We speak with Decorex design collaborator, Tolu Adẹ̀kọ́ of Adẹ̀kọ́ & Co. about his showstopping design for this year’s VIP Lounge, ‘Palomino’.
Tolu Adẹ̀kọ́
Q: Please tell us about your design concept for the VIP Lounge.
A:
We wanted to create something timeless and transportive - a space that feels like a rediscovered salon, rich with stories. While researching the Olympia’s origins, we came across an extraordinary detail: one of its earliest spectacles was the Paris Hippodrome, featuring equestrian displays, high wire acts and acrobats. That theatrical spirit lit a spark.
We also drew inspiration from Bertram Mills, the British impresario credited with reviving the circus in England. His shows were elegant, curated and imaginative; and that blend of sophistication and wonder shaped our direction.
Our concept, Palomino, distils the essence of spectacle into a serene, sensory environment. It’s not a circus, but rather a quiet homage to performance, craft and enchantment - told through space.
Q: What kind of space do you hope to achieve for visitors?
A:
We’ve designed the VIP Lounge as a sequence of experiences. There are five distinctive rooms - from elevated lounges and discreet drawing rooms to a showstopping central bar - each inviting guests to pause, explore and connect.
We want people to encounter beautifully crafted elements: bespoke wallcoverings, custom rugs, expressive lighting and curated textures. This is a space that goes beyond design - it offers moments of presence.
VIP Lounge Sketch
Q: What was your design influence?
A:
It started with the neoclassical architecture of Olympia, layered with our studio’s enduring love for early 20th-century design. We looked to the furniture, fashion and interior language of that time, then reinterpreted it through a contemporary lens.
The circus inspiration shows up subtly - in expressive joinery, playfully scaled furniture, or unexpected forms. It’s embedded in the spirit, not the theme.
Q: What do you want visitors to feel?
A:
A sense of wonder. That feeling of stepping into something that’s always existed - yet still feels surprising. We want guests to be curious. To linger. To not quite be able to explain why the room feels so good - only that it does.
Q: Describe the sensory journey of the space.
A:
Every room offers a different tempo - visually and emotionally. We’ve collaborated with exceptional artisans to create an environment that engages the senses: smooth timber inlays, embroidered textiles, layered finishes, aged mirrors, subtle scents. Even the acoustics are considered.
You’ll notice the details slowly - and that’s intentional.
VIP Lounge Mood Board
Q: Who are some of the makers you’ve worked with?
A:
Craft is at the heart of everything we do. For Palomino, we’ve collaborated with exceptional ateliers across the UK, Italy, France, and beyond. These include Ulgador and Véronique de Soultrait in Paris, Artmura and Studioart in Italy, and London-based artisans such as Will Foster Studio and Timna Wall Art Studio.
The space is rich with bespoke furniture and materials from Studio 1718, Philippe Hurel, and Pierre Frey in Paris, as well as Samuel & Sons, PS Interiors, and Edelman. We’ve also partnered with talented makers from the QEST network. Bespoke lighting has been carefully curated with pieces by Porta Romana and Vaughan, among others. Every partner adds a distinct layer of narrative - it’s this collective storytelling that transforms a room into an immersive experience.
Q: What materials are featured in the space?
A:
The palette is textural, refined and immersive. We’ve used embossed leather, natural stone, verre églomisé, jacquards, straw marquetry, hand-cast metal, antiqued mirror and specialist paint techniques. These materials speak quietly but powerfully - they tell the story through their touch and tone.
Q: Why are bespoke materials so important in this project?
A:
Because memory lives in the details. Even though this is a temporary space, it will live on - in photography, in conversation, in feeling. Bespoke materials bring authenticity. They say: this mattered. This was made with care. We’ve challenged our makers to go beyond what’s expected - not for spectacle’s sake, but to create something lasting.
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