The Kitchen Studio takes top prize at the Decorex Durban Exhibitor Stands Awards

March 22, 2019 jonckie

The innovative stand presented by leading kitchen design and furniture manufacturer, The Kitchen Studio, took top honours at the 19th annual Decorex Durban Exhibitor Stands Awards held on Thursday, 21 March. This quality designed stand – named ‘Best Overall Stand’ for 2019 – forms part of this year’s extensive exhibitor programme featuring at Decorex Durban, running at the Durban Exhibition Centre until Sunday, 24 March.

This year’s judges were overwhelmed by the calibre of exhibitor stands but noted, in particular, The Kitchen Studio’s well-executed stand design, great use of materials and textures, and generally stunning space – all of which was presented by friendly and helpful staff members.

These annual awards are held on the first evening of Decorex Durban as a way to reward the most dynamic exhibitors for their ingenuity in stand design. This year the awards welcomed an exclusive panel of judges tasked with selecting the top exhibitors in 13 awards’ categories. The judging panel included the Editor at Life & Style, Dave Charles; Malissa Barnard of Caesarstone; Bianca Howard of Slinx Interiors and Helen Buhrs of Inscape.

Because of the elevated level of participation by exhibitors at Decorex Durban 2019, the judging panel insisted that a new award category – Best Furniture Stand – be created in recognition of this. The award category will be incorporated into the annual exhibitor stand awards going forward. The inaugural award was given to furniture manufacturer, Mobelli, for creatively displaying a product in four different settings as a way to showcase the product’s versatility.

The shortlisted awards’ candidates were then put forward for the Excellence Awards which were assessed by the judging panel. The Decorex marketing team, led by Zoe van Niekerk, was then tasked with selecting the recipient of the Marketing Award, this year bestowed upon Franke SA.

The Studio Collection presented the award to the winning kitchen organisation – RAM Cupboards – for their incredible installation at this year’s Kitchen Design Project by The Studio Collection. Klyne Maharaj of The Studio Collection said the warm, inviting space, superb lighting, colour and design all came together perfectly.

Sian Cullingworth, Portfolio Director at Reed Exhibitions, congratulated all the 2019 winners, stating that there was an impressive display of this year’s ‘Designing for Africa – feels like home’ theme.

“So much effort goes into the creation of an exhibition stand and we are always impressed by the innovative concepts and elevated standard of stand designs at Decorex Durban,” said Cullingworth. “We feel the exhibitors really took this year’s African-inspired theme to heart and reflected the vibrancy and energy of this beautiful continent. I’d like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to each and every winner for these innovative creations.”

Special thanks were also extended to I-Framez for sponsoring all the frames and certificates for the ceremony, as well as Lowe Furniture for designing the awards.

DECOREX DURBAN EXHIBITOR STAND AWARDS 2019

Best Shell Scheme Award (given to the exhibitor with the best use of the Decorex SA shell scheme) – Functions for Africa
Most Interactive Product / Stand Award (given to the exhibitor whose staff, stand or product best engages with the public) – BMI Coverland
Best Newcomer – The Homelife Store
Best Cooking & Cuisine Stand Award – Wine + Bubbly Bar by EFAM
Best Craft Collective Stand Award – Red Thread
Best Kitchen & Appliances Stand Award – The Kitchen Studio
Best Build & Plan Stand Award – KZN Boards
Best Décor Stand Award – Jennifer Jones Interiors
Best Small Stand Award – Zingela Interiors
Best Furniture Stand Award – Mobelli
Best Overall Stand Award – The Kitchen Studio