Ben Spriggs’ Top Picks
Ben Spriggs, Editor of ELLE Decoration, makes his selection of the highlights from the Pimlico Road Series at this year’s London Craft Week
Ben Spriggs, Editor of ELLE Decoration, makes his selection of the highlights from the Pimlico Road Series at this year’s London Craft Week.
“In celebration of our 30th anniversary ELLE Decoration, is proud to partner with ‘The Pimlico Road Series’ at London Craft Week. Nowhere is the revival of craft within contemporary design more evident than in this corner of Belgravia. Here are my picks of the things not to be missed. Many of them are hosting special events for London Craft Week, but you can also visit any time…”
Rose Uniacke Explores the Application of Fabrics
Having trained as a furniture restorer, guilder and specialist in paint and lacquer before becoming an antiques dealer, Uniacke is well versed in traditional craft skills. Her services now extend to interior design and bespoke furniture and lighting, and her new range of hand-printed fabrics – ideal for upholstery, wallcoverings and curtains – will be shown at her store during Craft Week. 76–84 Pimlico Road.
While we relish contemporary design, we also enjoy beautiful antiques – which often showcase fantastic craftsmanship and attention to detail. And if it’s a period fireplace you’re after, Jamb – which deals in the finest antique and reproduction fire grates and fireplaces – is the place to go. Ten reproduction designs in Italian Breche marble, covering a range of styles, are being launched soon and a selection will be on display during London Craft Week. 95–97 Pimlico Road.
Traditional Lost-Wax Casting with Collier Webb
Specialists in combining traditional and cutting-edge techniques to create stylish lighting, furniture and hardware, family-run business Collier Webb offers bespoke pieces and its own designs created at its foundry on the south coast. During London Craft Week, the company’s talented team of craftspeople will demonstrate the traditional lost-wax casting technique, known for being the best metal casting process for achieving fine detailing. 68 Pimlico Road.
Demonstration of Artisanship at LINLEY
If there was ever a brand that epitomised masterful cabinetry fused with innovative design, it would be Linley. Ensuring each piece is made to the highest quality, the brand offers a range that spans accessories to kitchens, plus an interior design service. At its Craft Week events, discover the process of making bespoke products with demonstrations by artisans in partnership with QEST (the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust), which supports British craft. 60 Pimlico Road.
Traditional Skills Reimagined: Sophie Coryndon at Soane Britain
The integrity of the British manufacturing process underpins all of Soane’s designs. The brand utilises a network of workshops that excel in traditional artisan crafts, from iron forging and saddlery to rattan weaving and stone carving – all discovered on a road trip around Britain by co-founder Lulu Lytle. A new commission by British artist Sophie Coryndon, highlighting the reimagination of traditional skills, will be accompanied by demonstrations and a discussion with Lytle on her enthusiasm for exquisite craft. 50–52 Pimlico Road.
Bespoke Britain: A Maker’s Journey
We love how Fermoie’s hand-drawn patterns, printed using natural pigments onto pure cotton, 100 per cent linen or a blend of the two, are presented in simple colour families. Visit the store to pick up fabric lampshades and cushions, and order bespoke curtains and blinds. For Craft Week, Fermoie is collaborating with another Pimlico Road business, Dudgeon Sofas, and will preview its ‘Tented Stripe’ fabrics, upholstered onto Dudgeon’s ‘Somerset’ armchair. 53–55 Pimlico Road.
A relatively recent addition to the Pimlico Road, this new flagship store was located here at the request of Carl Hansen’s grandson, Knud Erik Hansen. The brand’s aim is to cater for the growing demand for Danish mid-century design brought to life through skilful craftsmanship and high-quality materials. Mesmerising weaving demonstrations of the iconic ‘Faaborg’ chair, first created in 1914, will be taking place during Craft Week. 48A Pimlico Road.
SCP Presents Serially Unique Objects
A stalwart of the British design scene since the mid-1980s, SCP has opened a new store on Pimlico Road that will showcase its own products, as well as furniture, lighting and other examples of craftsmanship. During London Craft Week, the shop will present ‘Serially Unique Objects’, an edit of products that contextualise its approach to design and I will be hosting a talk with ceramicist Floris Wubben and designer Donna Wilson. 57 Pimlico Road.
LUACHANNA: PINCH x Mourne Textiles
Set up by husband-and-wife team Russell and Oona Bannon, Pinch has a single aim: to design furniture and lighting they would want to live with. It just so happens we want to live with it too. So much so, in fact, we’ve awarded them several ELLE Decoration British Design Awards over the years. ‘Luachanna’, the brand’s first textile collection, produced by Mourne Textiles, will be launched during London Craft Week, with loom weaving demos in store. 46 Bourne Street.
Cox London: A Passion for Bronze – Making the Mould
Highly sculptural in approach, Nicola and Christopher Cox reinterpret the beauty and intrigue of the natural world in their designs. As a Kiwi and Brit, they’ve been influenced by the 250-year anniversary of Captain Cook’s first South Pacific exploration. The brand’s ‘Voyager’ chair, being launched during London Craft Week, is an artful bronze design inspired by ocean swells and featuring upholstery hand-stitched with abstract maps.194 Ebury Street.
