Expect good-humoured decor; romanticism; fantasy; funky patriotism; and all things feathery as a cool, calming breeze ushers in a new era of enlightenment at Decorex Joburg, southern Africa’s largest decor and interior design event.
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The show marks its 17th anniversary with the invigorating show theme, ‘Breath of Fresh Air’, and a captivating collection of 650 exhibitors. Design-minded seminars with international speakers; free ‘how-to’ theatres headlining local DIY gurus; delicious food demonstrations; as well as exclusively designed restaurants add to the show’s allure.

A pick of highlights making this five-day interiors extravaganza a must-attend event:

Searchlight on trends and talent:

Conversations on Architecture (full day conference, 5 August): Under the umbrella theme, ‘The New Revolution’, a diverse line-up of international and local industry players present their challenging insights on lighting and future forward digital design at this highly regarded conference on architecture and the built environment. Key international speakers include Kristof Crolla, Lead Architect for Zaha Hadid Architects and lecturer at the Association School of Architecture, London (AA); Jeroen van Ameijde, head of the Digital Fabrication Lab of the Architectural Association, London; as well as Edinburgh-based Keith Bradshaw, who will share his approach to lighting design. Local speakers include Paul Pamboukian; Anthony Tischhauser; and Sean Mahoney.

• Conversations on Architecture is hosted by Les Aupiais and sponsored by CaesarStone.
• Cost per person: R798 (including VAT). Ticket includes refreshment and entrance to Decorex Joburg.

Interior Design Dialogue: the ifi Trend conference: (full day conference, 6 August):
In a coup for Decorex Joburg, the International Federation of Interior Designers/Architects (ifi) presents a series of trend talks, connecting the global design community. An esteemed panel of design glitterati - interior designers and interior architects from all over the world - give an international perspective on key design directions. Speakers include Shashi Caan, USA; Joe Pettipas, Canada; Ronnie Choong, Malaysia; Madeline Lester, Australia;Constance Ann, Singapore; and Farida Kamber, UAE.

• Cost: R798 per person (including VAT). Ticket includes refreshment and entrance to Decorex Joburg.
• Cost for attending both conferences: R1 254 per person (including VAT). Speaker line-ups subject to change.

The Lighting in Design Pavilion: This bright new trade attraction is a shining showcase of the latest in lighting design – a field, boasting immense technological advances. Hosted in association with Crown Publications the pavilion is launching pad for new products, including the latest in energy-efficient products and LED lighting which leads the beaming revolution.

Plascon Colour Forecast 2011: Is red the new black, or will pastels prevail? Which hue will dethrone grey as the new neutral? Four talented Jozi interior designers interpret Plascon’s four new colour palettes with their highly creative spaces, wooing visitors to fall in love with colour all over again.

Plascon Prism Awards: In its 11th year, this award system - renowned for identifying promising design and architectural students - widened its search for professionals shaping the face of our country through creativity; innovation; technology; and colour. The theme marks South Africa’s spirited drive to survive; adjust; ‘adapt, evolve’; and move forward in a sea of change. Finalist entries will be displayed at the show in two categories: 'Commercial Projects’ (public spaces; offices; parks; stadia; retail developments; and hotels) and ‘Residential Projects’ (apartment blocks; estates; cluster developments; and private homes).

Home indulgence:

District Delicious: this food pavilion is devoted to the eating-in trend. A delectable blend of gourmet food; wine; kitchen gadgets; and home entertaining have-to-haves, it’s also home to the Delicious Theatre where with the SA Chefs Association top chefs, including Arnold Tanzer; Jodi Ann Pearton; Gareth Walford; Kevin Miller; Gareth Walford; and George Georgiou, will whip up food trends and cook up a storm.

DStv Café: Billed as this year’s trendiest spot to chat, get connected over coffee and take advantage on show specials and competitions for DStv Decoders.

The Lovebird and Latté Lounge, by Young Cherry’s Designing, is a beautifully designed, ganache-inspired eatery draped in glamour; scoops of cocoa; and pops of bright colours.

Villiera Wines Cap Classique Bar, by Marble Classic is the show’s most sparkling social space inspired by the world’s trendiest drink.

Kitchen and Bathrooms: Browse a whole hall full of the latest and greatest of dream kitchens and blissful bathroom, with cutting edge finishes to match.
Plascon Colour Café: Is it true that red stimulates the appetite? That green is calming while orange gets the conversation going? Experience the invigorating, rejuvenating, relaxing and energizing effects of the Plascon Colour Café. Exclusively designed for Plascon as a space to get you off your feet, this is the ‘it’ spot to watch the world go by, sipping on a cafe latte with something light, fresh and deliciously colourful on the side.

Quirky. Heartfelt. Caring

Home Tweet Home: This chirpy design initiative for charity attests that modern birdhouses rule the roost as the next big thing. Decorators; fabric houses; and design magazines transform run-of-the-mill birdhouses into quirky, artistic collectibles. All proceeds from sales of the designer birdhouses will benefit the Jungle Tots Mother Touch Academy.

Living green pavilion: This all-green housescape sprouts a whole new genre of eco-caring products, planet-saving inventiveness and thrift-chic style. Find a flourish of green home ware, earth-loving appliances and bee-friendly landscaping.
Plascon Green Living House supplied by Greenstuff.co.za: What are your floors made of? What toxins are in your paint; your carpets? What fumes surround you in bed every night? Visitors will be able to experience what going green actually entails. “Being green is not about bell bottoms, tofu, beads and Indian prints anymore!” says Lorraine Jenks of Greenstuff.co.za.

South African Handmade Collection: Co-located alongside Decorex as a dti-initiative, the South African Handmade Collection shapes handmade craft into a contemporary form, representing the highest quality, design-led, environmentally friendly South African craft products, conforming to fair trade practices.

Get it done

Make Theatre hosted by Aidan Bennetts: Get to grips with your power tools. This trendy ‘how-to’ workshop-styled theatre with free talks ranging from modern mosaics to contemporary paint techniques proves DIY is no longer for fuddy-duddies.

Ask the Experts: Feeling overwhelmed by all the options of home décor and design projects? While window-shopping and idea sourcing will give you some direction, you might still need guidance and affirmation. Problem solved! Decorex Joburg will be giving you that full experience and solutions and with Aidan Bennetts Design and Furnspace. One-on-one slots available for booking at www.decorex.co.za, so you can finally solve those dilemmas in one trip, with all the things you need under one roof.

Win:

• Eating in is the new going out. That’s why Decorex Joburg team up with Curves and Bevels Designer Kitchens. One lucky Gauteng DStv subscriber stands a chance to win a sleek, curvy, cutting-edge kitchen makeover worth a whopping R200 000. Plascon paint to the value of R4000.00 finishes the look. If you dream it you can cook it in a Curves and Bevels Designer Kitchen, the leaders in the curvaceous kitchen business since 1997. To enter, keep an eye out for the promotional advertisements flighting across all your favourite DStv channels.
• Also up for grabs is R 25 000 in stylish furniture and decorative accessories from the JVB Furniture Collection’s Town or County range. To enter, simply visit the JVB stand in the Dreams Rooms section of Hall 5 and vote for your favourite room setting.
• Trade professionals can win an InteriCAD T3 Pro software package, including training worth R25 000, all from Furnspace 3D Software. To enter, simply book a design visualisation session with the Furnspace team by logging onto www.decorex.co.za.

Show details:
Decorex Joburg, Gallagher Convention Centre, Midrand
Show days: 5 to 9 August 2010
Time: 10:00 to 18:00 daily

Entrance: R 65 adults / R55 pensioners and scholars / R5 Children under 12

Show specials:
DStv subscriber special: Buy on get one free with each smart card / proof of account presented (one special per account only)

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.decorex.co.za.

Decorex SA is proudly owned by Thebe Exhibitions (Pty) Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Thebe Exhibitions & Projects Group (Pty) Ltd