Our travels this fall to the London Design Festival and Decorex also included a few stops in Scotland.
The exterior of the V&A Dundee. Photo Credit: V&A Dundee website
Japanese architect Kengo Kuma designed the wonderful new waterfront V&A museum in Dundee to resemble the sea cliffs in the north-east of Scotland. The centerpiece of the museum is a re-assembled tea room by Charles Rennie Mackintosh. The galleries display about 300 objects spanning more than 500 years. It is definitely worth the trip.
Tearoom by Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Photo Credit: Hufton + Crow Photography
Dundee is an easy drive north from either Edinburgh and Glasgow. Edinburgh Castle, the birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots son, James, is an imposing sight and the views from the castle are outstanding.
Although Gleneagles is known for it’s PGA golf courses, there is no shortage of things to do and places to eat. Lessons in the equestrian center, skeet shooting or spa treatments will keep you entertained in the peaceful Scottish countryside.
Originally built as an elegant Victorian mansion, Cromlix has been redesigned into a quaint 15-room hotel by Scottish tennis player Andy Murray.
The award-winning restaurant, Chez Roux, is located in the glass-walled conservatory overlooking the grounds and offers guests a view of the chefs at work in the open kitchen. An after-dinner treat was listening to a harpist in the elegantly appointed drawing room.
Fly fishing in the House Loch was a nice way to spend the morning.
A visit to the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is a must in Glasgow. The mid-day organ concert was entertaining, as was viewing their famous Dali and Floating Heads exhibits.
The Mackintosh at the Willow tea rooms on Sauchiehall Street reopened this summer after a 4-year renovation to return them to their 1908 glory.
Inveraray Castle and Gardens, home to the Duke and Duchess of Argyll, provided an idyllic afternoon.
In London, we were inspired by the many new products showcased at Decorex. This year, there was an emphasis on handmade, bespoke artisan items, with many of the craftsmen creating on site.
Pigmentti frescos and murals from Italy.
I am always amazed by the beautiful work done by the RSN (Royal School of Needlework) founded in 1872.
One of our favorite stands this year was Watts of Westminster who prints historical documents on fabrics and wallpapers.
Our friends from de Gournay hosted a lovely brunch in their beautiful showroom. It’s always nice to see what’s new. We love this new graceful Wisteria design.
The London V&A had a variety of interesting exhibits for design week. Our favorite was “MultiPly”, an interactive modular maze-like installation in The Sackler Courtyard.
Also at the V & A, the Frida Kahlo exhibit was very moving and is not to be missed!
It’s always an easy and productive trip “across the pond”, filled with endless design inspiration. A special highlight this year was winning an International Design and Architecture award in London for the wallcovering we designed along with de Gournay for our Park City project. Cheers!
“Life is the leaves which shape and nourish a plant, but art is the flower which embodies its meaning” – Charles Rennie Mackintosh
