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Decorex 2012 – Lasting Impressions
Last Thursday saw Rose and I at the Decorex Cape Town Expo. I have to confess – I haven’t been to Decorex since my first year of college, a good 6 years ago. Back then my experience of it was not too inspirational. At that time, I felt that it lacked creativity and was possibly more commercialized than I would have hoped for. I guess it all has to do with expectations. However, Rose was taken up with last year’s expo so I thought it high time to revisit Decorex and my opinion of it. Being Trade Day and still relatively quiet – we managed to have a good look around.
We started our expo experience on a high note – the launch of Design Team’s stunning new fabric range (more on that later) – and systematically worked our way through all the stalls and exhibitors. Phew, it was quite a lot to take in and now, a week later, I’m struggling to recall all I’ve seen. A few exhibits however are branded into memory and logic dictates that those exhibits are therefore my perceived “highlights”…
One of the most memorable exhibit stands was that of the “Contemporary Country” Trend Installation aimed to be a fusion of rural country spirit and urbanized contemporary style. The bold yellow and chartreuse colour scheme with contrasting dark charcoal and greys was rather a striking sight. This was mixed with loads of texture – gorgeous natural timbers, raw linen, a big knitted ottoman, dainty crocheted throws and dramatic patterned wallpaper.
BOS Ice Tea, a now familiar sight at most South African expos and events, provided some funky refreshment. Their impressive (if somewhat “re-used”) stand which featured big tree-like structures, fake grass, lawn chairs, a very cute refreshments caravan, and LOADS of branding won Best Overall Stand at LAST year’s Decorex in Johannesburg.
We also spotted lots of pretty things in the Cape Craft & Design Institute sector including some amazing Su Wolf & The Big Heart Company cushions and a beautiful old church bench rescued and upholstered by Katie Thompson of Recreate in different textures of linen, hessian, hemp, ticking and leather.
I also thought the Decorex Designer Collection Homeware Range desirable – ceramic, wood, glass and textile items designed by local creatives in white and fresh shades of blues. The pity here is that the exhibit was tucked away in a dark corner…
In retrospect I can’t recall any Decorex exhibitors or installations that enticed public participation and interaction. This is a shame as interaction is such a valuable facet of design. Perhaps in this instance, Design Indaba has spoilt it for me, raising my expectations to the next level, leaving me a bit disappointed…
However, the always forward-thinking design legend that is Porky Hefer did not disappoint – his contribution to the Plascon Colour Forecast 2012 trend installation consisted of massive Weaver’s nest-like structure. Suspended from the roof, it contained cushy seating that begged you to find your inner-child and climb into the comfort and protection of the nest.
So, Decorex… was I once again disappointed? Truth is that despite my past reservations and my mediocre expectations… NO, I was not disappointed! Will I go back next year? Absolutely! I really enjoyed it and saw lots of pretty things… and you know how much I like pretty things! Anyway, Decorex is on the right track and I’m sure next year will be kicked-up another notch.
Your thoughts on Decorex 2012? Did you attend? See something inspirational that you liked?
All images copyright of The Design Tabloid
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Top Ten Reasons To Attend Decorex 2012
Decorex Cape Town to rolling around again – can you believe this décor & design expo is fourteen years old this year. The main theme of Decorex 2012 – “Real” as in “getting real”.
Cairey Baxter-Bruce, General Manager of Decorex SA, explains that the positive energy sparked by original thinking contributes to unique – and very real – show experiences. “In the era of the mass-produced, the digital and the virtual, real experiences are treasured,” says Baxter-Bruce. “The real thing is what we covet right now, explaining the return of old-school styles, craftsmanship and artisanal creation.”
Some things to look forward too:
1. Like every year a handful of local designers get the opportunity to interpret the new Plascon Colour Forecast in their own individual way. This year, the trend installation will be headed by designers Laurence Brick, Porky Hefer, James Mudge and Aidan Bennetts. Experience their interpretation of the colour palettes ‘Expression’, ‘Memory’, ‘Origins’ and ‘Mystery’.
2. South Africa’s darling fabric designing duo, Design Team, will unveil their 2012 collection at Decorex. Can’t wait for that!
