Gunter & Co's top picks for interior design shopping in London - The Chelsea Design Quarter
Part Five: The Chelsea Design Quarter
We wanted to highlight some of our favourite luxury interior design showrooms to visit in London. From many years’ experience we know that where possible it is always worth trying to see things in real life. Check out the texture of a tile, assess and touch the curve on a basin, try out the comfort level of a sofa. And yes! We know there are too many amazing showrooms to visit in one day, so we’ve broken it down into separate areas. This is usually how we plan our own showroom trips to ensure they’re as efficient and streamlined as possible (and that there’s time to schedule a refreshment stop or two!)
Naturally, with any of our suggestions, it’s a good idea to call or email ahead of your planned visit to check opening times and availability.
The Chelsea Design Quarter: Lots Road & New Kings Road
Continuing on our series, we’re heading to the Chelsea Design Quarter, so get those walking shoes on and your notebook ready and prepare to be inspired!
If we’re working on a scheme that involves several different types of flooring, a visit to Chelsea Design Quarter is always incredibly useful … although we love working with samples and swatches, it makes a huge difference to see flooring in large-scale samples and actually installed on real floors – several of our favourite flooring specialists are available here, along with some bathroom and kitchen specialists too.
Fameed Khalique is a real treasure trove for very unusual and unique fabrics, leathers, hard wooden, tile and precious stone finishes, and other concepts such as carved leather and other hand-made finishes that you can’t quite imagine until you see them in person.
The focal point of a scheme, as all interior designers know, can often be a splendid rug, and for textural, colourful and subtle designs, take in a visit to The Rug Company
Perfect lighting literally ‘lifts’ a scheme, and for technical know-how, great design and innovative ideas, try John Cullen Lighting
Wood flooring and panelling from Havwoods can fulfil any conceivable timber flooring requirement, we’re especially keen on the selection of parquet available, and there’s also end grain wall panelling as well which we’re dying to try in a new project. We also love Element 7 for their exclusive wood flooring options and generous showroom which is always a great tool to imagine a specific colour of flooring in your own home. Their quality and range of options is unparalleled and a must-visit on any sourcing trip for us.
A visit to Waterworks is an eye-opener, with out-of-this-world kitchen and bathroom fittings that will elevate a simple room scheme into something else entirely given the American sized proportions and unique design approach! They also stock gorgeous accessories to finish off any bathroom scheme.
Sleek, sophisticated and unique kitchens from Eggersman provide practical kitchen convenience and calm whilst blending into the most sophisticated living and dining spaces. Their stone clad islands and kitchen units provide a unique focal point to any scheme. Real ‘food for thought’ here!
George Smith upholstery is handmade in England, bespoke designs are available, as well as their own collections which are a joy to try out as nearly every cushion filling possible is on display to test. We’re rather excited about, (and planning to go and see) the outdoor collection.
For tables, chairs and pieces of furniture with a simplicity and elegance of balance that sometimes seem physically impossible, arrange a visit to Tom Faulkner
Visit Reed Harris to view, touch and feel the texture of an amazing array of tiles – in varying materials including concrete, cement, terrazzo and porcelain. Extremely useful to view in person and quiz Karen’s fantastic knowledge of tiles which is such a pleasure to encounter in this industry.
Bathrooms can be tricky, from a designers point of view – often we have to make a tiny space beautiful and multi-functional, and sometimes we have a huge space to play with! In either case, a look at the products and concepts from West One Bathrooms are always a joy where we love working with Joel who is a bathroom maestro in his own right.
We love the way the Haute Deco collections of door handles and knobs is described as ‘door jewellery’ – nothing could be more apt! Designs combine decorative metal effects with glass textured finishes.
As if we haven’t already brought you enough joy, it’s time to mention Medlar … their chocolate tart is life-enhancing. Just thank me later!