For interior designers, Milan Design Week 2026 remains one of the most influential moments in the global design calendar. It is where ideas are tested, materials are refined and the direction of residential design quietly resets for the year ahead.
At Roundhouse Design, Milan is never approached as a trend report. It is a working research trip. Designers step away from projects and showrooms to experience 2026 interior trends first-hand across Salone del Mobile and the wider city installations. What returns is not a catalogue of styles but a clearer understanding of how kitchens and interiors are evolving in real homes.
This year felt notably restrained. Less spectacle. More refinement. Materials were more tactile, forms were softer and technology was more discreet. For Roundhouse Design, this reinforces a long-held belief that the most successful kitchens are not defined by impact but by how naturally they support daily life.
One of the clearest shifts in Milan was the continued move towards organic curves which we highlighted in last years’ Milan Design Week report. Across furniture, lighting and interiors, softer geometry replaced rigid structure. The reference point for this approach was the Barene collection by Marco Zito for Carpet Edition, where form follows a natural rhythm rather than strict symmetry.
For Roundhouse Design, curve appeal is never purely decorative. They are functional decisions that shape movement through a space.
In kitchens, a curved island worktop edge improves circulation and removes harsh corners in open-plan layouts. It creates a more natural flow between cooking, dining and living areas. Within Roundhouse Design projects, these details are always subtle. A softened cabinetry run. A gently radiused worktop edge. A transition that feels considered rather than imposed.
The result is a kitchen that feels easier to live in, not just easier to look at.
Metal finishes was one of the strongest material stories in Milan, but its role has evolved. It is no longer an accent material. It is architectural.
At De Castelli, cabinetry systems demonstrated how steel can feel sculptural and layered rather than industrial. Across EuroCucina, stainless steel appeared in softer finishes such as brushed, satin and burnished surfaces.
These finishes were often combined with timber, stone or lacquer to create balance and warmth. The shift is clear. Metal is becoming more domestic and more refined.
Roundhouse Design has long explored this territory. Liquid metal finishes, for example, allow cabinetry to carry the depth of metal without its hardness. Surfaces shift subtly with light and reveal variation across large runs. In practice, this makes metal feel bespoke rather than uniform.
The direction is consistent. Metal is becoming quieter, warmer and more integrated into the overall language of the kitchen.
Colour in Milan 2026 continued the move towards warmth and depth. Earthy tones are now firmly established within contemporary interior design.
Terracotta, rust and clay are increasingly used as foundational tones rather than accents. Deep burgundy and rich reds also appeared frequently, often expressed through stone rather than paint. At Lema, the Traverso Table by Carlo Colombo showed how strongly a single material decision can anchor an entire scheme.
For Roundhouse Design, colour is always used with intention. Strong tones are never applied across a full scheme. Instead, they are anchored to a single moment such as a kitchen island or dining surface. The surrounding palette is then built to support that decision.
This approach creates balance. It allows colour to feel confident without overwhelming the space.
Green continues to shift, moving away from heavier olive and khaki tones towards lighter and more optimistic expressions.
Pistachio emerged as a key direction in Milan. It is softer than traditional greens and carries enough warmth to sit comfortably within layered interiors as seen in our Kinsey project.
For Roundhouse Design, this makes it particularly effective in kitchen design. It works alongside timber, stone and warm neutrals while still offering a clear point of interest. Used on cabinetry, it introduces colour in a way that feels controlled and architectural rather than decorative.
At FTK – Technology for the Kitchen, the message was clear. Appliances are becoming quieter, more integrated and less visually dominant.
Brands including Miele, Neff, Falmec, Elica and Beko all presented softer matt finishes and muted tones designed to sit within cabinetry rather than stand apart from it.
Technology itself is also becoming more intelligent but less visible. AI driven systems now support performance in ovens, refrigeration and energy use, but without adding complexity to the user experience.
Roundhouse Design has always prioritised this approach. Appliances are considered from the earliest design stages to ensure full integration. The goal is simple. Technology should support the kitchen without defining its appearance.
One of the strongest themes across Milan was the renewed focus on craft. Across FuoriSalone, installations explored process, material origin and the human decisions behind design.
The SiMa Townhouse by Massimiliano Locatelli was a clear example. Handcrafted ceramic fragments were assembled into large scale surfaces, highlighting the importance of skill, time and collaboration.