3. Operation Man Cave for charity. Four local celebrities team up with four designers to see who can create the coolest man-hideout and raise the most money for charity. Keep an eye out for Bob Skinstad and his brother Dan, Aidan Bennetts and Ryan Botha.
4. Inspire Theatre, kitted out by Whirpool and Sembel-It, will host inspirational décor talks throughout the show, so pull up a chair for talks on Sunday Lunch, Living with Colour, High Tea and Sunday Night Sundowners.
5. Contemporary Country promises to be a jaw dropping trend installation of rural goes city with the powerhouse team of Laurence Brick, Timna Russell and Cathy O’ Clery.
6. Decorex Designer Collection of homeware in a soothing palette of greys and blues, by SA’s top creative and boasts show specials at the pop-up store! So pull in to stock up the gift drawer for 2012.
7. M-net Cares Café will be putting creative bookshelves on show and encouraging visitors to donate children’s’ book. M-net personalities will be doing lives reads, so get your celebrity on.
8. District Delicious is a foodie paradise, with gourmet food and designer gadgets.
9. Design inspiration in the Dream Rooms section where roomscapes by top talent will be on show.
10. After a great walk around, with inspiration to take home and a new home gadget or two, enjoy a lovely glass of bubbly from the Graham Beck bar by Wetherlys. Oysters, a tapas menu and a delightful range of Graham Beck wine will be on the menu.
Be on the look-out for Vicki Sleet of I Want That and Kim Gray as they will be judging the stands this year! Super cool! These generous ladies are also giving away some Decorex tickets, so you might want to pop over to their respective blogs and enter to stand a chance to win free entrance to the show.
Exhibition details…
Decorex Cape Town:
26 – 29 April, CTICC
Hours: 10:00 – 19:00 (closes at 18:00 on 29th April)
Cost: R65 adults. R55 pensioners and students. R10 Children under 12.
Visit www.decorex.co.za for regular updates on exciting competitions and speaker line-ups. Facebook: Decorex SA Twitter: @decorexSA and stay in touch using #decorexcapetown Images & Info via Decorex
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- Plascon Colour Forecast 2012: Purple Lighting (plascontrends.wordpress.com)
- A reflection on 2011… (thedesigntabloid.com)
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Decorex 2011 – Talking Trends With Dave Nemeth
Dave Nemeth’s Trend Talk at Decorex CT 2011
One of the interesting features of the recent Decorex Cape Town Expo was the Trend Talk given by Trend Forecast guru, Dave Nemeth. Here in our office we seem to inadvertently watch the trends by being avid bloggers. Nevertheless, it was fascinating to listen to Dave open them up like the expert that he is. He has been a player in the interiors trade for many years and it seems that the last few years have seen him trotting around the globe, trend watching. I like that we have our own proudly South African Trend gurus.
This beautiful Salvatore Ferragamo crochet number can easily influence future Interior trends, for example this gorgeous chair for Casamento
How is a trend established? I guess most of us are aware of the fact that Fashion and Interiors walk side by side, in terms of pattern, texture and colour trends, particularly the Cat Walk. However, trends are not just established willy nilly. Other factors that influence the establishing of a trend are: What is the consumer experiencing; how are global politics and economics impacting consumers and then of course what impact is technology having on the consumer? Research Information coming out of these influences is collated by Trend Forecasting Agencies for the benefit and application by Interior Designers, Retailers and Manufacturers who develop it further.
Pink & Berry Colours
FACT – Two types of trends – micro trends and macro trends. Micro trends are those that fleetingly come and go. Naturally that would make a macro trend the stayer- for a good few years, much like the few I am about to highlight.
Colour – the impact of the recession in our global economy was reflected in the muted colour palette of grey and neutral tones. (Mood influences colour). Now that the movement in the economy is more optimistic, the inclusion of strong pinks and berries colours are evident. We are feeling upbeat and even if you aren’t at that place yet, indulge these colours and you soon will.
Upcycled & Industrial Cabinet from Weylandts
Furniture: Dave highlighted the fact that coming out of the recession, the consumer has become a cautious and conscious buyer. As such quality is a strong determinant in the furniture we buy, with resurgence of solid woods. Solid woods in the form of re-cycled furniture, or up-cycled furniture (vintage, heritage or retro second hand pieces, that get the conversion treatment to a snazzy modern furniture item). Handcrafted furniture is also very big, as is the industrialised look and feel.
