Rachel O' Rorke, Executive Manager of the British Interior Design Association (BIDA), reveals an exciting initiative that will take place at the Daily Telegraph House and Garden Fair at Olympia, London from June 30th - July 3rd...
2005 is the 10th Anniversary of the Daily Telegraph House and Garden Fair and is also the 10th year in which the British Interior Design Association (BIDA) has been invited to design a showhouse as one of the key visitor attractions.
The theme for this year's showhouse is 'Smart Space'. Smart Space is a step away from the traditional BIDA showhouse, and will focus on educating visitors about the process of interior design. Smart Space will also include an interactive area - 'Explore & Inspire' - in addition to its more conventional room sets. This area is designed to encourage visitors to find out more about the BIDA and its members, to explore the process of working with a designer and to experience first-hand the products and services offered by the BIDA's corporate members.
For the third consecutive year, our project managers Tina Mcfarlane, Sally Dernie and Brenda Gibson have inspired six expert interior designers to each create a unique room set. Within each room our designers will showcase 'Smart Design', incorporating the intelligent and stylish use of new products and sustainable materials, the latest in cutting edge home technology and an innovative use of existing products or materials.
With the increasing adoption of home technology over the past few years, the boundaries have become blurred between the defined spaces in which we live, eat, sleep and work and living spaces within the home are increasingly becoming multi-functional. To reflect this rising trend, the individual spaces have been identified by the activities that they are used for, to focus the mind on practicality and function. This is an exciting move away from the concept of the traditional home and one, which we hope will inspire and educate visitors about the infinite uses of space within their homes.
The room sets include:
Meet and Greet Relax and Recline Cook and Create Eat & Entertain Surf and Play Sleep and Seduce
Preen and Pamper
Tickets for the Daily Telegraph House and Garden Show cost £15. All customers booking in advance will receive a free Fair Directory and Bag worth £5, to be collected at the show.
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Designed by Brenda Gibson of Complete Interior Co. Ltd and Sally Dernie of Sally Dernie Ltd. Brenda and Sally will create an eye-catching, inviting reception area. Modern materials - chrome, perspex and PVC - are juxtaposed with organic influences - a rose bower of paper and wire mesh (no green fingers required) and a fantasy of soothing pools of languid, calming waters.
Designed by George Bond at Omega Designer Workshop Ltd. This will be George's second House & Garden Fair, last year creating a town garden. This year George will be creating a living area, combining an eclectic mix of styles with an overarching modern theme, using neutral tones, and a range of accessories with a twist!
Designed by George Khachfe at Poliform UK Ltd. George Khachfe was responsible for bringing Poliform, cutting edge Italian designed furniture into the UK. More recently, George has now introduced Poliform's sister kitchen company to the UK and will be using pieces from the stunning Varenna collection to create a superb kitchen area in the BIDA Smart Space. Varenna kitchens are notoriously innovative and functional whilst remaining at the cutting edge of style.
Designed by Kitty-Lynne Edwards-Jones of Kitty-Lynne Jones Interior Design. Kitty specialises in contemporary classical style, creating elegant and timeless interiors, with imaginative use of space and colour. Kitty's design for the dining area aims to inspire and tease the imagination, disguising intrigue and surprise within a conventional, soothing backdrop. A twist of humour, a quirk, a conversation pieceÉ all food for thought.
Designed by Dean Keyworth of Armstrong Keyworth Ltd. Dean has created everything from antique-filled traditional dining rooms to hi-tech media dens with discreetly and stylishly concealed technology. Dean will create a dual-purpose area - acting both as a home office and a relaxing media room, balancing the masculine American walnut bespoke furniture with colourful, floral wallcovering. Sliding lacquer panels will assure Feng Shui harmony by hiding the state of the art equipment when not in use.
Designed by Emma Sims-Hilditch of Emma Sims-Hilditch Interiors. Emma's sympathetic use of colour, light and texture - hallmarks of her work - are nowhere more clearly displayed than in the bedroom she has designed for the BIDA Smart Space. Incorporating femininity and sophistication, the gentle colour palette Emma has chosen offers a restful environment within which to sleep, work and relax.
Designed by Cara Louise Cunniff of Devereaux Designers Ltd. Bringing together classical with contemporary, beauty with practicality and fusing the best of British with international influences, Cara's design for the bathroom this year explores the creative use of textures and materials to add a unique dimension to this sculptured bathroom. This is a place to relax, luxuriate, preen and pamper.