For Roundhouse Design, this thinking is fundamental. Craft is not an aesthetic layer applied at the end. It is embedded into every stage of design and manufacture.
Every detail matters. How a drawer closes. How a handle feels. How storage is configured for daily rituals such as cooking, entertaining or family routines.
All Roundhouse Design kitchens are made in the UK by skilled cabinetmakers using responsibly sourced materials. This control over production ensures precision from concept to completion. It also ensures that design intent is carried through every detail.
Milan Design Week 2026 confirmed a clear direction. Kitchens are becoming calmer, more tactile and more personal. For Roundhouse Design, this is not a shift in thinking, but a continuation of principles already embedded in the studio’s approach.
The most relevant ideas are not trends. They are design values. Flow. Material honesty. Integration. Craft.
When translated through bespoke design, they become kitchens that feel resolved, functional and deeply personal.
If Milan Design Week 2026 inspires you, explore more inspiring projects and considered kitchen design details, by downloading the latest Roundhouse brochure and begin shaping your own vision. Or visit a showroom to experience the craftsmanship, materials and quality of Roundhouse Design’s bespoke kitchens first-hand, and speak with a designer about a space tailored to the way you live.
About Roundhouse Design Ltd
Founded by architects, Roundhouse is a multi-award-winning British company, creating beautiful bespoke kitchens and furniture. Their stunning kitchen designs feature a signature understated aesthetic, influenced by contemporary and traditional design, using innovative materials, texture and colour. Each project is made to measure from a wide range of stunning finishes. Expertly crafted by skilled designers and makers in a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Malvern, Worcestershire. Visit any of seven Roundhouse Design kitchen showrooms; Wigmore St, Clapham, Fulham, Richmond, Cambridge, Guildford & Cheltenham.
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Cosentino continues to diversify the portfolio of its carbon-neutral ultracompact surfaces Dekton® with the launch of the new Nomak collection. Nomak features a subtle veining design that brings visual calm, naturalness and balance to any project, generating contemporary discretion and quiet refinement.
Dekton® Nomak interprets Cosentino's high-performance surface from key concepts such as serene beauty, visual continuity and timeless design, and redefines the essentials to create serene, minimalist environments. Conceived for both architecture and interior design, Nomak delivers continuity and visual order in contemporary projects. It’s designed for large surfaces, from cladding, flooring and worktops, where a clean, natural and timeless base is required.
Nomak moves through a palette of soft greys and ash tones with a stronger architectural presence, as well as brighter whites that amplify spatial clarity. The collection introduces three design tones for bright in open spaces: EVOK, KEENA and THALA.
EVOK: Ash grey with slight variations and restrained veining that create a controlled sense of movement. A tone that softens contrast and brings continuity to large, open spaces.
KEENA: Soft white with gentle golden veining that enhances brightness without becoming cold. Designed to maximise light in kitchens, bathrooms and clean-lined wall applications.
THALA: Balanced ivory with sand-toned veining that offers a contained warmth. Suitable for both modern schemes and more organic lines when paired with mid-tone woods or matte ceramics.
Available in thicknesses of 8, 12 and 20 mm, Nomak features Dekton® high performance - high resistance to UV rays, fire and heat, scratching, stains, thermal shock, as well as almost zero porosity- and proposes an aesthetic designed to endure through its serene beauty. Its timeless character allows it to be combined with different materials without conditioning the project, making it a versatile base for contemporary design spaces. Thus, Cosentino reinforces once again the connection between sustainability, design and innovation, with three new more accessible and competitive Dekton® tones, within a portfolio that continues to set the benchmark in the interior design and architecture scenes.
About Cosentino
Cosentino Group is a global, Spanish, family-owned company that produces and distributes high value innovative surfaces for the world of design and architecture. It works together with its clients and partners to provide with solutions that offer design and value, and inspire the life of many people. This objective is possible thanks to pioneering and leading brands in their respective segments such as Silestone®, Dekton® or Sensa by Cosentino®. Technologically advanced surfaces that allow the creation of unique environments and designs for the home and public spaces.
When John Boyd Textiles approached Kate Aslangul of Oakley Moore to collaborate on their first new horsehair fabric in over twenty years, the brief was deceptively simple: to create a striped horsehair collection with a crisp, contemporary sensibility.
