Take A Look Back Through Memories Of Decorex

The Early Years

Decorex is without a doubt one of the biggest events in the interior design calendar. From humble origins to taking over London Olympia, the BIID has been there every step of the way. The BIID started as the Interior Decorators and Designers Association in 1965. As an organisation, the IDDA was part of the development and launch of Decorex in 1978. 

Speaking to Brian Lawrence, a BIID retired member, he shared some of his memories of the early years:

“My first Decorex was at Kensington Garden Hotel. I had to drive a small van with my stand and parking was a nightmare! Eventually we moved on to Sion Park. I had my own stand with my business. You were judged to make sure you had a creative enough stand, or you couldn’t have it! There were always interesting people in attendance – Cher came every year as well as minor royalty, celebrities.”
 
 

 Although no longer involved in organising Decorex, the BIID has kept up a steady presence. From having our own stands to presenting the award for "Best Stand" when this was awarded, to invigorating panels and exclusive breakfasts. Show Director Sam Fisher reminisces: 

“This collaboration has been a constant throughout the years of Decorex, the BIID has actively contributed to its success…There’s been some great panel discussions over the years, as well as the member breakfasts, one notable one was in 2019 in Nicola Harding’s beautifully designed VIP Lounge. Our partnership with the BIID Awards more recently, saw a gallery of the shortlisted designers displayed at Decorex in the lead up to the Awards event.”

Together Through Change

 As Sam notes, over the years, BIID Members have been involved with designing some incredible spaces. Members designed stands in the earlier years, and now often have responsibility for designing iconic spaces at Decorex such as the entrance, the Decorex bar and the VIP Bar. BIID Registered Interior Designer, Shalini Misra, reflects on designing the Decorex bar for the show's 40th anniversary. The inspiration for the space was The Great Exhibition of 1851 and Crystal Palace, and included nods to Victorian ironwork, lush velvets, and considered plants that brought a glasshouse atmosphere.

“The bar became a real meeting point and the design later won the Restaurant & Bar Design Awards’ UK Restaurant or Bar in a Retail Space category. On the opening day of the 40th anniversary show our bar design really came alive. Seeing the embroidered screens catch the light, the chandelier anchoring the space and the first wave of visitors using the bar exactly as intended made the months of design and coordination feel worthwhile.”

Like our involvement and the BIID itself, Decorex has evolved over the years. Brian notes: “Decorex has changed an awful lot, it was personal and more residential focused. The commercial side has really grown. Decorex and the institute have moved on that's why we’ve survived; it's a moving carpet. Trends come and go but they also change each time. Reinvention is important and you see that at Decorex. I still attend every year, it’s a good gateway to see new fabrics and furniture.” 

With 60-80 Members and Partners attending our networking breakfast each year, it really shows how relevant the show is to our members still. As well as being valued by our members, it acts as an important way of bringing the industry together, a focal point for networking and learning.

Sam Fisher explains: “Collaboration between events like Decorex and professional organizations such as BIID is vital for several reasons, with knowledge sharing and networking opportunities being key. Our partnership allows a platform to share expertise, trends and innovations between like-minded people and provides a space for professionals to connect and foster collaborations which can lead to new projects and ideas. Through the panels that BIID host at Decorex, their members can learn from industry leaders and stay updated on the latest developments in design. “

Shalini Misra agrees: “I have spoken regularly on the Decorex programme over the years and my design e-commerce platform - curio.space - has exhibited at the show. Decorex’s scale and calibre is always valuable for building relationships and meeting new suppliers. The team at Decorex is very experienced and you can see that during the show - it’s thoughtful and well put together, and strikes a good balance between new and interior staples. “

The Future

With Decorex being such an important part of the calendar, we look forward to our continued and ongoing relationship. But what does the future hold? We asked Sam and she told us:

“Decorex continues to evolve to ensure it is fresh each year, offering a new and exciting show each edition. We’ll have new features, new collaborations and a continued focus on sustainability, all housed within the newly redeveloped Olympia surroundings. The redevelopment of Olympia means there will be additional spaces and locations outside of the exhibition hall for visitors to and exhibitors to use for post-show networking. “

We look forward to seeing it! In the meantime, don’t forget to register for this year’s show and networking breakfast here.