With summer holidays in their final stretch, we can’t help but eye the full roster of events that will be populating calendars next month. It’s easy to loll away these last few weeks and forget that one must plan ahead to reserve a spot, ensure a bid, and so forth. And so, we’ve decided to publish a list of what’s topping our radar now, before we blink and September is suddenly upon us. Here are seven events to make space for in your calendar, including those that need advance registration:
Veere Grenney Auction @ Dreweatts: First and foremost, designer Veere Grenney is parting with the contents of The Temple—his beloved Suffolk retreat—along with treasures from his London townhouse through what is sure to be an iconic sale with Dreweatts on 3 Sept. Nearly 150 lots amassed over 40 years will be available, including a pair of painted metal lattice chairs that once belonged to Bunny Mellon. Viewings begin at Dreweatts' Pall Mall location in London starting 29 Aug and you must register prior to the auction in order to bid remotely.
Crafts Alive @ Rodmarton Manor: This five-day event themed ‘Flowers and The Maker’ runs from 10-14 September in the Cotswolds and nods to the first festival recorded at Rodmarton—a flower festival celebrating the Arts & Crafts’ estate’s opening to the public after WWII. The house and gardens will be transformed by the Gloucestershire Guild, along with guest exhibitors, into a contemporary craft fair complete with daily workshops, talks and demonstrations. Look for mosaic artwork by Cleo Mussi, woven willow pieces by Susan Early, furniture by John Crossley, and ceramics by Annie Hewett, among others. Book in advance to ensure entry to the house as there is an hourly capacity limit.
A Softer World @ Brompton Design District: Excitement is brewing over the news that TIWA Select founder Alex Tieghi-Walker is taking over the helm as curator of the Brompton Design District this year. The New York-based gallerist has garnered a cult-following for his ability to spot talent—often self-taught artisans who handcraft their wares from locally sourced materials. He is bringing that ethos to this corner of the London Design Festival from 13-21 Sept with the theme ‘A Softer World’ focused on slow design. In a nod to his personal live-work space and emphasis on community, exhibitions will be shown in a mix of residential and commercial settings and will be selected with the help of advisors bringing in diverse perspectives. For a deeper dive, take a moment and read this wonderful article by Ali Morris that was published in Wallpaper last week.
Focus/25 @ Chelsea Harbour: You’re surely familiar with this staple of the fall season, but tickets for talks book up fast so do reserve your spot now (15-18 Sept). Bonus for the book collectors out there: Maria Speake, co-founder of Retrouvius, will be signing copies of her new monograph Retrouvius: Contemporary Salvage: Designing Homes from a Philosophy of Re-Use, following a conversation on sustainability with The World of Interiors editor Emily Tobin; and the duo behind Salvesen Graham will be signing copies of their debut tome, A New English Style: Timeless Interiors, following a panel discussion on enduring style moderated by Country Life editor Giles Kime.
Craft in Focus @ Hever Castle & Gardens: If you can’t make it to Crafts Alive, or fancy both, do pop down to Kent for this highly regarded contemporary craft fair. Celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, they couldn’t have chosen a more picturesque destination—the storied castle was the childhood home of Anne Boleyn and boasts a 100-year-old yew maze. You’ll find work made exclusively by British makers across a range of specialties: ceramics, metal, woodwork, glass, textiles and more. And for many, commissions are welcome— making this an ideal event to find talent who can add that bespoke touch to interiors projects.
Decorative Home & Salvage Show @ Ripley Castle: Mark your calendars for this three-day event (19-21 Sept) as it’s the last show of the season from the Arthur Swallow family, whose members are known for sourcing top quality vintage, antique and salvaged finds that are scooped up by dealers, collectors, interior designers, renovators, prop stylists, and more. The scenery promises to be enticing as well, with marquees, shopping arcades and brocante-style booths set up on the grounds of the Grade-I listed Ripley Castle Estate in North Yorkshire—which has been in the same family for 26 generations and is now on the market for the first time in 700 years.
The London Design Social Pop-Up @ Chelsea Old Town Hall: Be sure to book online in advance to secure your entry to the London offshoot of this wildly popular American pop-up. What began as a way to bring boutique brands to cities that lacked a design centre has quickly grown into a destination event in its own right, thanks to the requirement that a brand’s creative lead must be present to participate. The result fosters a sense of community by connecting designers with the people behind the product lines. The London event (24-25 Sept) will be their first international show and brings together a curated mix of global brands like Ferrick Mason, Mally Skok and Serena Dugan alongside Mia Reay, Sarah Vanrenen, Tulu Textiles and Carolina Irving & Daughters (to name but a few). Plus conversations with designers and editors, including Business of Home’s Kaitlin Petersen.
Images: Brompton Design District; Dreweatts; London Design Social