FOCUS/26 ON DESIGN - My Show Highlights
Photo credit: Sandra van Aalst
September is that exciting time of year when Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour flings open its doors for FOCUS/26 ON DESIGN, and the interiors world comes together to unveil a wonderful array of new-season launches across wallcoverings, fabrics, furniture, rugs, lighting, bathroom fixtures and more. Throughout the week, brands welcome trade professionals, press and design enthusiasts alike, presenting their latest collections over coffee, champagne and canapés - which naturally makes the whole experience even more enjoyable!
I dedicated two full days to the event, visiting showrooms, meeting designers, attending talks and, as a result, wanting to completely redesign my home! As I walked up the steps of the Design Centre and through the flower-lined entrance towards the showrooms, I was like a child arriving in awe at a sweet shop. Inspiration was everywhere, with over 700 brands represented, from established names such as Ralph Lauren Home, Romo and Osborne & Little, to brand-new showrooms and a cohort of 30 pop-up House Guests along the Design Avenue.
But it wasn’t just the sumptuous fabrics and exquisite wallcoverings setting the tone for the latest design directions that caught my attention. Every floor of the Design Centre was layered with ideas around colour, craftsmanship and decorative details that could be translated into our own homes. For example, a takeaway could be as simple as introducing a new accent colour through cushions, discovering a delicate embroidered trim to refresh a pair of curtains, or finding beautiful artisanal handles to give an existing kitchen a new lease of life. Small changes like these can make a big difference to an interior.
Photo credit: Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour, photography by Natalie Dinham.
In the image, which is one of the Edits from DCCH, the wallcovering is ‘Seaside Singerie’ in olivine by Aux Abris at George Spencer Designs. The ‘Olivia’ sofa by Kingcome is covered in Churchill fabric from Colefax and Fowler, while across the arm of the sofa is ‘Rannoch Brae’ Coral fabric by Osborne & Little. On the floor, is a multicoloured rug by Obeetee.
What happens at FOCUS/26 ON DESIGN
Over five days, this delightful setting comes alive with global brands and is brimming with inspiration and ideas from the moment you walk through the door. Here are just some of the things that took place, many of which will also happen at London Design Week, which takes place from Monday 8th March for five days, followed by FOCUS/27 next September.
New collections were launched, with Autumn/Winter 2026 collections from 700+ global brands revealed for the season ahead.
Events, including live demonstrations, talks and workshops, ranged from monoprinting, cushion design and metal finishing to personalising wallcoverings and many more. There were also talks in showrooms, often hosted by editors from leading magazines, including Elle Decoration, House & Garden, Livingetc, and Country & Town House. Topics, for example, included talks on how cultures shape our interiors at Casamance and lighting every room at Visual Comfort & Co.
Conversations in Design is a programme of talks featuring leading voices from the interiors world, exploring ideas shaping the future of design. This year’s speakers included Michael S. Smith, India Hicks and Paolo Moschino, who joined interior magazine editors and other industry experts to discuss a range of design topics.
The Design Emporium is a collective of emerging brands and independent makers which is now a highly successful permanent fixture at the Design Centre. During the week, many of the makers were there in person to showcase their work.
Designers collaborating with brands included A-listers, such as Rita Konig, who has designed a collection for Oficina Inglesa Furniture; Paul Smith, who has a partnership with The Rug Company; and American designer Michael S. Smith, who has collaborated with Zoffany.
House Guests are a series of 30-plus pop-up showrooms on Design Avenue, including Posie and Penn, 1882 Ltd, A Shade Above, Rao Home, Alternative Flooring and ILIV.
Design Discovery Tours run throughout the week, taking visitors on curated routes through a selection of showrooms throughout the Design Centre.
Left is a talk in the Romo showroom with Elle Decoration’s Editor. Right is The House Directory’s Angel Tan at A Shade Above, one of the House Guests.
