Dedicated to inspire, inform and deliver the best in design, Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour welcomes professional interior designers, architects and specifiers as well as discerning individuals, from both home and overseas. Located in spectacular glass domes, minutes away from King’s Road, Chelsea is the perfect place to discover world-class talent, connect with influential designers and get the inside track at high profile events and design lectures. If London is the powerhouse of interior design, Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour is its “design compass” leading the way in terms of inspiration, style and ideas.
Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour is home to 102 showrooms and over 500 of the most prestigious brands. A byword for quality and taste, it brings together not only fabrics and wall coverings, but also, furniture, lighting, accessories, kitchen, bathroom, paint, outdoor living, curtain poles, hardware, tiles and carpets. Carefully selected for their impeccable design credentials, it showcases designs of exceptional breadth and scope imagined by some of the most creative minds in the industry from around the globe. Superlative craftsmanship and finishing are underlying keynotes.
Whether you are looking for ideas for a residential scheme, finishing touches or design solutions for a yacht, hotel or corporate project, nowhere else will you find such design diversity. From classic to cutting-edge contemporary, it is all under one roof. Many showrooms also offer a tailor-made approach for those seeking something bespoke.
Synonymous with great design, it is no coincidence that every aspect of the Design Centre has been conceived to create the ultimate environment. Its transformation began with the introduction of sleek curved glass balustrades and contemporary showroom frontage throughout, delivering both dazzling style and cohesion. Black olive trees were brought in as the finishing touches to a £6m total refurbishment scheme, bringing natural life into the iconic domes. Design Centre East has had a makeover, too, linking it more closely with the main domes with more design studios and ateliers.
Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour continues to embrace fresh thinking at the London Design Festival. A striking aerial installation featuring black shoals of fish and leafy sea dragons was devised by landscape designer Jinny Blom. Graceful, yet, aesthetically spectacular, it sets a confident tone and contrasts brilliantly against the building’s white architecture.
The Design Centre is recognised as a voice of authority with design at its heart. Twice a year, industry professionals, media, style-setters and decision-makers flock to London Design Week and Focus hosted by Design Center, Chelsea Harbour. Fixtures on the international design calendar, they are considered the haute couture events of the spring and autumn seasons.
The Conversations in Design programme, too, has gained much momentum in recent years with renowned names from the international stage keen to share their design knowledge and creative know-how at in conversation sessions and lively panel discussions. An impressive line-up of past speakers have included Rosita Missoni, David Mlinaric, Ilse Crawford, Tom Dixon, Nicky Haslam, Pierre Yves Rochon, David Rockwell, Rabih Hage, Barbara Barry, Martin Brudnizki, Barbara Hulanicki, India Mahdavi, Lee Broom and Michael S Smith (appointed by the Obamas to refurbish the private quarters of the White House). The exchange of views is paramount to a dynamic design industry. From seminars on the future of hospitality design to new markets in Brazil and Asia and the impact of 3D printing, the Design Centre is committed to hosting topical and engaging discussions.
There are few things more hotly anticipated in the design world than the latest design directions and the launch of new collections. Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour has a multi-layered media and marketing strategy to keep you one step ahead. Print includes magazines, newsletters and trend reports while digital e-marketing offers a website, e-blasts, Twitter, Pinterest and a design blog that reaches out to an online audience. With breaking news as well as interviews with the people who make great design happen, it offers unprecedented access.
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A measure of how highly the Design Centre is regarded is the number of luxury brands that want to partner with it. Land Rover chose Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour for the launch of the new Range Rover Evoque to their global dealer network. The partnership was built on core values of quality, craftsmanship and customer personalisation. From global launches, photographic exhibitions, creative showcases to pop-up tasting bars and seated dinners, these collaborations bring exchange of ideas and social interaction.
Throughout the year new initiatives are introduced to offer specialist interest and inspiration. For example, individual tours have been arranged for developers in residential, retail and premier property. The Design Club also hosts events and dinners.
The Design Centre takes part in nationwide campaigns including Wool Week which was developed by a coalition of industry groups convened by HRH The Prince of Wales to educate consumers about the premium quality of wool.
What began over twenty years ago as a spectacular building near the River Thames, has grown into much, much more. Today, visitors to Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour are encouraged to shop, relax and spend time in the domes.
As well as visiting the showrooms, they can browse through specialist titles in the Bookshop or stop to refuel at the Absolute Taste Design or Dome Cafés. There is even a Personal Shopping Service. From greeting you at the door to the friendly concierge desk, the on-site team is on hand to help visitors navigate the domes with ease. High definition TV screens and smart interactive display cases keep everyone informed about the latest news and activities.
Design Club, a private members’ club for like-minded people in the design and creative industries, is hard to beat. The sleek interior by award-winning designer Rabih Hage is a stylish base to work, meet or entertain.
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