Elegant lobby scene highlights a 1930s-inspired design with art deco furniture, lighting, and decor elements.

A 1930s-Inspired Design Showcase: Lobby’s Elegant Debut at London Design Festival

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Written by John Oliver

2026-09-16

An Art Deco-Inspired Journey with a 1930s-Inspired Design

Over 30 designers and studios merged talent to create an exquisite limited-edition collection for Lobby, a new design platform launched by Collate. During the London Design Festival, the collection captivates as a fictional hotel suite, echoing the elegance of the 1930s with a distinct vintage motif.

For more on the intersection of design and architecture, explore global design events this September, including creative showcases that parallel Lobby’s unique blend of style.

Group of furniture and objects designed by over 30 creators.
Over 30 designers and makers created furniture and objects for the collection

Unique Creations by Emerging Designers

The exhibition features exclusive designs crafted for Lobby, such as a polished metal mirror by Jaclyn Pappalardo, a dynamic chainmail partition by Edward John Milton, and a chic lounge chair by Matthew Coules. The collection, rooted in this nostalgic style, includes a Alexander Shayle lacquered resin lamp, a bronze table lighter by Thomas Wheller, silk scarves by Les Keepers, and tailor-made espresso cups from Maison S Sommet.

Polished metal mirror by Jaclyn Pappalardo featured in the design collection.
Standouts include a polished metal mirror by Jaclyn Pappalardo

A Platform for Creativity and Curation

Founder James Garis envisions Lobby as a unique intersection between brand and retailer, allowing both emerging and established designers to experiment under curated guidance. He shares, “I’ve met talented designers, but they lack a platform for well-curated showcasing,” addressing a need in the design market.

Chainmail partition screen by Edward John Milton with Josh Page's Acid floor lamp.
Edward John Milton contributed a chainmail partition screen, while Josh Page’s Acid floor lamp features a base of carved teak-veneer plywood

The Vision Behind Lobby’s 1930s-Inspired Design

For its debut, Lobby asked designers to create items fit for a Parisian “boudoir-like” hotel. Garis collaborated intimately with participants, fine-tuning each product. Lobby holds exclusive rights for three years, with the most successful pieces becoming part of the core collection, all with a touch of this elegant era.

Vega lounge chair by Matthew Coules next to a textile by Andrew Pierce Scott.
The Vega lounge chair by Matthew Coules features alongside a textile work by Andrew Pierce Scott

Innovative Designs and Fair Practices in 1930s-Inspired Design

“The industry can be tough, but we aim for fairness,” states Garis. He offers designers a testing ground for their creations, acknowledging, “I’m not a designer, but I understand what sells. If it doesn’t work here, designers can explore other avenues,” always encouraging this timeless style.

Bold table by Odd Universe at the foot of a bed with 2LG Studio linen.
Odd Universe’s Bold table stands at the foot of a bed with linen by 2LG Studio

Exhibition Highlights

Presented at Yorkton Workshops, the exhibition unfolds across a reception, lounge, and bedroom space, showcasing more than 40 pieces with art-deco flair and material exploration. Noteworthy items include Josh Page‘s intricately crafted Acid floor lamp and Charlie Humble Thomas‘ Fred lamps with blown-glass shades—a testament to this classic era.

Discover how designers are revamping AI-generated flyers to restore personal touch, a modern twist fitting for Lobby’s curated creativity.

Alexander Shayle's Alcove lamp and Bloom vase among the design pieces.
Alexander Shayle’s various works include the Alcove lamp and Bloom vase

Textile Art and Innovative Lighting

Highlights also feature a textile wall piece by Andrew Pierce Scott, classically styled tassel pendulums by Christopher Kelly, oak stools by Theodóra Alfreðsdóttir, and ceramic sconces by Stine Keinicke.

Cast bronze table lighter by Thomas Wheller as a small design piece.
Small objects include a cast bronze table lighter by Thomas Wheller

A Timeless Celebration of Design

Lobby’s immersive presentation is open at Yorkton Workshops in Hackney until September 20, part of the broader London Design Festival. This debut combines nostalgia with modern creativity—a must-see for design enthusiasts, and a celebration of Art Deco-inspired craftsmanship.

Lamp by Stephanie Sommet and Roti Akinyelu reminiscent of cast-iron radiators.
Stephanie Sommet and Roti Akinyelu created a lamp that recalls cast-iron radiators

Sources & Links

Source: dezeen.com

Frequently asked questions

What is Lobby’s design theme for its debut?

Lobby’s design theme for its debut is inspired by the 1930s, echoing the elegance of the era with a distinct vintage motif.

Who launched the new design platform Lobby?

The new design platform Lobby was launched by Collate.

When is Lobby’s presentation open at Yorkton Workshops?

Lobby’s immersive presentation is open at Yorkton Workshops in Hackney until September 20, as part of the broader London Design Festival.