2025 in Review

January 19-21, 2025

In its second year, Design Destination London brought nearly 250 American designers to London for a curated and rich itinerary of excursions, showroom visits, dinners and more.

Highlights

From 2025

Sunday Evening

Welcome Cocktails & Check-In

Hosted by Veranda, attendees celebrated the beginning of Design Destination London at Voysey House in Chiswick. Voysey House is a landmark Arts and Crafts building built in 1902 as part an expansion of the Sanderson wallpaper factory. 

"I can’t wait to get back into the studio after what was most definitely a bucket-filling trip to London. Thank you for providing the creative booster shot I didn’t know I needed."

– Design Destination London 2025 Attendee

Monday Morning & Tuesday Morning

Private Sessions

Attendees chose two of the following private sessions.

Excursion in London

Sparkling Brunch & Illuminated Tour at Claridge's

Details
Excursion in London

Cox London Workshop Tour

Details
Showroom Event

de Gournay Artisan Showcase

Details
Showroom Event

In Conversation with British Industry Leaders

Excursion Outside London

Fermoie Studio & Factory Tour

Details
Showroom Event

Hector Finch and Steele Marcoux: In Conversation

Details
Excursion in London

Jamb Workshop Tours

Details
Excursion Outside London

Visit to Yavington Barn with Max Rollitt

Details
Showroom Event

In Conversation with Nina Campbell & Steele Marcoux

Details
Excursion Outside London

Immersive Tour of Porta Romana: Hand Crafted Lighting and Furniture Maker

Details
Excursion in London

Voysey House Tour: The Home of Sanderson

Details
Showroom Event

Breakfast with the First Lady of Textiles, Christine Van Der Hurd

Details

"I relished the opportunity to visit and learn from the artisans. Thank you for crafting such a thoughtful and memorable experience."

– Design Destination London 2025 Attendee

Monday Afternoon

design centre, chelsea harbour day

Designers attended programming, a panel discussion, and open houses at Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour.

"This was exactly what I needed after a long end of the year. A time to reconnect and recalibrate with what I love so dearly. These “work-study” trips as I call them are a way to fall back in love with the magic of possibility."

– Design Destination London 2025 Attendee

Monday evening

Private Supper

Attendees were treated to signature cocktails and an enchanted indoor winter garden supper.

"The experience was pure magic. It was also reinvigorating to meet so many other designers whose work I really admire."

– Design Destination London 2025 Attendee

Tuesday Afternoon

The Pimlico Road Day

Designers attended programming and open houses on The Pimlico Road.

"The showrooms on Pimlico Road are all so charming, so it was great to see vendors that we don’t have direct access to in the States."

– Design Destination London 2025 Attendee

Tuesday Afternoon

Cocktail Party

Attendees enjoyed an evening of cocktails and canapes at the Wildflowers restaurant in Newson’s Yard on the Pimlico Road.

2025 Event Sponsors

2025 Event Underwriters

Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour is a premier destination for design and decoration excellence. Home to 130 showrooms and over 600 of the world’s most prestigious luxury brands, the Design Centre is the largest of its kind in Europe.

Pimlico Road is a globally celebrated destination for exquisite furniture, antiques, interiors and luxury fabrics making it a priority for designers across the world to visit. A key district within the Grosvenor Estate in Belgravia, the Pimlico Road is a meeting place for worldclass craftspeople, artisans, curators and makers. A truly unique area resulting in a creative neighborhood that tells a story of style, inspiration and exceptional craft.
The Wells Companies is a family of interior design entities that span the decorative arts industry, including Wells Textiles (Rose Cumming & Classic Cloth), Wells Abbott Showrooms, Wells Design, Wells Warehouse, and Cottage Textiles.

2025 Media Partner

2025 Host Sponsors

Host sponsors offered exclusive experiences, behind-the-scenes tours, special talks, and more.

2025 Participating Sponsors

Edward Bulmer Natural Paint

GP&J Baker

PINCH

Plain English Cupboardmakers

Pukka Print

Robert Kime

The Rug Company

Tissus d’Hélène

Tom Faulkner

Sparkling Brunch & Illuminated Tour at Claridge's

Designers joined Collier Webb and George Spencer Designs us in the heart of Mayfair for a Champagne Brunch at the world renowned Claridge’s Hotel. After a guided tour of bespoke projects commissioned for the hotel, designers had a chance to sit down over a private brunch and mingle with the teams behind Collier Webb and George Spencer Designs. This exclusive event was an unforgettable blend of tradition, design, and sophistication.

