INTERIORS UK, the national flagship event for the industry, took place last week and exceeded all expectations, culminating with an impressive 24,957 visitors*.
INTERIORS UK presented an impressive setting for the show, with the ‘British Heritage’ theme taking visitors on a journey from the regal gates at the main entrance through to five uniquely designed hall entrances by Diana Civil depicting some of the latest trends including ‘Britannia Chic’, ‘Chintz with Attitude’ and ‘Red Hot London.’
With a positive buzz around the show throughout the four days, the investment the organisers made this year was evident, creating the perfect atmosphere to stimulate smart business. The Design Village, curated by Designersblock, was an inspirational blend of exciting and eclectic design, all staged around the village pub ‘The Local’ with its very own B&B’s, beautifully created by Donna Wilson, House of Hackney and the typographically driven Morag Myerscough and Luke Morgan. This area is also where INTERIORS UK helps to further the careers of design students with the New Design Britain Awards, this year won by James Uren, Roland Beaven, Rachel Hagger and Sophie Adamson who will all take up placements within the industry.
The UK’s leading retailers, along with independents, interior designers and property developers came in their thousands, using this annual flagship event as a comprehensive resource to discover the latest trends, to find new products and to be challenged by seminars. Visitors included representatives from Dreams, Furniture Village, Harrods, Heals, John Lewis, Next, Pitfield, Raw Design, Roomservice by CORT, Sheffield Homes, Sainsburys, Selfridges, Tesco and The White Company.
Although multiple retailers have continued to attend the event in their masses and there was a significant increase of interior designers and property developers, the organisers saw a slight decline in the number of independent retailers visiting the show. This is an unfortunate result of the challenging times within the industry, but with INTERIORS UK’s commitment and investment into the future of the show, they hope to help the future success of the high street retail and interiors industry.
Key trends and bold and beautiful colours were represented at the show, including the tangerine trend on Mumo cushions, Wychwood Design chairs and the Pitfield sofa. Purple was also strong with lights from Colours by Copenhagen, a bright sofa from Content by Conran and stunning patchwork chairs from Glimpze. Illustration was seen across wallpaper, mirrors and home accessories as well as functional design such as Rosemary Anrude’s tables that use the joints as decorative pieces.
INTERIORS UK also presented five lucky exhibitors with a stand award, awarding their efforts and creativity in designing their stand, encouraging visitors to stop and look at the product. The winners – Privee Home, Terre D’Hautaniboul, Aleal, G Plan and Interio – receive a complimentary stand at INTERIORS UK 2013.
Jacquie Benedukt, Buyer & David Illingworth, Store Director, Fenwick: “This year we've been pleasantly surprised at the innovation we've seen. It works as a one-stop-shop for us and we've found new products and new suppliers."
Mark Symes, Managing Director, Willis & Gambier: “We had a tremendous show – our best ever. There was a phenomenal reaction to our products and a massive input of orders. INTERIORS UK is the single, national event where all the trade gets together looking to find the solutions and ideas that will drive business forward. It’s an opportunity to meet existing customers as well as potential new clients for the business of the future. It’s critical for us to be there.”
After a fantastic 2012 event the stage is set for INTERIORS UK 2013, running from 20-23 January next year, with over half of the exhibitors booked already. For more news from this year’s industry’s definitive event, visit www.interiorsuk.com.
