In a richly decorated Mayfair residence, Against Nature unfolds as a presentation in which design and art converge within an environment that invites attentive observation. The London premiere of Bureau of Innovation brings together a group of European and British designers responding to the specific atmosphere of the interior. The result is a setting where materiality, ambience and experimentation enter into a new relationship, with objects that deliberately move between seduction, functionality and theatrical presence.
Bureau of Innovation, or BOI, positions itself as a curatorial platform that develops new ways of experiencing design. Through travelling presentations, contextual installations and a digital presence, BOI explores how design can become part of a living culture. Founders Holly Lucas and Sam Henley bring together two distinct backgrounds: Lucas, with years of experience in shaping hospitality as a cultural stage, and Henley, founder of Agglomerati, a London-based stone studio known for collaborations with international designers and Italian master workshops. 
Against Nature marks the first time BOI lands in London. The presentation gets its name from Joris-Karl Huysmans’ novel À Rebours, in which decadence, artificiality and excess take centre stage. This reference provides a foundation for the design discourse examined here: the tension between refined craftsmanship and an unapologetically bold aesthetic. The selected designers operate within this realm, presenting work that stretches the boundaries of function, reinterprets ornament, and considers the interior as a stage where materials perform.
Against Nature gets its name from Joris-Karl Huysmans’ novel À Rebours, in which decadence, artificiality and excess take centre stage.
The works on display include pieces by Sigurd Nis Schelde, LS GOMMA, Agglomerati x Tom Fereday, Jojo Corvaia and Chris Fusaro. Some objects highlight the physical strength of stone or metal, while others focus on softer textures or unexpected constructions. In parallel with this presentation, Lindon & Co. showcases a selection of contemporary artworks that broaden the thematic scope. The dialogue between art and design reverberates throughout the residence, ensuring that visitors remain aware of how materials can seduce, challenge and reveal new perspectives. 
With Against Nature, BOI also launches No Fixed Address, a nomadic series that relocates the design discourse into intimate spaces. This approach reconsiders the traditional exhibition format and transforms the home into a site of inquiry. In the heart of Mayfair, it creates a moment in which contemporary design resists convention and instead presents itself as an open, unfolding experience.
Photography by Michael Sinclair
Text by Carolien Depamelaere