Stripes are something Kate returns to again and again in her interiors. They are endlessly adaptable, capable of feeling coastal, classical, Scandinavian or contemporary depending on their scale and context. In almost every room she designs, there is a stripe somewhere. Sometimes they take centre stage; sometimes they sit quietly within the layering of a room, providing rhythm and cohesion.
The designing of the collection coincided with the renovation of Kate's house on the Île de Ré, a place where she has spent many happy summers bicycling to the market or to the beach across the salt marshes. The island's chalky light, muted timber tones and weathered shutters subtly informed the palette. Horsehair as a material carries inherent structure and formality, so the challenge was to introduce freshness and lively movement through colour without losing its integrity.
One palette in particular grew from a series of visual references that had been quietly sitting in her archive for years; a Biba dress, a fragment of antique silk and the paintings of Van Gogh, where colour is never static but seems to vibrate with life. Translating that feeling into woven stripes became an exercise in balance. Numerous colour combinations were explored, refining stripe widths by millimetres, and what appears effortless on the surface is the result of meticulous adjustments to scale, proportion and tone.
John Boyd Textiles has been weaving horsehair in Castle Cary since 1837, using original looms and traditional techniques dating back to 1870. Each fabric is crafted from the finest horse tail hair combined with cotton or silk warps, delivering exceptional durability, natural fire resistance and acoustic properties. With its deep heritage, it feels surprisingly fresh for today.
The collaboration has since inspired two new signature Oakley Moore pieces. The Flynn Drum Stool, with its clean cylindrical form, provides a perfect canvas for the movement of the stripe, whilst the Burton Lampshade introduces structure and character to a room without overwhelming it. Both are handmade in the UK. Kate's intention with both pieces was to create designs that sit effortlessly within all styles of interior, from coastal to contemporary and traditional to Scandinavian. The result is a versatile collection that feels both timeless and confidently modern.
The Flynn Drum Stool and Burton Lampshade are available to purchase online via Oakley Moore’s shop. Please note there is limited availability.
About Oakley Moore
Oakley Moore is an award-winning interior design studio that creates interiors with presence, homes that feel naturally rooted in their setting and deeply attuned to the people who live in them. Based in London, the studio works projects across the UK and internationally. Known for its confident use of colour, texture and pattern, and for the nuanced layering of contemporary pieces, antiques and bespoke design, Oakley Moore focuses on longevity and cohesion rather than trend. The result is interiors with depth and quiet authority; balanced, characterful and built to endure. The studio offers a full design service from initial briefing through to installation, alongside 1:1 design consultations for smaller projects and design dilemmas.
This April, KI has launched Trim, the newest addition to its all-inclusive sit-stand collection. Trim is an innovatively designed, value-driven desk that supports wellbeing by making movement at work accessible to everyone, all without compromising the trusted quality and service which KI is known for. Its straightforward height-adjustable design focuses on the essential attributes of sit-stand working, while its simple and standardised statement of line provides a clear, reliable solution for value-led environments. Trim delivers wellbeing benefits while complementing the more flexible, design-led sit-stand systems already in the KI portfolio.
Trim has a height range of 624 to 1274mm (including 25mm worksurface), comes in a wide range of widths and depths, and is available as a single desk or back-to-back option. Built-in collision detection, an integrated USB-A charging port in the controller and an open top lower cable tray with a cable chain all come as standard with the desk. Two tone understructure finishes are available on the leg cross beam and lower cable tray on back-to-back workstations. Optional extras include screens, grommets, scalloped edges and an additional drop-down cable tray offering a choice of both practicality and visual appearance.
KI’s wider Work2.1 sit-stand collection has been developed through extensive client collaboration to support healthier, more adaptable workplaces, combining ergonomic performance with user-driven design and robust engineering. Designed to accommodate a wide spectrum of environments, from individual workstations to highly specialised technical settings, Work2.1 delivers consistent quality across the collection through shared core attributes including certified safety standards, extensive height adjustability, UK manufacturing and long-term durability. The collection enables organisations to embed movement into everyday working while selecting solutions that align with their operational, aesthetic and technological needs.
