A tour de Force in Clerkenwell…….

We moved our studio to Clerkenwell 12 years ago and one can safely say that we were “ahead of the game.” Back then the area was far from design led!  It is amazing what has happened since then.  Clerkenwell is now by far one of the most important areas in Europe for Architecture and Luxuy Interior Design.  The icing on the cake has to be Clerkenwell Design Week which helps to firmly confirm this area’s importance in design.

With that in mind, I wanted to help to plan a fun tour of our favourite showrooms and events with some pit stops along the way to sample the also burgeoning gastronomical delights in the neighborhood.  So I hope you all have a blast and enjoy the events as much as we do at Callender Howorth.

Starting the day would be a coffee pit stop.  “Look Mum No Hands” is now an institution on Old Street.  It started as a bike shop / café and has grown to become a really funky, eclectic and inspiring place to start the day!

Next Stop…

Domus – this inspiring company is really leading the pack with some fantastic tile and stone finishes.  The showroom is itself a master class in Showroom design.  They will be displaying all of the most innovative and exciting new ranges, including one of our favourites – Patricia Urquiola’s new collection.

Tiles at Domus

Moving on to…. 

Poltrona Frau   

A true classic and tour de force in the interior design world.  “With more than 50 monobrand stores, 8 of which are flagship stores, stretching from New York and Rome to Paris and Milan, Poltrona Frau is the brand name that symbolises luxury with a discreet and universal elegance, craftsmanship and perfection.”  An unusual next stop…

TOTO 

Japanese company TOTO made its name in the UK with toilets that go above and beyond the call of duty, so to speak, including units with an arsenal of built in hoses, dryers and invisible deodorisers. But there’s more to this brand than high-tech toilets.

Toto toilet

Recently TOTO has collaborated with French design practice EliumStudio on a new range of bathroom fixtures and fittings called SG (Square Geometry). It includes a range of modular furniture, ceramic products including WCs and basins, stylish faucets and an elegant shower tower.

Don’t forget to try out one of those toilets before you leave, though – you’ll never look back.

Toto Showroom

On to another classic –  Vitra  – the real  “Daddy of furniture emporiums.” What can I say on this one – just go and see one of the classiest and most famous furniture companies in the world.

Now for one of my real personal favourites –we are using tons of their product on residential projects at the moment – truly inspiring and unique – BOLON– they are driven by an indomitable will to change the view of the conventional – whether it is a square view of flooring or an antiquated attitude towards entrepreneurship.”

Next…. a short hop, skip and jump now to Knoll– The celebrated British duo Barber Osbergy, designers of the Olympic torch, have been designing furniture for leading international brands for over a decade now and have just finished an exciting collaboration with global leaders Knoll. You lucky visitors can see the new collection for the first time. This is not one to be missed!

Knoll sofa

Cocktails and lunch…………..

Now would be a good time for a lunch pit stop.  Cicada is an institution on St John’s Steet and was one of  the first places on the scene  17 years ago!  Whilst the food and cocktails are legendary,  the interior design has also lasted the test of time too!  Sit on their terrace, sip a couple of cocktails (allowed as fun day) and watch the crowds walk by…..

After lunch hit the events that year on year become more exciting and inspiring – some of our favourites are….

Making Designers at the SCIN Gallery – a small and innovative space on Old Street with always something to make you smile and think….

The “Making Designers” exhibition will show the school work of well-known design stars, to inspire tomorrow’s generation of industry leaders. Before they were stars of their industry, top designers like Nigel Coates, Michael Marriott, Linda Morey-Smith and Matthew Hilton were curious school students exploring the DT workshops.

Architecture for Humanity

The Huts at Clerkenwell Design Week:

This year Architecture for Humanity is designing and building a village of huts for CDW – each with a different theme: Green Hut (clad with edible plants), Water Hut (pipes and bottles), Textile Hut (exploration of soft materials) and Remakery Hut (using objects from the Brixton Remakery centre).

