Decor Tours: London 2020 IDS

Decor Tours: London September 28–Oct 5

We’ve timed our London trip to coincide with London Craft Week, a city-wide festival of more than over 250 established and emerging makers, designers, brands and galleries from around the world.

Working directly with LCW to book key appointments means our DT group is guaranteed exclusive demos, workshops, guided tours, and more. Which means even more reasons to visit this wonderful city with us.

While the schedule for LCW this fall is still being organized, the sample days we’ve listed below give you a good idea of what we plan to book.

Day One, Sample Agenda

The first days of LCW are typically filled with one-day-only events and we plan to take advantage.

We’re going to start the day at Robert Kime, one of the great British decorators, (above and left). We’ll visit the showroom and sit down for a fun tassel-making workshop.

We’ll stay in the neighborhood to visit Suzanne White’s showroom Whiteworks, (above), Soane Britian, The Odd Chair Company and others.

We’ll make time to stop by Peggy Porchen cakes, one of the most IG-friendly spots in London.

Then, who knows what might be offered as far as LCW opening night events…

Day Two, Sample Agenda

We’ll start with a workshop at Cire Trudon, where we will learn the history and the hand-made process of the company’s signature ‘beeswax absolute’ candle, followed by a tasting with a ‘Honey Sommelier’.

Next we’ll head to The Goldsmiths’ Centre for an appointment with The Worshipful Company of Gold and Silver Wyre Drawers, a royal charter guild formed in 1693 for the craft of making gold and silver thread. We’ll each get the chance to have a go at drawing wire ourselves.

We’ve again left some open time in the schedule, before heading to an early evening appointment at famed British shirtmaker Turnbull & Asser for a discussion on color theory.

Day Three, Sample Agenda

We’ll start with at The Future of Craft exhibit, featuring several of our favorite British artisans, before heading over to an incense-making workshop.

After the incense workshop, we’ve left some flex time here for custom appointments.

This evening, you can either choose to see the Designers Guild exhibit at the Museum of Textiles & Fashion, including a talk by founder Tricia Guild(!) or, you could head to Vivienne Westwood’s iconic World’s End store (below) for a special reception on the origins of this famous and influential fashion boutique.

If you still have energy, how about an evening workshop with calligrapher Suzie Dicker of Studio À L’aise where she’ll she show us how to neaten up and add a stylistic flair to your handwriting.

Day Four, Sample Agenda

We’ll head back to The Future of Crafts for another appointment or two with some of our favorite creators.

Then it’s off to a workshop on the Japanese art of kintsugi—repairing cracked or chipped ceramics with liquid metal.

Flex time for additional appointments before meeting at Berry Bros & Rudd, one of Europe’s oldest spirits merchants, in their historic cellars. You’ll get to try creating your own wine under the guidance of the winemaking team. And hopefully dinner in the cellar to follow!

Day 5, Sample Agenda

Our morning starts with a block-printing session with Syrian textile artist Zena Sabbagh.

Next, an appointment with Aiveen Daly, the innovative and influential upholstery designer who treats chairs (and walls, and headboard, and screens) as works of art.

Additional appointments, suggestions and more—for those open afternoons and the way through departure…

We have some of our own special stops, of course. But there’s also an indigo workshop at the British Musuem; a kimono exhibit at the V&A; a specially curated townhouse by Sarah Myerscough; “mini-exhibitions” at Coal Drop Yards and Cockpit Arts; Savile Row and other fashion insider tours; an artisan tour of Spencer House; typesetting workshops; gin-making workshops; weaving and dyeing workshops; and so much more. Ceramics, tabletop, leatherwork, fragrances…let us know a category you’re most interested in and we’re guaranteed to find something to suit, so don’t worry about heading off on your own. This is a week to truly EXPLORE!

Our hotel is the Sheraton Grand Park Lane, right across the street from Green Park and just steps away from Hyde Park and St. James. We’re close to the shopping of Mayfair, the pageantry of Buckingham Palace and just a 20 minute walk to Westminster Abbey and Big Ben. We’ve secured club privileges for all DT guests, which means breakfast and all-day snacks & drinks are available whenever you choose. The rooms are spacious, the lobby bar is fantastic and there are two restaurants in the hotel if you need a little more than the nibbles in the club room!

Join us in London for a design experience like no other. Details and more information can be found here:

London 2020

Any questions or if you’d like more information, please contact Susan Schultz: 212 352 9968, or Deb Barrett: 630 557 2357 or email designadventures@decortours.com

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