The Work2.1 collection consists of three workstations, each providing tailored solutions for different workplace demands. Work2.1 Core forms the versatile foundation of the collection, offering broad adaptability, comprehensive cable management and scalability for a wide variety of layouts. Work2.1 Contour introduces a lighter, more design-led aesthetic with a round leg and enhanced mobility options, making it particularly suited to agile and collaborative environments. Work2.1 High Capacity is engineered for performance in high-demand settings such as control rooms and data-intensive workplaces, with a reinforced structure and advanced cable infrastructure to support complex technology. Together, the three desks provide a spectrum of solutions unified by performance but differentiated by flexibility, mobility and technical capability.
By encouraging regular changes in posture throughout the day, sit-stand desks help reduce the risks associated with prolonged sitting and support healthier, more ergonomic work habits. Encouraging frequent movement with intermittent periods of sitting and standing has been proven to benefit worker wellbeing and productivity, leading many organisations to redesign their workplace strategies. Sit-stand desks are a vital feature of truly agile workspaces.
About KI
KI’s furniture helps the world’s leading organisations create happy, healthy, high performing working and learning environments for their people. Bringing together good design, advanced engineering and sustainable resources, KI’s products are durable, flexible and offer excellent value. Founded in 1941, KI has grown to become one of the world's largest, most respected furniture manufacturing groups. KI’s EMEA headquarters in London is supported by an established network of manufacturing facilities and distribution partners across the region.
Amtico returns to Clerkenwell Design Week in 2026 with The Amtico Retreat, marking its first appearance at the festival in seven years. Taking over Paxton Locher House, the British flooring designer and manufacturer presents a space designed to offer a more considered pace within one of the industry’s most high-energy design events.
Clerkenwell Design Week is known for its energy, with installations, talks and experiences unfolding across the district. Rather than stepping away from that intensity, Amtico reinterprets it – creating an environment that balances activity with moments of pause, allowing visitors to slow down, reset and engage more meaningfully, in a way that suits them.
The concept is underpinned by Amtico’s guiding theme for Clerkenwell Design Week – where beautiful spaces grow through collaboration, creativity and choice – brought to life through a series of interconnected spaces and experiences. It centres on creating a calm, open and welcoming environment that works for a wide range of needs, recognising that not everyone engages with or experiences spaces in the same way. From the moment of arrival, the layout of Paxton Locher House guides visitors through a more intuitive journey, encouraging them to stop, interact and spend time within the space rather than moving quickly through it.
Inside, the experience unfolds through a series of interconnected spaces that bring together Amtico’s core themes of collaboration, creativity and choice. The Amtico in-house design team will create sector-focused displays styled to reflect real commercial environments across workplace, retail and hospitality. These life-sized, moodboard-style compositions combine flooring with furniture, lighting and material palettes, demonstrating how pattern, colour and texture come together within a scheme.
A more hands-on approach will run throughout the three days, inviting visitors to engage directly with materials. A collaborative luxury vinyl tile (LVT) display will evolve over the course of the event, allowing visitors to reposition individual LVT elements and explore how subtle changes in colour, wood or stone can transform the overall feel of a design in real time.
Alongside this, Amtico will also demonstrate its bespoke design capabilities, showing how ideas move from initial concept through to fully realised flooring outcomes.
While the focus is on experience, specification remains integral. Across the installations, Amtico’s core collections – including Spacia, Signature, Form and Décor – will be used to demonstrate how flooring can be adapted and combined to suit different environments.
From standard designs to fully bespoke outcomes, the emphasis is on flexibility, allowing designers to bring their own ideas to life. This extends beyond aesthetics, with performance enhancements such as acoustic backing, slip resistance and bio-attributed materials able to be layered onto designs without compromising the overall scheme.
With over 60 years of design and manufacturing expertise in the UK, Amtico is bringing together creativity, collaboration and choice. At Clerkenwell, this will be expressed through a space that is as much about how people feel as how things look.
“Clerkenwell Design Week is always busy, exciting and full of inspiration, but with that constant buzz, there isn’t always space to pause and take it all in,” says Emma Hopkins, Commercial Marketing Manager at Amtico. “With The Amtico Retreat, we want to create a space that feels like a bit of a reset – somewhere people can step into, slow down and spend time in a way that works for them. It’s about allowing visitors to engage on their own terms, whether that’s through conversation, creativity or simply taking a moment to pause. Through our luxury vinyl tile flooring collections, we’re showing how materials, pattern and design can shape how a space feels – encouraging people to connect, create or take a moment out. It’s not about stepping away from the energy of CDW but offering a different way to engage with it.”