Architecture for Humanity

Order of St John

“For 2013, Clerkenwell Design Week will present an exhibition of contemporary furniture and decorative collections in the buildings and grounds of the historic Order of St John.” Exhibitors include: OCHRE, Sharon Marston, Ginger & Jagger, Black & Key. 

Order of St John

A creepy space next that is often used for horror film movie sets……

House of Detention, EC1’s subterranean Victorian prison: “International and cutting-edge design”. Exhibitors include: Bridger & Buss, Carole Waller, Freyja Sewell, Kit Miles

House of Detention

“High-end contemporary design. This elegant Victorian former glassworks, provides a unique and striking backdrop for leading international interior design and architecture suppliers to present their collections in new and dramatic ways. “ Exhibitors include: BoConcept, deadgood, Holloways of Ludlow, Plumen, Dare Studio

The Farmiloe Building

And lastly a party you should register for at Domus – they throw good parties!!!

Wednesday: 18:30 Domus: A Doll’s House – A Miniature Preview

20 internationally-recognised architects including Zaha Hadid, Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners and David Adjaye have been asked by developers Cathedral Group to design and build a dolls’ house. These unique houses will be exhibited and auctioned by Bonham’s in November 2013 in support of KIDS, a charity that supports families with disabled children. “A Miniature Preview” is an exclusive opportunity to have a sneak peak at the work in progress from a selection of the architects.
Followed by Domus Aperitivo
(guest list only, register online at www.domustiles.com) until 21:00.

So that is a day and a half!  Have lots of fun and get caught up in the Clerkenwell Design week buzz and creativity – get inspired!

Mark Howorth

Map of Clerkenwell Design Week 2013 Tour

A gem on the French Riviera that oozes interior design style……..

Between the port and the mainland in St Jean cap de ferrat near Nice, the floridly beautiful Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild bears witness to the wealth and worldly flair of the baroness who built it, Baroness Betrice de Rothschild – and she certainly put this villa firmly on the map with her outrageous and controversial style.

Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild

Constructed in 1905 in neo-Venetian style (its flamingo-pink facade was thought not to be in the best of taste by the neighbours at the time!), the house was baptized “Ile-de-France” in homage to the Baroness Bétrice de Rothschild’s favourite ocean liner.

Living room at Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild

In keeping with that theme, her staff used to wear sailing costumes and her ship travel kit is on view in her bedroom (rather camp at that time to say the least).   She was also partial to taking the girls for a spin on the Promenade des Anglais in her Rolls Royce –she was in the driving seat – quite racy for the times!!

Bedroom at Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild

Precious artworks, tapestries, and furniture adorn the salons—in typical Rothschildian fashion, each is given over to a different 18th-century “époque.” Upstairs are the private apartments of Madame la Baronne, which can only be seen on a guided tour offered around noon.

Drawing room at Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild

Hallway Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild

The grounds are landscaped with no fewer than seven gardens and topped off with a Temple of Diana. Be sure to allow yourself time to wander here, as this is one of the few places on the coast where you’ll be allowed to experience the lavish pleasures characteristic of the Belle Époque Côte d’Azur.

Gardens at Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild

Tea and light lunches, served in a glassed-in porch overlooking the grounds and spectacular coastline, encourage you to linger over a rose or two…. Deliciously camp and a definite must to visit if you are in town.

Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild at night

Calling all Foodies….

Twenty miles from central London on the banks of the Thames in rural Berkshire is the most amazing culinary experience in the world.  And being the foodies that we are at Callender Howorth, an immediate road trip was called for.

Bray is a typical sleepy and charming 16^th century village.  But this village has bite.  Within one square mile there are two 3 star Michelin restaurants and a new Italian arrival hot on the heels of the coveted stars.

Heston Blumenthal at Fat Duck

Heston Blumenthal reigns supreme with The Fat Duck, named the best restaurant in the world in 2005.  The Tasting menu is bonkers and really a life experience that must be tasted!  It is pure theatre as you are bombed with course after course of bizarre, adventurous and stimulating dishes. Notable were the Whisky wine gums and the Snail porridge…  Oscar winning performance for sure.

