The Relationship between Interior Design and Architectural Lighting
https://vimeo.com/1034344713
Lighting is the secret to a successful interior. Interior Designer Jo Calver of Isla James Interiors will take a closer look at lighting’s relationship with fabrics and colours in the home, feature lighting, colour temperature, the power of light and shade, and how layering your lighting can add to the complexity of your design.
Catellani & Smith - Ensō lamp
(Italy) – Italian decorative lighting brand wins accolade for its Ensō lamp from the China Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design.
The lamp, inspired by Japanese calligraphy, blends art and innovation and showcases the brand’s signature mix of craftsmanship and cutting-edge design.
The Ensō lamp features a hand-painted blue structure that mimics the fading ink of an unfinished circle, resting on a brass base. Standing at 66cm tall, it uses a patented wireless LED system to create a soft glow on walls, combining functionality with sculptural art.
This win highlights Catellani & Smith’s commitment to creating timeless, artistic lighting pieces that redefine spaces.
Maison&Objet: What’s New? In Hospitality
(France) – Maison&Objet wrapped its 2025 edition, which presented an insight into future trends and products for the hospitality industry.
“At Maison&Objet, we see hospitality as a key element of our differentiation strategy. The industry’s professionals are looking for unique, striking pieces that go beyond the functional solutions available elsewhere. They come to us for inspiration and to discover creations that will make their projects stand out. This is why we have created dedicated areas, such as the ‘What's New? In Hospitality’ spaces, where we have chosen to work with Julien Sebban, a rising star in the design world. His original and disruptive vision of hospitality, illustrated through bold staging that incorporates a selection of carefully curated products, perfectly meets the specific needs of hotel and restaurant professionals,” says Mélanie Leroy, Managing Director of SAFI (Maison&Objet, ParisDesign Week, MOM).
Sebban was given carte blanche to design the What’s New? In Hospitality by Uchronia space, which aimed to take a fresh look at – and for – the hospitality sector. In the centre of Hall 6, the architect and designer imagined the Hotel Uchronia, a surreal immersion in a unique hotel. Sebban plunged visitors into the world of the weird and wonderful in a 200sqm space that paid tribute to surrealism embodied in a concept hotel.
Divided into three main areas, each zone offered an immersive, offbeat experience, blending art and function in a setting that defied convention. A Café-Bar where day and night are reversed, and the rules of scale and proportion are turned upside down. A Master Bedroom, part-dream, part-metamorphosis, transported us into a room where dreams took over from reality. And finally, a gym and a garden, embodying a fantasy in motion, where energy and poetry came together in a space dedicated to sport and nature.
To find out more about market trends, What's New? In Decor in hall 7 presented a selection of new products from exhibitors. Elizabeth Leriche invited visitors to discover the colours and materials that will shape the interiors of tomorrow.
Within a large labyrinth marked out on the floor to symbolise the unconscious, she created an immersive, dreamlike journey that disconnected visitors from reality and sought to fill them with wonder. In a cabinet and salon of curiosities, a bedroom of dreams that underlines the importance of the imagination, played on scale and proportion, and a hypnotic corridor, we discover a selection of styles and new products, offering a veritable compass to guide interior designers, buyers and creators in their choices.
Elsewhere, throughout the show floor, exhibitors were separated into sections for hoteliers and restaurateurs to discover brands. Sections included: Signature, Today, Forever, Unique&Eclectic, Craft, and Projects. Each presented innovative furniture and lighting solutions tailored to the technical and stylistic requirements of hotels, restaurants and third-party venues.
Also presented at the fair was the Rising Talent Awards - Korea. Following the trend of ‘hallyu,’ Korea’s cultural ‘soft power,’ the peninsula has become home to many established international architects who work in this highly inspiring setting. The new generation of designers explored the paradoxes between Western influences and the roots of their craft heritage, innovating with ancestral materials and shifting the boundaries between design and art - or vice versa.
For the 2025 edition of the Rising Talents Awards, Maison&Objet pointed its compass rose towards this hotbed of creative activity. Dereen O’Sullivan, head of the Rising Talents Awards programme, explains: “The languages they weave are marked by an assertive futurism, refined originality and a reinvention of sculptural techniques. Moreover, our daily lives are fuelled by this giant of industrial and technological innovation. Finally, even if the Korean creative scene is recognised today, we still have much to discover.”
