Greenstuff Takes Gold at Decorex

Decorex SA Award Winners

GREENSTUFF TAKES GOLD

Decorex Joburg closed the curtain on its 17th exhibition to rave reviews from visitors and exhibitors alike. Boasting a phenomenal 74% increase in visitor numbers from the trade sector, professionals in the field of interior design, architecture and lighting flocked alongside consumers to the show to experience the offerings of Southern Africa’s largest and most influential interior decor and design exhibition. Held at Gallagher Convention Centre from 5 to 9 August, just under 50 000 visitors experienced the magnificent products and services of more than 700 exhibitors, product launches and new show initiatives spread out over five halls.

In step with the show’s overall theme ‘Breath of Fresh Air’, new initiatives flourished to intrigue and entertain the thousands of consumers visiting the show for decor inspiration and good deals, with positive comments on the slickness, elegance and organisational excellence pouring in. Popular new additions included District Delicious - a haven for food lovers - and Ask the Experts which offered a hands-on experience for anyone interested in digital design.

For the greener good

As fashion-conscious trendspotters, home-owners and avid do-it-yourselvers scouted the new decor directions, it was confirmed that Green is the new Black, together with Plascon’s 32 new love-inspired colours in the 2011 Forecast launched at the show. An all-green housescape sprouting a whole new genre of eco-caring products, planet-saving inventiveness and thrift-chic style took top honours at the show.

After an enlightening journey through The Living Green House, supplied by Hotelstuff.co.za/Greenstuff.co.za - judged the ‘Best Stand on Show' - trend-driven visitors were spotting green issues alongside the proverbial ‘New Black’.

Inspiring, rather than intimidating, this inviting green space enthused visitors to make changes to their own lives at their own pace. It also caught the discerning eye of the judging panel: Zola Kgaka (SAIA - SA Institute of Architects); Ryan Ilgner, President of the South Africa Institute of Interior Design Professions (IID); decor stylist Sherri Chipps and interior designer Dorothy Van’t Riet.

"Being green is not about bell bottoms, tofu, beads and Indian prints anymore," says Lorraine Jenks, who headed this eco-caring winning project at Decorex Joburg. A highly respected environmental consultant and eco-procurement specialist the diminutive Jenks is often referred to as the "Little Green Queen".

According to Richard Nuss, Plascon’s Green spokesperson, sponsoring the Living Green House initiative provided an important avenue to communicate the eco-benefits of green products. "The results have been immediate - and the project certainly helped to grow the demand for green products. Since Decorex Joburg we have been inundated with calls from consumers who are now interested to know more about our green compliant and sustainable products. Many consumers have also come to realize that they can’t hide behind the excuse that green products are not readily available or that they are more expensive."

Besides showcasing the latest in green innovation, this winning exhibit proved that eco-caring can be effortless and simultaneously stylish. We spotted these green adorables:

Bathroom fittings by Ironwood Creations - sand-casted recycled aluminium using old engines and car parts as well as other scrap aluminium. The furnace used to melt and mould the products runs on old engine oil which is sourced from car and motorbike workshops
Plascon’s range of eco-paints with reduced VOCs: Double Velvet and Cashmere which are both Green Star Compliant
Living frame garden by Tiakaya (a bed of miniature succulents creating a living painting within a recycled timber frame)
Wall units by Raw Studios made from sustainably sourced Finnish Birch Plywood that is PEFC certified
The pendant chandelier by David Krynauw using salvaged jacaranda stumps
Couch by Quantum Eco furniture with a frame of recycled timber and padding of recycled latex foam
New life given to old suitcases and zinc tubs by Katie Thompson of ReCreate
Recycled glass vases, jugs and candelabra by Ngwenya Glass, handmade using old bottles, old newspaper and old engine oil
The Enviro-Mat by Coba Matting - made from 100% recycled materials like plastic bottles and tyres
Toxin-free toiletries by Hemporium using hemp which is considered the world’s premier eco-resource
Countertop by Second.Life stone from Cannata - a new engineered eco-stone that reintegrates 95% of stone materials that have previously been used for different applications

Well done! to our all-time favourite green goddess Lorraine Jenks and her team for practicing what they preach and walking the walk

OTHER DECOREX JOBURG AWARD WINNERS:

Award for best green product: Eva-tech

Eva-Tech is a range of wood plastic composite decking; made from 60% reclaimed wood fibre and 40% recycled commercial polymers and industrial grade additives. The product is not only very attractive, but also highly durable ensuring very low maintenance. Eva-tech is also approved by the Green Building Council of South Africa.

w eva-last.co.za

Most innovative product: DVR Urban Chic

The judges of the most innovative product (architect Zola Kgaka; Ryan Ilgner of the IID and decor stylist Sherri Chipps) considered South African products only.

DVR Urban Chic Design in a Box, prelaunched at Decorex Joburg, is a comprehensive multimedia DIY decor kit developed by interior designer Dorothy Van’t Riet. This step-by-step guide consist of a 10-module CD, together with virtually all the tools of the trade - from tape measures and scale rulers to a colour wheel, floor plan grids and furniture templates.

w urbanchic.co.za

Best newcomer: Dezign Art Corporation

First time exhibitor Dezign Art Corporation took the ‘word art trend’ to new heights. The small, but very attractive stand was abuzz with very knowledgeable staff and an enticing product range in mirrored stainless steel and coloured Perspex.

w dezignart.co.za

Plascon colour award for best use of paint and colour: New Creation Interiors

So powerful was the use of colour on this stand that it stopped you in your tracks, demanding that you look at it. The stand put the complimentary colours - fuchsia and green to good use and created even more drama by adding dark grey. The trend-setting use of pink sealed the deal, as colour trends for 2011 are inspired by love.

e mark@newcreationinteriors.co.za

Stand excellence awards

Stephan Falcke, renowned interior designer and patron of Decorex SA, commented at the awards ceremony that the quality of the stands at Decorex Joburg 2010 was on par with international interior design fairs in Europe. Surpassing the general high standard were the following recipients of Stand Excellence Awards:

CaesarStone; Nouwens Carpets; Abacus Gardens; Kitchen Studio; Classic Trading; Plascon; NVC Lighting; Soda Design; Elan Systems South Africa; IID; Innovatio; SA Decor & Design; Lighting Innovation; T & Co; Forest Flooring; Barrow Flooring; Everlast; Sutherlands; Coricraft and Smeg.

e-zine editorial contributors:
Errieda du Toit: editor
Roxane Laker: contributor
Stephanie Nieuwoudt: journalist

Decorex 2010 Award

Best stand award winner:
Living Green House by

Hotelstuff.co.za/Greenstuff.co.za

New Creation Interiors:
Plascon Best Use of Paint award