A celebration of hotel and hospitality interiors at its best, HIX returned to The Business Design Centre on 17 and 18 November.
Some of the greatest and latest in hospitality design took over the Centre, and showcased their new products and collections to a thirsty audience.
This was the second edition post Covid postponements and it truly was a different scene this year; busy with attendees and joyous with high spirits on each stand. The economy is struggling but old hotels still need updating and new ones are still springing up, so long live the trade show that supports this sector!
As a show it was advertised to have around 150 exhibitors however the feel was not overwhelming, and the stand sizes were very similar to each other. This made the experience a very pleasant one; enough to take in but not too much so that it makes you want to have a break from the variety of visual stimuli.
Stands seemed to also go for a more pared down look, maybe a result of how we are all feeling post covid, plus being immersed in so much chaos in the world currently.
The balanced edit included, furniture, lighting, wall coverings, flooring, paint, fabric, bathroom products, mattresses, radiators and more…
Some of the designs that really stood out to us are:
Arte’s fascinating and beautiful wall coverings
Gallery’s handmade mattress
Mooi’s striking carpets
Mater’s beautifully simple and natural chairs
Ege’s cool flooring options
Sofa Company’s uniquely shaped armchairs and sofas
Warwick’s lush velvets
We, as Parla, had a stand as well, and were very glad to be at the show; it was encouraging to see that what we had experienced at the BDNY show a week ago, was also the case here. Clients, old and potential, enthusiastic, positive and rearing to go.
It was really nice to be able to catch up with many of our collaborators on projects, show them some of our new designs and dream together about the new projects we will be
joining forces on!
Alongside all the ‘trade’ that was happening the show had plenty of extra curricular activities going on as well; the talks were really well thought out, and hit home on so many
subjects. Covering popular and also futuristic subjects such as sustainability, the metaverse and urban hospitality, they were both thought provoking and inspiring.
Added to all of this, the quirky and creative stands and activities, that included plenty of opportunities to experience new flavour in the world of food and beverages, this show was a day or two too short in our opinion!
Jade Ilke
www.designingfutures.today
in collaboration with Parla
