Decor Tours: London 2020 IDS

Decor Tours for Interior Design Society London: September 28-October 5, 2020

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.

And we’ve created a special offer, just for IDS members, to tempt you to discover with us the demonstrations and studio tours that make LCW such a fantastic time to visit this wonderful city.

IDS Special Offer

Working directly with LCW to book key appointments means our DT group is guaranteed exclusive demos, workshops, guided tours, and more.

We’re waiting for LCW to confirm its schedule, but we know that the first few days are literally packed with events, so the following sample daily agendas are here to give you a good idea of what to expect.

Sample Schedule, Day One

The first day of LCW is typically filled with one-time-only events…and we plan to take advantage of that!

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 try to squeeze a stop at nearby Peggy Porchen cakes, one of the most IG-friendly spots in London.

Back to the hotel? Out to dinner and drinks? Or straight on to a choice of several LCW opening night events—it’s going to be a tough call!

Sample Schedule, Day Two

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.

Sample Schedule, Day Three

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’ll have plenty of options—private museum visits, retail tours, cocktail events, etc.

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.

Sample Schedule, Day Four

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!

Sample Schedule, Day Five

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…

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 for IDS members can be found here:

IDS Special Offer

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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