Blumenthal’s Bray Empire crosses the road from the Fat Duck with The Crown and The Hinds Head – two delightful and atmospheric pubs –The Hinds Head now one of the only Michelin Starred pubs in the UK.

Food at Fat Duck

Just down the lane from The Fat Duck is the very well established Waterside Inn which celebrated its 40^th Birthday last year.  Whilst Heston Blumenthal was still in short trousers, The Roux Family introduced fine dining to this “sleepy backwater” in 1972.  Classic French food, impeccably prepared, has given this romantic riverside restaurant its 3 Michelin stars and international following that have remained in place for over 25 years.

Waterside Inn Boat Jetty

Kitchen at Waterside Inn

A recent arrival to the Village from Italy is Caldesi in Campagna – a truly authentic, warm and comforting Italian restaurant focusing on seasonal and sustainable ingredients.  Delicious.  Still a few leagues behind the others but catching up fast.

Riverside Dinning at Waterside Inn

So now that Spring has sprung, get yourselves to Bray for some seriously good nosh.

Go Nice!! La Coulee Verte

I so love Nice – have had a place there for over 7 years now and am always so amazed about how the Mayor of Nice has championed and approved some amazing urban regeneration projects.  The latest project “La Coulee Verte” (The green corridor) is a stunning new 12 hectare park that will literally cut through the centre of Nice.

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The park replaces what was a corridor of bad, ugly and depressing town planning. It was a swathe of 70s industrial bus and coach stations, car parks and dodgy shopping malls.  This has all been demolished now and the new park is starting to take shape.

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The stunning facades of the Old Town face out over this new esplanade bringing the old and the new together perfectly.

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The park will be a fantastic place to relax.  One will be able to walk from Place Garibaldi all the way to the beach.  Along the way interactive water features, cafes and soaring trees and planting will create a new area for relaxation. Love it.

Vive La France.

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Milan Madness

If you’re in Milan this April for Salone del Mobile take some time out away from the madness of the fair and visit Villa Necchi Campligio. A hidden gem right in the heart of the city.

Constructed between 1932 and 1935 by the Milanese architect Piero Portaluppi, Necchi Campiglio Villa has survived completely intact, both outside with its stunning garden and pool, and inside with its rich succession of rooms. Architecture, decorative arts, furnishings and collections express as a harmonious whole the high standard of living of the owners, who belonged to the upper middle class of Lombard industrial families.

If you’ve seen the movie ‘I AM LOVE’ and loved it as much as we did this is a must see. It was the family home around which the movie was based.

High on Dutch Design

I have always loved the Dutch.  Great fun and highly creative in a calm and focused way making their designs seem effortless. 

Following a site meeting with a new client in Amsterdam the team and I took some time to explore the design district and get some inspiration from the Dutch.

  

 

 

First Stop was Moooi  (http://bit.ly/2PihT)– which is one of my favourite furniture companies.  They really epitomise for me the Dutch sense of fun and naughtiness into their quirky designs.  In particular the life size Horse Lamps and the “blown over” Blow Away Vase – genius.

 

 

 

  

Another great discovery was the “cow show” that has reproduced small replicas of the cows from CowParade  Those have been staged in over 50 cities worldwide since 1999 including London in 2002.This is the only shop in the world where you can buy these fantastical and zany objects –well worth a visit and if not you can find them on http://bit.ly/11CG5KI.

 

 

The main design area ( http://bit.ly/16cz7ep ) offers surprises on every corner – peoples  “front rooms” in their homes double as shops and one can wonder in and look around at all kinds of quirky objects and ideas.

Another big hit for us was the hotel.  Hotel V ( http://bit.ly/16czjKE ) is chilled, eclectic and so well put together.  Again, simply effortless and double this with the Dutch hospitality and high levels of service – totally recommended! 

 

Seaplane!

Leaving a freezing London on Monday night (-8 with windshield factor)  Andrew and I arrived in Inverness to a almost balmy -2 degrees to start a 2 day meeting with a new client in Elgin (whisky country).  More that 40 distilleries within a 20 miles radius.  This bodes well for future client meetings.

