Stand awards for Decorex announced

In addition to the showcase of the latest products and services from the décor and design fraternities, Decorex Cape Town also laid on a number of unique platforms to give visitors a taste of the very latest décor, design and lifestyle trends. Among these was the Designer Spotlight showcase, which, this year, was awarded to Adriaan Lochner in association with Home Fabrics. The Salt River-based designer put his trademark 'transitional-eclectic' design style to work in an elegant, timeless installation decorated in the very latest materials and wallpapers from fabric house Home Fabrics.

At the Plascon stand visitors got their first look at the Plascon 2016 Colour Forecast. The paint giant, which has sponsored the show since its inception 23 years ago, uses Decorex as its annual showcase for the colour trends of the forthcoming season. Caesarstone, co-headline sponsor, launched its all-new stand, themed Collaborations, which featured several prominent collaborations the brand has initiated with top design brands.

Local male celebrities

The Top Man showcase had four local male celebrities paired with a prominent designer, who then interpreted the former’s unique style in the ultimate ‘men only’ room setting. Public and corporate proceeds from this installation went to the charity of the celebrity’s choosing, with visitors invited to vote for their favourite Top Man and one visitor winning Natural Stone Warehouse tiles to the value of R30,000.

For the second year running, four of Cape Town’s top kitchen companies took part in the Franke ‘Heart of the Home’ Kitchen Design Project. These refined culinary zones, by Gardner Interior Concepts, Holly Wood Kitchens & Furniture, Milestone Kitchens and Beyond Kitchens – showcased visionary kitchen design and materials.

The Cape Town show also boasted a number of firsts, including The Considered Home, an exclusively curated space, which showcased all the elements that make up the now-trending look for interiors. Meanwhile, with concept and colours drawn from the rhythm and beauty of the Mother Continent, the Africa-inspired Trend Pods showcased the design genius of its awarded decorators, Nicky Tyers of Lion & Tyers and Dorothy van’t Riet of DVR Design & Décor Consultants, who both used their allocated spaces to display their own unique interpretations of a theme that is reassuringly close to home.

Picture Africa, at the 100% Textile pavilion, was another showcase for contemporary design with a unique African perspective. Giving visitors an evocative taste of what’s to come at 100% Design South Africa, which runs alongside Decorex Joburg 2016, this installation celebrated the relationship between photography and textiles, exploring the union of these two powerful mediums and the impact they have on design in Africa. Visitors were treated to an amalgamation of the joyous, clashing and colourful textiles of the Mother Continent and the vibrant street and studio photography that encapsulates the spirit and energy of contemporary African life.

Décor & DIY Theatre

In addition to the above, the Cape Town show included the Décor & DIY Theatre, a series of talks and interactive advice-sharing platforms that served to arm visitors with an arsenal of fresh decorating know-how. There was also plenty on offer for those seeking vibrant shopping of all things artisanal.

The Craft + Create Market presented a colourful collection of uniquely exclusive, handcrafted lifestyle products, which, for the first time, included a Maker’s Corner Hosted By SA Maker Collective, a fun, hands-on experience that encouraged visitors to upgrade from consumer to maker.

New to Decorex Cape Town this year and a highlight for industry professionals was InStudio, a day of design talks on interior trends, commercial design and creative business. This free-flow forum exchanging fresh insights, trend observations and creative business ideas brought together a line-up of outstanding design minds, including Cathy O’Clery, Lauren Shantall, Leon Roodt, Nadia van der Mescht, and Quinton Abrahams.

A group of the country’s leading décor and design experts undertook the challenging task of judging the most successful stands at this year’s exhibition. The prestigious Best Stand Awards were awarded to:

• Best Overall Stand: Neolith;

• Best Build And Plan Award: Palmers Exclusive Metals;
• Best Kitchen And Bathroom Award: Spotlight Kitchens;
• The Top Man Award: Warisan for Expresso presenter Katlego Maboe;
• Best Small Stand Award: The Cecil Blake Collective;
• The Best Plascon Colour Award: The Designer Spotlight in association with Adriaan Lochner and Home Fabrics;
• The Most Innovative Product Award: Milestone Kitchens;
• Best Newcomer Award: Tony Pinchuck;
• Most Interactive Stand Award: Mr Price Home;
• Best Craft And Create Award: Trade and Investment KwaZulu-Natal;
• Best Cooking And Cuisine Award: Spaza Store;
• Best Green Stand Award: All Women Recycling;
• Best Exhibitor Marketing Award: Window Art;
• Best Décor Stand Award: The Considered Home in association with the GoodWood Co; and

• Franke ‘HEART Of The Home’ Kitchen Design Project Award: Hollywood Kitchens.

The judges also gave Excellence awards to a number of other high-end exhibitors, credited with setting the scene for trend-forward South Africans. These were: Mr. Price Home, Caesarstone, The Kitchen Studio, Holly Wood Kitchens, Studio Masson, Plascon, Mae’s Artisan Rugs,The Designer Spotlight by Adriaan Lochner and Home Fabrics, Plantation Shutters, Pierre Cronje in conjunction with Dorothy van’t Riet, Skinny Laminx in the 100% Textile Display, Sithabe African Craft, World of Marble and Granite, Belgotex and Franke.