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Decorex Inspiration 2015 - The Open College of the Arts

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Decorex Inspiration 2015

Decorex is billed as ‘the future of luxury’ and in 2015 there was no shortage of quality design and forward thinking. I always enjoy this show for its combination of traditional interior design with fresh ideas; Hand block printed wallpaper against digital processes which offer new ways of thinking as well as making.

Here are a few of the many companies which caught my eye.

01 BLACKPOP

Blackpop is a small company with big ideas. Last year at Decorex designer Maxine Hall was noticed by the National Gallery resulting in a wonderful mix of old and new; Tudor paintings became abstracted as boldly coloured velvet fabrics such as the one pictured here on a traditional sofa. Maxine’s use of colour was inspired by the X-ray techniques being used in the analysis of the paintings and her own painterly approach results in truly stunning fabrics as well as a ‘best new product’ award at Decorex.

02 WATTS

Watts in contrast to Blackpop are celebrating the ways things used to be done. It is hard to find a company who still multi-colour block print to such a high standard. These papers live in both the past and the present and are equally at home in ultra modern interiors. Inspiration and colour are taken from period colour schemes and the patterns are as fresh today as they ever were.

03 FRONT

Front twist familiar carpet patterns into some of the most desirable rugs that money can buy. The Erased Heritage range by Jan Kath pictured here require a second look to see how layers of pattern and disruption of pattern are intertwined. A sense of beautiful decay in a carefully crafted masterpiece of composition.

04 MONTGOMERY

Paul Montgomery exhibited some of their hand painted silk wall coverings which bring dreamy landscapes and natural forms into the home. The painting skill here is as good as it gets and often presents full landscapes with no repeat in the design which wrap the viewer in ever changing vistas. It is interesting to browse the photographs on their web site which show the designs working equally well set against a wide range of interior styles.

05 SPINA

Spina presented a beautifully designed stand at the show reminiscent of a gallery showing select art pieces. This seems fitting as each piece of interior trim and decoration was a work of artistic beauty. Furthermore there was a cheeky reinterpretation of the conventional, with each piece using materials and bold designs which would definitely be conversation starters at a party. A feast of tactile trim.

Decorex can be whatever you want it to be from traditional recreation to avant guard and ultra modern. A show full of inspiration and possibilities.

Have you attended any inspiring shows? Do you see see a revival in trend for hand crafted design?


Posted by author: Neil Musson

One thought on “Decorex Inspiration 2015

  • I take photographs for ICHF at their shows at the NEC and I find the March Fashion, Embroidery and Stitch one extremely interesting. The one starting 5 November is based more on the card making side, with artists giving demonstrations. In one hall are the cakes. My late sister used to make and ice cakes but the ones at this show are really inspiring. I usually spend all day photographing the cakes.

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