London Design Festival at the Sir John Soane’s Museum – ‘Below Stairs’

This is the thirteenth edition of the London Design Festival and it runs until the 25^th September. Once again the V&A is the Festival’s hub but there is much going on around London (400 events) and further details can be found on the website: londondesignfestival.com.

However I thought I would share this rather special treat at Sir John Soane’s Museum which is part of the Festival with you.  The last seven-year restoration project has just been completed and it means that after a thirty year total the house is fully restored.  New spaces have been opened to the public, including the Regency kitchens in the basement.

Georgian kitchen range in the Soane’s Museum back kitchen.
Photo: Gareth Gardner

Four designers (Barber Osgerby, Jasper Morrison, Martino Gamper and Paul Cocksedge) visited the kitchens, which retain their original fittings, and were each inspired in turn. Barber Osgerby has installed a table (in Soane Green colour) which reflects how important a focal point it would be in a working kitchen while Paul Cocksedge was interested to see what the effect of just natural light would be. Jasper Morrison was inspired by the Museum’s object in daily use and Martino Gamper’s vases are made from materials found in the Museum.

Below Stairs exhibition in Soane’s Museum front kitchen
Photo: Gareth Gardner

A kitchen, of course, would not be complete without gastronomic smells and so food historian and artist Tasha Marks, founder of AVM Curiosities, has created a series of sensory scent chambers.

Edward Barber, Jay Osgerby’s black Port vase in the Soane’s Museum front kitchen.
Photo: Gareth Gardner

The Museum’s Operations and Commercial Director, Xanthe Arvanitakis commented: “It is an honour for us to partner with London Design Festival again, especially now in our fourth year running. It’s not only a wonderful community to be a part of, but allows the Museum to continue to share Sir John Soane’s passion for design with the public and design community.”

Martino Gamper’s vases on the Soane’s Museum kitchen dresser.
Photo: Gareth Gardner

The completed restoration project is a testimonial to Sir John Soane’s protection of the house and collection through an Act of Parliament in 1833 and I feel sure he would enjoy this new display.

Paul Cocksedge Studio
Soane’s Light
Sir John Soane’s Museum
Photo: Mark Cocksedge

The works will be on show as part of the exhibition ‘Below Stairs’ which runs until 28^th January 2017.

www.soane.org