I have inherited a rather pronounced ‘hunter gathering’ gene which in plain English means that I like to shop – actually, really rather a lot! If you are a retail buyer or someone who frequents car boot sales or jumble sales or just generally enjoys this kind of ‘sport’ then you will know exactly where I am coming from …

Cutting edge interior design – antiques of the future

Fortunately, I have managed to make a career out of it and attend shows like Decorex International. This is a luxury interior design show that happens once a year in a tent in the grounds of Syon Park in West London. Part of London Design Week, it draws a truly international crowd, both visiting and exhibiting upmarket interior brands showcasing anything from flooring to lighting, furniture, fabric, wallpaper and accessories. Decorex is where trade, consumers and press find out about new designers and exciting design directions that established companies are making.

Top 10 ‘heart stopping’ design finds

1. Emil dresser by PINCH

This British company owned by furniture designer Russell Pinch is always one to watch for me. I love this storage unit with its unusual curved top and dark lacquered exterior.

Pinch’s ‘Float’ table – comes in different finishes and colours

2. Brodgar chair at The New Craftsmen

Orkney chairs were traditionally made with tall backs for draughty Scottish crofts, to prevent Force 10 winds from giving you pneumonia as you sat huddled by an open fire! This exquisite contemporary version by Gareth Neal and Kevin Gauld with its shorter open uncovered back is made for our better insulated 21st Century homes and would look really smart either side of a fireplace or round a large dining table.

3. Woven bench and sideboard by Sebastian Cox 

The sideboard door is engineered so that it opens sideways and curves round the sideboard like a rolltop desk. Love both these statement pieces which are at the super smart end of rustic style.

4. Crocheted sculptural lights by Naomi Paul Ltd

Another craft perhaps not always connected with high end interiors are Naomi’s artisan crocheted lights.  Grey shapes, both pendent and wall lights available.

5. Tom Raffield

Based in Cornwall, luxury furniture and lighting designer Tom Raffield has a growing portfolio of designs all handmade with the low energy process of steam bending. The dark set showed off beautifully, several of these pieces including this screen, hanging seat and towel rail seen here.

6. The Lacquer company

Furniture and accessories handmade in Saigon for various designers such as Rita Konig and now Pentreath and Hall. This is their new collection of trays and console table. Great styling on this set using Ben Pentreath’s signature arrangement of dahlias.

7. Ochre

You know I love this designer and Ochre haven’t disappointed me this season with this beautifully proportioned yellow side table in leather.

8. Les-Ottomans lighting

This Istanbul-based home accessories company has fused Italian lighting expertise with Turkish textile designs to produce these fab shaped wall lights. Patterned shades are go … !

9. Charlotte James furniture

If I had to guess which country Charlotte James sofas and chairs came from, I might have suggested the States. These fabulous bold designs and shapes are a breath of fresh air to the same old sofa shapes you see over and over again. If you are looking for really large sofas there are some beautiful designs. They are in fact based just outside Edinburgh city centre. Their website is well worth a look as my photos don’t do them justice! P.S. Really lovely choice of fabrics used and inspiring set design at Decorex.

10. The Water Monopoly Company

I threw out a 1950s pale blue bathroom suite when we were renovating our bathroom three years ago. I did think twice about it but decided I preferred white. Now, here is The Water Monopoly Company making a very good case for reinstating colour back into our bathrooms … What do you think?

Consumers can visit Decorex International from Tuesday 20th September.

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