DE S IGN CENTRE
I
f there is one type of event at the Design Centre that guarantees a packed audience, it’s anything to do with professional development. At a recent series of ‘design essentials’ talks, showroom experts talked about subjects ranging from decorative lighting to specifying materials and finishes – and
audiences were eager to learn. This sharing of expertise isn’t confined to special events. It’s available all
year round in the showrooms, where experienced staff can offer advice, answer technical questions and make tailored recommendations. “The person sitting on the other side of the desk in the showroom knows that place inside out. So don’t be afraid to ask questions, because it’s like having a pre-made set of gurus that want to help you,” says Erik Odell-Romanoff, showroom and brand ambassador at Tollgard. Much of an interior designer’s development happens not through theoretical
learning, but by doing – and showroom expertise plugs that gap between theory and practice. “It’s our mission to pre-emptively avoid those problems before they even occur,” continues Odell-Romanoff. Whether he’s steering a dog-owning client away from velvet and towards a more robust performance fabric, or making sure people take as much care over the back of a dining chair as the front (“because that’s what you’re going to be looking at, most of the time”), he will smooth the path to the best outcome. At upholstered furniture specialist Kingcome, detailed questioning is key.
“We’ll always ask where the sofa is going in the room. A high back might be very comfortable, but if it sits in front of a window, it can feel visually heavy. Equally, a very low back might suit the space but not give enough support,” says showroom manager James Lawton. “Cushion fillings are another common topic. Some people love the softness of feather, but don’t realise it needs regular
“THAT PERSON IN THE SHOWROOM KNOWS THE PLACE INSIDE OUT. SO DONʼT BE AFRAID
TO ASK, BECAUSE IT’S LIKE HAVING A PRE-MADE SET OF GURUS THAT WANT TO HELP YOU”
plumping. Others prefer something more structured like foam for ease. It depends on lifestyle as much as comfort.” For trade clients, these conversations can lead to bespoke designs, with tailored proportions and details. This commitment to bespoke design extends beyond furniture. Modern
British Kitchens recently worked on a French-rococo-inspired project that required meticulous research into period style for kitchen cabinetry, bedrooms and internal doors. Beautiful craftsmanship and function are a given for every project, but this example demonstrates how, when the company says ‘bespoke’, it means it, fulfilling every ambitious vision. A luxury bed, like a sofa, is a major investment and deeply personal – not
something picked out from an online gallery. “Part of our role is to guide and simplify what can feel quite technical. It’s also about helping clients see their bed as a long-term investment in both comfort and wellbeing,” says Savoir’s showroom manager Robert James. “We spend time helping both interior designers and end users understand how each element of the bed system – box sprung base, mattress and topper – works together, and what that means in real terms not only for comfort, support and feel, but also for the longevity of the bed. We work across a variety of environments, from private homes to yachts and hotels, where bespoke requirements are often key. The goal is always to give clarity and confidence in the decision, rather than complexity.”
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: THG Paris can help you navigate its palette of materials and finishes, as well as create custom pieces; at the Montcalm Mayfair
hotel, Louise East of Studio Est worked with Sacco Carpet to create the public areas’ bespoke rugs; a client consultation at THG Paris; Ceccotti Collezioni’s ‘Bean’ desk at the Tollgard-designed Phillip Jeffries Study at WOW!house 2025; a behind-the-scenes look at the making of a complex rug for Raffles Jeddah, by Sacco Carpet
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