Yika Ilori Homeware, including the Ayo Game, £275.00, Yinka Ilori
(Picture: Handout)From Christmas markets to creative workshops or one-off shopping events, here are the best of this season’s interiors pop-ups.
Yinka Ilori
Artist Yinka Ilori is popping up in the heart of Shoreditch this Christmas. The temporary retail space draws its inspiration from West African architecture and is a showcase for Ilori’s homeware collection. Boldly coloured and patterned tableware, textiles, stationery and games reference Ilori’s British-Nigerian heritage.
Instead of a Christmas board game, why not get stuck into the limited edition reinterpretation of Ayo, the strategy game popular among Nigeria’s Yoruba people?
What to buy: Ayo Game, £275, Yinka Ilori
Until January 3. 9 Club Row, E1 6JX
The Bloomsbury extravaganza
Traders of Lamb’s Conduit Street and Rugby Street in Bloomsbury will throw open their doors for a special Christmas shopping event, with each store offering its own festive discounts and refreshments.
There will also be Christmas carols, face painting, wreath making and roasted chestnuts, helping you step into Christmas.
What to buy: Roman Emperor Nero, £22
November 30, 3-8pm. Bridie Hall at Pentreath & Hall, Lamb’s Conduit Street, Bloomsbury, WC1NA
Circle of friends
Furniture designer Fred Rigby is hosting a Christmas market, and he’s invited a selection of his artist and designer friends to take part too.
Pop along to Rigby’s Hackney studio to discover works by life drawing artist Alexandria Coe and multi-disciplinary artist Tejumola Butler Adenuga. Don’t forget the Fred Rigby Studio Homeware Collection, which includes new wooden Totem plates and bowls.
What to buy: Totem Plate, £120, Fred Rigby Studio
December 16-18, 11am-5pm. Fred Rigby Studio,5a Gransden Avenue, E8 3QA
Cockpit Open Studios
This is your chance to get up close and personal with some of London’s most exciting makers. A smorgasbord of items will be on sale, ranging from ceramics and glass to weaving and textiles.
This is where to come for a unique, collectible gift for someone special. Look out specifically for the elegant ceramic designs by Matthew Warner.
What to buy: teacup and mug, from £80 each, Matthew Warner
December 2-4, Fri 12-8pm, Sat & Sun 12-6pm, Cockpit Open Studios Deptford. Entry £4, children under 16, free.
Handcrafted at The Tay
Interior designer Matilda Goad is putting on creative workshops at her north-west London studio, and you can buy the wares too.
Choose from an evening workshop with Wilder Botanics, a live demonstration by Tess Newall who will be hand painting lampshades and Stephanie Callaghan will craft wild flower letters. It’s also an opportunity to shop pieces from Matilda Goad & Co.
What to buy: Sunburst and Serpent Charm Candle Holders, £70; matchbox, £45, Matilda Goad & Co
Until December 17, Wed-Fri 11am-6pm, Sat 10am-6pm, The Tay Building, Unit 15, 2a Wrentham Avenue, NW10 3HA.
Area Noir
London-based online art platform Area Noir is popping up IRL so Christmas shoppers can browse its limited-edition prints in person. Look out for Nairobi-based Nadia Wamunyu, who makes gorgeous charcoal and oil life drawings, as well as works by Patti Endo, Ukandi Atsu, Kamlah, Tope Ajayi and Wisil Mitty.
What to buy: Nadia Wamunyu prints, from £110
December 19-22, Redchurch Street Studios, 58 Redchurch Street, E2 7DP.
Desmond & Dempsey
Designers Joel Jeffery and Molly Goddard invite us into their south London studio for a ‘pop-in’ shopping event. Specialising in pyjamas and sleepwear, this is the place for the ultimate Christmas lounging set. Take a friend along and you get a free gift with purchase. Register your interest to attend via the Desmond & Dempsey page on Eventbrite.
What to buy: Jag Print Pyjama Set, £170
