Italian furniture manufacturers are taking part in Decorex 2008, along with hundreds of other international and local design and décor experts.

Decorex shows the latest trends in decor

WITH a new international pavilion and more than 600 domestic and international exhibitors, over 50 000 people are expected to visit this year's Decorex Joburg 2008.

An architecture conference will run concurrently with the exhibition.

Now in its 15th year, the theme of Decorex 2008 is Imagine. Innovate. Realise. The Johannesburg leg of the national event runs from Thursday, 31 July to Sunday, 3 August at Gallagher Estate in Midrand.

According to the general manager of Decorex, Cairey Slater, more than 600 domestic and international exhibitors are expected to take part, displaying the latest trends in the décor and design industry.

"We are expecting over 50 000 visitors to the event," Slater says. A highlight will be the international pavilion in hall three. "The new international pavilion will put the spotlight on global trends and give visitors the opportunity to network with international suppliers and share valuable industry information."

The inaugural Italian pavilion, organised by Consorzio Nuovi Mercati, a consortium of Federlegno-Arredo, the Italian federation of wood furniture and furnishing manufacturers, will represent a selection of Italian companies showcasing finest Italian furniture and furnishings for corporate, office and residential spaces.

Antonella Lanari, the consortium's spokesperson, said the pavilion presented an excellent opportunity for Italian designers to introduce themselves to and develop new customer relationships with clients in Africa. "This initiative has been developed to promote Italian furniture and the Made in Italy brand name throughout South Africa."

Indonesian pavilion
Another feature is the Indonesian pavilion, which will exhibit furniture and design inspired by South East Asia. Plascon, the paint company, will focus on the 2009 Plascon Colour Forecast and will advise traders and consumers on the latest colour trends.

The South African Handmade Collection will comprise local handmade products, focusing particularly on environmentally friendly items.

Property experts, garden gurus and décor professionals will provide stimulating ideas under the Theatre of Ideas programme. Topics to be discussed will range from home staging to growing a kitchen garden, and from tranquil water features to floral trends.

At the showroom of Seven, the home furnisher, deejays from radio station Jacaranda FM will team up with design experts to create heavenly bedrooms. Visitors can vote for their favourite bedroom and a chance to win furniture worth R25 000.

Alongside the exhibition, there will be a conference on architecture. Leading international and local experts will share their insight on topics ranging from green issues to urban architecture, globalism and the resurgence of opulence. This will be held on the first day of the exhibition.

Decorex Joburg 2008 runs from 31 July to 3 August at Gallagher Estate in Midrand. For further information, visit the Decorex website, contact Nozipho Ndaba on 011 549 8300 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it are R60 each and are available at the door or at Computicket outlets, on 083 915 8000 or 011 340 8000, or through the Computicket website.

Doors will be open from 10am to 6pm daily.

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