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The recently concluded Sri Lanka Design Festival Interior Design Exhibition 2015 was hailed as a powerful platform by the local interior design industry. The exhibition created a paradigm shift in interior design by presenting the very best of local interior design. In addition to the best in Sri Lanka, the exhibition also hosted some fantastic design talent from Germany, UK and Netherlands etc.
The event attracted crowds to its venue SLECC which was completely transformed by SLDF’s international exhibition design team. Going against the average home and living exhibition with booths and stalls, SLDF Interior Design Exhibition focused on allowing the visitor to really experience a new way of living led by contemporary design. Carefully curated by an international design team that works closely with the local retailers taking part in the exhibition, it delivered a one-of-a-kind experience to the public. The exhibition concluded on a high note leaving behind a ripple of positive outcomes across Sri Lanka’s interior design industry and related sub-sectors.
SLDF’s international home ware partner Fine Furniture was founded by the Austrian-Sri Lankan duo Martin and Niluka Klement. Martin stated that the event became a powerful platform for their brand; “For Fine Furniture SLDF 2015 was a great success and we also received a lot of positive feedback from the visitors; we could maximise our exposure in the industry at this platform – what will definitely help us for our future… As international home ware partner we wanted to set a new benchmark and raise the bar in the interior industry for the Sri Lanka market.”
Another key participant of the exhibition, Colma is one of the leading suppliers of contemporary furniture in Sri Lanka. Having participated in SLDF 2015, Colma CEO Ryan Raymond mentioned the following; “It was precisely the type of design centric event that we had earmarked to showcase our new range of hospitality furniture as well as our skills and experience in the interior design and interior contracting arena. We were delighted with the target audience that this design festival attracted together with industry leaders and professionals who participated and were invited to the key forums and events that were conducted throughout the festival dates. We expect to soon reap the tangible benefits of having partnered with SLDF in 2015 and look forward to participating in next year’s event as well.”
Another key participant of the exhibition, Delmege found the event to be a fantastic way to connect to unique clienteles. Delmege Director and CEO Nilantha Fernando stated, “SLDF Interior Design Exhibition was a great opportunity for Delmege to connect with new clienteles and present our latest ranges of products that were special and highly innovative. We’re glad we got the opportunity to share some of Delmege’s most exclusive new ranges.”
Ranjana’s Ceramic was another important participant of the SLDF interior design exhibition and found the event to be highly beneficial; Ranjana’s Ceramic Managing Director D. Vidneswaran stated, “Thumps Up! Professionally organised event…we too look forward to be on board for the future events with much more involvement; simply superb and commendable.”
Parallel to the best new collections from these premier brands and retailers, SLDF interior design edition also presented a new lifestyle that promotes interior product and furnishing textiles that have been handcrafted in Sri Lanka. Working closely with the grass-root level artisan communities, SLDF’s international design team developed a series of products and living accessories for the local hotel industry looking to create a new identity with Sri Lankan design, as well as homeowners and designers who wish to embrace a new island living in their spaces. This ‘Island Living’ section presented a new potential from the local craft based cottage industries, to complement the local tourism and hospitality industries.
Taking a step further, SLDF also recognised the need to nurture an intellectual, knowledge-based interior design industry in the island, and hosted the SLDF interior design forum. The forum brought together a carefully selected group of international and local speakers, with the likes of the senior architect Murad Ismail and the Berlin based interior product designer and winner of the German design award 2014 Daniel Becker.
Sri Lanka Design Festival’s 2016 Interior Design Exhibition is now open for inquiries and reservations. For more information: www.srilankadesignfestival.com /[email protected]/076 777 1488.