Traces ‘Junk’ Shop Showcases Playful Recycled Designs at the London Design Festival

The <a href="http://traces-london.co.uk/file/Home.html">Traces 'Junk' Shop</a> is an eclectic exhibition of work by young artists and designers that just popped up at the <a href="http://www.tomdixon.net/news/2012/08/luminosity-at-the-dock-london-design-festival?dcp=634819225148341250">The Dock</a> for the <a href="http://beopenfuture.com/exhibitions/space">Be Open exhibition</a> during the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/london-design-week/">London Design Festival</a>. The show was playfully arranged to give the sense of being in a true 'junk' shop - and details such as handwritten paper signs added to the effect. Some designers showcased items made from <a href="http://inhabitat.com/recycled-materials/">recycled materials</a>, while others re-purposed existing items to create new products or furniture - read on for a first look at some of the hidden treasures on display!

One of our favorite items was <a href="http://www.timburrellsaward.com/bureau.html">Madam Bottwright's Bureau</a> by <a href="http://www.timburrellsaward.com/">Tim Burrell-Saward</a> and <a href="http://www.studio801.co.uk/#!home/mainPage">Mike Kann</a>. This item combined old found furniture pieces with technology to draw us into a playful guessing game. The clues hidden in this unassuming bureau encouraged us to unlock its secrets by twisting switches, turning heads, and knocking to a special rhythm.

Next we spotted a set of magnetic interchangeable glasses by <a href="http://www.marinadragomirova.com/">Marina Dragomirova</a> called <a href="http://www.marinadragomirova.com/index.php?/project/glasses/">Mixers</a>. This collection of vintage glasses are split in two and can be joined again with magnets - so you are able to mix &amp; match the stems with different glass tops to suit your taste or occasion.

The <a href="http://www.mirjanasmith.moonfruit.com/#/portfolio/4550792409">Hewbert Tea Pot</a> set by <a href="http://www.mirjanasmith.moonfruit.com/">Mirjana Smith</a> combines a mix of old tins with more traditional handles and spouts. The combination creates a delightful collection of pots that are full of new life and already look like they could tell many stories.

<a href="http://www.donnawalker.org/">Donna Walker</a>'s Skeleton Lampshades bring lighting back to basics by stripping back existing lampshades to reveal the beauty and original craftsmanship of their wire frames. The shades are then powder coated to bring them new life through a touch of color.

<a href="http://www.furnituremagpies.com/">Furniture Magpies</a> showcased several fun pieces - their Lovely Legs Lamps combine the shapely form of some old wooden chair legs with a colorful lamp head made from thread.

This Scratchcard Tea Set by <a href="http://www.jowestrop.com/">Jo Westrop</a> allows the user to decide how much they would like to uncover about the teapots' past life. The vintage tea set has been covered in a scratchcard layer that you can scratch away to reveal what is underneath.

The next piece to catch our eye were these Screen Prints on unwanted books by <a href="http://thesoftcity.co.uk/about/">The Soft City</a>. This piece of art used the pages of books as a blank canvas upon which to paint a picture. The picture then takes shape when the pages are assembled in a pile. We think it's a great way to brighten up any old bookshelf.