As we closed the door on May 2025, I find myself craving a moment of stillness. A breath. A glance back at the whirlwind of beauty, innovation, and artistry that this month has gifted us — in fairs, in materials, in homes that whisper stories through every beam and tile.

 

Whether you’re a design devotee, a lover of fine homes, or simply curious about how spaces can shape emotion, I think you’ll enjoy this little roundup. I’ll take you from the east end of London to the stately elegance of Manhattan, passing through Madrid, Melbourne, and my own beloved Galicia. Along the way, we’ll talk tech, textures, and two utterly fascinating properties.

So come along — let’s stroll through May together.

 

Starting at Home: Clerkenwell Design Week

Let’s begin where I live — in London. This May, Clerkenwell Design Week returned to EC1, drenching the east side with colour, conversation, and clever ideas. If you’ve never been, imagine cobbled streets alive with creativity, showrooms buzzing with fresh collections, and talks that make you look at your own space a little differently.

This year, I was especially drawn to how many designers are embracing texture — woven walls, ridged timber, tactile ceramics — things you want to run your fingers over. That sense of touch is so important in a world that’s increasingly digital.

 

Across the Pond: New York & Melbourne’s Inspiring Call

While London was alight, New York Design Week lit up the Big Apple in tandem with the International Contemporary Furniture Fair. I loved catching up virtually — thankfully, so many talks are available online these days. Some of the designers were new to me, which is always such a joy. You feel your taste expanding in real time.

In Melbourne, the city’s Design Week carried the theme: Design the World You Want. Isn’t that beautiful? A call to arms wrapped in optimism. Australia continues to lead in bio-design, modular housing, and sustainability — and it’s a reminder that good design really can begin at home, with the way we live every single day.

 

Madrid, Venice, and My Native Galicia

Then there’s Casa Decor in Madrid — an annual tradition I adore. Every year, a different historic building is transformed room by room by different designers and sponsors. It’s like walking through a love letter to Spanish design.

Each space is a masterclass in materials. Pay attention and you’ll discover the names of upholsterers, carpenters, fabric houses and tile makers. There’s a generosity in the way designers share their collaborators here — and it’s so helpful if you’re renovating or simply dreaming.

Meanwhile, Venice welcomed the 19th International Architecture Biennale, entirely focused on intelligence — natural, artificial, and everything in between. I found the approach thoughtful and, dare I say, a little philosophical. How we build reflects how we think — and how we think shapes how we live.

And then, close to my heart: Galicia Design Week in La Coruña. My home. Galicia is often quieter in the international conversation, but the design here is poetic — rooted in tradition, but so willing to look forward. I was proud. I am always proud.

 

Two Materials to Watch: Mycelium & Transparent Wood

Let’s talk tech — and materials. Two innovations caught my attention this month:

1. Mycelium: Touted as the sustainable material of the future, it’s made by mixing fungal roots with wood shavings or cotton. It’s compostable, fire- and sound-resistant, and already being used in wall panels, plant pots, even seating. Will it truly revolutionise how we build? Time will tell. But it feels promising.

2. Transparent wood: Yes, you read that right. Scientists are removing lignin from wood and replacing it with polymers, creating a material that’s lighter than glass yet strong and partially see-through. Imagine windows, solar panels, even entire facades made with this. It’s like nature and science sat down for tea and dreamed a little dream.

Tech Meets Decor: Dream Room by Google x Myntra

In India, a collaboration between Myntra and Google caught my eye: Dream Room Inspirations — an AI-powered tool that lets users describe a space (“boho chic living room” or “Japandi bedroom with walnut accents”), and it creates a realistic 3D visualisation using Google’s image models. With over 20 million people in India buying home decor online in 2024 alone, the future of interiors is getting smart — fast.

Will we see this here soon? Probably. And when it comes, it could make moodboarding, sourcing, and planning easier than ever.

 

On the Market: Two Very Different, Very Stunning Homes

Now to property — my guilty pleasure and (let’s be honest) professional obsession.

Chris Evans’ Hollywood Hills Hideaway

The actor behind Captain America is selling his Los Angeles home for just under $7 million. Set on over 3,000m², the home has everything you’d expect: gym, pool, patios, views — but what I loved were the structural touches. Timber ceilings that ground the space, huge windows that connect you to the outside, and a neutral kitchen that whispers rather than shouts.

It’s elegant without being showy. And I think that’s the kind of luxury many of us are craving now.

 

The Manhattan Mansion: A $50 Million Sale

And now, a true gem: a limestone mansion on Fifth Avenue in New York, recently sold for just under $50 million — down from its $80 million listing in 2021.

Designed by Stanford White, it’s one of the rare single-family homes still standing on that stretch. The details are sublime: 11 bedrooms, 9 fireplaces, a wine cellar, a gold-accented salon ceiling, and a grand central staircase that looks like it belongs in a film.

What I found most striking is how the home balances grandeur with intimacy. It’s big — huge, even — but certain rooms feel cocooned. As if they’re keeping secrets.

It’s the definition of quiet luxury, and it reminded me that the most timeless spaces often come wrapped in calm.

 

A Closing Thought

It still amazes me — that through a screen, these words, and your time, we connect. Whether you’re in Hackney or Hyderabad, Madrid or Melbourne, if you know of a design week, a fair, or even just a little shop you love, send it my way. I’d be delighted to look into it and maybe feature it next time.

Until then — thank you for reading. Thank you for being here. And thank you for loving design, wherever you are.

Thanks for passing by…
Miriam

 

If want to watch this click HERE, Please note that this is in Spanish, but you can auto-translate the subtitles. 

 

1. Open YouTube: Go to the YouTube website or open the YouTube app.

2. Play the Video: Start playing the video with subtitles available.

3. Click on the “CC” Button: This is the “Closed Captions” button on the bottom-right of the video player. If subtitles are available, they will appear.

4. Click on the Settings Gear Icon: This is also on the bottom-right, next to the “CC” button.

5. Select “Subtitles/CC”: Click on “Subtitles/CC” from the settings menu.

6. Choose “Auto-Translate”: After selecting “Subtitles/CC,” you’ll see an option that says “Auto-translate.” Click it.

7. Choose Your Language: A list of available languages will appear. Select the language you’d like to translate the subtitles into.

8. Enjoy: The subtitles will now be translated into your selected language!

That’s it! You can now watch videos with auto-translated subtitles.