It seems that tactile is the buzz word – we are experiencing a great deal of texture in our furniture, with open grain tables being more the rage. (I personally love this trend, as authenticity is one of my values in life).
Recreate
Restore
LIM
Open bulbs or bulb-shaped lighting
Have you noticed that there is a lot of deep buttoned upholstered furniture to be had? And Listen, don’t let you mom or aunt throw out that old suitcase or trunk, or even the crate she stored the cool drink bottles in. (there are still a few of those cool drink vendors that drive around the suburbs – they have loads of those crates – convince them to part with it)
Lighting: The shapes we find in table and standing lamps are both organic and angular. That was seen in the products on display by Newport Lighting, a local-is-lekker company. Expect to see more lighting that feature exposed bulbs (frosted bulbs – not your standard bulb). Wire caging surrounding the bulb is apparently also the way to go. Nice.
Knitted Decor via Etsy
Accessories: Now this is the exciting part – it’s affordable. Textured scatter cushions – embroided, felt, cable knit, plenty of bright colours.
Handcrafted is so big.
Then Typography – words, letters, phrases all available to you to display in your favourite rooms. Add into this collective mix, Anglophilia – all things Brit.
Green: There is however one distinct characteristic that runs through all categories – sustainability. Green is here to stay!!!
Newspaper Pendant
Moonbasket
MohairSA
Dave presented a bucket load of information and I could go on and on.
However from my observation, Decorex actually nailed the theme of the show – basic and beauty. We are living in a time where the superfluous has been and gone. We want to get back to our roots, our heritage and in doing so, find that grounded, safe and secure place again.
Anglophilia via Loads of Living
Anglophilia via Etsy
Heath Nash
So, we turn to the past and the heritage that is connected to that. We surround ourselves in colours, crafts and textures that add optimist depth to our being, bringing hope and meaning to our lives.
Typography via Etsy
Typography via Etsy
Typography via Etsy
What the future holds – we will allow the trend gurus to unfold that with each passing season.
Related articles
- Why Decorex CT 2011 is going to be awesome… (thedesigntabloid.com)
- Decorex CT 2011 – Interior Attractions With Lasting Impressions (thedesigntabloid.com)
- Decorex CT 2011 – Lasting Impressions continued… (thedesigntabloid.com)
- Decorex CT 2011 – Inspiring Designers (thedesigntabloid.com)
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Decorex CT 2011 – Inspiring Designers
It is amazing what makes one stop and take a second look at an exhibition stand. There were three Cape Town Interior Designers that exhibited to the public their craft and talents. The most intriguing part was that each of them presented a completely different interpretation of an interior style. Each styled room made me stop and take note – they were quite ‘out there’ in their boldness of design coming out of the designer’s years of experience in the trade.
The theme for Decorex was ‘Basic and Beauty’ – here are two designers who took this theme to heart, playing with their favourite design elements.
Adriaan Lochner. Image via Decorex
Adriaan Lochner is someone I have met a few times and have chatted in depth with him. He is a very authentic person with many years in the interiors trade. His style is timeless, venturing across the board in terms of being able to meet whatever genre of style his client’s brief gives him. However, he selected to present a timeless setting of a dining room, which embraced antiques, rich warm colour palette, infused with a touch of the orient by way of a beautiful Chinese lacquer panelled screen.
The depth of room setting was further enriched by spectacular floral art – one of Adriaan’s hobbies and specialities. The tonal warm was further made palatable with the inclusion of a display of pomegranates and autumn leaves – detail after detail adding depth and warmth to this timeless setting.
Adriaan Lochner. Image via Visi
Adriaan sums up his personal style preference as embracing stylish class, sophistication, finesse, always a reflection of good taste. As I said – he is authentic thus not allowing trends to set his pace. And that is just what he achieved – a timeless, infused, innovative interior setting.
I noticed that Adriaan was standing amongst the exhibit winners – Well done.