Amtico has curated a programme of workshops, talks and informal sessions running throughout Clerkenwell Design Week, designed to encourage visitors to engage in different ways – whether through hands-on making, conversation, or moments of pause.
Tuesday 19th May - 11 am - 12 pm - Fold & Flourish: Origami Planters Workshop (bookable via Eventbrite) A gentle, hands-on session where visitors can create a miniature origami planter paired with a living succulent – a quiet, tactile way to start the day within the Retreat. Hosted with Origami Est. Click here to register
- 2 pm - 4 pm - ‘Create your own’ LVT artwork sessions (drop-in) An informal creative session where visitors can experiment with materials and produce small, take-away art pieces designed as reminders to take a moment of calm.
Wednesday 20th May - 11 am - 1 pm - ‘Create your own’ LVT artwork sessions (drop-in)
- 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm - Seminar with Dr Craig Knight: Sex and Work and Rock & Roll (bookable via Eventbrite) An interactive seminar exploring the relationship between identity, performance, and workplace culture, and how design can better support people in the spaces they use. Click here to register
- 5 pm - 9 pm - Unwind at the Amtico Retreat (drop-ins welcome, booking recommended) An evening of relaxed networking with drinks, music and a curated cocktail menu inspired by the space. Click here to regsiter
Thursday 21st May - 10 am - 10:45 am - Bespoke Breakfast Briefing (bookable via Eventbrite, drop-ins welcome) An informal session with Amtico’s design team exploring how ideas move from concept to fully realised flooring designs, over breakfast. Click here to register
Throughout the week, drinks will be available daily, encouraging visitors to step inside, take a moment to pause and spend time within the space.
Practical information The Amtico Retreat @ Paxton Locher House, 8-9 Clerkenwell Green, London EC1R what3words: ///quench.tribal.quick
About Amtico
Headquarters in Coventry, UK, we extend exceptional customer service and comprehensive warranties worldwide, driven by a passion for creating enduring floors that truly inspire. As part of the Mannington family since 2014, we leverage the expertise of over 600 global flooring specialists, serving clients in more than 90 countries. Our integrated lineup of luxury vinyl tiles offers complete solutions for demanding commercial and residential spaces. Our pioneering efforts in efficiency, waste reduction, and material innovation fuel boundary-pushing product development. At Amtico, we don’t just create floors; we create the foundation for exceptional living and working environments.
British hardware specialist Croft is proud to introduce a refined collection of new products, combining timeless craftsmanship with contemporary design. The launch includes four distinctive door levers, two refined window handles and two complementary finishing details.
Each of the new lever designs has been carefully considered to balance form and function. From the bold, geometric lines and sculpted profile of the Ellington Lever to Harmony’s flowing curves shaped to the natural gesture of the hand, the products reflect a subtle approach to modern living. Stream offers a sleek, understated silhouette, whilst Serenity embodies softness and simplicity, creating a calming aesthetic suited to a variety of interiors.
Designed and manufactured in the UK, the levers showcase Croft’s dedication to craftsmanship and enduring quality. Whether specified for residential or commercial projects, each piece is created to elevate everyday interactions through thoughtful design and tactile comfort.
In addition to the new levers are two versatile products that bring cohesion and elegance to interior spaces. With its smooth, rounded form, the Eclipse Garment Hook offers understated class, making it ideal for hallways, boot rooms and wardrobes. Crafted for strength and durability, it is available in over 25 of Croft’s luxury finishes and patinas, allowing for seamless integration into a wide range of design schemes.
The Sussex Cup Pull, a timeless design defined by its smooth half-moon shape, has been created with kitchen drawers and cabinetry in mind. Its classic yet refined appearance adds understated grace to everyday spaces, enhancing both traditional and contemporary interiors.
Extending the collection further, Croft introduces two espagnolette window handles designed to bring cohesion across interior schemes. The Grace Espagnolette Window Handle has been developed to complement the Grace Lever, while the Kingsmere Espagnolette sits within the wider Kingsmere collection. Both designs feature refined proportions and a gently contoured form, allowing for a consistent, considered approach to hardware across doors and windows, while maintaining Croft’s signature craftsmanship and attention to detail.
