DECOREX JOBURG 2016 A BIG HIT WITH GAUTENG HOME LOVERS

An exciting new theme, a third successive 100% Design South Africa and an impressive line-up of local and international talent were just some of the attractions that saw décor and design devotees congregate in droves at Decorex Joburg 2016.

With 7 halls, over 22 000sqm of exhibition space and featuring more than 700 exhibitors showcasing the best in décor, design and homeware for five design-fuelled days, Decorex Joburg, which took place over the Women’s Day long weekend, saw some 53 000 visitors converge on the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand.

“The size and influence of Africa’s premier décor, design and lifestyle exhibition is certainly growing every year, demonstrating Decorex SA’s vision of offering both members of the public as well as trade visitors a comprehensive showcase of both local and international décor and design,” says Sian Gutstadt, Portfolio Director of Decorex SA. Gutstadt notes that the 2016 show’s design offering was immensely enhanced by its popular sister exhibition, 100% Design South Africa. “Offering a carefully curated mix of top-drawer products from leading designers, all of which keep the beauty of high-end, original design the uppermost focus, this important show, which took place alongside Decorex Joburg for the third time this year and is exclusive to the Johannesburg exhibition, plays a significant role in nurturing new talent and growing the industry,” she explains.

HIGHLIGHTS OF DECOREX JOBURG 2016 This year’s Designer Spotlight presented the striking fruits of a collaboration between Claire Clarke of By Dezign Interiors and leading local textile house, Home Fabrics. The stand featured a magnificent pergola daybed, plenty of geometrics, chunky textures and an eye-catching trellis design on the ‘ceiling’ and a magnificent gold vinyl floor, the likes of which had not yet been seen in South Africa.

The vivacious prints, artifacts and designs of the subcontinent were the focus of the Designer Trend Pods installation, a brand-new showcase that saw a pair of leading Joburg decorators, Karen Richards of K Interiors and Elisha Annandale of Décor Identity, present their interpretations of the African aesthetic in interiors.

Paint giant and Decorex co-headline sponsor, Plascon gave visitors a privileged first look at the much-anticipated Plascon 2017 Colour Forecast, where the prevailing themes were drawn simultaneously from both the digital and natural worlds. Plascon also announced their colour of the year, ‘In the Mood’, a neutral colour that works well both indoors and outdoors.
And, as patron of Decorex Joburg, “The Godfather of South African design” himself, Stephen Falcke, used the platform given to him at the Joburg show to flaunt the signature style that has made his impeccably proportioned interiors world famous.

Located in the Kitchen, Dining & Entertaining Hall, the sensory-led Whirlpool Sensing the Difference Theatre which boasted cooking demos accompanied by table styling sessions. Caesarstone’s collaboration stand caught the eye of visitors, showing off the diversity of surfaces both in kitchens and bathrooms. The collaboration stand showed off their work with British designer Tom Dixon.

Visionary design, cutting-edge materials and new-age technologies, meanwhile, came together in the Franke ‘Heart of the Home’ Kitchen Design Project, sponsored for the second year running by one of the world’s leading kitchen-systems suppliers. Here, four of Joburg’s top manufacturers; Milestone Kitchens, Lifestyle Kitchens, Kraftmade Kitchens and Eurofit Kitchens & Cupboards presented a riveting display of kitchen design brilliance themed around the ‘Heart of the Home’.
The exciting new #DecorexHotSeats campaign, in partnership with Sunday Times Neighbourhood, proved another crowd-puller. Ten exclusive Decorex Ambassadors each flaunted the chair of their choice from a curated collection of locally available and homegrown designs and visitors were encouraged to join in the fun by posting social media in order to stand the chance of winning a prize worth R15 000 from Belgro.

