Big congrats to organisers Rachael & Victoria and to all the talented exhibitors at the very first Independent Interiors Show in Manchester yesterday for a very enjoyable and, according to visitors & designer-makers alike, a very successful day. It takes a lot of hard work behind the scenes to make something like this happen and I was delighted to support them, upcycling some charity shops finds on the day to make them on-trend and contemporary using crafty skills. Mind you, I did have some fabulous helpers, invited (ordered?!) up to help, thanks to Liam and Norma to name but two. Cool asparagus pinnie too eh, my new one from UK designer-maker Nicole Philips 🙂
Between us we turned an old maple wall shelf, a rusty candle sconce and an mdf magazine rack into funky and desirable pieces using Annie Sloan‘s deep graphite grey and sultry midnight blue, highlighted with warm metallic and a wax sheen. It did all get a bit messy but my favourite asparagus pinny kept me protected from volunteer chalk paint splashes 😉
There were some wonderful Northern designers selling their wares and lots of people were spending their hard earned cash and buying. This was great to see as the whole point of the show was to be a shopping event not a curated exhibition. It’s so important when visitors go along to markets, events and craft fairs that they actually buy, not just treat it as a day out Instagraming. Keep putting your hand in your pocket for the indies and they will survive; Look, enjoy, tweet, snap a pic but don’t buy and we’ll lose them forever. Simples.
One of my favourite finds was this chair & methodology below by Liz Foster Design. I’ve seen lots of new upholstery recently, but this stood out as unusual & different. Liz designs and cuts the appliqué pieces – below using 100% wool Melton – which is stitched in place, then upholstered. A new twist I thought, colourful and eye catching, skilful and creative.
Here’s hoping the Independent Interiors Show goes from strength to strength and will be back next year!
What a great article Sian, really capturing the look and feel of the show! There was so much to see and do, designers and makers to talk with and so on. It was a fantastic event, well thought out venue and here’s to the next!
Thanks Roland! was a fab day wasn’t it. Here’s to the next one, with a little rest first 😉