Havwoods — a specialist in wood surfaces — is returning to Clerkenwell Design Week from May 19 to 21, 2026, where it will showcase new collections. Central to the presentation is a preview of Havwoods' Handgrade Premier Patterna line — "a new collection that reinterprets traditional end-grain timber in a contemporary context." The wood surfaces brand will also host Italian furniture brand True in a collaboration featuring the Apex kitchen, a bespoke freestanding unit designed for offices, showrooms, and multifunctional spaces.
The Apex comes as a one-piece, premium freestanding solution with a dark navy blue soft-touch laminate finish, high-quality appliances, and a compact footprint. Havwoods notes that the unit is fully customizable with bespoke countertop finishes, wooden frame colors, cabinet shades, and shelving in any RAL color. The collaboration also includes True's lounge chairs and side tables, such as the minimalist Ahkka chair and the Cremino side table inspired by Italian chocolates.
Image Credit: Havwoods Showroom, Clerkenwell
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Contemporary End-grain Reinterpretation
- The revival of traditional end-grain timber in modern collections suggests new surface aesthetics and fabrication methods that could enable modular, high-value flooring and panel systems.
- Customizable Freestanding Workspace Units
- Such compact, premium one-piece units with configurable finishes and integrated appliances point to a shift toward plug-and-play micro-kitchen and workspace products for flexible commercial environments.
- Cross-disciplinary Material Collaborations
- Emerging partnerships between surface specialists and furniture makers indicate opportunities for co-developed product ecosystems that blend material innovation with branded lifestyle offerings.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Commercial Interior Design
- High-end bespoke wood surface collections create prospects for differentiated, experiential fit-outs that redefine premium office and showroom environments.
- Office Furniture and Fit-outs
- The Apex-style freestanding units signal potential for new categories of compact, multifunctional furniture that integrate appliances, storage, and aesthetic customization.
- Kitchen and Appliance Manufacturing
- Demand for customizable countertop finishes and compact appliance packages points to opportunities for modular, mass-custom premium kitchen systems tailored to commercial and small-space uses.
