London's Oneroom gallery offers four floors of interiors inspiration

There is much that is unexpected about London’s newest design space, the ONEROOM Gallery in Shoreditch. Firstly, it’s not easy to find. Located behind an unmarked doorway on the unassuming and ivy-clad French place, accessed only by a pull on a wonderfully theatrical doorbell.

Secondly, it’s not one room at all, but an entire four-storey Victorian warehouse with a roof terrace that looks straight onto the raised railway tracks running across the urban EC2 postcode and beyond.

Thirdly, it’s not just any four-storey Shoreditch house. This house belongs, and was home until recently, to fashion’s favourite fantasy photography legend: Tim Walker.

Opened this September during the London Design Festival, ONEROOM gallery is the concept and playspace of Milanese design-duo Carlo Ninchi and Vittorio Locatelli.

Interior designers and architects with many high profile client and extensive experience working within the spheres of art, design, fashion and architecture, their first show featured works by Bethan Laura Wood alongside a curated selection of rarely seen original objects by respected design innovators including Gio Ponti, Fornasetti and Paul Evans.

Filled with characterful original features and floors, and overflowing with light from its enormous south-facing windows, each level of ONEROOM offers a fresh perspective and a new mood. As a design destination it aims to captivate via interior exhibits, rare books and installations. 

“The goal is to present an exceptional mix,” says Locatelli, “one day you can see a 17th-century painting next to a 1970s Gabetti and Isola rug and a Marina Abramovic photograph. Enter the next and the bathtub may be filled with bottles for a party…” A perfect party house, indeed, it’s easy to imagine that this will be a space that becomes known for staging memorable events.

It’s not a one-show-wonder either; following Bethan Laura Wood is a collaboration with Italian fabric and textiles brand Dedar. Guests arrive in a striking, patterned entrance – complete with Paul Evans metallic patchwork wardrobe - before ascending the stairs to a more maximalist space.

Further up the house they will be gradually immersed in an abstract installation of a textile forest, and golden wallpapered walls.  “We are looking to do many more collaborations with likeminded designers, artists and brands,” says Ninchi, “we are open to all of it and have many things planned for 2018.”

Ninchi and Locatelli hope that by displaying the works in new ways across the space, clients will be inspired to move out of their own comfort zones a little with their own interiors. And while everything on show is available to buy, this is only a tiny fraction of the picture, with a great deal more in their online shop and a vast collection in their depot in Italy.

ONEROOM is definitely one to watch.  

ONEROOM, 9 French Place, London, E1 6JB, +44 (0)2034870170. By Appointment Only. oneroom.eu