VIEW Newsletter - January

Trend forecasting is big news, it would be foolish for companies to ignore the influences that will affect their businesses throughout the year. The seminar programme at Interiors Birmingham this year will educate visitors about the importance of trend forecasting and outline the next seasons trends.

Although some trends dictate that there may be a ‘make-do’ mentality as people may be forced to re-use what they have rather than splurging on brand new expensive items, there is also the idea that when there is a decrease of consumer spending, the expectations of consumers actually increase. Consumers will think more carefully about the way their money is spent and therefore make more considered choices, buying something that will last rather than a ‘bargain’ product. Something that will stand the test of time.

For this reason, and to educate companies further about trend forecasting, the seminar programme at Interiors Birmingham this year will focus mainly on design trends and how they will influence the industry over the next few seasons. A variety of industry professionals will give their thoughts on the design trends set to affect us throughout 2009 and into 2010.
During uncertain times, businesses need to know as much as possible to accurately plan ahead, so trend forecasting is a very strong asset. Global Color’s team of panellists have been talking about the economic slowdown for years so their trend predictions are geared towards these economic problems. Justine Fox of Global Color will give companies the vital information to make informed business decisions, ensuring they stay ahead of the competition.
Victoria Redshaw of Scarlet Opus will also speak about the background of design trends, but with a more product design focus, detailing the coming seasons colours, materials, surface patterns, key product styling developments and influences.

Bar design will also be covered, key interior designers alongside the publisher and assistant editor of Theme magazine will discuss their latest projects and debate the best bar designs from 2008.

Using her years of industry experience, Michelle Ogundehin, editor-in-chief of Elle Decoration, will present ‘How to spot the next big thing,’ a fantastic opportunity for manufacturers and suppliers to really understand what their customers want.

All of the above will be a part of Interiors Birmingham this year, the perfect opportunity to listen to the views of the industry and find out their predictions for the future!

Visitors to Interiors Birmingham are always looking for new products and this year, exhibitors will certainly deliver. With new companies added to the exhibitor list, new launches and brand new trends set for the seasons ahead, Interiors Birmingham is one not to miss.
New exhibitors, new products, new trends and a new layout at Interiors Birmingham 2009.

Continuing to fill its halls with exciting new exhibitors, this year introduces Charlotte Thomas, Clifton Lighting, Impala, Jaz Asbury Metal Design, Kok Maison, Moltex, Paul Rosco, Velamen, Camelot, Swan Retail and Unique Furniture among many others. One of the event’s biggest new exhibitors are SDIFA (Furniture of Andalusia), a group of Spanish companies taking stands in Hall 2.

New products will be launched across the halls, here are just some of the highlights…
Ercol will launch their Copenhagen and Malmo upholstery ranges and display some exciting new additions to their Mantua dining and cabinet range. Furniture Link UK will launch two brand new bedroom collections, the Portland with a Ivory painted finish and the Hudson, made from beautiful solid oak.

Guru will introduce their e-line collection, a range of high quality dark wood furniture and occasional pieces combining clean lines and simple design. Halo will exhibit their brand new pieces within their dining, bedroom and upholstery ranges. Chelsom will feature brand new contemporary coffee and lamp ranges alongside the latest additions to their former successful ranges.

Charlotte Thomas, a new edition for Hall 3, will showcase their equally sumptuous ‘Bespoke’ bed linen range is hand made to individual specification, using the finest super 150’s Merino wool spun with genuine 22 carat gold. This is luxuriously backed with fine Indian hand-loom silk jacquard.

Scatter Box are introducing an opulent collection of the highest quality cushions in the most luxurious of fabrics and prestigious designs. Known for their innovative use of colour they are launching trend colours, Blossom, Vintage Yellow, Azure, Rapture Rose, and Sand, reflecting their interpretation of this seasons interior fashions to create an eclectic mix of traditional, vintage and modern design.

Visitors to the 2009 event will notice a change in the layout of Interiors Birmingham, the first stage in the strategic plan for the show. All of the high end companies from across the furniture and design interiors market will be located in the Pavilion and Halls 1 and 2, creating high end classic and modern destination halls. Lighting will be housed in Hall 9, soft furnishings and furnishing accessories in Hall 3 and the remaining halls (4 and 5) will contain a mix of volume furniture. Next year will see a more categorised layout to the show, ensuring a much easier and logical route through the show.

Design Interiors has a new home in the Pavilion where visitors will find a variety of companies launching brand new products. Fabrics, furniture, flooring and accessories will complete this high-end hall of beautiful and inspiring pieces.

Design Interiors, in its new home within the Pavilion, will feature some unique products and exciting new companies. Read on for some of the highlights of this particular hall….
The Baobab Tree will unveil its ‘eco-range’, a luxury furniture range that uses recycled vintage fabrics. Products include ‘Flower Power’, a vintage 1960’s Christian Dior silk scarf reinvented in a highly unusual and individual cushion and the stunning ‘Birds’, a giant floor cushion made from a raw silk scarf.

Old-time exhibitors, James Hare will showcase their brand new fabric collections - ‘Chinon Silks’ and ‘Chinon Plains’ - two delightful ranges which work in harmony together. Inspired by the historic town of Chinon in the Vallee de la Vienne in France. ‘Chinon Silks’ includes a palatial damask, embroidered pineapple, subtle stripe and multi coloured spot. ‘Chinon Plains’ is the first range of upholstery fabrics from this prestigious English brand, along with a fabulous new coordinating silk Vienne plain. Both collections have been designed to work with the sophisticated tonal palette of dupions for which James Hare are so renowned.

Kandola are excited to present a preview of their new Medley collection, including three unique printed silks with delicate hand embroidery consisting of glass beads and hessian cord, also striped wallpaper in delicate shades with Gilver metallic print, beautifully embroidered Trevira sheer fabric and durable upholstery fabric to co-ordinate.

Wychwood Design have been given the opportunity to market furniture products from the Italian company Linfa Design.  Linfa Design manufacture contemporary furniture illustrating the best of Italian design and Wychwood will be showing a range of their pieces on stand D55.  Items displayed will include dining and coffee tables, a sideboard and console, a chaise and chairs and will be interwoven with their own bespoke and standard production.

Flor by Heuga is one of the most established brands for consumer carpet tiles in Europe, a modular design which means it can be laid and cut to any style, creating a unique carpet. This gives consumers the opportunity to combine colours and textures to create their own personalised floor and with a palette of 25 different designs, 15 different textures and over 150 different colours there is a huge variety of options!

Make your way over to the Pavilion to find even more products from companies such as Finaframe, Hartnell Interiors, Jaz Asbury, Pad UK, The Portfolio Collection, Timothy Mark and Universal Shutters.

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