Top Drawer 2017 Review

Top Drawer, Olympia, London. Photo credit: Top Drawer Twitter

The Top Drawer Trade Show takes place twice a year at Olympia – London’s most beautiful exhibition venue. Top Drawer’s 2017 Spring Show took place on 15-17th January and showcased beautiful, design-led and innovative products from both established and new exhibitors. The event includes six categories to view including Home, Gift, Craft, Food, Fashion and ‘Spotted’ (new talent). Products like home decorations, storage, stationery and travel accessories take centre stage at the three-day trade fair. It attracts London interior designers who find inspiration in the fantastic array of products being launched, sold and displayed. And this year’s exhibition didn’t disappoint, so we’ve selected some of our favourite displays.

Home

Obviously, home is our favourite section. From interior accessories to furniture and lighting, Top Drawer finds the best exhibitors to display an exceptional array of international brands and must-have pieces. We’ve long enjoyed the work of Above & Beyond’s striking minimalist and monochrome designs, particularly their ‘Between the Lines’ cushion. It’s made from 100% cotton and comes with a range of different coloured backs. Their range currently includes plates, tea towels, cushions, pillow cases and prints. Bob Crooks: First Glass also caught our eye. The company specialises in handmade decorative and functional glassware, from scent bottles to large scale bespoke pieces including lighting and mirrors.

Bob Crooks: First Glass. Photo credit: Top Drawer/ Bob Crooks

Cult British interiors brand Mini Moderns celebrate their 10th anniversary this year with a home fragrance and travel wash bag collection. The Festival of Lights Scented Candle Collection celebrates four of Mini Moderns’ classic print designs (full of clean lines and retro patterns) with a set of heaven-scented candles. We also love Hill House Design’s beautiful handmade lampshades that vary in size from small bedside lamps to oversized central pendants. Some of Home’s other exclusive exhibitors include Design Letters & Friends, Lauren Dickinson Clarke, Claribel London, Skagerak and Bluebellgray.

This ‘Abstract Print Grey & Ivory Placemat’ is an example of Claribel London’s beautiful homeware products. Photo credit: Claribel London/Top Drawer

Food Emporium

The popular Food Emporium made a return to the show and this time it was bigger than ever. More than 80 artisans and producers sold ‘giftable’ food products, from sweet treats like iced biscuits to condiments and seasonal treats. Ross & Ross Food brought along their home curing kits and BBQ condiments and Ace Tea London displayed a selection of their 100% natural teas that can be enjoyed hot, iced or mixed in cocktails. Other exhibitors included Anglesey Sea Salt, Hawkshead Relish Company, Makers & Merchants and Hasslacher’s Hot Chocolate.

Sample Ace Tea London’s flavourful teas with great taste and stunning aesthetics. Photo credit: Ace Tea London/ Top Drawer

Spotted at Top Drawer

‘Spotted’ at Top Drawer celebrates new British talent and has helped over 40 businesses make their trade show debut. This is the section to come to if you’re interested in discovering future design stars. Some highlights include Kent-based Denys & Fielding’s bright, bold deckchairs, with matching indoor/outdoor cushions and accessories for the garden or even your balcony.

Relax outside with a stylish Denys & Fielding Classic Deckchair. Photo credit: Denys & Fielding/Top Drawer

Continuing the country lifestyle theme, Tally Ho Interiors use British materials and motifs to create fabulous fabrics, lampshades and cushions. Fortunately, there is an abundance of talent in the UK and it can be scoped out at Top Drawer’s Spotted where modernist homewares harmoniously share exhibition space with filigree jewellery and handmade candles.

Callender Howorth strives to keep up with current trends in design since we never know what amazing new trend or idea will influence us to produce truly unique interior design projects.

Exclusive Product Launches at the Top Drawer Trade Show

Here at Callender Howorth, we know that interior accessories are essential in creating the perfect home, that how the functionality of a product is just as important as its aesthetic appeal. We also understand that a well-designed gift can have an uplifting effect on the recipient. That’s why we love the Top Drawer Trade Show that takes place twice a year at Olympia – London’s most beautiful exhibition venue. Top Drawer’s 2016 Spring Show took place on 17-19th January and showcased beautiful, design-led and innovative products from world-renowned exhibitors. It attracted many London interior architects, who sought inspiration for their projects.

We picked some of our favourite exclusive new products that will be blazing a trail across all corners of the design industry.

Above and Beyond

This concept-driven home accessories range has a strong minimalist graphic identity, highlighted by it’s monochrome designs. Above and Beyond launched a striking ‘Between the Lines’ cushion, made from 100% cotton, which come with a range of different coloured backs.

Polite Company

Polite Company specialises in stationery and already has an excellent collection of lively, colourful standout products. They presented new additions to their ‘Tools for Thinking Collection,’ which pursues a thought-provoking approach to product design. The range is inspired by some of history’s most innovative and creative minds, such as Oscar Wilde and Frida Kahlo. Additionally, the ‘Seeds of Virtue Notecards and Seed Set’ combines cards that display virtuous proverbs, paired with a seed packet, thus allowing you to metaphorically blossom along with the flower.

Elleffe Design

Belle Creation launched the beautiful Italian design range, Elleffe into the UK market. Already popular within European hotel and restaurant chains, their stainless steel kitchenware products combine innovative shapes, sleek lines and decorative finesse with a functional purpose. We like their stainless steel wine coolers and stylish cake stands.

Welovecushions

The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has launched a range of RHS cushions in collaboration with the renowned specialist company, Welovecushions. There are 23 cushions currently in the range but more will be introduced throughout the year. The beautiful designs are inspired by images from the vast art collection of the RHS Lindley Library.

Mini Moderns

Mini Moderns, an interior design brand, also proved to be a big hit at Top Drawer. Their popular Whitby wallpaper print has been turned into a new enamelware collection, continuing their collaboration with Wild & Wolf. The new range features a distinctive wave motif, capturing life on the open seas. The stunning collection will be available in store in May.

Top Drawer is the best place for retailers to discover uniquely designed products, share ideas and gather on-trend business advice. The event is based around five sectors: Gift, Craft, Home, Fashion and Food. It also includes a section called ‘Spotted’, which celebrates new British talent and has helped over 80 businesses make their trade show debut. Callender Howorth endeavours to keep up to speed with current trends in design, yet uses them as influence to produce truly unique interior design projects. The Top Drawer Trade Show is the best place to experience the best and most current trends in the market.