Design Team’s highlights from 100% Design

As always, the designers exhibiting at 100% Design encapsulate and inspire the current and upcoming trends in the most innovative ways possible. Stay tuned to the blog for our design team’s favourite exhibitors and trends at designjunction, TENT and the RIBA windows project. 

Paul Kelly provided something unique in his new product Copper Cubes, which involves the covering of MDF cubes in copper sheeting. The idea is that all sides of the cubes connect to each other to create a strong unit to suit all manner of needs, from chairs to dining tables and coffee tables. The distressed look of the material is an emerging trend set to be more prominent in 2015.

In a similar vein, As We Go exhibited its cube curtain, which comprises geometric shapes fitted together to form a 2D screen that appears 3D.

Masam’s Scarpia range, made from wood, Japanese paper and LEDs allow delicate patterns of light to dance out from the intricately cut shades, creating a stunning yet calming visual effect. Made with 45 lighting bouquets and 540 optical fibres, Antonio Astore's Lampadaire intends to spread positive, natural ambience around its onlooker. The result is a visual delight.

In terms of the trends in materials, concrete remains to be one of the year’s most prevalent trends for architects and designers alike. Kaza Concrete illustrates how small relief structures can flow around a curved shape. Floral patterns in chalky, pastel colours present a softer side to a material that’s normally considered tough. Concrete paired with hexagonal shapes is still a popular combination, as is the use of vibrant pops of colour such as yellow and orange in juxtaposition to muted tones of grey. 

A kaleidoscopic theme was prominent upon entering the show, with lights and mirrors creating moving patterns, textures and colours, providing a taster of what was yet to come from the exhibitors inside. There was a variety of highlights, but several trends particularly stood out.

Feature lighting has become an increasingly popular trend over the past year. Ice by Daniel Libeskind comprises honeycomb cells sculpted from glass, which encapsulate a light source, more akin to fine art than lighting. Naomi Paul’s Omi Pendant is an unusual take on statement lighting, using crochet as a way to create patterned shadows. Continuing on the theme of hand-made designs is Crivos and its knitted fisherman net lighting, holding an illuminated globe at its centre. 

This year, 100% Design celebrates its 20th edition, exhibiting the work of designers from all over the world. The theme of the exhibition, entitled Kaleidoscope, was dedicated to past and future design collaborations, with a series of 10 link-ups with leading international designers creating thought-provoking installations.

Six sections defined the show: International Pavilions, Emerging Brands, Interiors, Office, Kitchen & Bathrooms and Eco Design & Build, each offering something completely different to the last. 

September is an exciting time for the A&D community, with a myriad of design exhibitions taking place across London. Our Design Team has been dashing from show to show; from 100% Design to TENT and everywhere in between, taking note of the upcoming trends that will be informing the imminent collections from the most prominent names in the design industry.

We’ll be documenting the team’s highlights from each of the shows. First up is 100% Design at Earl’s Court, London.