include transitional areas of separation with areas to bathe, wash and rest. To achieve this, the team created a chequerboard effect by using Encaustic and Zellige tiles from the Mosaic Factory in three sizes to create a visual and whimsical transition for the occupier to navigate the space. Within the more intimate areas of the bathroom, the Koyohen Border tiles in ‘Vintage Green’ from Raven were chosen for their sleek design. The flecks of amber compliment the warm tones of the timber and marble. The team strategically positioned the tiles vertically to extenuate the curvature of the shower area, powder room and drying area. To complement the natural colour palette, the woodwork including the skirting boards and door architraves are painted in ‘Invisible Green’ by Little Greene.
Offering a place to reflect and relax, a bespoke daybed, designed and built by Goldfinger, is upholstered by Lawson Wood in a linen fabric named ‘Douce Nightscape’ from LF Trading. Above, a show-stopping Diamond Olive Chandelier (Amber) from COX London is positioned above. Michaelis Boyd’s design ethos of ‘luxurious design should tread lightly on the planet’ influenced Christina’s decision to render the bathroom’s walls and dome with Clayworks; a clay plaster made of unique blends of unfired clays mixed with minerals and pigments to provide healthy, breathable internal finishes.
Diversity and sustainability are core themes to this year’s WOW!house. Perrin & Rowe’s two UK sites in Wolverhampton and Rainham in East London reflect their diverse communities, helped by local apprenticeships. Victoria + Albert’s South African factory provides skilled manufacturing jobs in an area where there are few. Like many responsible organisations, House of Rohl has a long-term programme to enhance the sustainability of its processes, but there has always been a focus on making products that last, avoiding the need for wasteful replacement. Perrin & Rowe, for example, stock spares for almost every tap they have ever made. Their Customer Services team in Rainham take pride in helping owners make old taps work like new.
At the inaugural WOW!house, the House of Rohl bathroom was conceived by 2LG Studio, who created a ‘Cave of Wonders’ that provided an alternate reality to escape to in a Covid-affected year. In 2023, Studio Mico deftly blended influences from many cultures, choosing natural materials and textures to create a bathroom that felt entirely original, yet resonated with every visitor to the space. This year, the ‘Maximalist Whimsy’ of Michaelis Boyd’s delightful design offers their own unique take on a luxury bathroom. Christina comments, “The bathroom has an intimate, tranquil feel and sanctuary aesthetic, making it a room where you feel at peace and want to spend time.”
About Perrin & Rowe
The World's finest range of bathroom and kitchen fittings. Perrin & Rowe is a British-based brassware and sanitaryware manufacturer with an unrivaled reputation internationally – bringing together traditional craftsmanship and manufacturing methods with precision engineering. Perrin & Rowe is a distinctive member of the House of Rohl.
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