Each season, I try to include a different mix of showrooms, launches, talks and collaborations in my articles. This year, I attended the show by myself, as the lovely Sophie had little six-week-old Leni to look after, but there was plenty for me to explore. With 145 events taking place, together with designers and industry insiders to meet, and the press lunch to attend, covering everything would have been near-impossible. Instead, I’ve picked the places, brands and collaborations that particularly caught my eye to give you a flavour of FOCUS/26 ON DESIGN, along with ideas to take away for your own home.
Design Centre show edits
Before we explore the key takeaways from the show, let’s take a look below at three of the images chosen by Claire German, CEO of the Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour, to represent FOCUS/26. On the left, the composition brings together the ‘Wine Glass’ table by Julian Chichester; ‘Nicolet’ wallcovering in teal/green by Nina Campbell at Osborne & Little; ‘Alden’ fabric in kiwi, from Romo, and Cole & Son’s ‘Fresco Trellis’ wallcovering.
The centre image combines bold colour with ‘Palazzo Plaster Banda’ wallcovering in dolcetto by Maya Romanoff at Altfield, with Lelièvre Paris’ ‘Bestia’ fabric in auburn. The stunning ‘Alton’ chair with skirt by Robert Langford is upholstered in ‘Eshi’ fabric in Tuscan pink by Romo and finished with piping in ‘Alvie brush’, also by Romo, with a multicoloured rug by Obeetee completing the scheme.
Finally, there’s the image on the right. Of course, it was the dog that naturally attracted my attention. Along with the dog, it features the ‘Crackle’ rug in lichen by Jean Monro, and the ‘Douglas’ dog bed from Kingcome, which has been upholstered in olive ‘Glen Check’ fabric from Colefax and Fowler. Interestingly, I noticed a couple of beautifully designed dog beds around the Design Centre this season, as pet owners want their dogs’ beds to be as stylish as the rest of their interior.
Photo credit: Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour, photography by Natalie Dinham
Here is my round-up of interior takeaways. From the talks I attended, there was one clear message: interiors today are less about following trends and more about individuality and personal choice.
A rich colour palette: Across the showrooms I spotted rich wine tones, blue-greens including teal and verdigris, mustards, earthy shades and pinks ranging from saccharine to softer tones.
Warm metallics: Bronze, aged brass, gold and brushed nickel featured strongly in bathroom and kitchen fittings, as well as cabinet hardware and light fixtures.
Curved silhouettes: Fluid, sculptural shapes and soft curves were more apparent than ever, from sofas and accent chairs to cabinetry and smaller decorative pieces.
Texture and natural materials: Texture was in abundance, with natural materials, tactile finishes and dimensional surfaces taking precedence over flat, plain finishes.
Asian influences: Asian-inspired motifs and a strong emphasis on craftsmanship appeared across fabrics, wallcoverings and accessories.
Details: Trims, piping, decorative edgings and skirts were a recurring feature, adding interest and a bespoke finish to cushions, curtains and upholstery.
Heritage fabrics: Traditional references were brought into contemporary schemes with damasks, corduroy and wool.
Pattern: Patterns were spotted everywhere and were often layered with other prints or semi-plains for a richer, more curated look.
Showrooms and a pop-up that caught my eye
Photo credit: Sandra van Aalst at Armac Martin, Zoffany x Michael S. Smith and Original BTC
Before I take you on a virtual tour of the showrooms, here are two very different, beautifully styled showrooms and a pop-up that caught my eye. Starting on the left is hardware brand Armac Martin’s new showroom, which opened in June. They’re a favourite of mine as I have their aged brass handles in my own kitchen. The showroom itself is beautifully styled with a curved sofa and a mixture of cushions finished with rich brown trims echoing the warm tones of their hardware.
In the middle was a rather special pop-up showroom on Design Avenue, where Zoffany teamed up with US designer Michael S. Smith with a mix of indoor/outdoor fabrics that spanned printed textiles, stripes, weaves and semi-plains in historical designs. I particularly liked how the space was awash with pattern, paired with rattan, and finished with a cocooning fabric ceiling - something that I am considering for a room in my own home.
On the right was one of my favourite lighting companies, Original BTC, who held a talk hosted by Livingetc’s Pip Rich discussing contrasting finishes, scale and composition.
