Achille Salvagni Atelier at 2023 PAD London.
Photo: Achille Salvagni Atelier
7 of the Most Striking and Whimsical Booths at This Year’s PAD London
Explore artfully curated displays by top galleries including Nilufar, David Gill, Carpenters Workshop, and Achille Salvagni
PAD London. Photo: Courtesy PAD London
On October 10, throngs of well-heeled guests made their way to the black tent that had been erected in Berkley Square, right in the heart of London’s elegant Mayfair district, for the opening of the 15th edition of PAD London, the acclaimed art and design fair. Inside was a treasure trove to be discovered, representing the very best in art, design, jewelry, and antique objects from 62 leading galleries around the world.
“What really sets us apart from other design fairs is fundamentally the taste and signature that has been applied to the fairs from day one,” says PAD co-founder Patrick Perrin. “We’ve always been attracted by eclecticism. We’ve always looked at all eras, all genres, all styles, all designers. And this why it’s such a great design fair—in fact, it’s the biggest design fair in the world.”
Below, see the most artfully curated booths on view.
Vikram Goyal's Thar Console presented by Nilufar Gallery. Photo: Federico Floriani
1. Vikram Goyal and Christian Pellizzari at Nilufar
In a booth curated by Nilufar, leading Indian designer Vikram Goyal is showing collectible design pieces that demonstrate his New Delhi-based workshop’s mastery of metal.
Installation view of Carpenters Workshop Gallery at 2023 PAD London. Photo: courtesy of Carpenters Workshop Gallery
2. Carpenters Workshop Gallery
Carpenters Workshop Gallery’s presentation centers on the artists who have shaped the creative environment of Ladbroke Hall, the new home of the gallery’s London location that opened earlier this year. A highlight is Flood Tree (154/2019-2023), 2019, by Nacho Carbonell, a dazzling light sculpture crafted in metal mesh with paverpol and pigments.
David Gill Gallery's booth at 2023 PAD London. Photo: Courtesy of David Gill Gallery
3. David Gill Gallery
The London gallery is presenting a cool monochromatic mix of furniture mostly crafted in metal and glass by such talents as Zaha Hadid, Mattia Bonnetti, and and Michele Oka Donar. Standouts include Hadid’s Stool Liquid Glacial, 2015, which resembles a pool of shimmering water, and Bonnetti’s Coffee Table Yo-Yo 2008, beautifully produced in stainless steel. It’s a far cry from the bold neon works by Chris Schank on view at their St. James gallery, which is not to be missed.
Achille Salvagni Atelier at PAD London. Photo: Courtesy Achille Salvagni Atelier
4. Achille Salvagni Atelier
Achille Salvagni Atelier has unveiled a distinctive presentation of his latest designs inspired by the American interior designer Bill Willis and a blend of North African, Mediterranean, and Islamic styles. A crowd favorite on opening day was the parchment-and-bronze Indore cabinet realized in a dreamy palette of blue and yellow, paying homage to the Jardin Majorelle in Marrakech.
Rose Uniacke at 2023 PAD London. Photo: Genevieve Lutkin
5. Rose Uniacke
The London-based designer and antiques dealer brings her signature style to PAD with a moody and refined installation of furniture, lighting and accessories by the likes of Jacques Adnet, Sergio Camilli, Arne Jacobsen, and Edgar Brandt.
Galerie Philia's booth at 2023 PAD London. Photo: Maison Mouton Noir
6. Galerie Philia
Making its PAD debut was Galerie Philia, an international sculptural design and art gallery with locations in Mexico, Geneva, New York, and Singapore. They presented an elegant and refined booth exploring the theme of contrasts with new works by 14 of their international designers and artists including William Guillon, Pietro Franceschini, Studiopepe and Elsa Foulon.
Objects with Narratives' booth at 2023 PAD London. Photo: Studio Brinth
7. Objects With Narratives
Winning best booth at PAD 2023, Objects With Narratives presented “(UN-)CONTROLLED,” a dual exhibition of works by friends Mircea Anghel and Vladimir Slavov. “As self-taught designers, Anghel and Slavov perceive their workshops as laboratories for innovation and experimentation,” says gallery co-founder Robbe Vandewyngaerde. “Their exceptional skills merge modern processes with age-old craftsmanship, resulting in an interplay between moments of absolute control and instances of sheer unpredictability.”
Cover: Achille Salvagni Atelier at 2023 PAD London.
Photo: Achille Salvagni Atelier