Cox London Workshop Tour

Chris and Nicola Cox invited attendees to their London workshops, where each Cox London piece is mindfully created by their ever-growing team of skilled and emerging artists, engineers, designers, and finishing experts.

The Cox London Workshops comprise seven distinct spaces, offering a glimpse into ancient and mesmerizing craft techniques, including pouring molten bronze, hand-forging iron, and applying specialist finishes. Guests saw awe-inspiring one-off pieces ready for installation within some of the most beautiful spaces across the globe.

de Gournay Artisan Showcase

Designers had a morning of inspiration and exploration at de Gournay’s newly reimagined London showroom, where the timeless artistry of handcraft vividly comes to life. Our Artisan Showcase featured masterful demonstrations by de Gournay’s talented studio artists from around the globe, displaying the intricate, centuries-old techniques behind our celebrated designs.

Event Highlights:

  • Hand-Painted Wallpaper: Watch our skilled artists as they meticulously render each brushstroke, blending tradition with innovation.
  • Hand-Painted Porcelain: Observe the delicate craft of porcelain painting, where precision and creativity combine to create distinctive works of art. 
  • Hand-Embroidered Fabrics: Marvel at the exquisite details of hand embroidery, brimming with elegance and artistry in every stitch. 

Painting Workshop:

For those inspired to explore their own artistic talents, de Gournay invited guests to participate in an interactive painting workshop. Led by a de Gournay artist, guests had the opportunity to try their hand at creating their own masterpiece, experiencing the distinct process that makes our creations so unique.

Fermoie Studio & Factory Tour

Designers joined Fermoie on a visit to their studio and factory complex, located in Marlborough, approximately an hour and three quarters outside of London. Marlborough is a market town and civil parish in the English county of Wiltshire on the Old Bath Road, the old main road from London to Bath. Surrounded by beautiful green spaces and countryside, the visit to Marlborough was a valuable investment in immersing oneself in Fermoie’s production facility.

Jamie Shawcross, Fermoie Director, and Charlie Sharpley, Head of Marketing & Public Relations, accompanied designers during the transport and tour.

At the facility designers met Fermoie founders Tom Helme and Martin Ephson followed by a tour of the design studio, print facility, and lampshade and accessories workroom.

Finally, designers previewed the Spring/Summer 2025 collection.

Hector Finch in Conversation with Steele Marcoux

Designers joined Steele Marcoux, editor in chief of Veranda in conversation with British designer Hector Finch and got the inside track on creating designs with soul. In an increasingly mechanized world, they discovered why timeless design and superior craftsmanship are at the heart of an interior design project. Attendees learned the significance of the maker’s hand, the beauty of materials and previewed a special film introducing them to the artisan makers Hector Finch works closely with, translating his vision into reality through meticulous execution.

Jamb Workshop Tours

Designers met at our London shop for coffee round an open fire, surrounded by antique furniture and mantels and the latest additions to our reproduction collection of lighting and fireplaces. After exploring the shop — whether this means studying an 18th century mirror or the comfort of a Howard armchair — designers were driven (a journey of forty minutes) to our warehouse in South London. Here they were guided through the Jamb stone and lighting workshops and witnessed how the mantels and lighting is created and hand patinated. The vast 22,000 sq ft space is divided into workshops, storage for over 200 antique mantels and furniture, and the studio where the lighting and fireplaces are designed. 

Designers joined Jamb founders Will and Charlotte for a tour of the shop and warehouse; from chisels to longcase clocks; from our rigorous design process to our exacting craftsmanship.

Visit to Yavington Barn with Max Rollitt

Designers had a special visit to Max Rollitt’s Yavington Barn, a grainstore-turned-emporium where antique treasures sit side by side with bespoke furniture, traditional workshops and a busy interiors studio. Hosted by Max, they had the opportunity to meet the makers as they discovered every corner of this hidden gem in the Hampshire countryside.

Inspiration and Breakfast with Nina Campbell

Attendees joined Nina Campbell in her flagship showroom on Pimlico Road for breakfast and learned about timeless design and interiors, historical influences and her design philosophy. Joining her was Max Konig, Managing Director and Nina’s son, and Alice Deen, Head of Communications and Nina’s daughter. Nina took designers on a tour of the showroom, including the Interior Design and Textile Studios, where a curated selection of furniture, fabrics, wallpaper, antiques, tableware and accessories are showcased.

