Much as I love going to fairs, when I do two years in a row, some things start to look repetitive. I am afraid that my mind set issues a warning that it is not going to be adventure, but routine, and is it possible that I fail to see all the new interesting things?
I give here-under three quick examples of fair-going and what value I found in passing by.
1.COCOON BRUSSELS – edition 2017 (yes, the events spread over good 6 months and here is another question to ponder – how many fairs and expos can one do in a year?)
You may remember my post from Cocoon end 2016 – utter disappointment and why did I have to pay for this and mostly what is wrong with it. Well, a lot of this still holds: the expo doesn’t feel like a proper designer’s fair, most finishing suppliers would rather go to Batibow, virtually all of the furniture is oversized.
However, browsing through my photos I find a few good interiors, just like the sets I’d seen elsewhere. The one big difference is that supplier’s list is not in sight.
Very pleasant surprise those photos, as I see in them quite end of the reign of Scandi/Nordic/industrial styles. I like their freshness, boldness, quirkiness and unapologetic use of colour. It is a shame the designers cannot be credited, or the suppliers properly traced.
On the positive side, I may take a deep breath and go to another COCOON sometime in the future.
2.BADA – or the British antique dealers’ association, had a really stunning fair in South Kensington earlier this year. The event had all the freshness of a new thing to me, even if I am not into antiques, or anything old, aged and second hand. In fact, I often wonder how can one live in a place knowing that he’s the n-th user of a chair (like in public transport), sleeping in other people’s bed (like in a hotel) and more.
I was therefore wrong to expect smelly bric-a-brac of ripped off furniture, loose cushion ends and scratched surfaces. Actually, it was hard to tell the antics exposed were aged objects. I found myself surprised and impressed, so to list just a few more reasons to go to an antic show, even when one admires what’s new:
- These are objects handled with utmost care! It can easily endear you to a vase when you see to what ends the exposer would go to keep it safe and shiny
- Art is abundant and you get to know so much on how to introduce it to your interior … so here is a strong schooling element which one seldom finds with new furniture expositions.
- You get to learn so much about styles! This is indispensable for a budding designer, and whereas books may show you generic images of Victorian parlours and Georgian fireplaces, seeing it set, with the very real objects, can change so much about your perception of styles.
Thus, in not as many words, BADA (a first time visit!) turned out to be a success story. Moreover, I came across the designer who successfully mixes old with the new (name not noted sadly), and my day was complete.
Will I visit another BADA? Hard to tell just now. Will I give a go to a different, previously unvisited trade fair? Highly likely!
3.And now for the third case on my list – a fair already visited and thoroughly enjoyed. Grand design life in London Excel! The event is huge, mixing up elements easy to find in Batibow or Cocoon, as it is dedicated to design, build and decorate. Sadly, I don’t follow the series, but from the talks presented that day – very interesting, and especially for a construction engineer such as myself. On the other hand – also very unachievable for many average people in the UK and elsewhere! As some say – dreaming is free.
Likes and dislikes: albeit too big to grasp, and too versatile it was possible to focus on my scope of interest – namely design and decorating. Precious space was wasted on numerous unrelated products (cosmetics, shoes, services…)
Was extremely happy to visit the room sets – a high point for me, especially since they featured last year’s finalist form GIDC – Oliver Thomas. He did not disappoint, I must say, and I maintain that he should have won!
Finally, a feature thoroughly enjoyed, the free interior design consultation, where I was advised by Martina – the designer at heart. Her advice was priceless for my Project 1 elevation, so get ready for a dedicated post in the future.
Speaking about the future – House and Garden show in Olympia is up next, where I shall be going again (a repeat, but positive anticipation and all fully present!)
So, while waiting for a next instalment – do not hesitate to comment on how you feel about trade fairs, and how much you’d enjoy repeats! My conclusion for the time being is – keep repeating the ones you like, but make sure to focus on previously defined expected benefits! And definitely keep on adding new trade fairs – is fun and useful!
