Another year races by and another “Interiors”, the UK’s premier furniture, lighting and accessories show comes to a close. It does not seem twelve months since the last event and certainly it has been a year that few in the industry will forget, although many might wish to…

Up until recently, it was simply known by many in the industry as “The Furniture Show”, an annual event that has been running, certainly for as long as I can remember, and for the majority of my colleagues those four days of intensity are a pivotal point in the calendar.

Sadly, the same intensity that once saw swelling order books and upbeat retailers has been harder to find in recent years and the woes of the industry amidst the economic turmoil are all too well known and documented. Certainly, the sea of visitors that I remember from not so long ago, seemed conspicuously absent from this years show and I suspect that many stayed away as a consequence of poor January weather-hit sales and over-stocked warehouses.

Few would argue that it is likely to be another challenging year although acceptance undoubtedly enables all within the industry to make sometimes-tough mental readjustments and sharpen our senses to future opportunities, as we remain alert and hungry for business. There is certainly a temptation, when business is quiet for manufacturers to sit on their hands and play it safe when it comes to new product development and design innovation. Sticking with the tried and tested is a safe low risk option in periods of pain and it is an eminently sensible philosophy.

So, what of this exhibition? What conclusions can we draw..? If any?

Did we see thwarted design themes and a dearth of flair or was there some originality at work?

Can we look forward to some new style trends or is it a case of a steady tiller with plenty of “me too” product until some optimism finds a way back onto shop and factory floors?

All through history, periods of economic difficulty have spawned great innovation and even, glamour. The austere inter World War years were marked with fabulous changes within the furniture landscape as consumers sought a little decadence and style. Art deco glitz enjoyed a boom era on the back of both architectural opulence and the golden age of Hollywood. Times might have still been tough but people were in the mood to party.

It’s a natural counterpoint to the memories of depression, and as I walked around the vast NEC halls I wondered if there might be some evidence of the same as a disdainful response to those economic clouds and our very own, all too poignant modern day era of austerity.

However, maybe the mindset is different and possibly, we are all too busy playing it safe, because sadly, unless I was mistaken there was little indication of new design trends or sweeping innovation. That is not to decry the majority of furniture product on display. Indeed, quite the reverse, as the quality of product within the industry has never been higher, nor prices as keen.

But by and large colours remain muted with beige, whites and silvery greys aplenty with the odd splash of colour on the upholstery stands to remind us all that there is still room for a little vibrancy!. I repeated the question to both customers and fellow colleagues, “what have you seen that is different and new?”.

But if I had missed something then so had they. Maybe the industry does not need “different” just at the moment. Maybe we should be playing a game of caution and quiet evolution?? Who can say for sure…?

All I can suggest is that it might have been uplifting to encounter a few more showstoppers because in the odd corner where they were to be found, that is exactly what they did.

Maybe it will take just a touch more austerity to get the industry to live a little dangerously and have that party after all…

Tags: Exhibition, Interiors 2010

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