On Your Radar is back, and this week we’re catching up with Harri Bell, a transdisciplinary designer whose work spans interior design, exhibition curation, and experiential creative production. Based in East London, Harri shared her favourite local spots with us. With the London Design Festival running from 14 to 22 September, we took the opportunity to ask her for insights on the must-see events and what should be on your radar throughout the week.
Can you share some of your go-to places in East London?
I never pass STORE STORE on Stoke Newington Church Street without going in. Linked to STORE Projects, located in Coal Drops Yard in King's Cross (and also in Rotterdam), it’s a design school and shop that helps new talent enter the creative and design industries and stay on a creative path. You can buy products designed and made by students in their After School Clubs, with royalties supporting a cause chosen by the students.
For the London Design Festival, STORE STORE’s Pavilion at Coal Drops Yard will definitely be worth visiting. Built by 14–18-year-olds, it will feature workshops throughout the festival.
Left image: STORE STORE on Stoke Newington Street via STORE Projects Instagram.
Right image: Cutting timber veneer to decorate the Pavilion doors via London Design Festival website
As I work in the vintage furniture and interiors space, other neighborhood must-visits are the furniture dealers. Ones with permanent spaces include Spazio Leone, as well as Dalla, an Italian restaurant opened by Spazio Leone's founder.
Left image: Spazio Leone. Installation view of Mariana Chkonia's recent show shot by Thea Caroline Sneve Lovstad.
Right image: Dalla restaurant shot by Thea Caroline Sneve Lovstad.
Beton Brut have an Open House in their Hackney Wick showroom for London Design Festival, featuring a new collection of benches and mirrors by one of my design favourites, Archive for Space.
Left image: Beton Brut
Right image: Archive for Space
Rialto in Hackney Downs Studios is also a great interiors space. Ceramic sculptor Abid Javed is presenting a collection of chairs coinciding with London Design Festival.
Image shot Teo Della Torre via Eat Work Art website
The Spotlight Market is a temporary event bringing together various dealers together over different weekends. The next market will be held on the last weekend of September. What I find makes it so special is that each dealer brings a different focus on sourcing and pieces – since none have permanent physical spaces, the market provides a rare opportunity to view their stock in person. When I attend, I always look for Oculus, a dealer based in South East London, known for their distinctive and spindly pieces that are hard to find elsewhere.
Image: The Spotlight Market
What’s the place in London that’s at the top of your list to try out?
Spacetalk, mostly to admire Charlotte Taylor’s design work.
Image shot by Ollie Tomlinson via Charlotte Taylor's Instagram
What are you particularly looking forward to seeing at the London Design Festival?
I’ve had the chance to see two of Faye Toogood’s installations this year—Rude Arts Club in Milan and COLLAGE at Frama in Copenhagen—and I’m excited to see more during London Design Festival. For the first time, Toogood’s studio will open its doors to showcase their creative process and present two new furniture collections. Additionally, the ‘Squash’ collection (armchairs, mirrors, tables, and rugs) will be featured in an immersive installation A Squashed Space at Poltrona Frau.
Left image: Faye Toogood. Photograph of Rude Arts Club shot by Harri Bell duringMilan Design Weeks 2024
Right image: Faye Toogood. Images via Faye Toogood on the London Design Festival website
I have always been a little bit obsessed with Yinka Ilori’s work, particularly his approach to colour. His recent installation in Piccadilly Circus, Good Things Come to Those Who Wait, is a testament to his vision and will be on display until the end of the month inspiring Londoners to dream big. During London Design Festival, Ilori will feature a YI Objects pop-up store at The Hoxton Shoreditch. He’ll also host Pizza Parties at The Hoxton Grill with The Future Plate.
Image: Yinka llori via Hotel Cafe Royal website
Kindred’s Design Everything is also on my list. Nineteen London-based designers have collaborated with Design Everything and Kindred on this exhibition, live radio event and book launch. The designers, briefed on objects and furniture needed for Kindred’s multifunctional use, have created function-led pieces that reflect the space’s community ethos. These will become a permanent part of Kindred’s space and be available for purchase. I’m excited to see the works, especially those by Eleanor Murphy and Thomas Wheller.
Image: Kindred x Design Everything shot by Jonny Lee
The Objects Pantry presented by Flawk is a collaborative exhibition which will feature new work by emerging UK-based furniture and lighting designers, focusing on playfully refined objects for the home. This is the event of an ongoing series to foster local creative interaction and community bonds through design. I’m especially excited to see what Alexandra Arias and Motong Yang will contribute within this theme. Two supper clubs (sadly already sold-out) will explore community through food, with hosts curating edible design experiences in response to the space.
Image via Flawk and RASA Dining Instagram
Chair of Virtue exhibition will be showcasing both established and emerging talent along with archival material. As one of my favourite virtual design references, it's exciting to see this curation in person. Chair of Virtue’s open call selected 5 UK-based makers whose designs challenge traditional forms, narratives, and concepts for a chair exhibition.
Image: Like a Tree Breathing through its Spectacles chair WIP made in 2018 by Isabel Rower
I also suggest to stop by Making Room Andu Masebo & Mikey Krzyzanowski Workshop Space. Over the course of London Design Festival, they are inviting an impressive lineup of designers, makers and creative minds to lead workshops and conversations around the theme of learning – amongst the already confirmed I am excited to see what Alaska__Alaska, Anna Zimmermann, Jobe Burns and Nifemi Marcus-Bello have in store.
Image: Making Room. Visual Identity by Asel Tambay
Finally I'll be sure to check You Can Sit With Us Too presented by Haricot Gallery and 2LG Studio. Born from their own challenges breaking into the design industry, Jordan and Russell from SE-based studio 2LG created this concept last year. It addresses a common art world experience of exclusion - inviting artists and designers to sit around their table. Haricot's space and curation consistently bring a vibrant energy and I am excited to see the work of Hanna Hansdotter and Selfish Customs in this.
Image: You Can Sit With Us Too. Installation images shot by Ollie Hammick showing Ollie Whites work.
For a coffee break, Mitre & Mondays are presenting Cafe Tolerance, a place for meeting and discussion. From the back of a converted van, they’ll be serving coffee while you enjoy a curated selection of new design offerings from their studio.
Image: Cafe Tolerance via Mitre & Monday Instagram
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