Early Autumn is a busy time for the design industry, with lots of events and new product launches.
Here’s our round up of the events team APM have attended;
Decorex
Cat was part of the first Interior Design Declares panel discussion with Roddy Clarke. “The talks studio was beautiful with comfy sofas for the panel. I felt, as usual, quite daunted at the start but the discussion was really fun and interactive. We all had loads to say and hearing and responding to audience questions was v rewarding. Everyone on the panel had slightly different experiences and perspectives but a shared passion for the topic. We all emphasised the need for everyone, designers, suppliers and clients, to make sustainable choices where at all possible and to support each other during the learning process.”
You can watch Cat’s panel discussion here.
Jo also met up with the BIID Diversity & Inclusion committee. “We were excited to see tangible evidence of change we’d been advocating, including provision of a quiet room, and auto-subtitles at talks.”
You can read more about what we saw at Decorex in Zoe’s round-up..
Our highlights included;
Anu –“having the chance to discuss lighting with one of the Soho lighting team members and discovering what type of products they are bringing out. From their new linen collection with materials created from recycled plastics and clothing! Along with their dimming toggle switch”
Emma – “meeting Burniture – a small collective of young professionals, pushing back against single-use furniture. Using clever design and beautiful craftsmanship, they give unwanted pieces a second lease of life; allowing their stories to continue. Burniture are helping to change the industry, and their work aims to debunk the myth that choosing sustainability means sacrificing style.”
Cat and IDD at Decorex
Jo with BIID D&I committee members
Burniture at Decorex
Focus
Jo participated in the BIID Panel ‘Building A Diverse and Inclusive Interior Design Business’ at Focus., hosted by Arte. “I was delighted by how well attended the panel talk was, and the level of audience engagement. The discussion covered topics such as the importance of representation and industry role models in increasing diversity, and how we/ the design industry would benefit from increased diversity. There is a long way to go in terms of building a truly diverse and inclusive industry, but having a conversation about both the challenges and the reasons for optimism at a prestigious design event like Focus marks a step forward.”
BIID Awards
Liz recently attended the Annual BIID Awards at the fabulous Drapers Hall in London:
“This is the second year of the BIID’s remarkable new awards event which I was delighted to be part of, as one of the BIID Council Directors. The BIID set out to create a high-quality awards process, accepting all types of projects within 7 regional areas across the UK.
To ensure the best projects possible are selected, all shortlisted projects are visited in person and a judging panel of industry experts are invited to make final considerations and decisions together. The result is a celebration of the very best of interior design throughout the UK, along with acknowledgements of highly commended projects.
This year the Anna Whitehead prize (named in honour of a brilliant sustainability trailblazer and friend whom sadly passed away in 2021), was awarded to Zebra Projects for their Neom Organics retail design which featured innovative materials and thoughtful furniture design.
The Interior of the year was awarded to Studio Found for the Libertine restaurant in the Grade 1 listed underground vaults of the Royal Exchange in London.
It was a wonderful day of celebration within the interior design community, I can’t wait till next year (unfortunately APM cannot compete whilst Liz is a BIID Director, for obvious impartiality reasons!)”
The BIID Awards
Shut eye by Danielle McKinney at Frieze
Frieze
Cat went to Frieze Art fair through torrential rain and was inspired by some amazing artworks – the show was enormous – loads of really beautiful drawing and painting this year. Her favourite was Shut Eye by Danielle Mckinney.