Seaplane at Loch Lomond (image sourced: devere-hotels.co.uk)

Cameron Hotel (image sourced: devere-hotels.co.uk)

This part of Scotland is breathtakingly beautiful and I really wanted to share a fantastic and sloppy idea for any of you hopeless romantics out there.  Whilst driving to the clients home, I saw this incredible seaplane swoop along side us to land on Loch Lomond.  That in itself was a jaw dropping moment at close proximity.  The client told me that you can take this luxury seaplane and fly over the highlands to the historic braes of Balquhidder to have a sumptuous lunch at the award winning Monachyle Mhor Hotel.

You are welcomed at the top of Loch Voile’s shore with a champagne reception and then ferried for a gourmet lunch by celebrity chef Tom Lewis.

Tom Lewis (image sourced: list.co.uk)

Following lunch one boards the seaplane to go to The stunning Cameron House Hotel for cocktails and dinner in the Boat house on the shores of the loch.  Bliss.  Get those tickets booked!  http://www.lochlomondseaplanes.com/book-a-flight/fly-to-lunch.html

Scottish Salmon is great at Mhor Hotel

Loch Lomond (image sourced: devere-hotels.co.uk)

The First Salon

We work for some amazing clients – a truly bright and eclectic bunch.  We also have a great network of past clients and want to encourage them to meet each other at events at the studio.  “Salon” will be held at the studio several times a year.  Whilst each event is about introducing people and quaffing wine and canapés, we will have something different happening at each event.  Up and coming events will include a “blind” wine tasting, a galloping Private View and a tour of Clerkenwell design week. More information and explanations coming soon!

Salon at Callender Howorth with Generation Rwanda

Salon at Callender Howorth with Generation Rwanda

Our first event was held on Wednesday night and got us off to a flying start with over forty past and present clients at the studio.  We had a talk by Generation Rawanda – an inspirational charity that helps young people in Rawanda gain education and give them life skills to help regenerate the country, check www.generationrwanda.org .

We will keep you updated on future events and hope to see you there.

Salon at Callender Howorth with Generation Rwanda

Salon at Callender Howorth with Generation Rwanda

Generation Rwanda helps young people

Rocksalt Restaurant rocks!

Rocksalt Restaurant rocks! This architectural gem is leading the way in the regeneration of the Folkestone harbour docks. So following a site meeting at Saltwood House, a listed manor house overlooking Saltwood castle, the team and I headed straight to the docks for lunch.

Saltwood House exterior

The de Haan family, founders of SAGA, are putting money where their mouth is and are committed to creating a “Padstow effect” regeneration of Folkestone.

Rocksalt is the anchor of this regeneration and the stunning architecture by Guy Holloway Architects feels more California that Kent. The design is awesome. Large glass sliding doors allow uninterrupted panoramic views of fishing boats at high tide and sandy shingle flats at low tide.  From the restaurant’s interior a cantilevered balcony, with a glass balustrade and curved soffit creates a wow factor view and ambience. The restaurant is located on the harbours edge, adjacent to its working slipway where local fishermen unload their catch, delivering fresh fish to the restaurant daily. So I can guarantee that the food was great and the best seafood I have had in UK – watch out Rick Stein.

Rocksalt restaurant exterior

Beautiful smoked klipper starter @ Rocksalt

‘Picture’ of the food making @ Rocksalt

Art is very much a part of the regeneration programme. The Creative Foundation is a charity that is truly spearheading all the arty stuff in Folkestone. The Folkestone Triennial – has become a much-followed event on the art circuit and is leaving some memorable and curious art in Folkestone (mermaid). Many local ladies “auditioned” to be the face of the mermaid and whilst not as grand as its Danish inspiration it certainly has character and a sense of humour.

Folkestone has a way to go –but I don’t mean that in a bad way – it is inspirational to see a commitment to this coastal town that is definitely going to become a place to be.  With Ashford International only 15 minutes away and the connections to St Pancras, I think that we are going to be hearing lots more from Folkestone.

Lovely Mermaid @ Folkestone Seafront

Little Boltons in Modern Decoration March 2013!

Thank you!