With six trade shows to attend over the next week I broke my golden rule of not working on Sunday and I headed down to the Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour for the start of Focus 2016. As usual ‘the Harbour’ looks beautiful, trade shows here are always a special event. Sadly I had no time to eat in the Salt Yard at Tatler restaurant, but if the food is anything like the decor it would be a special experience.

Enough about the interior decor of the show, I want to focus on three suppliers I’ve selected from the 120 showrooms participating in Focus this year. With so many gorgeous products the selection wasn’t easy and they are all high-end suppliers – but then this show is about luxury.

I started my day visiting the Porta Romano showroom. I’ve never specified their fittings but they are a staple for many interior designers. They have just launched their new Cosmos range of fittings and I loved the Constellation Bulkhead. Many wall lights serve purely as functional with no beauty. Not with this fitting – not only is it beautiful but it’s a feature in its own right. The LED light gives a very soft effect – available in two finishes; Galactic Gold or Galactic Silver. Do also look at the Orbit chandelier, a stunning feature if you are blessed with high ceilings.

Next stop on the visit and located quietly on the upper floor of the South Dome is Stark. With separate showrooms for rugs and carpets and another one for fabric and wallcoverings you could spend days up there. I discovered lots of great geometric prints in the showroom, and also some of the most gorgeous wallcoverings I’ve ever seen. The texture is amazing in these, they have also launched a stupendous metallic cork paper – you’ll just have to head to the showroom to see this, pictures don’t do it justice.

Arte is located in the newer section of the Harbour, Design Centre East, and can be found across a walkway from the main domes on the second floor – it’s a little hidden but well worth discovering. Arte is a family owned company based in Belgium founded in 1981 and makes very sophisticated and beautiful wallcoverings. Their London showroom recently opened and is showcasing the new Monochrome collection. Given my love of grey interiors and also anything copper this wallpaper was sure to be a favourite, but I’d honestly be happy specifying anything in the showroom.

Focus continues until 23 September if you have time to visit. Next stop on my show tour is Decorex, watch this space for my top picks from the show later this week.

Filed under: Product Recommendation Tagged: Chelsea Harbour, Fabric, Focus 2016