Decorex 2019: Designing for Africa – feels like home

About the event

Decorex is Africa’s biggest décor and design exhibition that takes place in Joburg, Cape Town and Durban. This year’s theme ‘Designing for Africa – feels like home’ encapsulated the re-birth of the African style powerhouse. The African continent is positioning itself as a global style icon, fusing the influences of international trend-makers with the unique colour and vibrancy that characterises its people and cultures. This year’s Decorex 2019 décor and design exhibition gave insight into 2019 lifestyle trends and I’ll share the key trends that I identified in this post and in my vlog.

Decorex 2019 trends

Beautifully curated spaces where simplicity and comfort merge incredibly well. There were a mixture of textures and striking art pieces. The Decorex 2019 theme was expertly curated by a number of decor, design, art, jewelry, DIY and building exhibitors. I attended the Joburg leg of the event at Gallagher Convention Centre where this year’s designer spotlight was Donald Nxumalo, an interior designer who previously won SABC 3’s Win a Home design contest. 

Among some of the highlights, I came across Inkscape design students that created apparel using construction materials. I also came across LISOF students who designed apparel in collaboration with Nandos, using some of the brands standout patterns. I loved seeing the African touch, even in monochromatic spaces. 

Darker walls 

Dark walls are trending. They can serve as a feature wall because they add a more dynamic feel to any room. Many of us grew up in homes where our parents opted for nude tones on the wall but that’s all changing. We’re becoming more daring with interior design and I must say, I do love the sophistication of a dark green or charcoal wall. 

Botanicals 

Seamless experiences between indoor and outdoor spaces, where it all becomes one. Indoor plants were also a key feature at many of the stands and we’re seeing a lot more vertical gardening going forward. With so many people living in smaller space in cities, vertical gardening just makes sense. Hanging plants don’t take up a lot of space but they’re great for aesthetic purposes and for clean air in your home. 

Emerald green

The predominant colour that came through is emerald green. I have a grey and white lounge space and this has inspired me to add a touch of colour with an emerald green occasional chair and accent pieces. 

Stand out exhibitors

Honesty Art: Anyone that knows me understand my obsession with marble. How gorgeous are these pieces?!?

Stadl Art: I came across these stand-out pieces crafted with clocks and watches. 

Beeing Candelahs: Locally hand-crafted light-refracting tea light holders creating dancing stars, rainbows, rays. 

Healthway: 100% natural & chemical free products to detoxify the body and assist with skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis. I went to this stand to get more information about the products because I suffer from ezcema.

Definition Automation: Bespoke reveal-and-conceal audiovisual technology. They create stylish automated products like TV’s that emerge from ottomans and ceilings, pretty cool! 

Head over to my YouTube channel, check out what Decorex 2019 had to offer and subscribe to my channel so you never miss a video.

If you’ve been to Decorex or want to attend next year, comment down below and let me know what your thoughts are. If you found this post interesting, click here and check out the Decorex 2016 post.