Ideas for rented spaces, home owners & budget living.
As a qualified and experienced interior designer, I also offer design & styling packages for PR, companies and individuals.
Read more

Don't Cramp My Style

Ideas for rented space, home owners & budget living with travel & fashion

June 13, 2015
Ideal Home Show 2015 Highlights

Last
Sunday, I was invited to Ideal Home Show 2015, held at the Event City,
Manchester. I have missed one last year, so I was really happy to join this
one. I just love exhibitions. This is the most amazing opportunity to find the
latest trends or have a look at some products that I normally see online or in
brochures. As soon as I walked into the Event City, I have realised this will
take all day to visit each stand. With easy to navigate design through the
coloured astroturf I could determined the locations of the sectors. However, to
find a specific stand, was a challenge. I am lately visiting commercial
exhibitions like Surface Design or 100% Design
etc. so this was quite nice to again explore the residential area. I
like that Ideal home show is for everyone. People can pop in and buy themselves
amazing designer pieces within interior, beauty and food sectors, in discounted
show prices. This show also feature many starts from Laurence Llewellyn Bowen
to George Clarke but also food lovers will find their home there as well.


I have started my journey with visiting the show room set up’s. My eyes instantly laid on BHS one. So colourful! A gentleman next me whispered to his wife’s ear:‘’ Eee too much stuff there’’, which I couldn’t agree. I love colourful, vibrant and quirky spaces. BHS presented eclectic mix of vintage with colour. I think they delivered.




The rest of the rooms were very delicately designed. I can understand the reason behind it. The show is open to a general public and typical Mrs Smith or Jones doesn’t need expensive designer furniture to make their homes beautiful. Ideal home show is not a Milan show. With high street stores like BHS, Next or Debenhams, this show makes it affordable for every wallet. I still very much loved the Next stand. Next is my favourite store anyway and seeing them in ideal home show definitely made me smile. I loved that Next used soft pastel, and blues’ bringing the fresh summer feeling with delicate nautical touch.



 
I have passed a relaxing
lounge with deck chairs, nail technician and drink bar. Unfortunately, it was
full but it was brilliant idea. I was getting quite tired when I spotted
Ekornes Stressless stand. It was the most occupied stand I think but I managed
to get myself a chair to check the furniture’s. As soon as I sat down I felt
like I am going to fell asleep. I am not a fan of leather furniture as I find
it cold and uninviting comparing to traditional fabrics but this was truly
amazing and soft leather. The Stressless reclines range are named for a reason
Stressless! I felt so relaxed and these are incredible comfortable. Within a
seconds all the stress and tiredness was gone! I snuggled into the comfy chair
and just relaxed! It was a huge surprise! Definitely a wow factor and my best
highlight of the day! The show stand host was incredible helpful. I was advised
to put my legs up on matching foot stool. It was funny watching people just
pausing for a minute to relax after that shopping craze. One lady next to me
without any hesitation, took her shoes off, sat down and closed her eyes. I was
secretly jealous of her confidence!

I thought that this type
of chairs only applied to target market 40+. The price tag is not the lowest, but
I can totally understand it, just by looking at the quality of this products.
Stressless recliners are made in Norway but there are multiple retailers around
every city in UK. There is  also a multiple
options for finishes, from colourful fabrics to different colour of woods.  They also have commercial leather in their
range which is great news for me as I do often look for comfy office chairs for
my clients. I loved the retro style Stressless low City on a star base in orange leather! I have checked their website and the low back version is my
favourite!
Ekornes brand doesn’t end at the chairs and recliners.
They have amazing range of home cinema’s seating as well that adjust to your
body smoothly. You can also find sofa’s and office chairs! I think Ekornes is a must for every home, not just specific target market. With this retro
style and colourful fabric I think it could match many style and can apply to a
younger market as well.

Stressless
partnered up with Arighi Bianchi. Their lovely stands where right next to it.  I absolutely loved their stand as well. Very
quirky lighting, super comfy sofa’s and stunning accessories. I really need to
explore their website more. I think Arighi Bianchi definitely deserve round of
applause  for their great effort in
making one of the most amazing stands in Ideal show home. You can buy Ekornes on their website as well.

After this, I went to see what’s
new within Fashion & Beauty. I wasn’t much impressed there to be honest and
most clothing or beauty products were typical QVS adverts I personally hate. I
have spotted few cute soaps and candles. Oh and I felt into the Ultra Smile Express
scam, silly me! I have paid 69£ for teeth whitening that didn’t work. I have
naturally white teeth so I only needed few shades up. I have emailed them but no
reply. What a surprise! My highlight with beauty was coffee scrubs. I had
little trial and I really loved it. They smell of coconut and grapefruit’s. It’s
great for cellulite and general smooth skin. 
 



 
That’s it! I hope you enjoyed the
journey with me. Would you go to the show next year?
 
Here also I have again an amazing
giveaway for you! You can win £100 to spend at stunning Scandinavian online
store Cloudberry Living! They have stunning pieces there! Ekornes has been a
kind sponsor for this Giveaway and my trip to the show! Yay! 
 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

All participants have to be UK based
Share

Related Posts

Reader Interactions

Comments

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  12. my cup of beauty

    oh girl! I love it! My husband would probably say 'too much stuff' as well but I am totaly in love with this type of interior! I am not really into interiror design but I enjoy attending exhibitions to see what people came up with. I come from Poznan in Poland where we have International Fair, and everytime there was some interior design exhibition, I attended- so many inspirations in one place. I would definitely love to attend even like this, here in the UK.

    xx

    Dominika

    Reply

  52. Theresa Parker

    gosh…There is so much I love…I think I would have to pick the cutlery and dishes..my kitchen is looking so sad and these would cheer it up! I would also love the multicoloured rug to cheer my hall up. Thanks for the lovely comp good luck all

    Reply

  63. Jon Potter

    The orange Stressless City low chair is definitely my favourite piece from these pictures! It would look pretty awesome in my living room at home ^_^

    Jon. x

    Reply

  66. Anonymous

    As a lover of Ercol furniture, I have naturally fallen in love with the &Tradition In Between Chair SK1 in White Oiled Oak. It is the most exquisite thing and would perfectly grace my dining table

    Reply

  70. Anonymous

    I adore lots of the glassware; Sagaform Fantasy Glasses Large, Sagaform Champagne Glasses, Sagaform Birdie Carafe Purple etc. It's very difficult to choose……so many beautiful items:-)

    Reply

  100. Anonymous

    I love the Ferm LIVING Marionette Wooden Prints, really cute with a vintage style. I also like the Ferm LIVING Dorm Shelf, a simple design but it makes a big impact.

    Reply

  101. Becster

    I had a look at the Cloudberry website and I'm loving the wall stickers!

    Loved this post! The Smeg stuff is amazing! I really wanted a Smeg fridge but we didn't have the room for it. I'll have to look out for the Ideal Home Show next year. Are you going to Grand Designs this year?

    Reply

  143. Fiona @ London-Unattached

    I've been to the Ideal Home exhibition in London – it's quite overwhelming isn't it! Did they have all those show houses? Re: Cloudberry, I'd be shopping from the glassware or kitchen textiles section, all beautiful!

    Reply

  149. Melissa Zia

    I wish I went to the ideal home show! looks like a great show of amazing furniture! I really like the smeg range, I want them in my kitchen haha!!
    I would get something for my kitchen 🙂

    Reply