IN WITH THE NU 11/07/07

Words :: Will Jones // Images :: Courtesy of 100% Design Expo

This year the cavernous halls of the UK’s premier design show seem to be dominated by either new takes on classic designs or improved and updated versions of modern styles – Nu-Retro and Nu?Modern, to coin two catchy monikers. Held in London at Earls Court Arena every September, the 100% Design exhibition is one of Europe’s two most important exhibitions for interior design, lighting, materials and products; the other is Milan’s Salone del Mobile. You know the ones – hall after hall and aisle after aisle of products and exhibitors clamouring for your attention. So, in the spirit of this artistic bonhomie, let’s reinvent the usual exhibition trawl with a walk through two imaginary homes stuffed with the best 100% Design has to offer in Nu-Retro and Nu-Modern.
Chez Nu-Retro sees us coming through a spy-viewer framed exquisitely in a distinctly Victorian decorative style. This and the door handle surround are designed by Phoebe Helmbold of German newcomers, Livalike. Doretta can be used internally, too, with one version available cloaked in a soft almost furry finish. There is also a plug socket, Rosetta, finished to the same detail, to add a touch of splendour to plugging in the vacuum.
Continuing our journey into Chez Nu?Retro, we are whisked down a long hall, passing under lights with free blown glass shades in different hues by UK designer Rothschild & Bickers. They dapple the space in colored light, incandescent bulbs flickering behind tassels and fringes that adorn the edge of each shade. Into the main dining room and the sight before us is like some kind of slip-shifted classical time warp. A giant Murano Glass chandelier, from Los Angeles glass lighting and ornament firm, La Murrina, hangs, dominant in the centre of the room: its curvaceous arms cast in thick coloured glass and tipped with sparkles of light. A table has places set; or rather places are marked indelibly onto the linen in fancy doily patterns. This is the Amar(ant) table cloth from Isle Design, a new design company from Poland.
On a side table, a delicate white lamp illuminates a small white porcelain polar bear sitting beneath it: turn the bear and the lamp gets brighter. Above a beautifully detailed white mirror is the essence of classical design stripped bare. The lamp and mirror are by Lladro, the Spanish-based porcelain manufacturer, known for its figurines. This, its ReDeco collection, takes products that have been sold for over 50 years and reworks them, removing color and adding modern touches, to reawaken peoples’ desire for beautiful ornaments.
Finally, eyes fall onto the wallpaper. By Claire Coles, it is a beautiful collage; decorative scenes stitched, layered and stuck onto classic floral backdrops to add an individual touch. Coles, from the UK, seems to have tapped into a growing trend in Britain for truly individual design pieces: that bespoken one-off that really sets the neighbours’ tongues wagging.
But this Nu-Retro look is Victoriana gone mad – in a good way. While doilies and fringed lamp shades could be tired and boring, these designs have brought something new to classic styles and forms, revitalizing them for today.

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