Each year in May, The Design Archives with TASTE OF DESIGN, takes to the road. Taste of Design brings together some of the UK’s finest interiors brands in a series of curated events hosted in exceptional locations across the country. Designed to inspire interior designers, upholsterers, architects and design professionals, the roadshow offers the opportunity to experience a carefully selected collection of products, meeting the suppliers behind them, and connect with fellow creatives in remarkable settings.
The 2026 tour proved to be the most successful Taste of Design yet, with record attendance across the four venues. For the THE DESIGN ARCHIVES team, it was a genuine pleasure to step away from London, reconnect with long-standing customers and friends, and meet so many new faces along the way. The conversations, enthusiasm and support at every event made this year’s tour particularly memorable, and we’d like to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us.
This year’s roadshow brought together 22 outstanding brands, each showcasing the very best in craftsmanship, materials and design. Among them were Ian Mankin, John Boyd Textiles, Edward Bulmer Natural Paints, Roger Oates Design, Haslam Lighting and Ian Sanderson, alongside many other respected names from across the interiors industry. The collaborative spirit between exhibitors is one of the defining features of Taste of Design, creating an inspiring environment where ideas, expertise and innovation are shared as freely as products.
Our journey took us the length of the country, beginning at the elegant Rudding Park in North Yorkshire before travelling south through Britain’s beautiful countryside finishing at West Horsley Place in Surrey. Each venue brought its own unique atmosphere and architectural character, providing the perfect backdrop for the collections on display. Among the highlights were the extraordinary interiors of Grittleton House, whose dramatic interior architecture does not fail to impress, and the breathtaking grandeur of CHATSWORTH HOUSE, where the scale and magnificence of the surroundings created an unforgettable setting for the event. These historic locations continue to remind us how contemporary design can sit alongside centuries of craftsmanship and heritage.
The British weather certainly kept us on our toes from glorious sunshine to dramatic hailstorms, often within the same day. Thankfully, whatever the forecast, the warm welcome from visitors and exhibitors alike ensured every event was full of energy and optimism.
We are incredibly grateful to everyone who helped make Taste of Design 2026 such a success. From our fellow exhibitors to the wonderful venue teams, and especially every designer, specifier and visitor who took the time to attend, thank you for being part of the journey. We hope for those that came, you left the event feeling inspired, having discovered new products, new ideas and new connections. We certainly did, and we’re already looking forward to seeing where Taste of Design takes us next.
Derbyshire countryside
The Design Archives team
The hallway in Grittleton House, Wiltshire
The Design Archives wallpapers