Magenta hits 100% Design

Magenta’s Steve Penney and Laneisha Lynch headed to Kensington Olympia to get their designer interiors fix at this year’s edition of the much-loved 100% Design.

Our first taste of London’s 24th edition of 100% Design opened with a press office library designed by Rabih Hage. The perfect space to introduce his upcoming book, ‘Quiet Architecture’ Hage made a bold statement: “yellow is the new beige!”

This year’s show had three new features: 100% Forward, curated by well-known design author and contributor at the London Evening Standard, Barbara Chandler, celebrates the authenticity of the show. Seven designers who first exhibited in 1995 have returned to showcase their careers now. Each of these designers nominated an emerging talent as part of the 100% Futures exhibit. This year also saw a Design Fresh exhibit, which focuses on selected young designers at graduate level.

With all this talent on show, here are few of our favourites:

Kyla McCallum – Foldability 

Nominated by Ella Doran as part of 100% Forward, Kyla creates stunning installations by hand-folding paper and fabrics in intricate geometric patterns. Her technique reinterprets the ancient art of origami.

Tiipii Bed

We could have spent most of day lounging in one of these cosy tipis. Easily one of the most inviting furniture offers at the show, these floating day beds are sustainably manufactured and transportable. Glamping will never be the same again… but we had much more to see.

LEESA

We loved this eye-catching stand for its bold use of on-trend coral, cut insharp angles across the walls and floor of the exhibit. Made and designed in the UK and finished with Italian paint, LEESSA specialises in innovative wood and bespoke joinery.

Dare Studio

Based in Hove, East Sussex, Dare Studio is exhibiting its new Riley furniture range and the eye-catching Hearst pendant lights. Both designs capture a distinctly zen feel in a modern matte black and wood finish.

Anne Kyyrö Quinn

Designed and manufactured in the UK, Anne Kyrrö Quinn produces bespoke acoustic wall coverings. We’ve seldom seen an acoustic product where the design references the function so well – it’s easy to see how each example captures and channels sound.

To see more of the design industry’s latest trends, visit 100% Design at London Olympia until Saturday 22nd September.

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Ben Keeley