Kuniko Thompson
Founder of Biden Designs established in 2008. She is passionate about creating beautiful interiors working with designers, architects and Japanese craftsmen.
Japanese Patterns and Motifs 3- Class Divisions
Japanese people are superstitious, most patterns have meanings and were largely created wishing for longevity, good luck, and spiritual power
Japanese Patterns and Motifs 2- Perfect Designs
Exotic treasures in Shosoin repository from Egypt, Persia and China inspired the Japanese in the 8th century and they started
Japanese Patterns and Motifs 1- Subconscious Taste
“What a lovely Japanese home you have created!” said my interior designer boss when she visited. I was shocked as
Our Beautiful Products 12- Pottery from Kyoto
Japan is world-famous for producing fine pottery and porcelain which were made very popular in Europe by the East Indies
Our Beautiful Products 11- Modern Calligraphy Art
I love Yabe Chosho’s liberal and fresh approach to calligraphy. Sho-do, Japanese calligraphy, literally means a way of writing, like
Our Beautiful Products 10- Gilded Washi Wallpaper
This gorgeous and unique wallpaper is a creation of Gabor Ulveczki, a maestro of gilt art and the craftsmen of
Our Beautiful Products 9- Staining Wooden Panels
Do you watch Repair Shop? I love it. Each piece has a wonderful story behind it and it is magically
Our Beautiful Products 8- Exquisite Kumiko Wooden Panels
Kumiko wooden panels are beautiful decorative materials which are so unique in Western interiors market. They are mainly papered parts
Our Beautiful Products 7- Wallpaper Made of Wood
Woven Wood Wallcovering is an extraordinary product made of natural wood. It is sliced into strips of incredible thinness, just
Our Beautiful Products 6- Survival of Block Printed Paper
I passionately believe the beauty of Karakami block printed paper must be widely recognised outside Japan. I could not continue
Our Beautiful Products 5- Karakami, Paper from China
Japanese Block printed paper is called ‘Karakami’ in Japanese, which literally means paper from China. The techniques were first introduced
Our Beautiful Products 3- Washi Paper Designs and Techniques 1
Biden takes pride in organic and beautiful washi designs. The number of techniques is limited, but the variation and combinations
Our Beautiful Products 2- Goddess of Washi Paper
Echizen is the historical washi paper making area where they started developing the craftsmanship 1500 years ago. It is believed,
Our Beautiful Products 1- Rich and Velvety Japanese Lacquer
I strongly believe Japanese lacquer is the most luxurious finish. I don’t think any artificial material can reproduce the richness
How To Show Off Wealth in Japanese Way 3 – Treasures of Tea Ceremony
Kaiseki food, tea ceremony sweets and incense are accessible and can be enjoyed by people who don’t practise tea ceremony.
How To Show Off Wealth in Japanese Way 2 – Tea Party
You may associate Japanese traditional culture with simplicity: zen or wabi-sabi. Zen is a philosophy of Buddhism and wabi-sabi is
How To Show Off Wealth in Japanese Way 1 – Tea Ceremony House Interiors
Having walked around and been lost in Kyoto for a few years, I started to see where Biden should be
Sourcing Trip to Japan 6 – Kyoto Keeps Evolving
The avant-garde kimono designer, Jotaro Saito, also pioneered to make kimono fabrics in universal 140cm width, breaking a tradition of
Sourcing Trip to Japan 5 – Japanese Crafts in Future
All workshops which I have visited for sourcing were established some generations ago. They normally continue thanks to the hereditary
Sourcing Trip to Japan 4- Expensive Taste
My quest continued in Kyoto and I was desperate to find interior accessories which complement the existing collection. It can
Sourcing Trip to Japan 3 – Quest of Accessory Range
Amongst all the workshops and showrooms I visited for sourcing in Kyoto, the Kayatama Bunzaburo shop was particularly charming. It
Sourcing Trip to Japan 2 – Getting Lost in Kyoto
Visiting workshops in Kyoto is an adventure itself. You may think it is easy to find a way in Kyoto
Sourcing Trip to Japan 1 – Right Business Attitude
My passion with Biden Designs is to discover and develop designs and ideas evolved by artisans who remain loyal to
How I grow business – recession to pandemic 11 – Crisis
The Brexit referendum was announced in 2016 and turned this country upside down. Many clients of design studios which I
How I grow business – recession to pandemic 10 – LED diffuser plates
I also started having business with Warlon who supplied PVC laminated washi paper for shoji sliding doors at Kyubi restaurant.
How I grow business – recession to pandemic 9 – Sourcing for designers
My cashflow was tight. I picked up some mid range interiors design jobs which had nothing to do with Biden’s
How I grow business – recession to pandemic 8 – Dream projects
I thought superyachts were dream projects. I liked the glamour. It seems they have bottomless budgets. I was convinced as
How I grow business – recession to pandemic 7 – India calling
After Decorex 2012, I was approached by an interior supply company in India. They offered to take up all the
How I grow business – recession to pandemic 6 – The International Design & Architecture Awards
In that year, I entered the Woven Wood Wallcovering collection into The International Design & Architecture Awards. I was so
How I grow business – recession to pandemic 5 – Getting recognised
I was still struggling in the third year into the business in 2011 and could no longer afford Hugo after
How I grow business – recession to pandemic 4 – Meeting the right people
I became more ambitious for the display for Decorex 2009, inspired by the photo shoot. I wanted to create
How I grow business – recession to pandemic 3 – Power of Stylist
In spring 2009 at a gymnastics competition at the school where my daughter went, I recognised Judith Wilson who came
How I grow business – recession to pandemic 2 – First Decorex
Biden Designs was launched at Decorex at Royal Hospital in Chelsea in 2008. Decorex back then was more of a
How I grow business – recession to pandemic 1 HOW IT BEGINS
How to grow a business is one of the most sought after questions. Only few people have the Midas touch