As the crowds clear off to Amalfi, Cornwall et al, London is buzzing with design events, making August the ideal month to explore small-scale exhibitions and meet the makers.
It’s also a great time to hunt for unique pieces at summer brocantes — or enjoy a day trip taking in an art exhibition and a glass or two of wine.
Culture vultures
An interactive, hand-stitched fish and chip shop featuring more than 65,000 individually crafted felt pieces comes to the Lyndsey Ingram Gallery in Mayfair from August 1.
The Bourdon Street Chippy by Lucy Sparrow is a playful study in attention to detail, and is free to explore from Wednesday to Sunday, 11am to 6pm, until September 14 (lyndseyingram.com).
Ceramics aficionados should hop over the river to County Hall Pottery, where Heather Gibson presents Surfacing, the debut solo show from the gallery’s first potter-in-residence, which runs from August 12 to September 7.
Developed on-site, the exhibition features hand-built, gas-reduced ceramic stoneware, including large sculptural pieces, vessels and wall-based artworks (countyhallpottery.com).
At Sarabande, the art foundation established by the late fashion designer Lee Alexander McQueen, the group summer show, Sincerely, is not to be missed.
Showcasing the works of two groups of 10 artists over six weeks, discover live and growing sculpture, experimental digital work, meticulously executed paintings and designs focused on intimate pleasure across the venue in Haggerston (sarabandefoundation.org).
Must visit
Up your work-from-home game with a visit to the new USM store in Marylebone (uk.usm.com). The Swiss manufacturer specialises in distinctive, oh-so clever modular furniture based on a chrome-plated steel-tube framework.
Minimalist and flexible, all the coolest workspaces have it — and the brand makes chic TV consoles and shoe cubbies too. This new, two-storey showroom will make you want to deck your home in all of its designs.
Day tripping
Tillingham winery in East Sussex stands for natural wine, delicious, seasonal food and stylish rooms. And now it has art in the mix, too as English-Italian artist Chiara Perano presents In Between Suns (tillingham.com).
Running until August 30, the exhibition is a collection of ethereal paintings drawing on the rhythms of the natural world.
On August 13, Perano herself will be hosting a Celestial Summer Art Workshop at the Dutch Barn overlooking the vines (£55pp including a glass of bubbles).
Book club
“I want to empower you with the confidence to tackle simple upholstery projects that breathe new life into your existing furniture,” writes Sonnaz Nooranvary of The Repair Shop fame, in her new book.
Upholstery School (£26, Kyle Books, out August 21) features 24 step-by-step projects to inspire the reader, including bolster cushions, lampshades and headboards.
On the theme of pre-loved furnishings, La Maison: Decorating with French Vintage Style (£30, Mitchell Beazley) is a love letter to all things vintage and antique.
Its author, the French interior designer Zoe de la Cases, shares her love for seeking out secondhand treasures and how to make your home truly unique— even if your kitchen is from Ikea.
Brocanting
The thrill of the find is on at the annual Country Brocante Summer Fair at Billingshurst (August 1 and 2, tickets from £11.55, thecountrybrocante.co.uk). Expect dozens of traders, expert talks and plenty of spots to refuel with something sweet (or boozy).
On August 16, the Cotswolds Vintage Fair (@cotswoldsvintagefair) is popping up at Bretforton Manor near Evesham, with more than 50 sellers in attendance.
Then, on August 25, the Walmer town council brocante (walmercouncil.co.uk) returns to the green just outside Deal. Entry is free.
To covet
Wiping the floor with all garden furniture is Buchanan Studio’s new outdoor collection. The design firm’s pillowy Studio Chair now comes adapted for garden life, complete with weatherproof fabrics and marine-grade timber frames.
Sell a kidney and build up a collection: the chair retails at £4,395, while the stool is a more reasonable £1,995 (buchanan.studio).