The new Saddlebrook collection at Ralph Lauren Home
Photo credit: Sandra van Aalst in the Ralph Lauren showroom
One of my first showroom visits was to the launch of Ralph Lauren Home’s new Saddlebrook collection, inspired by and adapted for Ralph Lauren’s 1919 Norman-style stone country estate. The collection is full of rich wintry tones, including tobacco, moss green and deep oxblood, alongside layered patterns and textures inspired by heirlooms and tapestries. Over coffee and pastries, we were shown furniture, lamps, soft furnishings and other pieces that were all styled beautifully, resulting in that wonderfully curated yet lived-in Ralph Lauren look.
Arte launches the Mysuru wallcovering collection
Photo credit: Sandra van Aalst in the Arte showroom and centre courtesy of Arte
Arte has to be one of my favourite wallcovering brands, with a vast range of exquisite designs in the most luxurious, tactile materials. During the week, the team presented the inspiration behind Mysuru, their latest collection. While we devoured delicious South Indian treats, we were shown the silk fibres used in the wallcoverings, along with a vinyl alternative - a more accessible option and perfect for homes with children and/or pets.
Archive inspiration with Nina Cambell at Osborne & Little
Photo credit: by Sandra van Aalst, photographed in the Osborne & Little showroom with Nina Campbell
I found the talk at Osborne & Little fascinating, as world-renowned interior designer Nina Campbell offered us insight into the creative journey behind the design of fabrics and wallcoverings. Nina showed us archive pieces she had collected over the years and explained how she used them as inspiration for contemporary wallpaper and fabric collections. One example I particularly liked was the original embroidered fish design, pictured here, which was reimagined and transformed into a gorgeous wallpaper collection.
Talking expressive interiors at Romo
Photo credit: by Sandra van Aalst, photographed in the Romo showroom with the new collection pictured left and right and the talk panel in the centre.
Romo is always one of the showrooms I make a point of visiting, as their beautifully designed sets show off their wallcoverings and fabrics on actual pieces of furniture, as well as through soft furnishings. This season, trims and rich colours immediately caught my eye. The talk, pictured centre, included Ben Spriggs, Editor-in-Chief at Elle Decoration, interior designer Henry Prideaux, and Emily Mould, Director of Design and Excellence at Romo. Together, they discussed why expressive interiors are making a comeback.
Collaboration with Rita Konig x Oficina Inglesa
Photo credit: by Sandra van Aalst; left and right photographed at Oficina Inglesa. Middle photograph courtesy of Oficina Inglesa.
One of the most exciting collaborations at FOCUS/26 was between world-renowned interior designer Rita Konig and Oficina Inglesa. Pictured left is Rita with Oficina Inglesa’s Marcos de Menezes, standing beside one of her beautiful pieces, inspired by a 1930s French Art Deco sideboard that sits in her own dining room. With its curved sides, the design feels like a contemporary take on a classic piece. Pictured in the centre are her dining chair designs and, interestingly, Rita talked about placing dining chairs in different spots around the home when they are not needed at the table, freeing up the dining area while also allowing the chairs to become part of a room’s styling.
A new showroom opening
Photo credit: Sandra van Aalst in The Vale showroom
Drawn in by the colourful sweet treats and trims, I joined designer and founder Melinda Marquardt at The Vale as she cracked open the champagne to celebrate the opening of the showroom in Design Centre East. I was particularly drawn to the luxury brand’s distinctive style of printed fabrics, which have a fresh, contemporary look. They also had a gorgeous collection of passementerie - the industry term for decorative braids, tapes and trims that can be added to cushions, curtains and seating to make a room look beautifully finished. It’s a simple yet effective way to refresh something you already own, whether it’s updating a plain cushion, adding detail to curtains or even giving a chair or sofa a more bespoke look. The brand also collaborated with A-list designer Ben Whistler to create its Blue Label collection.
CA’ PIETRA X Sanderson collaboration and a talk on quintessentially British design
Photo credit: left and right by Sandra van Aalst in the Ca’ Pietra showroom; centre courtesy of Ca’ Pietra.
