Please Be Seated is a large-scale installation designed by Paul Cocksedge, and it is made from more than 1,000 scaffolding planks. Cocksedge collaborated with Essex-based high-end interiors company White & White to re-imagine and re-use the building wood. The curvy seating encouraged passerby to sit and relax with their books or lap tops, which [...]

 
Coal Drops Yard
 
This year, the ever-changing Kings Cross was chosen as the design district for the first time at the London design festival. Aside from the annual design trade show, DesignJunction, there were many exhibitions and activities taking place during the festival.
I received a trade preview invitation to visit Designjunction, so [...]

Hall 6 at Maison et objet
 
The term 'enochlophobia' means fear of crowds, a phobia that I suspect I have – mildly. Although I don't experience blackouts or panic attacks in crowded places, I do feel overwhelmed, as if my energy is being sucked out of me, and I often feel exhausted afterwards.
This [...]

Installation by Rive Roshan using Kvadrat Divina
 
This year, Tent London & Super Brands London celebrated its 10th anniversary and was rebranded as London Design Fair. The fair at the Old Truman brewery hosted over 500 exhibitors from 29 countries, making it the most international fair of the Festival. Exhibitors include independent designers [...]

 
Designjunction in Kings Cross's Granary Square
 
This year, Designjunction moved from Holborn to Kings Cross, and it was indeed a good move. Instead of cramming hundreds of stands and outlets into huge abandoned buildings, this year's show was split into four areas around the Granary Square. It was easier to navigate and [...]

'Elytra Filament Pavilion' by experimental architect Achim Menges with Moritz Dörstelmann, structural engineer Jan Knippers and climate engineer Thomas Auer.

 
What is going to happen to the UK in the future? It is hard to tell. As a multicultural mega city, how will London cope with the aftermath of Brexit? And what can [...]

 
Top left: The disused ticket office-turned pottery studio; Top right: Lisa Hammond's beautiful Soda & Shino glaze pottery
 
London is full of hidden gems, not only they are off tourists' radar, but many are also unknown to Londoners. Since I live north of the river, I am quite oblivious to events that [...]

Top row: the art deco features at Victoria House: 2nd & bottom rows: The college
 
Like 100% Design, this year, Design Junction moved from its previous location (the Former Royal Mail Sorting Office on New Oxford Street) to two enormous and historical venues on Southampton Row - the art deco Victoria [...]

Facade of 100% Norway at Tent London
 
For some reason, the design trade shows that I attended this year at The London design festival appeared to be quieter than usual. At Tent London, the atmosphere was a far cry from the chaos I experienced last year... not sure if it was the time [...]

100% design's new venue in Olympia; right: Donar
 
Having visited The London design festival for many years, I somehow feel that the festival is losing its spark/edge. The guide is undoubtedly getting thicker and heavier (not sure if anyone enjoyed carrying this design festival 'bible' around for 10 days), yet the [...]