Happy Monday folks! I hope you all had a really lovely and (hopefully) rather relaxing long weekend. I am sure some of you went away and soaked up the sunshine somewhere nice and beautiful and you are back at work today sighing, shaking your head and thinking "where did that weekend go?". I bet some of you have even looked up when the next public holiday is, you have haven't you?
Over the weekend, Darren, myself and 2 of our close friends decided we would go on down to Decorex and spend the day meandering around and getting home inspiration. We started the day at the Shongweni Farmers Market, which was lovely as always, and then headed home for a quick powernap (some of us battle with early mornings *cough* Paul *cough* Darren.
Darren and I have recently moved in together after a total renovation of the house I was previously living in, so we were really looking forward to getting some exciting home inspiration at Decorex, because lets be serious, it is much easier trying to convince your boyfriend that pineapple cushions "are so now" in real life, as opposed to pointing them out on pinterest.
After the recharge we parked at the ICC and met up at Decorex. Upon arrival we paid our R65 each and we received our "sponsored by Plascon" Decorex "gift bags" or whatever you call them.
Spekko Rice - The number 1 Durban gift bag item (can't wait to get my next bag at House & Garden Show!) Everyone that goes to all these exhibition shows will know - you always get Spekko!
Lifebuoy - Yay soap!?
Comfort - Yay Fabric softener!? I got one of these free at checkers the other day too.
Nivea Sachet of cream - a sachet?
Pamphlet - Very interesting to look at for the first few pages and then choc a bloc with bad ads
Overall I was quite disappointed, but I was not surprised. I have never really received a great one at any of the shows I have been to in Durban. When are we going to get with the program and realise that people love value for money and people love free things? Guys, it is not that difficult - when you are a HUGE decor expo, to organise sponsorships. Tiny paint tins? washi tape? Tiny vinyl wall sticker? a paint brush? I don't know. Anything other than Spekko rice. I would be more than willing to pay more if I got something good in the bag, I am sure a lot of people would.
Anyway aside from the gift bags, as we walked in, I was beyond excited. The first "stands" as you walk in were beautiful! They were current, bright and full of very trendy and exciting home ideas.
AS I EXPECTED, there were pineapples, which I happily pointed out to Darren and my point was made and yay pineapple cushions here we come WOO HOO!
Pot plants in brass hangers, sausage dog benches, white ceramic pineapples, a fabric banner, pom poms, bright floral arrangements, patterned cushions. All very trendy and very current. Unfortunately this was the only section of its kind - with 1 or 2 half exceptions.
There were your usual kitchen displays, fancy but a bit boring. Couches from Sutherlands, too much french country for my liking and about half of the stands there were selling pots, pans, knives and milk frothers. The coffee-bar section was lovely and very lovely to look at, not a lot of seating but very well done.
The "food court" looked great and there was a great variety of food to be had. There was limited seating here too but we squished up and enjoyed our Afros chicken and gourmet hot dogs.
I was very impressed by the "look" of the food court and coffee bar, they were both fresh, current and very trendy but I found the overall show desperately lacking much decor at all. I expected so much more from Durban, we are such a beautiful little city full of creative and talented people but that Decorex left me feeling quite uninspired and quite frankly a little but bored.
There were pieces here and there that I coveted and there were stands whose product wowed me (See: Homewood OMG) but overall I felt like something along the lines of the caravans Terry Angelos orchestrated at last years House & Garden show would have gone down well at Decorex. A homegrown hall or just a large section where local interior designers, even bloggers decorate a section/stand/room with locally sourced products. Even converted Mr Price things and cleverly used cheapy items, better than yet another "comfy bed" display.
I understand these big company's foot the bills and they are necessary at a Decorex, because it is not only about decor, but about big items too, but my goodness guys, it is time to do a bit of a refresh! Do some work! Aproach designers and bloggers! Get something interesting going here! We need more!
Other than my lack-of-creativity rant, I had a nice day out with my friends and it was great to have something different to do in Durban, be it a bit generic :) Here are a few of my highlights:
Have a happy Monday and I will catch you on the flip!
Duffymoon
xxx
Well said... thanks for the mention. The shows and the venues that host Shows price themselves out of reach for most locals. It's hard to see a tangible return on your investment and outlay. Just reality... plus big events think they can getaway with giving Durban a 2nd rate show and then moan at us when we don't support it.
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