Impressive exhibitors and top design mark the 25th Decorex Joburg
The 25th edition of Decorex Joburg, presented by Plascon, proved exactly why this continues to be Africa’s largest décor, design and lifestyle exhibition.
57 361 visitors passed through the doors of Gallagher Convention Centre from 8 to 12 August where they got to witness some of the best #rhythmoflife features, products and trends regionally, and from across the globe.
“For the milestone Decorex Joburg, we really wanted visitors to be immersed in the latest design trends and products, while also catching a glimpse at the various influences over the past 25 years that have brought us to this phenomenal point in décor,”
said Sian Cullingworth, Portfolio Director for Decorex SA.
“We welcomed a really expansive features’ programme, a number of award-winning designers and industry influencers, top quality décor products and services, celebrity chefs, as well as 22 show competitions to ensure every taste and interest was met. We are already excited to begin planning the 2019 edition of Decorex Joburg.”
Décor and design
A popular feature on this year’s programme was the colourful Plascon Concept Stand featuring the Mono Colour Café where colour and product experts engaged with visitors in this beautiful space to discuss the latest interior and exterior colour trends. Paint lovers could walk away purchasing a 250ml tester pot in Plascon Double Velvet or Plascon Cashmere to test their colour in their space. Visitors also got to discover their individual design personality by picking a room setting on an iPad as part of the ‘SoMe’ competition.
Brand Ambassador and Colour Specialist, Claire Bond was blown away at the high levels of interest visitors to the stand displayed:
“People travelled from far and wide to get colour and product advice from our experts. Engaging with them indicated that grey’s and matt products are still hugely popular and that, while people are still loving the Plascon 2018 Colour Forecast, there is lots of interest in the Plascon 2019 edition which will be launched in November”. “Our visitors were intrigued by the beautiful cabinet which blends African influences with modern design,”
she said.
Internationally-renowned South African designers were given space at Decorex Joburg to interpret the current décor trends through their signature styles. Taking to the Decorex Designer Spotlight was Joburg designer, Dorothy Van’t Riet, and her team from Dorothy Van’t Riet Design and Décor Consultants, who curated an aspirational living space exuding retro glamour and style.
One of this year’s showstoppers was the interior space created by Decorex Joburg patron, Stephen Falcke. This award-winning designer has recently been making waves with the release of his book, ‘A World of Design’ which chronicles 40 of his best projects in London and South Africa. Drawing on this extensive design experience, and tapping into the event’s 25-year history, Falcke offered visitors a glimpse of 25 years of trends reflecting his personal tastes and preferences.
Dedicated to inspiring visitors with the most stylish décor settings, this year’s exhibition featured the ultimate, two-story @home Trend Home presented by Decorex. This masterpiece was curated by Creative Director of Decorex, Anita Bloom and her inspired team to give visitors a real-world taste of the latest #rhythmoflife trends and how they can be cleverly incorporated into the modern home. The team collaborated with lead suppliers, @home and @home living space, bringing in their latest range which displayed sophisticated touches of gold in the furniture, natural woods and opulent velvets.
The Room Furniture, Clever Little Monkey and Petit Love were then tasked with designing a Nursery, Toddler Room, Tween Room and Teen Room in Rooms to Grow. This inspired feature took visitors, step-by-step, on a journey from childhood and beyond, offering innovative furniture concepts, styles and colour combinations.
For in-demand bathroom settings and fittings, visitors entered the ISCA Bathroom Trends Project where fashion designers and winners of the SABC3 Win-a-Home competition, Abiah Mahlase and Bradley Muttitt, as well as renowned 'Lovilee' blogger, Kari Kelly created Urban Playground and Future Folk bathroom trends.
From the bathroom to The Bedroom Project where three Joburg designers – Anita’s Interiors, Décor Identity and Vox Furniture – infused local flavour into the 2018 #rhythmoflife trends in three enviable bedroom settings: a trendy apartment bedroom, serene bush lodge room space and an elegant hotel room.
Into the kitchen
The hot competition began with the popular Franke Kitchen Trend Project where leading kitchen designer, Eurofit Kitchens & Cupboards walked away with the top prize for their ‘Expression of Colour’ kitchen design incorporating the latest Franke SA range. Also competing in the event was Semble-It, Kitchen Spectrum and CHC Kitchens.
Audiences got to experience another on-trend kitchen design in the Gourmet Cooking Theatre,where leading Joburg chefs such as Donald Chipumha, Luyanda Mafanya, Tebello ‘Tibz’ Motsoane, Chef Coo and Deena Naidoo demonstrated their unique cooking talents in gorgeous kitchen installation curated by Riverwoods, with surfaces by Stonehenge and appliances by Hisense.
