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Featuring everything from exotic metalwork to eco-friendly furniture, Birmingham Interiors re-established itself as a leading showcase for the UK market.
Industry professionals flocked to Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre (NEC) last month to attend Interiors Birmingham, the largest event of its kind in the UK.
Attendees took to the halls to explore some of the best in classic and modern design, indoor and outdoor furniture and interior accessories. Barlow Tyrie used the show to present the Apex, the largest outdoor dining table to be launched in the UK.
Crafted in pure teak wood, the Apex extends to 4m, seating fourteen people. According to marketing manager David Evans, the table design comes in direct response to calls for larger and wider dining tables, particularly from the US and across Europe – a trend the company is sure will spread to the UK. “I believe the coming season will see design innovation and quality being key influencers in the buying process. We at Barlow Tyrie have worked tirelessly in developing new products that appeal to a variety of clientele, for a variety of reasons,” said Evans.
Meanwhile, Jaz Asbury Metal Design, a company specialising in the design and manufacture of bespoke staircases, furniture, sculpture, lighting and general architectural fittings, showcased an intriguing display of products that reinforced the company’s creative approach to the ancient craft of blacksmithing. “I am interested in advancing contemporary design principles into blacksmithing while retaining traditional standards of craftsmanship,” said Jaz Asbury.
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“Many of the briefs I have worked to are from design professionals or individuals looking for the very best in original contemporary design. Metal is surprisingly easy to integrate into any genre of interior design, from traditional, conservative, country cottages and period properties to modernistic minimalism,” he added.
In the present climate of environmental awareness and consumer conscientiousness, Desser & Co, a UK-based furniture manufacturer embracing green principles, presented a collection of natural furniture choices made from rattan.
“Here at Desser & Co, we can get a little geeky about our rattan. We love the fact that our customers are making a well informed and responsible choice and help them to make a simple eco-friendly step,” said Mark Stewart, manager, Desser & Co. “Rattan is an ideal sustainable alternative to hardwoods, the perfect material for creating high quality, contemporary and classic furniture,” he continued.
Building on the sustainable theme, The Baobab Tree, producer of bespoke, eco-friendly home furnishing ranges that include cushions, seating, occasional furniture, lighting and mirrors, showcased its new 2009 Eco range at this year’s event.
Its Couture collection was also on show and incorporated antique silk scarves from the likes of Valentino and Christian Dior, many dating back to the 1950s.
With plagiarism representing a major concern for an industry built on original and creative work, ACID (Anti Copying in Design) had a firm presence at the show, promoting its stance against plagiarism, particularly to younger designers. “In our experience, furniture, lighting and soft furnishing are the most vulnerable to copying,” said Dids Macdonald, CEO of ACID.
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