Ca’ Pietra always has interesting talks and workshops, and this time the panel brought together voices from both the design and hospitality worlds. Minnie Kemp of Firmdale Hotels and Maybourne’s Michelle Wu talked about how they would use the tiles from the collaboration with Sanderson for splashbacks in bathrooms and areas behind kitchen worktops. The discussion also explored how craft and heritage can be combined with contemporary practices to shape British interiors today. As you can see from the tiles pictured above, Sanderson reinterpreted some of Britain’s best-loved floral and botanical motifs in tile form, reimagined for today’s more modern interior schemes.
Sustainable cushion creating workshop at Altfield
Photo credit: by Sandra van Aalst at the Altfield showroom
Having already photographed my model - dog Daphne - on the sofa in the showroom window at Altfield, I was greeted by Joti from Autumn Down, who had teamed up with Altfield for an interesting talk and workshop. We were invited to get creative and design both the back and front of our own bespoke cushion using remnants of fabric and trims, as part of a sustainable concept. During the workshop, Joti explained that more than 350,000 tonnes of textiles go into UK landfill, while showing us a cushion cover that had been pieced together from several different fabrics with stunning results. For mine, I chose a light beige linen with terracotta flowers and a contrasting trim for my living room sofa, with bouclé on the back to pair with my accent chair.
A discussion on the relevance of craft at Morris & Co
Photo credit: cover of the Morris & Co. brochure, centre and right, the Morris & Co. showroom by Sandra van Aalst
Hosted by Country & Town House’s Carole Annett, the discussion featured Claire Vallis and Damian Foxe, the creative director, stylist and photographer behind the new campaign. Damian talked about bringing Morris & Co’s 19th-century-inspired motifs and designs into the modern day, using a young male to give the imagery a fresh, more contemporary feel. The conversation also explored the importance of craft, looking at how Morris & Co. still uses traditional methods rather than relying on computers, and how craft feels more relevant than ever in an increasingly AI-saturated world.
Porta Romana launch their new outdoor furniture range
Photo credit: by Sandra van Aalst at the Porta Romana showroom
With two entrances and a prime position on the ground floor of the centre dome, it’s hard to walk past lighting brand Porta Romana without being drawn in by their spectacular lights and gorgeous displays. Rachael, a friend who has been with the company for many years, showed me their new outdoor collection, which included furniture as well as lighting. The outdoor furniture has a gorgeous, luxurious Italian feel, with wrought iron teamed with striped outdoor fabrics - a combination that feels both relaxed and elegant.
Photo credit: Sandra van Aalst
It’s not just the showrooms that create the show but also the people and the place for networking. During the five days you can chat with interior designers, industry experts and creatives. Pictured left: Waiting to chat with world-renowned designer Rita Konig in the showroom. Middle: myself with Claire German, CEO of the Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour. Right: textile researcher Sheryl Kanoi explores East India’s wild silk traditions at Obeetee.
LET’S SUM UP
I hope you enjoyed coming along virtually to FOCUS/26 ON DESIGN. If you would like to visit, the spring show takes place from 8 March for five days. Everyone is welcome and, what’s more, it’s free to register. Sign up to the Design Centre’s email list for forthcoming information on the spring event here.
If you would like to read more interior industry features like this one, you might like to head over to the following articles:
London Design Week Spring 2026: My Styling and Design Takeaways
Merlot & Burgundy Interiors: The Rich Red Shades to Decorate with This Autumn
I'm Sandra, an interior stylist, writer, photographer and Sunday Times bestselling author. Having worked freelance for many of the interior magazines including Elle Decoration and House Beautiful, in my blog posts I share inspiring home tours, practical styling ideas and decorating tips to help you create a home that feels beautiful, personal and pulled together.
I also take you on tours of beautifully styled homes from around the world, offering inspiration and styling ideas to steal for your own space. Ultimately, I’ll show you how a little bit of styling can be transformational and take your home to a whole new level.
