It’s impossible to believe it’s already September, the prime season for trade shows is here! In anticipation, here is a small selection of the shows I’m most looking forward to and which exhibitors I’m excited to see…

Origin – the contemporary craft fair

Ontwepduo is dutch for ‘design duo’. Designers Tineke Beunders and Nathan Wierink work closely together to create inspiring creations such as the above Light Forest (left) installation.  Their products have a brilliant industrial edge which is spot on at the moment. The award winning Shan Annabelle Valla is the next exhibitor I am looking forward to seeing. The collection of playful decorative curiosities take a twist on the normal, highlighting the everyday beauty. The above Itzy Bitzy Ditzy vases (right) have a fantastic texture which you wouldn’t expect from porcelain.

Top Drawer – design-led gifts, lifestyle and fashion accessories.

As a cookie extremist I instantly fell in love with Nikki McWilliams scrumptious cushions and homeware accessories (left). I’m looking forward to seeing the tea time treat creations, such as the above Tunnock’s Teacake and Bourbon cushions. Next on my list for Top Drawer will be Fifty One Percent, a colourful company which offer a great selection of folksy tableware, bedding and textiles. All in bright and bold colours.

100% Design – cutting edge, contemporary interior design

& Then Design (left) is a creative venture of Nottingham based furniture designers Samuel Wright and Jamie Bowler. Their pieces are intelligently crafted and full of character. The overall look is effortless and perfect for both at home and the workplace. London based Ochre (right) create subtle yet sophisticated designs that embody glamour. The craftsmanship is to an exceedingly high standard along with the materials used. The ‘Arctic Pear’ table lamp pictures above (right) is a personal favourite.

For three days (29th – 31st  July) the Southbank Centre, London was taken back in time and revamped into the Southbank Vintage Festival, a Vintage by Hemingway production. Queen Elizabeth Hall, Royal Festival Hall, the Purcell Rooms and the BFI were all taken over, set dressed and transformed.  Wayne & Gerardine Hemingway & the Hemingway Design Team created the Vintage Festival with the aim to commemorate the history of British Creativity – an authentic celebration of the music, fashion, art, design, film and food of the 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s.

‘Vintage at Southbank Centre is a glamorous and cool antidote to festivals in a field, the emphasis being on head-turning style. Whether your thing is swing, rockabilly, mod, soul, funk, disco, ska, film, art of design, or if you just want to dress up and get an authentic make-over for a day.  Vintage at Southbank Centre is a sensual delight, a big dressing-up box, a collectors dream and a joyous creative feast’ - Wayne Hemingway

When I arrived at the Southbank Vintage Festival I was met by crowds dressed head to toe in glamourous vintage clothing – instantly making the atmosphere special. Royal Festival Hall was my first destination, with all six levels transformed to showcase the best vintage clothing, art, design and musical talent. Once inside I found myself drawn to the Creative Workshops area – especially to the Mollie Makes stand; a new magazine that focuses on all things craft; making, collecting and thrifting. When I stopped by textile talent Scrapiana was teaching students how to make cute strawberry pin cushions. I also stopped by the St Bride Foundation Print Workshop who were teaching specialist letterpress printing to the public, using traditional techniques and machinery.

My personal highlight of the festival had to be the Vintage marketplace, as one of the free areas, this pop-up high street was a big attraction with tourists and celebrities a like.  Nestled just below the London Eye, the marketplace was packed with the finest purveyors of vintage clothes, accesories, homewares, records and music memrobilia selling their wares. My first stop was to the Crown Paint Tea Room to see the new Crown Vintage inspired paints, exclusive to Homebase.  The tea room was beautifully decorated with floral tablecloths, bunting and delicious cakes and tea courtesy of Jam and Tea.  Crown Vintage paints have been created in association with Wayne and Gerardine Hemingway – inspired by the five decades of British cool – fitting in perfectly with the Vintage Festival.  My favourite colours are the Pencil Skirt Grey from the 40s collection, and the Pin-Up Pink from the 50s collection and Beatnik Blue from the 60s collection. After admiring the treats on offer at the tea room, I went on to scout out the best vintage interiors talent on offer. Below are a few images of what I found:

1940′s Imperial cigarette cabinet and 1940s Shell petrol pump cabinet – both by Black & Perry

1930s Factory machinist light by Metro Retro. Polished aluminium spotlight on tripod stand, 1950s polished steel factory chest – both by Objectify.

Alvar Aalto model 44 chair from Fire Fly House. 1960s Twin childs desk from Objectify

Celebrating it’s 20th Spring Fair, Country Living has assembled 400 independent retailers, designers, makers and small producers from across the UK to showcase the best of British design & craftsmanship. Apart from Fair Favourites there will be over 123 New Faces – a section exclusively for first-time exhibitors. Hands-on workshops and advice from experts in the lifestyle theatre, make this fair a must go! The Spring Fair started on the 23rd March and runs until to the 27th March. To book tickets online please visit here.

Going Vintage – this months guide to the best furniture fairs.

Vintage is set to remain high on the style agenda this year, and although there are many vintage inspired designs on the market, for the real deal your best bet is to head down to a vintage market or fair. So for those after some unique home decor, here’s a selection of some of the best vintage furniture finds on offer.

1) Those on a budget will love the Vintage Furniture Flea, which showcases affordable vintage furniture, homewares and fabrics from the ’20s through to the ’80s. Expect to find mid century stalwarts, such as G-Plan and Ercol amongst an eclectic mix of delights from over 45 hand picked traders.

27 March 2011, York Hall, Old Ford Road, London

2) Spring is here and if you’re like me, and you like nothing more than bargain hunting in the sun, head down to Sunbury Antiques Market - the largest & longest running bi-monthly market in the country. Dating back to 1979, the market has over 700 stalls serving up a feast of rare gems and one-off pieces. 29 March 2O11, Kempton Park Racecourse, East Sunbury on Thames, Middlesex

3) itslovelinessincreases pop up shop is run by the author, stylist, designer, and gardener Ros Badger. Using her extensive design and styling experience, she has carefully selected a diverse range of unexpected objets d’art, antique furniture, textiles and lighting, vintage clothes, jewellery and paintings. Run from her beautiful home in Herne Hill, this is one pop up not to be missed, 79 Holmdene Avenue, London. http://www.rosbadger.com/

Established for over 25 years, the Decorative Fair is a thrice-yearly specialist event for the discerning decorator. With over 135 dealers in decorative and fine antiques, 20th century designer names, lighting, accessories works of art and textiles, gathering at the Marquee in Battersea Park for an extravaganza of unusual design idea and objects to enhance the home and garden.  The Spring Antiques Fair opens from the 3rd – 8th May, admission costs £10 on the door, for further information click here.