In Conversation with Nina Campbell & Steele Marcoux

Attendees joined Nina Campbell in her flagship showroom on Pimlico Road for a lively conversation with Steele Marcoux, Editor in Chief of Veranda, as they chatted about timeless design and interiors, Nina’s distinctive design sensibility, and the inspiration and insights that are fueling her current work. 

Immersive Tour of Porta Romana: Hand Crafted Lighting and Furniture Maker

Designers were transported to Porta Romana’s studio in the beautiful Surrey countryside, where warm coffee and pastries await. Designers were immersed in a unique behind-the scenes tour to witness the artistry of sculpting, casting, lampshade making and painting. Porta Romana’s design team discussed their product development process, showcasing customization and the creation of bespoke pieces that grace the world’s most beautiful interiors. Attendees experienced the skill of their lampshade team and discover how different linings effect the light output and ambiance. They joined skilled artisans in the Painting Studio to learn about their detailed finishes, and even tried their hand at gold leafing their own sculpted bird to cherish as a keepsake. Designers were treated to lunch in the charming Pottery Studio.

Voysey House Tour: The Home of Sanderson

Featuring the Original Morris & Co.

Tour of Voysey House, built in 1902 as an extension to the wallpaper factory for Arthur Sanderson & Sons. Linked via a footbridge, a fire in 1928 caused irreparable damage to the main factory but left this building unscathed. Fast-forward nearly 100 years and Sanderson Design Group has moved back to their original home for the next chapter of design.

Guests were divided into smaller groups to tour the home of Sanderson:

  • Step into the archive, consisting of over 65,000 precious objects, including original artworks, textiles, wallpapers and logbooks that underpin the history of Sanderson and William Morris.
  • Visit the studio to meet the designers, observe their creative processes, and ask questions.
  • Block printing workshop in the showroom, using original William Morris woodblocks from the archive.

Lunch was provided at Voysey House, with the option to take it on the journey back to Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour.

Voysey House Tour: The Home of Sanderson

Featuring Giles Deacon

Tour of Voysey House, built in 1902 as an extension to the wallpaper factory for Arthur Sanderson & Sons. Linked via a footbridge, a fire in 1928 caused irreparable damage to the main factory but left this building unscathed. Fast-forward nearly 100 years and Sanderson Design Group has moved back to their original home for the next chapter of design.

Guests were divided into smaller groups to tour the home of Sanderson:

  • Step into the archive, consisting of over 65,000 precious objects, including original artworks, textiles, wallpapers and logbooks that underpin the history of Sanderson and William Morris.
  • Visit the studio to meet the designers, observe their creative processes, and ask questions.
  • Sanderson x Giles Deacon product showcase in the showroom with Giles Deacon.

Lunch was provided at Voysey House, with the option to take it on the journey back to The Pimlico Road.

Breakfast with the First Lady of Textiles, Christine Van Der Hurd

Designers met design legend Christine Van Der Hurd, one of the most creative minds in the interior industry and go behind the scenes of her studio and textile atelier on London’s famous Portobello Road. Winner of House & Garden’s Lifetime Achievement Award 2024, Christine has made her mark on the industry through a lifetime of work.

Christine’s talent and integrity has taken her into the studios of some of the world’s leading designers and architects. Collaborators name Adam Bray, Capellini, Liberty London, 8 Holland Street, Louis Vuitton and Jermaine Gallacher. Commissions count fashion houses such Yves Saint Laurent and the carpeting for London’s Annabels and Henri Bendel’s flagship store on Fifth Avenue, NY.

Christine took attendees on a personal tour of her studio where you can preview new collections. She told the design stories of recent Vanderhurd projects from the quintessential English country estate Beaverbrook and how she worked closely with interior designer Nicola Harding on the bespoke textiles. Another example she explored was the residential Park Slope Townhouse in Brooklyn where her custom carpets and textiles expressed an artistic approach.

Along the way, attendees took a closer look at Vanderhurd’s textiles and learned about the intricate craftsmanship. Hand woven rugs, flatweaves, dhurries, embroidery and wallpaper are made using an array of traditional methods. All combine her deep understanding of weaving and an intuitive eye for color, pattern and texture.

The visit included a rare glimpse of Christine’s archives. Some of Vanderhurd’s designs also are preserved as part of the prestigious Victoria & Albert Museum.