“Our latest product offering reflects our ongoing commitment to thoughtful design and enduring craftsmanship. Each piece has been carefully developed to balance aesthetic appeal with comfort and practicality, ensuring it feels as good to use as it looks. From the distinctive character of the levers to the refined simplicity of the finishing details, these designs embody a quiet confidence that complement a wide range of interior styles. It’s a natural evolution of our design language, rooted in tradition yet shaped for contemporary living.” - Paul Clifford, Managing Director, Croft
About Croft
Croft are passionate about perfection. Perfection in design, in manufacture and, most importantly, in meeting the requirements of its clients worldwide. It’s an ethos born and nurtured over 150 years of history and is reflected in a beautifully curated portfolio that includes over 1000 project ready designs. The knowledge and experience of the Croft team ensures they are the perfect partner for your project. Whether you require the latest collection or a custom solution, Croft combines design innovation and expert craftsmanship to produce beautiful products of the very highest quality that are as pleasurable to use as they are to look at.
Coya is being presented for the first time in the UK at CDW. This new design series for the bathroom impresses with its fluid form, which moves confidently between interior styles. Circle and square merge into a flowing unit – the so-called squircle. Coya is entirely committed to the transitional style: a mixture of traditional and contemporary elements that balances the tried and tested with the new, effortlessly combining apparent opposites.
Dornbracht Atelier puts the designer at the heart of each creation with limitless shapes, colour finishes and material innovations, which allow true design freedom. Examples on display will inspire, with the Vaia fitting in a chequerboard finish made from reclaimed sea shells, CYO encirled in leather, and Tara in both a tactile black velvet and iridescent rainbow finish.
The new partnership between Dornbracht and Jung solves a common challenge of hardware and fittings coordination across kitchens and bathrooms. As these two brands combine design expertise under the motto “Signature Design. Crafted in Finishes”, their joint finish portfolio sits in perfect harmony across fittings and switches.
“We are so glad to be back at Clerkenwell Design Week this year and we are looking forward to three days of creative conversations,” says Craig Johnstone, UK Sales and Marketing Director, Dornbracht. “Design is a feeling as much as an approach and we invite everyone to discover the options we offer in the K&B space: come and talk to us about your projects and we will inspire your creative vision from the product examples we’ll have on display.”
Dornbracht will be exhibiting in the Church of Design located in St Bartholomew the Great, Cloth Fair, EC1A 7JQ, and is open as follows: - Tuesday, 19 May from 10am – 6pm: press day and open day for general public - Wednesday, 20 May from 10am – 9pm, evening event from 6pm: Join Dornbracht alongside other brands at Church of Design’s late-night party. Connect with industry leaders, designers and decision makers - Wednesday, 20 May from 5pm – 8pm: Dornbracht x Jung event at 6-7 Albermale Way, EC1V 4JB. Cocktails and stone baked pizzas with a lighting experience installation created by local artist Becky Smith to celebrate this collaboration - Thursday, 21 May from 10am – 5pm
Stand SB10 Church of Design St Bartholomew the Great, Cloth Fair, Clerkenwell 19th – 21st May
About Dornbracht UK & Ireland
Dornbracht creates exclusive designer fittings and accessories for the bathroom, spa, and kitchen. The luxury manufacturer’s portfolio combines iconic design, effective water applications, and customised solutions. At its headquarters in Iserlohn, South Westphalia, advanced technologies and precise craftsmanship are combined to create products of outstanding quality – Made in Germany. Since 1950, Dornbracht has been shaping the design of sophisticated living spaces and setting standards with pioneering innovations. The focus is always on people and their individual needs. With this, the company enables the realisation of very personal visions and life concepts, underlining its brand claim “Inspiring your vision”.
At Clerkenwell Design Week 2026, Karndean Commercial will unveil a dedicated exploration of how flooring can enhance wellbeing, safety and comfort in contemporary spaces. Centred around the launch of the renewed Opus collection, the showcase demonstrates how material choice influences how people feel, move and behave in the built environment.
“Designing for wellbeing is about creating spaces that work with people, not against them,” said Richard Allen, VP of sales for commercial at Karndean Designflooring. “The new Opus collection brings natural calm, reliable safety performance and enduring style together in a way that directly supports healthier commercial environments. Across the design community there is a growing understanding that spaces actively influence stress levels, clarity and emotional balance, and Clerkenwell Design Week gives us the ideal opportunity to explore these ideas together.”
