London Design Week in Review: An Unmissable Event for Interior Designers and Enthusiasts Alike
It’s that time of year again! London Design Week - the unmissable event of the year for UK-based Interior Designers and beyond.
Whilst those of us outside of the capital would like to think that the Interior Design industry is moving away from being so London-centric, it can’t be denied that it provides an epicentre for creativity, innovation and inspiration for Interior Designers and enthusiasts alike, making the renowned London Design Week a highlight of our calendars. Showcasing the latest design-trends, innovations and artistic collaborations within the creative hub that is Design Centre Chelsea, I popped along to utilise all they had to offer, and see what gems I could find to serve the interiors of tomorrow.
What is London Design Week?
Think London Fashion Week but for interior designers – an invigorating and vibrant event that attracts a plethora of trades and suppliers within luxury interior design, all housed in the Design Centre on Chelsea Harbour – the home of a number of the world’s leading labels in fabrics, furniture, lighting and accessories.
The week-long event offers visitors the opportunity to view the latest collections and collaborations, network with industry peers and suppliers old and new, and attend a number of workshops and lectures covering a range of timely topics. On this occasion, I had the opportunity to attend an insightful lecture on the interior design industry in the US, and how the ongoing negotiations on tariffs could affect our field moving forward.
Other workshops of note included a block printing masterclass from Molly Mahon and a Weaving Workshop with Arte (definitely on my list for next time!)
New Kids on the Block
Perhaps one of the most exciting parts of events such as this, is the opportunity to discover new suppliers, and sample those that you have only come across online. On this occasion, I was lucky enough to discover Sophie Harpley Studio, offering a gorgeous range of painterly wallpapers and linen fabrics, and Bertioli by Thyme – the daughter brand of Thyme Hotel, Restaurant and Spa in the Cotswolds – who exhibited their stunning range of prints and fabrics, all hand painted and inspired by the surroundings of their hotel.
Alternatively, it’s a great opportunity to connect with those brands that you’ve worked with previously but are yet to visit in person. After eyeing some of their products for current projects, it was great to visit the Matilda Goad pop-up and witness the craftsmanship of their products in person.
Sophie Harpley Studio display at London Design Week
Sample, Sample, Sample!
Of course, we’re not just there for a jolly!
I also managed to utilise some of the time I had there to visit a number of their resident showrooms, including Zoffany, Samuel & Sons and Osborne & Little to discuss ongoing projects with their sales associates, and source some samples where needed. It really is a great opportunity to be tactile, and obtain any samples you might need for a project – of course, you can then store these within your sample library after, so you have them on hand should you ever need them in the future.
Whether you're a seasoned professional or simply a design enthusiast, this week-long celebration is an essential stop on your design calendar. I’d highly recommend visiting and I’m already looking forward to 2026!