This year’s offering is made up of five design districts, coming together to create one all-encompassing trade event that serves every interior space. These districts are DX, Lighting (encompassing Arc), Kitchen + Bathroom, Decor, and The Furniture Show. The event uniquely serves both retail and contract markets, with exhibitors from across the world offering buyers products to suit any project, taste and budget.
In addition to a top exhibitor line-up, May Design Series will be home to some top feature areas including the return of DX Freight, which was a widespread hit at the 2013 event. Industry experts will be coming together to curate four large, open-ended crates showcasing product highlights from the European trade show circuit – expect to see the best in trends from Light + Building Frankfurt, IMM Cologne, Maison & Objet Paris and i Salone Milan in one easily accessible space.
Another highlight promises to be Materia’s take on the future of the built environment in the Material Xperience: The Smart Environment. Materia has been investigating the textile trends that are set to take the world by storm in the coming years, and the results will be on display in this feature area. May Design Series will also take a retrospective look at some of the winners of the New Design Britain Awards from the last ten years, and design guru Ab Rogers will be designing a must-see show entrance and Conversation Series area.
Of course, the exhibitors are May Design Series’ main attraction. Spanning the five districts, the show will welcome an impressive breadth of names from the UK and beyond, including Casamania, Artistic Upholstery, KKDC, Doca UK, John Sankey and Sharon Marston to name but a small cross-section. Many exhibitors are planning to use the London event as a platform to launch their latest collections – Deirdre Dyson, for example, will be presenting her 2014 carpet collection, which is entitled ‘Designs from the Seashore’ and is inspired by the beaches of the Las Perlas islands. The designs incorporate Chinese silk and pure wool, giving the carpets an iridescent appearance resembling water passing over the beach.
Danish lighting specialist EBB & FLOW combine British and Nordic style with glass, metals and textiles to create modern lighting and decorative solutions designed to bring warmth and beauty to any space, and will be giving its Spring 14 collection its official launch at May Design Series 2014. Two popular designs, the Rowan pendant lamp and the cylindrical Pillar lamp, are to be updated with the addition of horizontal stripes in metallic gold, copper and platinum for a chic modern finish, whilst the Pillar dimpled lampshade range and Glow in a Dome models are now available in a wider range of colours and finishes.
Art Hide creates an ever-expanding range of ready-made items from the very highest quality, sustainably produced, Argentinean cowhide. As well as offering products from rugs to tablet cases, Art Hide also provide a bespoke design and manufacturing service to create a product that exactly matches the specification of each individual customer. Art Hide materials work perfectly as wall, floor or furniture coverings, and form a unique focal point in commercial spaces as well as in the home.
For more information visit www.maydesignseries.co.uk.
Excel London, One Western Gateway, Royal Victoria Dock, London, E16 1XL
