Dear Designer visits Grand Designs Live 2011

Yesterday was the last day of Grand Designs Live for another year and my weary feet are suffering.  I’ve never seen it so busy before.  We may be living through a time of austerity but tell that to the hoards of people who flocked to the show.

In fact, one of the biggest impressions I was left with was one of luxury and opulence. Seems we can’t get enough. From smart dinner party elegance at Black Orchid Interiors…

To Swarovski Crystal studded headboards at Sofa Design…

To velvet covered flamboyant chairs at Alstons Interiors and By Dusk…

There was even the most beautiful hand painted silver leaf splashback on the Mark Wilkinson stand…

Another noticeable trend was one I noticed earlier this year at London Design Week.  The demand for retro inspired products seems to be as strong as ever.

I loved these fifties tables and chairs from Cola Red…

And The Retro Kitchen Company can fit out an entire kitchen that Doris Day would be proud of…

And to accessorise how about this cute print from Beyond the Fridge…

It was nice to see that Ikea was also represented, although I think someone was a bit peckish…

Who ate all the cakes?

Dear Designer.

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