Plenty of fellow Poms at the Furnitex and Decoration + Design seminar series this week!

FURNITEX and DECORATION + DESIGN have confirmed a stellar line-up for the 2011 International Industry Seminar Series, coming up this Thursday and Friday at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre. Sponsored by Home Beautiful, eight leading design experts from across the globe will inspire interior enthusiasts as they discuss the hot trends for future seasons and influences driving the interiors industry.

World renowned designer Abigail Ahern (UK), famous for her cutting edge designs and magical interiors, will open the series with her Creating Feeling and Emotion in an Interior seminar. Focusing on her trademark attention to detail, Abigail will discuss the use of tactile, visual and multi-layered interiors to convey mood and emotion. Joining Abigail will be multi-award winning interior and product designer Lee Broom (UK). After initially specialising in interior design for bars, restaurants and entertainment venues, Lee has branched into furniture design, with stockists in New York, London, Paris and the Middle East. In February 2011 Lee launched his first store within London’s leading lifestyle destination, The Shop at Bluebird, whilst in 2010 his interior design for London’s Coquine restaurant was awarded Best New Interior in the British Design Awards. With a fanbase including Kanye West and fashion designer Matthew Williamson, the A Conversation with Lee Broom Q&A-style seminar is not to be missed.

Also representing the UK will be award-winning textile designer Erica Wakerly. As a specialist in the design of modern wallpapers, Erica’s seminar on Creating Modern Interiors with the return of wallpaper will look at the current appetite for both classic and modern interiors and the role of wallpaper today. Industry favourite Milou Ket (NL) will offer an inspiring presentation on the emerging themes in colour, style and design. Milou’s Trend Forecast seminar will look at inspirations for the home in 2012/2013. Emerging themes for bedding, bath, ceramics and paper will be unveiled, in addition to the materials, structures and designs influencing product development. For the first time, the International Seminar Series panel will host two lighting experts presented by the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES). David Bird (AUS) will look at how integrating interior design and lighting can be used to create the ultimate ambience within a hospitality space in his Lighting for Hospitality seminar. John Ford’s (AUS) seminar Creative Lighting Design will address the challenge of lighting in designed interiors and how to get the right lighting for a particular setting. One of Australia’s pre-eminent urban designers and retail architects, Roger Nelson, will share his architectural perspective on making retail design unique in his New Ideas and Creative Solutions for Constantly Changing Consumer Trends and Demands seminar. Roger will refer to his re-development of the MYER store in Melbourne, looking at how his vision has supported commercial outcomes.

For those keen to stay ahead of the game, Australian trend forecaster Genty Marshall’s seminar Alone, Together will be a hot ticket. Genty will look at how designers are striking the balance between public and private spaces when technology allows us to be constantly connected. Alone, Together will also be the inspiration for Design Futures, the inspirational trend feature at the heart of DECORATION + DESIGN. Shared living, work, social and virtual spaces will be explored through colour, style and product inspirations curated by Genty in this area.

FURNITEX and DECORATION + DESIGN Melbourne are once again major event partners of the State of Design Festival (20 – 31 July 2011).

For more information and to book tickets for Thursday and Friday’s seminars, visit www.furnitex.com.au or www.decorationdesign.com.au. Pre-booking essential.