Design Diary - September 2011

September sees the world of interior design kick off its holiday shoes and get back into action with a host of events, exhibitions, sales, fairs and courses in London and the UK.

International Antiques & Collectors Fair (6-7 Sept), Ardingly, South of England Showroom, West Sussex - Around 1700 stands selling (almost) everything you could possibly imagine. www.iacf.co.uk

Power of Making (6 Sept- 2 Jan 2012), V&A Museum, SW7 - This major new show celebrates the role of making in our lives by presenting an eclectic selection of over 100 exquisitely crafted objects. www.vam.ac.uk

Maison & Objet (9-13 Sept), Parc des Expositions Paris-Nord, Villepinte - Trade- only show for design & decoration. www.maison-objet.com

Heritage Open Days (10-11 Sept), National Trust properties nationwide - Over 190 historic properties will open their doors to the public for free. To see which are taking part, visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Top Drawer Autumn (11-13 Sept), Olympia, London - A trade show with 700 suppliers of gifts, home accessories, jewellery, cards & stationery, outdoor products and more. www.topdrawerautumn.com

Paris Design Week (12-18 Sept) - A new idea, coinciding with the tail end of Maison & Objet. Over 100 trade and public events have been organised. www.parisdesignweek.fr

20/21 British Art Fair (14-18 Sept), Royal College of Art, Kensington Gore, SW7 - Now in its 24th year, this fair champions modern British art, with 56 exhibitors selling paintings, original prints, drawings and sculpture by established names as well as by emerging artists and recent graduates. www.britishartfair.co.uk

Luxury Antiques Weekend (17-19 Sept), Stapleford Park Country House Hotel, Stapleford, near Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire - Twenty antiques dealers from around the country (mostly members of BADA or LAPADA), will be selling town and country furniture, jewellery, oriental rugs, oils, watercolour paintings and original book illustrations, 19th century and contemporary sculpture to fine porcelain, glass and objets d'art. www.staplefordparkfair.com

Open House London (17-18 Sept) - The capital's largest architectural showcase is now in its 18th year. Over 700 buildings of all types and periods open their doors to the public, with FREE admission (NB some tours must be pre-booked). www.openhouselondon.org.uk

The London Design Festival (17-25 Sept) - An annual event celebrating British design. Visit over 200 specific events and activities over nine days to sample the extraordinary diversity of world-class design talent in the capital. For more information, visit www.londondesignfestival.com

The Lapada Art & Antiques Fair (21-25 Sept), Berkeley Square, London W1 - This glamorous fair returns to its purpose-built marquee in Mayfair. Some 80 members of the UK's largest association of art & antique dealers will be selling contemporary and traditional fine art, furniture, sculpture, jewellery, silver, watches, clocks, glass and ceramics. This year there's also a free app to download. www.lapadalondon.com

The Chelsea Antiques Fair (21-25 Sept), Chelsea Old Town Hall, King's Road, London SW3 - A small and relaxed fair with thirty-six dealers, offering formal and country furniture, ceramics, oil and watercolour paintings, fine silver and jewellery. Prices from under £100 to over £20,000. www.penman-fairs.co.uk

Origin: the London Craft Fair (22-28 Sept), Old Spitalfields Market London E1 - Now in a new location in the refurbished Old Spitalfields Market, Origin is an annual showcase of original contemporary craft, presenting 200 of the most innovative UK and international makers. It offers a rare chance to buy directly from the makers and meet them face to face. www.originuk.org

100% Design (22-25 Sept), Earl's Court Two, London, SW5 - The UK's best-known contemporary interiors event. Presenting big brands, emerging talent and new building materials, 100% Design attracts leading manufacturers, star designers and specifiers from the UK and overseas. For more information, to register, or to download their app, log on to www.100percentdesign.co.uk

Tent London (22-25 Sept), Truman Brewery, Brick Lane, London - Now in its fifth year at the Old Truman Brewery, Tent London presents over 200 international exhibitors, showing the very latest in contemporary interior products - furniture, lighting, ceramics, textiles, materials and accessories.  www.tentlondon.co.uk

Brighton Art Fair (22-25 Sept), Corn Exchange, Church St, Brighton - The largest art exhibition on the South Coast brings together about 130 of the most talented national painters, printmakers, photographers and sculptors along with artist groups and Sussex based galleries. To take up a special offer of two tickets for the price of one, simply e-mail your name and address to 241@brightonartfair.co.uk before 17 Sept. www.brightonartfair.co.uk

The London Art Book Fair 2010 (23-25 Sept), Whitechapel Gallery, London E1 - An annual event which brings together individual artist publishers, galleries, magazines, colleges, arts publishing houses, rare book dealers and distributors, plus a programme of talks and events. Admission is free. www.whitechapelgallery.org

Vintage Fashion & Textiles Fair (25 Sept), The Armitage Centre, Fallowfield, Manchester - Vintage clothes, antique textiles, couture designer items and accessories. www.decorativefairs.co.uk

Focus/11 (25-28 Sept), Chelsea Harbour, London SW10 - The Design Centre showrooms (and selected showrooms in Chelsea) present their latest collections. The first three days are trade only, and on Wed 28th everyone is welcome. www.dcch.co.uk
 
Decorex International (25-28 Sept), Royal Hospital Grounds, London SW3 - A place of annual pilgrimage for interior designers, buyers and architects from all over the world and a ‘don't miss' in the annual decoration calendar. Over 300 top interior companies take part, including The House Directory on stand K320 ! Visit www.decorex.com to register.

The Decorative Antiques & Textiles Fair (27 Sept-2 Oct), The Marquee, Battersea Park, London SW11 - This thrice-yearly fair, in the relaxed surroundings of The Marquee in leafy Battersea Park, has around 140 exhibitors and is an excellent source of painted furniture, Gustavian & Swedish design, 20th century design, lighting, accessories and named-design furniture, and excellent mirrors. www.decorativefair.com
 
London Design Auction (27 Sept), Phillips de Pury & Company, Howick Place, London, SW1 - This sale will feature the most important group of modernist ceramics ever to appear at auction, including works by master potters Lucie Rie and Hans Coper.  www.phillipsdepury.com
 
‘Cabinet of Curiosities' (28 Sept-15 Oct), Ben Pentreath, 17 Rugby Street, London WC1 -  Ben Pentreath crams his shop with covetable curios at his annual show. This year artist Bridie Hall launches her first collection of interior objects and unique designs.  The focus of her work is intaglio boxes, decorative decoupage and country-house scented candles.  www.benpentreath.com


2 September 2011