Strong and confident masculine-style decorating dominated Hall 4, where Top Man by The Tile Gallery took centre-stage. This showcase feature saw four of the country’s leading men paired with a top local designer, who then interpreted each one’s idiosyncratic style in a specially dedicated men-only space. Actor, MC, songwriter and front man of local rock-indie-electro band, The Graeme Watkins Project, Graeme Watkins, was designed an eclectic space styled on a “vintage tech” theme by husband-and-wife design team, Rolf and Ivette Bockermann of Bockhaus Designs. Lesego Shika of The Design Café, meanwhile, adopted a “less is more” approach to the stand she created for popular former radio DJ and self-styled “vlogger” (video blogger), Ian Fraser – or Ian F, as he is typically known. Interior Stylist Zimkita Sidumo, director of Blaque Pearl Lifestyle, remained true to her trademark “recycle, repurpose and reupholster” ethos in her stand for professional freestyle motocross rider, Brendan Potter. And designer Musa Luthuli of Mus-Lin Interiors and Renovations put his “modern classic-meets-avant-garde decorating approach” to work on the ultimate “man cave” he created for DJ, producer, remixer and self-confessed music junkie, Mark Stent.

What’s more, by voting for their favourite “Top Man” and donating towards the charity of that celebrity’s choosing, one lucky visitor won tiles from The Tile Gallery to the value of R30 000. In addition, the winning Top Man, Mark Stent, not only received an additional contribution of R5 000 from Decorex SA to his charity, Afrika Tikkun, but also won a Big Green Egg and the opportunity to have a celebrity chef prepare a delicious meal for him and his friends to the value of R28 000. In the Build & Plan Hall, the interactive Builders DIY Theatre, sponsored by Builders, was where the country’s foremost home-improvers were on hand with advice, tips and tricks for those hooked on drilling, hammering and sawing.

The Pantry, meanwhile, combined an electric market atmosphere with a tantalising array of takeaway gourmet goodies and mouth-watering delicacies, not to mention indulgent pamper products designed with the sole intent of feeding the soul.

Finally, The Ballroom was a fitting setting for this year’s Art Gallery, where original works from a selection of the country’s top creative talents were on display.
And, from the sophisticated Pierre Jourdan Bubbly Bar to the unique indoor Wine Garden and the casual Illy Coffee Deli, there was also no shortage of dining and drinking venues to keep the show’s many visitors happily satiated.

STAND-OUT STANDS An all-star group of industry judges selected the top stands at the exhibition, with awards handed out an exhibitor function on the 6th of August at a champagne breakfast.
The judges gave ‘Excellence’ awards to a number of other high-end exhibitors, credited with setting the scene for trend-forward South African design. These were: SA Homeowner by Joseph Avnon Interiors, Plascon, The Designer Spotlight by By Dezign Interiors and Home Fabrics, American Shutters, Franke, Blue Bay Lifestyle Furniture, Frank & Daniel, Senoform for Seno SA, Siemans and Kohler

The prestigious Best Stand Awards were awarded to:
FRANKE ‘HEART OF THE HOME’ KITCHEN DESIGN PROJECT’S DESIGN AWARDED BY FRANKE: Kraftmade Kitchens & Eurofit Kitchens THE TOP MAN DESIGN AWARD: Bockhaus Designs BEST BATHROOM & TILES STAND AWARD: Womag BEST NEW COMER AWARD: Avnex MOST INTERACTIVE STAND AWARD: Neolith BEST CRAFT & CREATE STAND: Pelo & Art BEST COOKING & CUISINE STAND: The Tea Merchant BEST EXHIBITOR MARKETING AWARD: The Big Green Egg SA BEST BUILD & PLAN AWARD: Plantation Shutters BEST KICTHEN & APPLIANCES AWARD: Caesarstone BEST DÉCOR STAND AWARD: The Considered Home presented by Decorex SA in association with the GoodWood Co. THE BEST SMALL STAND AWARD: Blaw Design THE BEST OVERALL STAND ON SHOW AWARD: Belgotex

“Johannesburg and its surrounds has a remarkable pool of design talent and we were privileged to showcase some of its leading lights – both established names and exciting emerging talents to watch – at Decorex Joburg 2016,” concludes Gutstadt.