The ‘New Simplicity‘ exhibition presents a range of simplistic ‘no frills’ products designed by both emerging and established international designers. Showcased at this Brompton gallery location are classic designs alongside new innovations utilising the latest Rapid Manufacturing technologies.

NEW SIMPLICITY

24th July-8th August 2010

203 Brompton Road, SW3 1LA (07808 722 962)

With reference to current economic conditions, ‘New simplicity’ reflects the current trend of frugality and a ‘return to basics’ within design. Everyday items (both the classics, new renditions of the past and the latest prototypes) are all highlighted in terms of their simplicity, practicality and affordability.

The most recently unveiled of those products on display are enhanced by improvements in Rapid Manufacturing Technologies, which allow designers to create objects using the minimum number of pieces as possible, thus accenting the notion of simplicity.

The exhibition curator and design critic Nuno Coelho has brought together a range of designers including Alex Hulme and his self assembly torch; Min-Kyu Choi and his award winning folding plug; and David Sutton’s minimal wallet formed in one piece with no moving parts.

Alternative products by differing designers are also unified in the exhibition by their collective belief in simplicity. These designers include: Industrial Facility (Sam Hect and Kim Colin), Jasper Morrison, Oscar Diaz, Jochem Faudet, Jon Harrison, Luka Stepan, Mathias Hahn and Thomas Wagner.

Combining specially commissioned pieces alongside films and drawings, the exhibition features a simultaneous webcast and website.

Images, from top: Branca Chair by Industrial Facility for Mattiazzi; Basel Chair by Jasper Morrison for Vitra; Self-Assembly Torch by Alex Hulme; Minimal Wallet by David Sutton; UV Floor Lamp by Jon Harrison for Habitat; I-phone/ I-pod Cable Manager by Jochem Faudet.

Lina Kanafani, the owner of top design store Mint, has applied her inimitable style to a new summer exhibition titled ‘Kaleidoscope’ which plays with the boundaries between design, art, and fashion.

KALEIDOSCOPE, 10th June-10th July 2010

MINT

2 North Terrace SW3 2BA (020 7225 2228)

“Kaleidoscope” centres around a fun selection of lighting and furniture from Established & Sons’ brand new collection (above). This is complimented by a series of vibrant paintings by Natasha Law evocative of a contemporary fresh femininity (below).

Completing the picture is a new line of tailored clothing by the award-winning Gluejeans, uniquely crafted with glued stitchless seams.

The showcase also presents a refreshing selection of international designs including: a bright array of seating by the hip and humorous Bokja (pictured top); textured spool vases by Skujeniece (above); smooth pebbles and bowls sculpted from soap by Ilse Waltjen (below); and the first ever “Sustainable Disposable” paper tableware.

Studio Glithero, the Anglo-Dutch design studio of Sarah van Gameren and Tim Simpson, is presenting a new collection entitled ‘Blueware.’ The designers have adopted the early photographic technique of blueprinting (more commonly used for architectural plans) and created a process that develops ceramics like photographs.

BLUEWARE, 20th-29th May 2010 (10:30-18:30)

THE GARAGE

1 North Terrace, London SW3 2BA

The ceramic objects are infused with light sensitive chemicals. Using age-old botanical collecting techniques, humble weeds of inner London borough pavements are pressed, dried and attached to the surface of the ceramics. The objects are then exposed under ultra violet light, which transforms them from white to intense Prussian blue. What remains is a crisp white silhouette of the specimens, creating intricate floral designs of the plant life from root to tip.

The collection consists of four products: round vases, slim vases, light shades, and blueprinted tiles. Each piece in the collection is unique by virtue of the process and the vases are individually numbered.

Nina Hertig, co-founder of Sigmar and an LDG contributor, is hosting the first pop-up Modern Danish Warehouse in an impressive disused Art Deco Garage in Brompton, selling an edited selection of vintage pieces.

THE MODERN DANISH WAREHOUSE, 6th – 27th March 2010

The Garage, North Terrace, London SW3 2BA (07957 207 073)

For three weeks, the Garage (in the heart of the Brompton Design District) will house up to 120 vintage chairs, tables, sideboards, and sofas ranging from £100 to £1500. All purchases can be taken home immediately.

To show the continuation of the tradition of cabinet making in the vintage pieces, young Danish cabinetmaker Anders Folke Andersen is bringing over his ‘workshop’ to make his newly designed tables.

Nina Tolstrup, the designer behind Studiomama, is showcasing the Pallet Project and making furniture and animal from the pallets being used to display the furniture.

Monocle magazine has produced a short video of the event.

EXCLUSIVE LDG DISCOUNT OFFER: from 20th-27th March 2010, LDG readers will benefit from a 20% discount on any item purchased at the warehouse. Simply show a copy of LONDON DESIGN GUIDE at the point of purchase.

Design producer and distributor, Thorsten van Elten, is clinching the Christmas market with his own pop-up shop in the Brompton Design District. The event is called “Thorsten’s 12 days of Christmas” and is a good spot to pick up well-designed gifts.

THORSTEN’S 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS, 2nd-13th December 2009

THE GARAGE

1 North Terrace (off Brompton Road), London SW3 2BA

As you would expect, Thorsten is selling classics such as the Pigeon Light by Ed Carpenter; Antlers coat hanger by Alex Taylor; taz ah mugs by Attua Aparicio Torinos; and Plant Cup by Gitta Gschwendtner.

There are also plenty of newer items to choose from. Upside-down SKY planters by BOSKKE; Cushions, Blankets, and Creatures by Donna Wilson; Kippford Hook Set by Jon Harrison (in brass and stainless steel); HemDing platter by Andreas Fabian; and Date Ruler by Andre Klauser.

For those hunting a bargain, Thorsten is running a Sample & Seconds Sale for three days from 4th-6th December, located on the other side of town in Bethnal Green.

Address: Units 14+15, 10-14 Hollybush Gardens, London E2 9QP (020 7739 7237)

To coincide with the London Design Festival, LONDON DESIGN GUIDE has its very own pop-up shop where visitors can sit down, relax, enjoy a complimentary drink and browse through copies of the guide.

LONDON DESIGN GUIDE & SIGMAR: Living Room

19th-27th September 2009

1-5 Exhibition Road, London SW7 2HE

We have collaborated with Sigmar Design Studio, the shop and design studio of Nina Hertig and Ebba Thott, to create a sophisticated space in which you can rest during the exhausting week of the London Design Festival.

Enjoy a drink courtesy of Vitamin Water and Bottle Green. Afterwards, be sure to continue around the area, also known as the Brompton Design District, to see other great design shows such as LDG’s The Escapists exhibition at mint, and Gallery Libby Sellers exhibition of works by Dick van Hoff.

Don’t leave without buying a copy of the guide!

The guide’s editor, Max Fraser, is here most of the week. Get a signed copy from him!

Photos courtesy of Alistair Hall.