This week is Clerkenwell Design Week, a kind of urban festival if you will for lovers of interiors and design in general. The creative part of London that is Clerkenwell is host to CDW, which houses over 200 international brands within 7 exhibition venues, and more than 90 showrooms (generally furniture and design shops within the Clerkenwell grid).

I had never visited CDW before, so when the lovely people over at Camron PR invited me to a breakfast tour on the opening day, I took advantage of being guided round CDW by the experts.

The problem I have with events like these is that they scare me somewhat. I've admitted before that I am not exactly filled to the brim with expert 'design knowledge'. I can't look at a piece and go "oh that's a so-n-so.." (although I am getting better at that.) Two things I do know: first, I know what I like. Second, I know what I would and would not put in my house. These events are a chance for me to to ponder over new design pieces and see what's pretty really, so this round up of CDW isn't going to be an in depth analysis of the 'hot new designer for 2018', more 'I saw this, it was really nice'. Still interested? OK, so here goes....

Unusual, ace chairs and sofas:

At design events like this you get to see chairs and sofas that are different to your run-of-the-mill sofas on the high street. The two seater ob & b  gold and electric blue sofa (above, top) was gorgeous and completely manufactured in Britain.

There was also a lot of blush pink chairs (to which I'm always a fan). The Edsbyn armchair (above, top left) also comes as a 'sound-pod' with speakers integrated. The pink stool is by Zeitraum and the pink and yellow number is by Italian brand Tacchini.

Glass Lights....

There were quite a few lights about, but my faves were by Curiousa & Curiousa. Made by glass that had been hand-blown up north, there were pretty hanging pendants and more 60's inspired ceiling lights:

Accessories & homeware....

In the 'Additions' exhibition area, which is dedicated to smaller design pieces and home accessories, was ONE NINE EIGHT FIVE (not the designers pin code, I assume?) which sold tasseled cushions, throws and velvet make up-style bags (see above). The items are all designed and made in Britain, using sustainable materials & processes (where possible).

Always a favourite of mine (I follow them on Instagram and lust after their poufs on a regular basis) Casa Bothello (above, top) were showcasing and it was a delight to see their pieces in reality.

Quirky Kitchens...

deVol had a shop and also a stand in the 'British Collection' exhibition area which were beautiful, but as I know their gorgeous pink and green kitchen will be covered everywhere else I wanted to focus completely on the amazing kitchen brand Pluck, who I had never heard of before but who make amazing quirky kitchens. Based in Brixton, South London, Pluck make different kitchens to the norm, using lots of cork and colour! I loved the colour palettes of teals and pinks. If you need a new kitchen I urge you to check them out.

The Craft....

Lastly, I couldn't not mentioned the nod to the handcrafted, as seen above with Detroit-base company Shinola Detroit monogramming their range of leather pouches and stationary. 

Clerkenwell Design Week 2017 runs from the 23rd - 25th May 2017. For more information and to register, click here.