littleBIGBELL Out and about Archives -

11 Mar

Tendence international trade fair Summer 2018 in Frankfurt

I’m so excited because I’m off to Frankfurt during the Summer, to cover Tendence, a forward thinking International trade fair for consumer goods.

As it is one of the first fairs in the second half of the year, it means that buyers will get to see first hand the latest Winter and Christmas trends. They will also be able to place early orders for the 2019 Spring Summer collections.

Here’s a little floor plan of the Tendence Fair.

As you can see, there is such a huge product portfolio to explore, from Homewares, to Seasonal decor and more.

Tendence is much more than a trade fair.

Recently, I was at a press lunch, where Tendence director Bettina Bär, told us about the amazing programmes that will be running.

There will be a Concept Store Inspirations product presentation in Hall 9.0, showing visitors how to turn their own shop into an experiential venue, a place that will encourage customers to spend.

Also new at Tendence 2018, is the Paper & Friends special area curated by Angelika Niestrath, aimed at book shop owners and stationer’s. This will be a beautifully curated space with wall calendars, cards and gift books. According to Group Show Director, Philipp Ferger, there will be a new Pioneers of Lifestyle Congress. Here, participants will gain an insight into the lifestyle scene, from experts and innovative newcomers.

Last but not least, there will also be a Tendence Academy, showing retailers how to start up their online businesses.

They will learn how to predict trends, and will get to participate in mood board workshops.

Isn’t this fair amazing? There is so much giving. Don’t you think it’s so worth going even for just the amazing programmes on offer? I am also looking forward to visiting the Outdoor Living area, where garden plants will be displayed with lifestyle products.

Here’s a little peek at what the Outdoor Living area looked like in 2017. I hear that 2018 will be bigger and better. A little heads up for crafters and jewellery designers, there will be a Talents’ competition organised by the German Arts and Crafts Association and Messe Frankfurt. Applications for both those areas are still possible until 19th March 2018.

So what do you think of Tendence, taking place from 30 June to 3rd July 2018? Doesn’t it sound like a great fair?

It’s not all about buying, but there is so much more on offer for buyers and designers.

I can’t wait to cover this on social media.

If you are interested in Tendence, you can register here.

( All photography and graphics are provided by Messe Frankfurt, organisers of Tendence fair. I have written this as a sponsored collaboration with Tendence, but all views are my own).

30 Jan

My top 8 interiors trend predictions from Maison et Objet 2018.

My top 8 Interiors trend predictions from Maison et Objet 2018.

I was so pleased to have been invited back to Paris by Maison et Objet, to be one of their Design jury panel. The last time I was there, was in September 2017.

It was so fun to get to select my favourite piece from one of the exhibition halls. This time I got to judge the Eclectic Hall.

No trip back from Maison et Objet 2018 is without a trend prediction post right?

My 2018 predictions are also the things that I would purchase for myself.1.

1.PASTEL COLOURED GLASS ON FURNITURE.

The stunning Harlequin sideboard with pastel coloured geometric glass (photo above) is by Jonathan Adler.

I just think it has the prettiest combination of soft powdered hues. You can get it as a chest of drawers too.

I would happily place this in one of my living room alcoves, with an oversized art print above.

Here’s another beautiful example of coloured glass.

In fact, this glass coffee table, called York, was the winning piece that I awarded at the Eclectic hall for Maison et Objet 2018.

It’s by the Portugal based design company Mambo Unlimited ideas. On first sight, you may think it’s marble, but it’s actually printed glass that looks like marble on a brass base. 2. FRINGE

I think Fringe on furniture or lighting is going to be a huge trend. I’m pretty sure we will start to see variations of this on the high street very soon.

These gorgeous brass and pink fringe lights are from Houtique, a relatively new brand to the market.

I think it looks lovely hung on its own or as a cluster at varying lengths. Velvet sofas just got more glamorous with the fringe treatment too from Munna. Here’s a view from the back. 3. COLOURFUL LIGHTS

I think Brass and frosted white glass lights were very 2017. I say bring on the colour.

These stunning brass and pastel coloured lights are from Magic Circus. I love how the colours especially pop against a darker wall. 4. HEARTS

Hearts are not just for Valentine’s day. I think 2018 will be a year of love as we see heart icons pop up in our homes. The pink heart pouffes in the previous photo and this blue hearts screen are by Royal Stranger. 5.CURVES

It’s bye bye to clean straight lines for 2018, as we embrace circular forms and curves. Petite Friture really showed this trend well with their well curated, beautifully designed, yet accessible pieces.