As usual for the awards, all recipients are under 35 and have set up their studio less than five years ago. Together, they represent an aesthetic that is both modern and respectful of the rich history of the dynasties that once ruled the shores of the Yellow Sea.
One of the winning designers to present decorative lighting is Minjae Kim, a 34-year-old Korean artist based in New York, who designs furniture that acts as an antithesis to architectural practice (he has a degree in architecture) in terms of time, scale and accessibility. His creations in quilted fibreglass, bamboo and wood are like short sentences revolving around an idea. It might be a chair made of translucent leaves, or a lamp balanced by wooden weights. One of these lights up when two brass rods touch.
Maison&Objet returns to Paris 4-8 September 2025.
[d]arc awards judges announced
(Worldwide) – The judging panel for this year’s [d]arc awards has been revealed, featuring past winners of the coveted Best of the Best title.
These industry leaders earned the honour by entering their projects or products which then received the most votes across all [d]arc awards categories.
The panel includes:
- Eleftheria Deko, founder of Eleftheria Deko & Associates
- Joonas and Arto Heiskanen, founders of WhiteNight Lighting
- Kerem Asuroglu, founder of Dark Source
- Michael Grubb, founder and creative director of Michael Grubb Studio
- Monica Luz Lobo, founder and creative director of LD Studio
- Peter Fordham, partner and director of DHA Designs
Submissions for this year’s awards close on 24 January, after which these experts will shortlist entries for the industry’s only peer-to-peer voting system. Designers will decide the winners, who will be revealed on 25 April at the [d]arc awards party in London.
Now in its 10th year, the [d]arc awards plans to make this a night to remember to celebrate this landmark anniversary – this will not be one to miss!
There are just four days left to enter, visit www.darcawards.com/enter to submit your projects, products and events. You’ve got to be in it, to win it.
Ennismore announces key 2025 openings
(Worldwide) – Lifestyle and leisure hospitality company Ennismore, has unveiled major openings for this year, marking a significant year of global growth with expansion into new markets and brand debuts.
Ennismore will enter several markets for the first time, including Australia with three brands – Hyde, Mondrian, and 25hours, as well as Ireland with The Hoxton Dublin and brand debuts with SLS Europe and Mama Shelter in Asia.
The company is also advancing its standalone restaurant and bar offerings through partnerships with Rikas Group and Paris Society, alongside its in-hotel concepts by Carte Blanched. These ventures aim bring culturally relevant experiences to local communities.
Gaurav Bhushan, co-CEO of Ennismore, says: “Following a remarkable year of openings in 2024, highlighted by the groundbreaking debut of the Delano Dubai, we eagerly anticipate another bold year of hotel and restaurant openings across all regions. This year marks several significant milestones for Ennismore and our brands, including heading to Australia for the first time, the grand opening of the first-ever SLS all-inclusive, the return of the iconic Delano Miami and the hotly anticipated arrival of Rikas brands in Europe and the Americas. We are incredibly excited to bring our unique experiences to new destinations and guests worldwide.”
Highlights of 2025 Hotel Openings
Asia Pacific
- Mondrian Gold Coast, Australia: Blending luxury coastal hospitality with eclectic design, this property will offer studios, suites, beach houses, and vibrant F&B options. (mid-2025)
- Hyde Perth, Australia: A bohemian-inspired retreat featuring lush outdoor spaces and a specialty café (mid-2025)
- 25hours Hotel Sydney The Olympia: Celebrating cinematic history with over 100 art-filled rooms, themed suites, and a rooftop bar (mid-2025)
- Mama Shelter Singapore Orchard: The brand’s Asia debut includes a rooftop pool and urban oasis design (mid-2025)
Americas
- SLS Playa Mujeres, Cancún: SLS’s first all-inclusive resort combines style, dining, and entertainment (January 2025)
- Delano Miami Beach: Returning with revamped spaces and a beachfront deck (late 2025)
Europe
- SLS Barcelona, Spain: A Mediterranean-inspired escape with six F&B outlets and luxury amenities (early 2025)
- The Hoxton, Dublin: A restoration of the Central Hotel featuring a music venue, café, and Library Bar
- Mama Shelte Zürich: Stylishly located in the vibrant Oerlikon district (mid-2025)
Middle East & India
- Rixos Montaza Alexandria, Egypt: Luxury meets history (January 2025)
- Mondrian Abu Dhabi, UAE: six dining venues and lagoon views (late 2025)
F&B Highlights
Ennismore’s culinary ventures expand in 2025 with standout concepts:
- Twiggy by La Cantine Playa Mujeres: A Mediterranean-inspired beach club in Cancún.