At the heart of the preview is the expanded Opus collection, featuring 31 wood and stone designs, including ten new additions. Each design has been carefully crafted to reflect the grounding, restorative qualities of nature while offering 36 plus wet PTV slip resistance for confidence in busy commercial settings. The palette introduces subtle textures, natural tonal shifts and flexible formats to support a wide range of applications, from hospitality and workplace to education and leisure.
As wellbeing becomes a central priority across commercial design, there is increasing awareness of how spaces shape emotional comfort, movement and sensory ease. Designers are placing new emphasis on materiality, flow and clarity, recognising that natural finishes, intuitive layouts and tactile surfaces can reduce stress, support focus and create environments that feel calm and effortless to navigate.
“Each new design started with a genuine material; from reclaimed oak and prime white oak to dolomite, marble and terrazzo,” added Richard. Every surface has been developed to capture authentic character while creating spaces that feel calm, comforting and emotionally supportive. The collection celebrates the role flooring plays in shaping atmosphere, encouraging clarity, relaxation and confidence in everyday environments.
A newly introduced sensory installation within the Karndean showroom at 20 Clerkenwell Green will allow visitors to experience how texture, tactility and product composition can influence emotional comfort, focus and ease of movement. The space highlights the growing role of sensory-led design in creating supportive, inclusive public environments and illustrates how flooring contributes to overall wellbeing.
Karndean will also host a series of wellbeing-led activities across the week at 20 Clerkenwell Green (by The Old Sessions House), encouraging visitors to explore the relationship between energy, creativity and restorative design. Each activity reflects the principles behind the new Opus collection, emphasising movement, sensory experience and the emotional benefits of thoughtful material choice.
Visitors can create their own nutritious smoothie using pedal-powered bikes. This energising, movement-focused experience connects to the way Opus supports natural flow and ease of movement through commercial spaces.
A mindful drop-in session inviting guests to blend their own scents and craft a personalised candle. This calming workshop mirrors the emotional warmth, sensory ease and restorative qualities found in the Opus palette.
A relaxed morning with barista coffee, pastries and the Karndean commercial team. Visitors can explore the new Opus collection, discover the brand’s approach to wellbeing and discuss how flooring contributes to comfort, clarity and the emotional tone of a space.
With the launch of the new Opus collection and the introduction of a sensory-led showroom experience, Karndean reinforces its position as a design partner focused on creating healthier, safer and more intuitive commercial spaces. The Clerkenwell showcase brings these principles to life, transforming product performance into an experience that designers can see, touch and feel.
About Karndean Designflooring
Karndean is a global supplier of commercial and residential luxury vinyl tile flooring. We’re an industry leader in flooring design, offering a wide range of colours, textures and finishes, helping you create unique looks that are both stylish and practical; guaranteed to last. We see flooring differently. We travel the world in our quest to bring you exceptional floors that inspire and delight. From the ancient forests of Europe, to the remote Australian outback, we seek out expressive and intriguing forms in the natural world to influence our unique floor designs. By combining original features with cutting edge design, we create beautiful floors that bring your vision to life and take our clients on an endless journey of design discovery.
The Society of British & International Interior Design shares news of the first anniversary of Victoria Stone’s Chelsea showroom, a space that has, over the past twelve months, established itself as a valuable destination for the design community.
Situated in the heart of Chelsea’s design district, the showroom was conceived as more than a traditional display environment. Designed as a working resource for architects and interior designers, the space enables professionals to explore materiality, review technical possibilities and experience the craftsmanship of fireplaces in marble, stone and metal within a refined, design-led setting.
Over the past year, the showroom has welcomed a wide network of designers, developers and private clients working across high-end residential and hospitality projects. It has provided a setting for client presentations, collaborative discussions and material-led exploration, supporting projects from early concept through to specification. As intended, the space has evolved into a practical and inspirational tool for the design community, a place where ideas can be shaped, materials compared and bespoke solutions developed.
Alongside its day-to-day use, the showroom has also hosted a varied programme of enrichment events. From material-led workshops and CPD-style sessions to co-hosted industry gatherings, the space has brought together members of the design community for shared learning and design dialogue. These events have explored the possibilities of working with marble, metal and fire, while fostering meaningful connections between designers, makers and collaborators. Over time, the showroom has become not only a place to view products, but a hub for discussion, education and inspiration.