This Nubilo sofa is by Constance Guisset. Don’t you think those rounded velvet cushions really evoked the image of floating clouds. These elegant curvy dining chairs are a clever interplay of steel and wood, and were designed by Amandine Chhor.

How dreamy is that overhead metal light, designed by Noé Duchaufour Lawrence?

What do you think of that wallpaper in the background by Lisa Laubreaux? I think it looks really vibrant and fun. 6. MODERN HERITAGE

As we go into 2018, we are also reminiscing about the past and longing for it in the present. I felt that Gebrueder Thonet Vienna made that concept possible with this beautiful Targa sofa designed by Gamfratesi. It really reminded me of Colonial days gone by, but brought back to the now. 7.PINK MARBLE.

White marble has now a new rival which I’m sure is going to take the interiors world by storm.

Introducing you to pink marble. I was totally transfixed by the beauty of this pink stone being used for kitchen accessories and small furniture at Stoned. This beautiful side table is seriously tempting me to have my bathroom in a light pink marble too. 8. SLEEPOVERS

Let’s make sleepovers cool in 2018. These gorgeous sleeping bags or slumber sacks are from Sack Me, an Australian based company. I love the donut and flamingo ones. Which one do you fancy?

It was a pleasure to meet the owner Li-Ann Scott, at an event organised by Maison et Objet, where new companies got the opportunity to pitch their products to the press. Talking about sleep, check out these beautiful linen and bedding for babies and toddlers from Ooh Noo , who were also exhibiting at Maison et Objet.

So, that concludes my trend prediction for 2018.

Hope you’ve enjoyed my little curate from Maison et Objet 2018. Which is your favourite trend above?

Wishing you a beautiful start to your week.

(All press photography have been provided with permission from the respective brands and their PRs)

07 Dec

Why I love my Parker Jotter London pen and my favourite places in Hampstead

Why I love my Parker Jotter London pen.

If you see me at work, in the hospital, you will see me equipped with 4 things: My stethoscope around my neck, my patient list, my bleep and my trusted Parker Jotter London pen. Such is my love for my Parker jotter, that this morning I had a little panic when I realised I left my pen behind at a café during my lunch break. I walked all the way back there, despite the bitterly cold winds.

Luckily, one of the staff there had found it. You may ask why I love the Parker Jotter so much? As a doctor, I have to write clinical notes every day within a time pressured environment.

The Parker pen Jotter writes so smoothly on paper, it’s as if my pen is gliding. I’m not sure why, but my handwriting looks so much better too. Anyway, imagine my delight when Parker Pens asked me to be celebrate the relaunch of their Jotter London pens with them.

My picks were the Bond Street Black Jotter pen and the West End Brushed Gold Jotter pen. I have inaugurated my pens with a workspace styling at home and shot them at two of my favourite cafés in Hampstead, North London.

These are places I would go to, to write and unplug from the digital world. What do you think of the workspace styling with these beautiful colourful prints above my desk by Gayle Mansfield?

As well as using my Parker Jotter pens at work, I love using them at home too, to plan out my blog work in the diary. Introducing you to Ginger and White in Perrins court. I love coming here for breakfast during the weekends and for an indulgent piece of cake with tea. Doesn’t my black Bond Street Parker Jjotter fit right in? I love sitting outside, it’s so refreshing to drink hot tea in the outdoor chill. Now that it’s December, I’ve decided to make a head start on writing my Christmas cards. Here’s a closer view of my Bond Street black Parker Jotter pen. My next favourite café in Hampstead, is Melrose and Morgan.

Don’t those red outdoor tables look so festive? I’ve used my brushed gold West End Jotter here to write down my plans for the new year.

Hope you’ve enjoyed my little tour at home and around Hampstead with my new Parker Jotter pens.

The pens would make excellent Christmas gifts don’t you think? Once you try a Parker Jotter pen, believe me, you’ll be hooked, and it’ll become your new best friend.

Hope you’ve enjoyed the post. Do you have a favourite café in London where you would go, to unplug from the digital world?

Wishing you a wonderful week ahead.

( All photography and styling are by Geraldine Tan, editor of Little big Bell. This is a sponsored collaboration with Parker Pens but all views are my own).

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