- Fi’lia: Authentic Italian dining debuting in Abu Dhabi and the Red Sea.
- Cantina Valentine: A Peruvian culinary journey launching in Dublin.
The Importance of Decorative Lighting in a F & B Environment
https://vimeo.com/1034343628
Decorative lighting is the soul of a space, without it the environment can feel lifeless and uninspired. Wing Shum, Senior Interior Designer at AB Concept, discusses the importance of decorative lighting in a F&B environment, highlighting the considerations to the architecture and referencing recent project case studies.
Enter the [d]arc awards now!
(Worldwide) – Designers have until 24 January to enter their project lighting schemes and decorative lighting products to be in with a chance of winning the prestigious [d]arc award accolade.
Organised in collaboration with Light Collective, the [d]arc awards utilise the worldwide reputation of arc and darc magazines and offers a unique opportunity to showcase your work to the global design community.
Anyone can enter, including lighting designers, architects, interior designers, or manufacturers. Once the shortlist has been chosen by an international jury, independent lighting designers, architects, interior designers, and product designers can vote on their favourite projects and products, making this the only peer-to-peer lighting design awards in the world.
The decorative categories include Place High budget or Low budget (best interior lighting scheme), Kit Decorative (best decorative product), and Bespoke (best unique decorative lighting installation). Those who make it through the voting stage (and you must vote in each category) will be invited to attend the exclusive [d]arc night party in London on the 25th of April - an event that has created a reputation as one of the must-attend events of the year for lighting, where the winners shall be announced.
All submissions are published on the website and entrants also benefit from a free [d]arc awards directory company profile – a comprehensive online lighting design resource that can be used by designers and clients for inspiration.]
Submissions must be entered on or before the 24 January. Please head to www. darcawards.com/enter-the-awards to find out more.
JFS Partners with The Furniture Makers’ Company championing emerging talent
(UK) - The January Furniture Show (JFS) announces its continued partnership with The Furniture Makers’ Company for 2025, focusing on fostering young talent and innovation within the furniture industry.
A highlight of the collaboration will be the Young Furniture Makers Showcase, hosted at the BFA Networking Hub in Hall 5. This platform will feature pieces from students and graduates who participated in the 2024 Young Furniture Makers exhibition, offering them invaluable exposure to industry leaders.
Brian Ahern, Master of The Furniture Makers’ Company, comments: “This partnership advances our mission to support the welfare and development of the furnishing industry. We’re thrilled to showcase the incredible talent of young designers at such a prestigious event.”
Zoë Bonser, Portfolio Director of JFS, adds: “We are delighted to partner once again with The Furniture Makers’ Company. The Young Furniture Makers Showcase is a key part of our event, providing a platform for emerging talent to gain recognition and connect with industry leaders. Supporting young innovators is crucial to the future of the furniture industry, and we’re proud to play a role in championing their creativity and ambition.”
The partnership underscores the shared commitment of both organisations to sustaining a thriving British furnishing sector by championing the next generation of designers and makers.
Ayers Saint Gross names Joel Fidlar as next president
(USA) - Award-winning design firm announces Joel Fidler, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, as its next president, effective January 1, 2025.
Fidler, a Principal and Vice President with over 25 years of architectural experience, will succeed Luanne Greene, FAIA, who has served as president since 2016. Since joining the firm in 2011, Fidler has led transformative projects, including the Duke University Centre for Interprofessional Education and Care, Clark University's Centre for Media Arts and Computing Design, and the Missouri Botanical Garden's Jack C. Taylor Visitor Centre.
“I continue to be inspired by the work of Ayers Saint Gross, and I am honoured to be leading such a talented group of individuals,” says Fidler. “Our firm is a collection of creative thought leaders with a passion for tackling the increasingly complex challenges of our world, from climate change to the socio-economic impacts of urban growth. As President I look forward to identifying innovative ways to leverage our entrepreneurial mindset and expertise in even more impactful ways. Together, we will continue to create beautiful, resilient spaces that bring people together.”
Under Greene’s leadership, Ayers Saint Gross emphasised design excellence and sustainability, shaping the firm’s mission-driven ethos. Greene will remain in a leadership role, providing strategic guidance as the firm enters its next chapter.