Salome Gunter
Salome Gunter on the other hand, presented a completely different exhibit – one that was so magnificently daring in totality – one that I was radically attracted to due to the fact that she presented the trendy, industrial relaxed and eclectic style so evidently ‘Now”. The strong sophisticated, industrial country style was so inviting, that all I wanted was for everyone to leave, freeing me up to nestle into that red leather wingback and do what I love – read.
Salome Gunter. Image via Visi
She exposed us to her innovative, bold yet very intimate style with a bedroom and study room setting, packed with details that made full use of modern technology. We found that the digitally printed wall paper of a bathroom image from one of her projects; pages from a Louis Vuitton book – made into wallpaper panels – really just show how wallpaper can be anything you want, using any image you fancy. (She tells me she is a Louis Vuitton junkie)
Salome Gunter
The ‘basic’ elements were to be found from the floor up – a rustic scaffold structure held the room setting within its confines and together with the untreated solid wooden floors planks.
Salome Gunter's Study setup with the beautiful Louis Vuitton sketches
Salome grew the interior setting layer upon layer, until the complete beauty of it unfolded, revealing Salome’s ability to keep pace with the global trend to include the past into the present, intimately.
We give her the “Royal Seal of Awesomeness”
Images, as noted: Visi & Decorex
Related articles
- Why Decorex CT 2011 is going to be awesome… (thedesigntabloid.com)
- Decorex CT 2011 – Interior Attractions With Lasting Impressions (thedesigntabloid.com)
- Decorex CT 2011 – Lasting Impressions continued… (thedesigntabloid.com)
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Decorex CT 2011 – Lasting Impressions continued…
Walking past an impressive lighting stand, Newport Lighting, I noticed a consultant I had worked with in days past. It was Guy Harris a very clever lighting consultant. Newport is also in the business of custom made light fittings and lamps, some of which were on display.
Newport Lighting. Image via Visi
One of the strong trends of the day is handcrafted retro interior objects with many stunning South African designs to be found under the auspices of the Cape Craft and Design Institute – one of my favourite stops. Walking towards the stand, I was struck by something I thought that I had left behind never to meet again – crocheted lamp shades- suspended from the ceiling. But these have a modern twist to them. Oversized and grouped together really puts a completely new spin on Ouma’s crocheted lampshades!
Actually what came to mind was the image of the little brass lampbase I had so many years ago. Its shade was a crocheted number – one that I was happy to dispense of. And trends have resurrected it – Oh My Gosh!!!! Maybe I was just ahead of my time or – it must be true, history does repeat itself.
Crochet Pendant Lighting. Image via Visi
Further impressions were made by Tin Town objects & gifts, plus Loveramics. Loveramics is actually manufactured in the East, but distributed locally. Great for us. Not only are the designs eye-candy, but the quality is superb. Even the name of the brand is attractive – Loveramics.
Tin Town. Image via Tin Town
The Beautiful Loveramics
The contents of Ubuntu Garden stand will forever stay with me. See for yourself – it is such a unique way of presenting the gardening lifestyle and evoked a great deal of reaction. Plants growing out of a sexy pink bra or red bra??? Have you seen something like this before? It speaks to me of an innovative gardener, who can take your garden to the least expected places. I noticed that she was one of the exhibition winners – well done Lee Last (my name is Last, Lee Last – says she, in a tone reminiscent to Bond, James Bond). Her co-conspirator was Mondeor Garden & Life.
The quirky Ubuntu Gardens stall...love the bra's
Looking at more of the hard finishes of interiors, I came across Silestone, the competitor to CaesarStone. This is the Resin/Quartz composite stone applied in kitchen and bathroom surfaces. Claims are that this stone finish has an anti-bacterial protection. I mention them, as it is always a worthwhile exercise when sourcing your finishes, to look at similar stone with a view to competitive pricing.
Silestone
CONGRATS TO THE DECOREX TEAM – An excellent exhibition, well executed. Warning to Gauteng and Durban people – be prepared for a sensational South African interiors experience.
Stick around for my next two Decorex articles – Talking Trends and Talking Designers.
Please participate in our poll below and be sure to comment!
Related articles
- Decorex CT 2011 – Interior Attractions With Lasting Impressions (thedesigntabloid.com)
