The changing face of Decorex
Storytelling brings back the love at Decorex 2014
As an antique dealer, when I first went to Decorex seven or eight years ago I left feeling pretty soul-destroyed and equally uninspired by the lack of handmade work and unimaginative presentation. I've only visited since then because my brother and his wife exhibit there (handmade and imaginative!), but my trip on Tuesday was different.
Decorex has taken a shift towards the current trends within design for storytelling and craft, and this has stirred things up wonderfully - it's meant that the organisers have commissioned thought provoking, collaborative installations for the foyer (and a stunning exhibition of contemporary craft for the centre of the show), big brands have designed visually arresting and engaging spaces, and craft-based companies have brought with them their presses and looms to show off their traditional heritage.
I've illustrated my highlights with a few snaps to the right -
Of the 8 installations in the foyer interpreting Hogarth’s A Rake’s Progress were Russell Sage's 'The Orgy' and Retrouvius's 'The Madhouse' (This being the only truly thoughtful and original work).
The incredible collection of British craft named 'Future Heritage' brought together by Corinne Julius.
Of the craft-based companies - 'FRONT London' with their working exhibition showing the hand-knotting of rugs (which won the World of Interiors award for excellence), Watts of Westminster for their demonstration of the hand blocking of wallpaper, Locker and Riley with their live show of plaster modelling, William Holland Ltd with their 'Salesman's models' of copper baths - doubling as patinated colour samples of their range, and iDOGI with their incredible Murano glass chandelier.
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Little Greene brought their striking ad campaign 'Moments of Colour' by Edeline Lee to Decorex - a stunning series of 8 room sets which showed total engagement with both their product and their audience, and Christopher Jenner had a crowd-stopping chandelier type arrangement of his large pendant lights (he also gave a great talk that I was lucky enough to happen upon).
A very important and proud mention goes to my brother Chris, his wife Nicky and their company 'Cox London', which won an award for the third time in a row - this time it was the House and Garden 'most stylish product at Decorex - YAY! - awarded by editor Susan Crewe. It's great to know that the arbiters of taste are spotting and championing integrity and skill, over all the mediocrity out there. ROCK ON!