Greene adds: “Joel is the perfect person to carry on Ayers Saint Gross’s over 100-year legacy of excellence while also keeping our focus on the future. His thoughtful, team-driven approach and dedication to serving our clients and our communities, makes him the ideal choice to steward us into this new era. Our work is about more than just design; it’s about solving complex problems and creating environments that inspire, and I can’t wait to see what Joel will accomplish.”
OCCA Design Relocates to New Glasgow Studio
(Scotland) – Scottish interior design studio has unveiled its new headquarters in central Glasgow, a custom-designed studio that embodies the company’s values and design expertise.
Bathed in natural light, the immersive space fosters collaboration among OCCA's interior design, procurement, and branding specialists, while serving as an inspiring showcase for clients.
Designed by the OCCA team, the studio features a carefully curated mix of premium materials and products, many locally sourced to reflect a strong sense of place. Equipped with ergonomic workstations, a design library, private meeting rooms, and sculptural lighting installations.
“This is more than just a workspace – it’s a creative hub crafted with our signature attention to detail,” says Kate Mooney, Founder and Principal of OCCA. “It’s a place where our team can innovate and advance the vision of our clients every day.”
Women in Furniture Network returns to UK furniture fair
(UK) – January Furniture Show is welcoming back the Women in Furniture Network (WIFN) to the January Furniture Show (JFS) on Tuesday 21st January 2025.
The network creates a space for women to connect with one another for career progression, collaboration and support. The team behind WIFN have seen countless women push boundaries and drive the industry in groundbreaking ways. Launched by the Portfolio Director of Clarion Retail, which runs the show, Zoë Bonser’s aim is to improve the visibility of women in the furniture industry with WIFN.
During the recent LiGHT 24 show, Bonser continued her message on the importance of women’s networking groups while on a panel talk ‘Why women’s groups are important for both women and men’. Coming from a background in sales, she knows the challenges women can face when navigating career paths or industries that have previously been male dominated. Networking groups like WIFN are empowering women by connecting them with like-minded professionals.
Hosted in Birmingham on 21st January 2025 in the social studio in Hall 2 from 5:30 pm, the event will start with an expert panel taking to the stage: Sarah Bianchi (CEO, Arighi Bianchi), Victoria Darnell (International Furniture Designer, Hooker Furnishings), Katy Hawes (Founder, Grace & Favour), and Gisela Lancaster (Head of Buying, Sofology).
The panel will be discussing how they reached success in their careers and overcame challenges and setbacks to get there. After the panel, attendees can mingle and network over drinks in a casual atmosphere against the backdrop of one of the UK’s biggest furniture shows.
The event starts at 5:30pm and all attendees to the event will get access to the entire furniture show for four days.
thefurnitureshows.com/women-in-furniture
New Hospitality Design Director at Bishop Design
(Dubai) – The Dubai based design studio has announced Francesca Patti as Hospitality Design Director.
Patti’s promotion coincides with the studio’s ambitious growth strategy. Recent key appointments, including Kimberly Dean as Associate Director and other key figures, are strengthening the company’s creative capabilities and positioning it for global expansion.
“It is with great pride and excitement that we announce the promotion of Francesca Patti to the role of Hospitality Design Director,” says Mehmet Aktash, Managing Director of Bishop Design. “Patti has become a recognisable and respected figure within the design and hospitality community, celebrated for her passion, resilience, and uncompromising will to achieve the very best. Her work consistently surpasses expectations, embodying the ethos of Bishop Design in every project she undertakes.”
After two years Patti earned recognition for her projects including Duo Gastrobar, collaboration with Russian Chef Dmitry Blinov. The first location, in Dubai Hills in 2023, earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand building on its success. Patti led the design of Duo Gastrobar Dubai Harbour, which debuted in November 2024, featuring refined interiors with warm tones, soft lighting, and subtle blue accents.
Patti says: “I am deeply grateful to Bishop Design for believing in me and providing this incredible opportunity. Being promoted to Hospitality Design Director is a dream come true, and I couldn’t be more excited to embrace this new role.”
She adds: “I am committed to supporting the company’s ambitious growth plans while fostering a positive and collaborative working environment. My focus will be on encouraging our creative teams to enjoy every step of the design process, think boldly, share ideas freely, and contribute to a culture that enhances in-house talent while attracting new, innovative minds. With nearly 20 years of international design experience across Naples, Milan, Chengdu, Shanghai, and Dubai, I am ready to take on this role with enthusiasm and am excited for what lies ahead.”
