Swarovski crystal-studded fridge-freezers, precious metal furniture finishes, concrete kitchens, and Chinoiserie, are some of the new ideas from 100% Design in London, writes Alanna Gallagher
KITCHEN
Formica and concrete finishes featured heavily. Cast Advanced Concretes offered solid concrete slabs in colours from chalk white through burnt orange to bitter chocolate. Tel: 0044 8702 418171 or www.castadvancedconcretes .com.
Lowinfo is another manufacturer in the concrete jungle whose industrial grey concrete kitchen worked wonderfully when teamed with chartreuse-coloured walls. Prices start from €745 a metre. Tel: 0044 1623 835311 or see www.lowinfo.com
Form and function sat cheek by jowl in Schulte Design's Grace, a walnut kitchen centre that offered counter seating, a hot plate for pots and pans, five drawers hidden in its slight form for knives and cutlery. Another selling point is its integrated mains outlet, hidden behind a stainless steel disc. See www.shcultedesign.de or call Kathy Tromsdorf on 0049 2151 62 59 13 for more details. Price €5,800.
Bachelor boys will like the look of the ice cool, Swarovski-studded, fridge freezer by Gorenje - pure bling or foul Footballer's Wives, depending on your personal tastes. Available from Hafele, price €2,085, call 01 287 3488 or see www.gorenje.co.uk.
BATHROOMS
One of the stars of the show was the Dornbracht's RainSky E. This shower system offers three different wash types all housed behind a glass box big enough to allow singing as well as dancing in the rain. Available from distributor Aquality, in Naas, it costs €18,300. Call 045 901 210 for details of your local stockist or see www.dornbracht.com.
Ideal Standard also attracted a lot of attention with its new range of bathroom furnishings designed by Jasper Morrison.
ALL THAT GLITTERS
Gold and other precious metals made a big impact this winter. Wrap is a crafty idea that offers 24ct gold leaf and silver sheeting onto furniture to give it a contemporary context.
Inspired by traditional Indian craftsmanship, the company has created cool dining thrones and eastern reclines from 35mm gauge silver and 24ct gold leaf. The interior turned furniture designer Gunjan Gupta, has also been asked to create gold and silver themed bars in the former Soviet Union's capital - gilding their interiors the way they once gilded their domes. The chairs retail at €1,790 - €2,235 each. See www.wrap.co.in or call 0044 79 3955 9058.
FLOORING
Heavy metal fans should sample the solid wood oak floors in copper, zinc bronze or steel finishes from Seamless Industries (www.seamless.co.uk).
Another simple way to update a room is to invest in the Maracarpet, a black over-rug, that comes in four overlocked edge options, which, when laid on a pale carpeted background, breathes new life into tired, pale palettes. Kiss wine-stains goodbye and give your interior an immediate upgrade. The rug costs €1, 630 from Design By Us. Call 0045 3811 8086 or see www.design-by-us.com.
LIGHT AND SOUND
The convergence of art and craft let to the art of noise reduction for walls. Finn designer Anna Kyyro Quinn attracted a huge amount of attention with her bespoke acoustic wall panels and cushions. These texture-heaven pieces present a perfect opportunity to soften sound within open-plan living spaces and are also very well suited to home cinema areas. Prices from €450 - 600sq m. Tel: 0044 207 021 0702 or www.annekyyroquinn. com
LED home displays offered all sorts of architectonic encounters to change the mood and ambiance of rooms. Also on display were burnished copper light pendants, from Contact Design. Similar styles are already installed in the thermal suite of Enniscorthy's Monart Spa. These are available through Simply Scandinavian on 0044 1252 334499, www.simply- scandinavian.co.uk from €849 .
WONDER WALLS
The eminently collectible cowhide works of Helen Murray include commission-only wall panels, upholstery and headboards, prices from €4,470sq m. See www.helenamy murray.com or call 0044 7968 034 637 for more details.
Chinoiserie was another big hit for walls with Fromental's silk embroidered, Jardin au Bamboo, from €373sq m, illustrating the genre most glamorously. Call 0044 208 960 8899 or see www.fromental.co.uk.
The Silhouette collection included Ladies Galore, short-listed for an Elle Deco design award, and Apollo, a glossy set of inks that lend walls an art deco feel. Prices from €135 per roll. Tel: 0044 208 549 4321 or see www.iewallpaper.com for more information.
Cole & Son showcased a new range by Tom Dixon as well as Catwalk, a bold stripe with a 1950s New Look silhouette.
THE LAST WORD
Lastly, anyone in a fractious relationship should invest in the furniture of Thelermont Hupton. Its collection records the tempestuous relationship of a fictional couple called Mr and Mrs Jones, whose walnut and lacquer layered sideboard, price €4,321, comes in two parts, so if the couple splits up, as they have often threatened to do, they can each keep a piece. Call Yve or David 0044 208 374 0422 or see www.thelermonthupton.com
