Festival fever

Next week, Syon Park and Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour, will be the setting for two of Europe’s most exciting interior-design events, offering a privileged glimpse of this autumn’s most exciting launches. Arabella Youens takes a peek at what’s in store

Decorex

Held in the grounds of Syon Park (above), decorex attracts more than 14,000 visitors, who trawl 400 stands in search of inspiration and an insight into the latest trends. This year, the decoration of the entrance takes the theme of a 40th-birthday dinner party (it’s decorex’s 40th anniversary this year) and features four scenes, created by, among others, fashion designer Matthew Williamson in collaboration with Osborne & little and interior designer Beata Heuman, that bring together the worlds of fashion, floristry and interiors.

In the cafe, Blackpop, Curiosa & Curiosa and Royal Crown derby, three leading derbyshire brands, are coming together to highlight the creative heritage of their county.

One of the many attractions of decorex is that it covers the full spectrum of tastes, from cutting edge to quietly decorative fabrics, wallpapers, lighting and furniture. Among the big-name exhibitors are Beaumont & Fletcher (A32), Crucial Trading (F23), Haddonstone (B19), Indian Ocean (d21a) and Julian Chichester (e33), who will rub shoulders with more boutique outfits, such as textile manufacturer Margo Selby (K40) and dorset-based bathware manufacturers William Holland ltd (A67). Many use the show as a platform to launch new designs.

Increasingly, the art of craftsmanship is also playing a starring role at the show. Nowhere is this better highlighted than at Future Heritage, where design and applied-arts critic (and Country Life contributor) Corinne Julius showcases new works and techniques by leading names to collect in British craft. This year, she has selected 14 new designers to admire, including Zachary eastwood-bloom, lauren Nauman (below) and Simon Hasan.

Because the design of a room goes far beyond just visual impact, four feature areas will exploring sight, sound, smell, and touch. Angus Gibson of technology company lamont has designed an open space to represent sound. In collaboration with Bowers & Wilkins and furniture maker Rupert Bevan, he has created a relaxed space in which to enjoy high-quality recorded music.

The sense of smell will be invoked by the

Belgravia-based candlemaker Rachel Vosper, who will demonstrate essential techniques and explore the history of candle making. In collaboration with British Wool, Country Life is exploring the tactile possibilities of the fabric to create a ‘touch’ feature area showcasing specially commissioned photographs of the different breeds of our woolly friends.

Over the four days of the show, a series of seminars will be on offer, which are free to attend for all visitors. each will be hosted by experts in the world of design and feature an array of leading lights such as Sophie Conran and Nicky Haslam. This year’s topics range from using art within interior design and how technology is impacting on the home (September 17, both at 3pm) to the future of design (September 18, 12pm) and our own discussion on the renaissance of wool in interiors (see page 149).

When September 17–20 (open to general public all day Tuesday) Where Syon Park, London Times 10am–6pm Sunday and Monday; 10am–7pm Tuesday; 10am–5pm Wednesday Tickets £15 trade, £30 consumer