THE JOURNAL
A
s people turn away from the single-use and disposable, the intrinsic worth of a bespoke piece is coming to the fore. The increasingly conscious consumer
cares passionately about provenance, quality and individuality, and many companies at Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour are stretching their creative muscles with tailor-made designs to suit their precise needs. Watts 1874 has built a reputation for exquisite bespoke design. “There’s a greater understanding and appreciation of its potential,” says its creative director Fiona Flint about a rise in commissions, particularly for the hospitality market. The company has worked with renowned French architects Gilles & Boissier on numerous projects, including an impressive corridor for the Mandarin Oriental Ritz Madrid and the Café de l’Alma in Paris. Here, charming tableaux scéniques decorate every surface of cosy alcoves. Blending classicism with modernity, sophisticated processes transcribed historic tapestries from the Château d'Ussé into digitally printed panoramics. Rescaled to different heights, they were printed on to grasscloth for the walls,
on velvet for the banquettes, and as a wallcovering for the ceiling. Acclaimed US designers Roman and Williams commissioned Watts 1874 to create a unique jacquard for a screen in the reception of the Nomad hotel in London. The classic ‘Pear’ design was embellished as a weave and overlaid with intricate embroidery, and after months of work, the outcome was spectacular. Flint makes it clear that for commission work there must be goodwill and trust on both sides, as it is not always a straight road. Working closely, they have to be prepared to experience bumps along the way, if new processes have to be worked out or experiments undertaken, but the results can often exceed expectation. Sometimes working with clients can lead to new
designs being added to the repertoire. Julian Chichester has offered a bespoke furniture service for over 20 years. Having its own manufacturing capabilities means that high volume or specialist industry requirements, such as those for hospitality projects or yachts, together with its stringent durability, surface and weight testing, are all a matter of course. After many years of interior designers Turner Pocock tweaking Julian Chichester
pieces to fit their schemes, a new chapter for the firm has begun with the launch of a six-piece capsule collection which includes a handsome desk, a bedside table and a mirror. “The philosophy of both brands has familiar foundations; notably taking inspiration from the past to create truly unique statement designs. Right from the early days, the team has consistently customised our line, merging our designs with their own bold concepts, creating new and exciting finish combinations with stunning results,” says Jodie Hopkins, CEO of Julian Chichester. A champion of craftsmanship and expertise, French
design house Pierre Frey recently acquired Bernard Thorp, the artisan creator of made-to-order fabrics and wallcoverings, relaunched globally under the new name of Thorp of London. The Design Centre East showroom has been specially extended to accommodate a dedicated room with its own private entrance to welcome the brand. “It’s a little jewellery box, separated from the rest of the showroom,“ explains Amandine Dufour, director of Pierre Frey UK. Bernard Thorp put together his first collections by acquiring drawings from
OPPOSITE: Watts 1874 worked with Gilles & Boissier on the renowned Parisian brasserie Café de l'Alma, creating lavish digitally printed versions of a historic tapestry for the walls and ceiling ABOVE, LEFT TO RIGHT: Pierre Frey recently acquired British brand Bernard Thorp, renaming the brand as Thorp of London but keeping its emphasis on made-to-order products; traditional skills are kept alive at Porta Romana; Thorp of London’s fabrics can be customised with 30 different grounds and 350 colours
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