Leading kitchen design specialists, blu-line kitchens, took the ‘Best Overall Stand’ at the 25th Decorex Joburg Exhibitor Stands’ Awards. Featuring top-quality products, an expansive scale and sensory appeal, this dynamic stand impressed the expert panel of judges.
Art, craft and colour
The Ballroom was transformed into an Art Gallery featuring a choice selection of artwork by some of the country’s most renowned painters, among them, Derric van Rensburg who was chosen as the Artist Spotlight for his iconic impressionist landscapes. Also displaying his unique talent was street artist, r1, who transformed the Ballroom staircase into a colourful, vinyl art piece and performed a live art installation during the duration of the show.
Visitors even got to try their own hand at the canvas in the innovative Paint Nite – an informal art class where blossoming painters created beautiful arbour-themed images while enjoying a glass of wine.
For high-end crafts, some 60 local craft entrepreneurs featured handmade home, gift and fashion accessories, reflecting the South African heritage, at the South African Craft Collective (SACC). The design-focused goods included unique products created from recycled material, ceramics, as well as traditional and contemporary craft products, all of which are Fair Trade and environmentally-friendly.
Charity drives
Kgomotso Malope of Motso Designed, and Tersia Labuschagne of Lighhouse Furniture, displayed their individual interpretation of this year’s She Shed feature. Incorporating a touch of pink, each designer was tasked with recreating a traditional shed into a women’s haven. Local celebrities Fiona Nay and Louise Wingerden lent their support to the initiative which also aimed to raise funds and awareness for NGO, PinkDrive.
Reinvention continued into the newly-introduced Thru The Chair Project where students from Re-Create re-crafted everyday chairs into works of art. These re-purposed items will be sold to raise funds for sustainable projects which promote education in Africa.
Drawing on the elements
Elevating the mood was The Lighting Elements – brought to you by K. Light. This trendy new feature took guests on a journey through the spectrum of top lighting solutions. For unique ideas, the Design Elements’ feature invited high-end local decorators and interior designers – including Pearl Opulence, Design & Décor Lab, Katleho Interiors, and Redesign Interiors Jeebee Trading 101 - to put their signature style on interior spaces.
And proving that décor and design should awaken all the senses is the exciting new Textile Elements’ feature. Leading local designers, Home Fabrics, Giant Leap and Lou Harvey created a tactile environment that reflected the best fabrics and patterns across the design spectrum.
A range of décor products, including marble, cork, glass, brass, metallics, bamboo, wood and ceramics were incorporated into the Natural Elements – brought to you by Neolith.
Extending it outdoors
Interior décor connected with the exterior at Decorex Joburg in the innovative Design House brought to you by Builders installation with incorporated various build elements into a Virtual Reality simulation for a modern take on design. Adding to this unique Builder’s feature three of South Africa’s leading creatives – Tanya Visser, Elle Franco and Pilani Bubu – shared their unique landscaping and home improvement tips and tricks.
And when it comes to landscaping solutions, visitors were exposed to the latest in modern technology with the EGO Garden of the Future, brought to you by Smith Power Equipment. These environmentally-conscious products, launched for the first time in South Africa, require no petrol and expose users to a world of silent gardening.
Taking time for yourself
And, for some fine dining options, Decorex Joburg delivered. There was the warm Coffee Cup by Illy Caffé; Rhythm Eatery by Seatworks; The Terrazzo Diner furnished by Woodbender; The Tasting Room furnished by Yard Seventeen.
To ensure the media could keep the broader community up-to-date on all the event happenings, Decorex Joburg curated a stunning Bloggers’ Lounge which infused a user-friendly workspace with the #rhythmoflife style.
Enhancing the visitor experience
Giving audiences context and insight into the talent behind the exhibition was the personalised #withlovefromDecorex feature, showcasing 18 individual furniture and décor pieces selected by each team member from the stylish @home homeware store and @home living space furniture and décor. And, because Decorex Joburg is a complete sensory experience, visitors got to see, feel, hear and even smell the exhibition through the unique Decorex Scent created by Brand Scents.
As Decorex Joburg has expanded, it’s welcomed a number of value-enhancing additions to the show, one of which is South Africa’s leading product design showcase, 100% Design South Africa, which collocated with Decorex Joburg for a fifth time. Audiences were inspired by an exquisite display of furniture design, textiles, lighting, wallpaper and product design from more than 130 local and international exhibitors.
Another welcome inclusion to the show was the International Sourcing Fair (ISF), a trade-focused exhibition space dedicated to sourcing and purchasing of retail and commercial products, exclusively focusing on the home, gift, office and hospitality sectors.
This milestone show marks the beginning of many more exciting décor, design and lifestyle exhibitions set to come. Keep updated on all the Decorex 2019 features by visiting www.decorex.co.za. Alternatively, follow any of the social media accounts listed below:
