Later this January, the NEC Birmingham will host the UK??s longest running interiors show, INTERIORS UK. With over 600 exhibitors from every corner of the interiors industry, the show is set to be one of the best yet. This year??s overarching theme of the show will explore modern retailing, with a number of retail display areas throughout the show. Legendary interior designer Nina Campbell has been brought on board to design the show??s main entrances and designer turned retailer Shaun Clarkson is behind the design of this years champagne bar, located in the Fabric Pavilion and the much anticipated Pitfield Co.Café. Here??s some further information about the show??s key features;
The INTERIORS UK seminar theatre
Known for orchestrating informative, thought-provoking seminars and talks, the 2013 INTERIORS UK show will be no exception with an exciting line-up of speakers set to explore the future of retail. Key speakers include Hannah Malein from Global Colour Research, who will explore the key trends, colours and designs that are coming through this year and Sue Timney, president of the BIID (British Institute of Interior Design) will be delving into her career to explain her journey as an interior designer.
Another key speaker is Nic Cumisky from Google who will be providing insights into the consumer trends around mobile and retail and how retailers can harness the next online frontier to the benefit of their businesses. Ryan Ross & Sarah Shepherd from Stylus will be discussing inspirational trend concepts for Spring / Summer 2014 including Kinfolk, Caban and Tropicalia.
Lastly an exciting panel of leading interiors bloggers will be discussing how their blogs have helped their businesses. Bloggers on the panel include Will Taylor from Bright Bazaar, Kate Watson Smyth from Mad about the House and Katie Treggiden from Confessions of a Design Geek blogs.
Other speakers include Nayna Macintosh, Marks & Spencer??s Director of Store Design, Jonathan Webb from Retail in Action, Mark Hughes-Webb from BrandHub, Callum Lumsden from Lumsden Design, Angus Gibson from Symm, Melinda Ashton Turner, Naomi Cleaver, Gwenda Jones from SBID and Nina
Campbell.
Contract Lounge
A new addition to the 2013 show is the Contract Lounge, following the show??s increased contract buyer attendance (last year there were 6,800 there). The lounge, designed by hospitality design guru, Matt Rawlinson, founder of Raw Design, will have a traditional Italian palliazzo design. Within the lounge, contract buyers will be served champagne and canapés upon arrival whilst they familiarise themselves with the Contract Trail and observe the hand selected contract-specific pieces on display in the Contract Showcase next to the Lounge.
To help contractors find high volume products at the show as well as bespoke pieces for projects, INTERIORS UK will provide the Contract Trail, a fast-track guide to help buyers find relevant stands and make the most of their time at the show. Supported by the BCFA and IDA, this trail will ensure a stress-free, pre-planned route to help guide buyers to a wide variety of contract options including lighting, fabric, decorative accessories, bedding, upholstery and furniture.
New Design Britain
The New Design Britain Awards are one of the most prominent design competitions in the UK for young design talent, giving recognition to students for innovative and ground-breaking work and providing an opportunity for INTERIORS UK to encourage new young stars and look to the future of the furniture industry. It is a coveted springboard into the design industry for young graduates!
The 16 finalists have been chosen by a premier league design panel including Rob Scarlett from Scarlett Design, Martin Rapko from Willis & Gambier, Mark Hutchinson from Hutchinson Furniture, Diane Goode from Fromental and prolific design journalist and photographer Barbara Chandler. The shortlisted designers have been given a space at this year??s show to showcase their designs. The categories cover furnishing accessories, surface coverings, furniture, fabrics and a People??s Choice award, voted by the show??s Facebook fans. Ercol will also be awarding £250 cash to the winner.
Design Village
Returning for another year is the popular Design Village which will house a giant collaboration with Designersblock alongside many of the long-standing show features including New Design Britain, Birmingham City University, the INTERIORS UK Seminar Theatre, the VIP Lounge and the Press Office.
Designersblock will be using their creative network to create a totally new store concept, brand and identity in the Designersblock Department Store. This exciting feature will include a concoction of different departments featuring furniture, accessories, toys, lighting and more, all sourced from Designersblock??s vast network of young designers and design-makers. Some of the names included within this are House of Hackney, JiB Studio, Emerald Faerie, Catherine Verpoort, James Shaw & Marjan van Aubel, Plumen, Silo Studio, Sam Weller, Liv Williams, Lazerian, Out of the Dark and Tortie Hoare & Nathalie Brady. Designersblock have been producing major annual international design shows since 1998, showcasing emerging and established designers from product design to furniture to illustration.
Fabric Pavilion
The Pavilion will once again showcase the most exquisite, innovative and inspirational fabrics from the likes of Timorous Beasties, Nina Campbell for Osborne & Little, Ian Mankin, Kobe, Jim Dickens, Alhambra, Barker & Barker, Corita Rose, Casal, Colony Fabrics, Swaffer and Blendworth Fabrics as well as a library of fabric books from the UK and worldwide. As well as highlighting the very best of fabric designs, the Fabric Pavilion will house the popular champagne bar, which will be designed by Pitfield London??s Shaun Clarkson. This buzzing area of the show will be the place to network at the show in what will be a stylish, relaxed and entertaining space.
For more information visit www.interiorsuk.com
