Bliss out at Decorex CT

WORDS Claire Jowell

The theme for next week’s Decorex, from Thursday 25 April to Sunday 28 April at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, is “Bliss”. Bliss out at Decorex indeed, as we’ve got five sets of double tickets up for grabs!

Decorex Cape Town is fast approaching, and this year they have gathered and challenged the city’s top designers to transport visitors to a state of thorough “Bliss” – the theme of the convention in its 15th year.

“Bliss is all about finding the simple moments of contentment in your own life,” says Sian Steyn, general manager of events and exhibitions at Decorex South Africa. “There is now an emphasis on taking out the fussy bits, adding a lot of soul, handmade essentials and always doing it responsibly. It’s design made simple, easy and usable.”

This year’s show reflects the decor and design trend of returning to simplicity becoming a new form of luxury. Luxury in 2013 is not defined by expensive materials and brand names, but rather centres on quality, bespoke objects with a genuine, artisanal design. As the world around us gets more hectic, we now turn to more humble and simplified decor.

Cape Town award-winning stylist and regular VISI contributor, Tracy Lee Lynch, will interpret the show’s theme of “Bliss” with a massive tapestry-inspired entrance feature (that you can see a preview of in the new Autumn VISI 65 currently on sale). It will remind visitors of the value (and bliss) of quiet time spent with eccentricity and nostalgia.

Other trends reflected in the show, will be the larger-than-life textures such as crochets, knits and felt, as well as bright and bold colours. Sian adds: “This season the trend in colour is influenced by the mood of society; we are drawn to colours that reflect how we feel.”

Plascon, Decorex’s proud sponsors, will reveal their much-awaited colour trend-forecast for 2013, “Balance”. The Plascon team will transform a room into four unique looks, showcasing the colour palette and its dramatic transformation of a room with different applications of colour. The team will also be available for colour consultation and expert advice regarding decor with paint.

The Decorex Designer Spotlight is expected to be the highlight of the show, as Stephen Lasker (head of Edge Interiors, South Africa’s official Moooi agent) has been commissioned to design and curate a feature reflecting his personal flair and the hottest trends in decor this season.

Cape Town’s finest food, restaurant and entertainment experts will be showcased at the Samsung Inspire Theatre with interactive talks, lifestyle demonstrations, cook-offs and how-to’s. Food lovers can also look forward to an array of high-quality artisanal foods at the food market. There will be a Fine Brandy station by Design Cellar; the Graham Beck Wine Bar by Wetherleys; as well as a tearoom complete with milkshake bar and a cake selection, designed by Adriaan Lochner.

Sounds like “bliss” to us!

To win one of the five sets of double tickets to the value of R140, share this post on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Google+ or Linkedin – make sure to include “@VISI_mag @decorexSA” in the post – and tell us you have in the comments below. Enter before midnight on Sunday 21 April 2013.

And the winners are… Sera Holland, Yasmin Schrueder, Ian Engelmohr, Hildi Coetzee and Candice Raeburn. Congratulations and enjoy!