As Victoria Stone marks its first year in Chelsea, the focus now turns to the future. Building on the relationships formed and projects initiated within the space, the company looks ahead to an expanding portfolio of high-end residential and hospitality commissions. The showroom will continue to play a central role in supporting these collaborations, providing a dedicated environment for design development and client engagement.
With further events planned and continued involvement with the design community, the Chelsea showroom remains an open invitation for designers seeking both creative inspiration and technical insight. Those yet to visit are encouraged to experience the space first-hand, whether for project discussions, material exploration or upcoming industry events.
About Victoria Stone
Victoria Stone specialises in the design and delivery of bespoke fireplaces for exceptional residential and hospitality projects. With over 50 years of craftsmanship heritage, each fireplace is carved from the world’s finest materials, combining timeless design with modern innovation. Working closely with interior designers, architects and developers, Victoria Stone provides a comprehensive turnkey service encompassing bespoke fireplace design, flue and technical engineering, antique sourcing and restoration. From heritage properties and listed buildings to contemporary new builds, every project is carefully managed from concept through to installation, ensuring outstanding quality, technical expertise and enduring architectural detail.
Garrett Leather, a renowned leader in the leather industry, introduces Lotus, an innovative collection where beauty, comfort and performance exist in perfect balance. Inspired by the graceful yet enduring lotus bloom, Lotus is designed to thrive in many environments, setting a new benchmark for indoor and outdoor luxury living. Lotus goes beyond the ordinary with its unique fusion of elegance and performance.
To designers looking for the ideal blend of style and durability, Lotus is for you. Its powdery soft hand and refined matte finish creates a contemporary aesthetic and tactile experience that is nothing short of indulgent. While its gentle velvety feel may seem delicate, this protected leather is as resilient as it is sophisticated.
Lotus is crafted with intention. The special multi-layered finish enhances both the visual depth and tactile sophistication of this leather, with each layer playing a pivotal role. First, a protective foundation ensures a smooth and consistent base. Next, proprietary micro-spheres engineered to activate under high heat and pressure give this leather its signature soft surface and subtle opalescent appearance. A final transparent layer seals the finish, enhancing durability while preserving the tactile and visual elegance of the leather. Ultimately, the result of this process is an exceptionally soft leather that performs well under extraordinary circumstances.
Performance was top of mind when developing Lotus. It performed exceptionally well when tested for abrasion, flammability, lightfastness, weather resistance, and colorfastness to both chlorine and sea water. In addition, it achieved LBC Red List Free Declare status. It is ideal for residential, hospitality, marine, and contract applications. Furthermore, it may be used for protected exterior areas. From poolside lounging to sun-dappled patios, Lotus lets you focus on what matters most—unwinding in style.
Drawn from an organic palette that celebrates nature and water, Lotus consists of 14 carefully curated colors. Earthy shades of terracotta and ochre are balanced with refreshing blues and soft whites. Soft neutrals add warmth while lighter tones recall flower petals, clear skies and filtered sunlight. This fluid, immersive color story is a tribute to the natural world—designed to promote deeper connections with nature and create calming, restorative spaces. Each shade embodies the essence of the season, offering designers a versatile palette that transitions effortlessly between outdoor settings and interior environments.
With Lotus, Garrett Leather continues its tradition of innovation and craftsmanship, redefining what performance leather can be. More than a material, Lotus represents a lifestyle—one rooted in tranquility, durability and elevated design. “Our creative team is dedicated to crafting the most coveted leathers for the design community. Our unwavering commitment to quality and performance is exemplified with the introduction of Lotus.” said Roberta Sand, Vice President of Marketing at Garrett Leather.
To learn more about Lotus, please contact your local Garrett Leather representative or visit garrettleather.com. Join Garrett Leather at HD Expo in Las Vegas, May 5 -7 in booth #3219 to experience this sensational collection.
About Garrett Leather Corp
Garrett Leather is a premium Italian leather brand specializing in a distinct combination of high-end style and service. They specialise in helping interior designers find the perfect leather for commercial and residential interior markets. They also offer opportunities for their clients to learn more about the intricacies of leather and its applications. Garrett Leather sources leather from the highest quality raw material selections throughout Europe and maintains strong relationships with the most elite and ethically responsible tanneries in Italy. Garrett Leather remains privately-owned and family-run to strengthen their deep commitment to personal attention and care for each of their clients.
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