Strong showing

Concentrated number of key sector clients are better that thousands of disinterested punters
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Exhibitors at Interiors UAE, which took place in Abu Dhabi from March 29 to 31, were unanimous in their assessment of the event.

“I was disappointed at the low number of exhibitors but impressed with the quality of the people that visited the show,” said Lawrence Walmsley, managing director of International Graphics, a company that reproduces original artworks in various commercial sizes.

“I’m used to big exhibitions, and this was a very small exhibition. I didn’t realise it would be so small – but sometimes small is good,” said Nini Andrade Silva, president of the Portugal-headquartered design firm, Nini Andrade Silva Atelier. “We met many interesting people. The fair was not big but the people there were very interesting.”

Silva was invited to attend as part of the Sleepotel initiative, which welcomed two internationally renowned guest designers to present their vision for the future of hotel design, on the show floor. Swathes of flowing material, a singular approach to colour, and varied scales characterised Silva’s interpretation of a contemporary hotel entrance.

“People call me ‘nini’malist, because of my name and the fact that I am a minimalist. But I always say that I am a ‘minimalist with soul’,” said Silva. “We create stories.”

Agreeing with Silva’s assessment of the exhibition, Matthew Nicholls, group managing director of Yarwood Leather, said: “It’s been a good show. It started quite quietly but then really picked up. It’s not necessarily about the quantity; it’s more about the quality.”

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The UK-headquartered leather supplier has been doing business in the UAE for 25 years. “There’s a strong relationship between the UAE and the UK and we’re very aware of that, and are quite proud to work with the Emirati people and all the developments that are happening here,” said Nicholls.

“They quite like our approach too. We are a British leather manufacturer but we have a very creative side to what we do. You still get that traditional, British, engineered approach, which means you get quality of product and quality of service, but we are quite innovative with it as well. There are no limits to what we can do. If it can be done with a piece of leather, we’ll be the ones who can do it,” he continued.

The company used Interiors UAE to showcase the breadth of its offering – but visitors were particularly taken by the leather floors adorning the Yarwood stand, Nicholls noted. “One of the big hits has been the leather floor. We have two different versions. One is the flagship, premium product, which comes in a tile. We also do commercial, corporate grade stuff, which is harder wearing, and which doesn’t mark or scratch.”

Also present at the show was Perla Lichi of Perla Lichi Design, who reiterated her commitment to the UAE capital by unveiling plans to establish a presence in Abu Dhabi. “We’re growing. My main office is in Florida, I have a gallery in Dubai and I plan to open a showroom in Abu Dhabi as well,” said Lichi.

The company has also established a factory in the UAE, to ensure that it is able to offer high-quality woodwork and joinery. “We put together our own factory, with our own people and our own finishers.

“Popular demand has pushed me to make this massive investment – of my time and finances. People are very receptive to it. They welcome the design and the quality.”