September 30, 2014

London Design Festival, now in it’s 12th year, was abuzz with trade shows, design and art exhibits and events from September 13-21. Anchored by four major shows – 100% Design, Tent London, Design Junction and Decorex – the festival is one of the largest in the world with nearly 400 events and exhibits. 

The editorial team from Modenus.com, a curated portfolio for designers, artisans, manufacturers, shows and showrooms, attends LDF each year with the goal of sharing European designs with audiences in the U.S and Canada. This year, Veronika Miller, CEO of Modenus, and her team prepared a special LDF report for K+BB. Here are the highlights directly from London.

Laufen had us at “Hello” with new designs in its SaphirKeramik collection, which is now launching in the U.S. as well. SaphirKeramik is a proprietary material that retains great strength even when cast in wafer-thin and detailed designs. 

Photo Credit: Laufen

We could write a separate article just on the incredible hardware we spotted in London, so broad was the offering of creative and beautiful cabinet and architectural hardware. Chloe Alberry actually allows purchases right on the show floor at Decorex with vast bins of incredible pieces that range from agate to concrete and from copper to crystal. The vintage-looking cabinet latches were one of many favorites. 

Haute Decor was new for us and stunned with its collections of resin-covered aluminum knobs and pulls that felt as good as they look. 

Finally, Philip Watts, no stranger to U.S. audiences, was all about satin bronze finishes as seen here on his Luna pulls. 

Taking luxury bath fittings to a whole new level, Volevatch from France, self-proclaimed masters in the art of bathing, pulled all the stops with their Carpe/Lyre tub filler. 

Samuel Heath remained true to its Art Deco direction with the Luxe version of its Style Moderne Shower in unpolished brass, which will weather in due time. 

Watermark from Brooklyn made a splash in the U.K. with its whimsical and well-loved “Brooklyn” wall mount faucet in aged brass. 

Very much on trend with its double-beveled granite/brass countertops, Monologo from Italy is also worthy of a second look for its fabulous custom kitchens and furniture collections that push the design envelope in every aspect. 

Allowing us to end our tour of highlights on the proverbial high note is Estonian newcomer KHIS, a collection of bathtubs by Frants Seer that will definitely be a line to watch for in the U.S. Ash wood strips are thermal finished at 215 degrees Celsius, stained in one of three rich tones, sealed with linseed oil and wax and connected by rubber seals. Polished brass hardware sets the dark finish off to its fullest advantage.