
Umbrella Furniture and Wagstaff Interiors Group transformed their Brewhouse Yard showroom into a wellness sanctuary during this year’s Clerkenwell Design Week. From puppy therapy sessions and massages to a leading panel discussion on colour and biophilia—alongside the annual Umbrella+Friends installations by top furniture design brands—visitors enjoyed a calm and insightful experience that seamlessly combined workspace and wellness.
The thoughtfully selected partners, Piaval, Sancal, Treku, Wendelbo, Midj, New Works, Extremis, and the architectural partner T6, all displayed various pieces of furniture around the central Umbrella and Wagstaff showroom. They set up their best and newest pieces with members of the team present for networking, enquiries and information. Visitors were able to take a leisurely walk around from partner to partner, each showing a different set up and environment for their brand and furniture selection.
On each day of Clerkenwell, Umbrella+Friends hosted a wellness breakfast, consisting of yoghurts, fruits, pastries, and beverages. Lunchtime did not come in shortage, with Octopus Food making delicious Poke Bowl salads to fuel visitors through their busy Clerkenwell day. Puppy therapy sessions were hosted in Umbrella and Wagstaff’s specially renovated meeting room, where visitors who booked, got to increase their serotonin levels with puppy cuddles and playtime. Alongside this, Massage Angels were present all throughout the day, giving shoulder and back massages to visitors who had booked in. Everyone walked out of the showroom a lot happier and stress free, with wellness in mind, ready to carry on the day.
On Wednesday the 21st of May, day two of Clerkenwell, Umbrella and Wagstaff hosted a panel talk under the topic ‘The Importance of Colour and Biophilia in the Workplace’. The talk was chaired by Design Insider’s Alys Byran, with panellists Emma Bestley, Co-Founder and creative partner at YesColour, Dirk Wynants, Founder and owner at Extremis, Pål Eid-Hviding, Marketing Manager at Fora Form and Sam McCarthy, Head of Major projects at Plantplan. The discussion focused on how colour choices affect employees’ moods, for example, red could cause anger while grey and white limit an individual’s creativity. The conclusion was it was all about how much colour to use and where to place it in the room. The panellists also linked biophilia with colour and discussed how the two connect. The main context and subject of the discussion went hand in hand with the theme of wellness in the workplace, focusing on how the topics affect work ethic and mental health.
Umbrella Furniture’s Managing Director, Matt Clarke comments on this year’s Clerkenwell Design Week; ‘This year was ‘the best year ever’ which we have fondly found ourselves saying every year for many years now – however, we truly feel that every year we grow and improve on the format of Umbrella+Friends. The returning formula of new brands showing their emerging products, along with an overriding current topic tying it all together makes Umbrella+Friends a ‘go to destination’ each CDW …’
Umbrella and Wagstaff finished off Clerkenwell 2025 with evening of drinks, music, and great company. The unforgettable closing party wrapped up Clerkenwell Design Week in style with DJ Thee KC Leigh creating the perfect atmosphere and energy into the showroom. Getting everybody out of their seats to network, dance and have a great time, the crowds were immersed into the curated furniture pieces of Umbrella+Friends. The event was the perfect ending to a great week of design.