Decorex SA expands its offering

Melanie Froneman, director of Decorex SA, says: "Decorex Jhb will provide the latest on trends shaking up the décor scene and show the choices for must-haves and investment pieces to create a unique signature style. The discerning visitor will find virtually everything under one roof to dress up the home - from furniture and fabrics to the finest finishes, modern comforts and the shape of things to come."

Barloworld Plascon is once again sponsoring the event. Room by Room, a brand-new Decorex SA initiative, supported by Plascon, brings the best in décor inspiration with real-life room settings and concept stands. These spaces showcase real living solutions, timeless formulas and styling tips.

At Decorex Jhb Plascon will also unveil its Colour Palette, displaying the latest trend colours for 2006. Brought to South Africa annually by Plascon, this fashionable colour range is based on international colour trend forecasts and tailored by Plascon's colour specialists to suit the South African environment.

Other highlights at Decorex Jhb 2005 will include:
Cool Clusters: Clusters of boutique style pavilions with distinctive features, such as Fine Finishes will be introduced. The Decorex SA Trend Pavilion is one of the many trade threads running through the exhibitions. A platform showcasing passion for pure design will also feature the best of student designs.

Hot & steaming: Functionality combines with state-of-the-art design in the Kitchens Bathrooms show-within-the-show.

The power of talk: TALK SHOW, the multi-disciplinary forum for in-depth décor- and design discussions, has everybody talking - from top architects and designers to trend forecasters and magazine editors. TALK SHOW, debuting on the trade day of the exhibition, helps visitors to pull together everything they see at the show for their own interpretation.

Sanlam Young South Africa Thinking Ahead was launched at Decorex Kzn in March with students from the Durban Institute of Technology's Design School taking part in the project. Students from design schools in the Western Cape took part in Decorex Cape (29 April - 2 May). Gauteng students will get their chance at Decorex Jhb.

Froneman says the project is about experience and exposure: "It gives students a playing field for thinking outside the usual norms for materials and design, with room to experiment freely. The future designers also get the golden opportunity to show their talents to Decorex visitors and interact with the trade.

The future furniture will be incorporated in the Sanlam Room, one of the real life roomsettings on view at Decorex. The Sanlam Young South Africa Thinking Ahead Award will be awarded at all Decorex shows, each with R5 000 prize money.

For enquiries on the Sanlam Young South Africa Thinking Ahead project contact Tracy Watcham on 011-549-8300 or e-mail: tracy@rai.co.za