Meet the Design Guild Mark judges: Barbara Chandler

Flick through the pages of the Homes & Property section of the London Evening Standard on a Wednesday night and you will undoubtedly come across an article by Barbara Chandler.

Barbara has been a definitive voice of interiors reportage for years, influencing the homes of millions on a weekly basis with her reviews of what is bang on trend.

It’s for this reason that she is an invaluable member of the Design Guild Mark judging panel.

We caught up with Barbara to ask her how she got started in the design sector and find out more about what she loves about the Design Guild Mark.

What first turned you on to a career in the design world?

Well, I am a journalist, and my first job was on the Slough Observer, as I was getting experience in general reporting ready for (as I hoped) a newspaper career. However, when I found myself with a small child, I turned towards magazines as the hours were more suitable for family life. I started on an industry magazine called Furniture and Bedding Production, and from there moved to Ideal Home magazine as their Furnishing Editor. That’s how I came to specialise. I was thrilled when I had the chance to go back into newspapers as a specialist writer, and have been contributing virtually every week to Homes & Property at the London Evening Standard for over 20 years, as their design writer.

What does design excellence means to you?

I’m a bit old school and always look for good solutions for particular problems/functions, so pieces should be practical. Then of course the beautiful form has to follow and beauty is in itself a function. Pieces should be original, innovative and made to last.  It’s important that pieces are really well-made with attention to details such as finish, hinges, handles, joints, draw runners as so on. I love beautiful materials.

What do you enjoy most about the Design Guild Mark judging process?

As a journalist, this is a dream news-feed for my pages. I love the chance to meet the other judges and take photographs all in one day of so many interesting designers and their work. I post stories on Instagram and on Flickr.

What is the hardest part of the process?

Reaching consensus – we sometimes almost argue, and you have to be brave and stand up for your point of view.

What is your favourite Design Guild Mark piece of all time and why?

That’s very difficult. I like Ben Fowler’s work, and thought his folding wardrobe for M&S was very clever (DGM 57). More recently I liked the romance of the Hardy Chair (DGM 155) by David Irwin for Another Country.

What tip would you give a designer coming in to present at the judging day?

Assume the judges know nothing – that’s what we do when writing a feature. So answer the questions:

• Who am I?
• What am I showing?
• Why have I designed it?
• What is special about it? How is it achieved/made?
• Where will it be used/sold?

Practise showing off these points on the piece of furniture in question.

What is the future of furniture design?

As homes get smaller, and budgets more stretched, well-priced space-saving furniture is in demand. Making furniture to last is the best way to make it sustainable, saving on all the resources need to replace it. People will always crave that special piece and are prepared to save for it.

For more information about Barbara Chandler, go to www.barbarachandler.co.uk. You can also follow her on Twitter: @sunnyholt and on Instagram: @sunnygran.