London calling
Once upon a time, in a land far far away…
Except, it was not very long ago (2024) and only a hop skip and a jump across the pond… but, nevertheless we (Josh and Amy) traveled to London. We were in the UK for a number of reasons, but one of the highlights was stumbling upon one very special showroom.
This is Apparatus. They're a design and lighting studio that is (in their own words) "predicated on the modernist principle of gesamtkunstwerk, or 'total work of art.'" It's quite the tongue-twister, but still we like how it sounds. We love to collaborate with partners like those, whose attention to detail and focus on craft aligns with the way we do what we do.
Since their studio is based in New York, it felt serendipitous to stumble upon their London showroom. They gave us a behind-the-scenes peek at their London space, which was beautifully and thoughtfully curated. At the time, we were in the middle of our own build and were lucky enough to have them come along as a collaborator and to have some of their pieces in our own home.
Before we'd even left, we bookmarked it in our minds as a potential destination for our next team trip. Fast forward two years later, and the calendar was marked, flights were booked, and off and away we go…
First stop: London.
The whole team flew out over the course of two days—from blustery cold Chicago to rainy London town. It felt a little bit familiar in the very best way… a city of neighborhoods, plenty of trains, and good food around every corner.
One way it’s set apart is its long and winding history… London is a city where ancient stone meets modern glass—where history and innovation shape a skyline that tells more than one story at a time.
The official business of the trip was attending the Surface Design Show—a collection of vendors from all over, showcasing the latest and greatest materials. The primary focus was on hard surfaces but all kinds of vendors were there with lots of good things to show. We saw brand-new technology presented, and other old ideas and materials re-imagined. Always a good way to be inspired and come back with new ideas to bring to our homeowners.
We could stay here all day.
Beyond the show, we explored all the amazing shopping the city has to offer–which lucky for us, we get to consider business, too.
We went out to visit old friends and make new ones at all kinds of vendors we source, or plan to source. A few of our favorites were... And Objects, Pinch, Tom Faulkner, Cox, Collier Webb, de Le Cuona, and Ochre. All were different and unique, and wowed us in their own way. From artful furniture stores and playful accessory collections to a boutique cabinet company hidden away... each one inspired us to do the work we do differently. To use color, materials, and textures in new ways.
Despite lots of amazing visits, returning to Apparatus was a delight and a highlight of the trip once again. When we say we could stay here all day… we really mean it and, in this case, almost did. Two years later, this space was still all we remembered and hoped it would be. It's a designer's dream—full of moody brown tones, rich textures and finishes, mirrored walls… and of course, so much amazing lighting. Walking around and taking it in is plenty inspiring, but then pour us a glass of wine, and tell us the story behind the design… and now we’re talking.
We got to explore all kinds of fixtures, and learn about their philosophy behind their thoughtful and emotion-filled designs. Even though we stayed well past our allotted time, we could have stayed a lot longer. Over the years, working with this brand and their product, we’ve seen how they continue to innovate while staying true to who they are–slowly–one piece at a time.
At showrooms and beyond, one of the biggest London design takeaways had to do with color and pattern design. If you’ve spent time in the UK, you’ve probably noticed how colorful and playful it feels compared to many cities in the US. The comfort-level with using bold colors—specifically drenching interior rooms in color and using coordinated wall-coverings—is interesting and intriguing. It makes it so each room you walk into feels like a statement–notably different from the last.
Honorable mention goes to… Harrod’s. London Department stores are a cultural phenomenon. This was an iconic shopping experience—more of a for-fun stop, we’ll admit, but it's also lovely to walk through their high-end interior furnishing departments and get inspired for a bit... we imagine this is how Chicago's Marshall Field's might have felt back in the day.
Bath stands the test of time.
One of the great surprises of the trip was Bath, and it’s all in the name—like most other people, we came for a bit of R&R after a few days in the big city.
The most notable stop on this leg of the trip was the Thermae Bath Spa, where we spent an afternoon lounging around the rooftop pool spa, taking in the beautiful rooftops of the city nestled away in the clouds.
On top of the relaxing rooftop experience, we also enjoyed the hot/cold therapy—jumping from the sauna to the ice chamber is something we won’t soon forget. The sensation of this contrast was super unique, a little strange, and oddly satisfying. If you find yourself with an opportunity... we highly recommend that you try it.
We stayed at the charming Hotel Indigo for this quick one-night stop. This stay is right near the River Avon and filled with all kinds of eclectic details throughout. From the bold colors, crown moulding, and bold colors throughout, every space was highly curated, down to the smallest details. The hallways and stairwells were prime examples, with elaborately patterned stair runners and wallpapers. Also: we loved the card-style room numbers… it felt only fitting that we played euchre in the lounge during our stay.
Oh, and on the theme of historic features worth noting: Bath is where you’ll find the oldest working clock in England. It’s standing the test of... well.... time.
The Cotswolds or a fairytale?
Last but certainly not least was the Cotswolds. When we think about the English countryside, this is exactly what we envision. Walking through these picturesque storybook villages had us feeling like Cameron Diaz falling in love and flaunting a truly impressive collection of coats. (The Holiday? Anyone?)
We spent the majority of our time in Castle Combe which happens to be one of England’s most-photographed villages, and for good reason. Even with a forecast full of rain, we enjoyed every second here, enjoying the old-world architecture and quaint English gardens, all cut through by the flow of the By Brook River.
Unlike Cameron Diaz, we didn’t leave the Cotswolds in love with a handsome English man, but rather with the stunning English architecture. Especially as we work on one project in particular that’s channeling this charming, grounded look. It's hard to capture the magic of this place in words or even a photo–the only way you'll really feel it is to experience it so we highly, highly recommend that you go.
Between the city and country, we had to stop at one of the most iconic building sites of all time. Obviously!
Listen… we're in the construction business and we have to figure out how to build things ALL the time–beautiful, functional, and structurally sound. We spend our days working this out, then walking our clients through the what, the why, and the how.
Stonehenge? That’s a whole different story. The mystery, the engineering, and even the material sourcing… nope. Couldn’t tell you! Nevertheless, we loved visiting this wild and wonderful place.
UK to USA. What we're bringing home.
Although sometimes we wish we could just live here, we’re so grateful for the opportunity to travel and spend time in such a lovely, storied place. Travel has always been, and always will be, such an important part of our creative process. We always leave with a bit more perspective, and a good bit of inspiration. In particular on this trip, we found ourselves saying things like, “that’s so delightful,” and “it’s so charming.” It wasn’t just the look of a place, but its feel.
Being here was a reminder of how attention-to-details pulls on our heart-strings. It's the littlest things and most thoughtful of details that make you feel comfortable in, drawn to, and inspired by a place.
As far as surfaces and materials go... this place is a great example of the lasting and longstanding impression of stone. If you're in doubt of using natural stone in your project, look no further than these age-old cities for proof that stone (limestone, marble, granite, you name it) are as beautiful as they are functional option. Not only do natural materials add an earthy component that makes a space feel more grounded and warm, it also evokes a sense of timelessness. Even as it ages and patinas over time, its classic beauty never fades. Don't hesitate to add these to the mix.
All in all, the bottom line is... we love what we do, we're so grateful for these opportunities to travel, and happy to share bits of that here and there with you. We’re not sure where we’ll head off to next, but we already can't wait... stay tuned!
