Sleep is Europe’s leading hotel design, development and architecture event. Each year, major manufacturers, designers and suppliers showcase the latest designs from the hotel industry. Sleep 2017 takes place at the Business Design Centre (BDC) in Islington, London and runs from November 21-22. In anticipation of this year’s show, Twyla Howse takes a look back at some of the highlights from Sleep 2016.
Bathroom fixtures and fittings were prominent at last year’s Sleep, as were fabrics, furniture, art and lighting. Polished gold, brass and copper fittings were complemented by black and dark woods – making for visually striking designs. Villeroy & Boche led with a bold range of pastel colours in their fixtures. These were offset against a dynamic stand in black, causing the shape and style of the fixtures to leap out at the viewer.
The wealth of beautiful and practical craftsmanship was evident throughout the event. Hand-embroidered linens, exciting lighting designs and British designed furniture from the likes of Dare Studios were just some of the inspiring exhibits. There were also a number of rooms on display which were designed by leaders in hotel design and were a great way to see current trends and gain inspiration.
Beyond aesthetics, there were some exciting practical solutions on display. For example, Vitra’s extensive collection of bathroom fixtures included disabled-friendly fittings which allow for easy fitting or removal depending upon the occupant’s requirements. This opens up the possibility for entire buildings being suitable for people with disabilities, as opposed to individual rooms.
Trade magazine publishers were present and giving away free copies of their magazines as well as reduced price subscriptions. Some of the most popular magazines were Sleeper, Hospitality Interiors, Design Insider, Premier Hospitality and DARC. The magazines and directory are extremely useful for students looking to get a better understanding of a particular marketplace.
The atmosphere was fantastic at Sleep 2016. The event was compact enough not to be overwhelming. I signed up for the show in advance and printed my badge before arriving to ensure smooth access. I picked up a show guide when I arrived which allowed me to see the location of each stand and read up on the products I was interested in. The guide also listed the seminar programmes for the event.
Attending Sleep is a great way to find more suppliers, identify trends, attend seminars and network with other people from the industry. As many interior design trends come from the hotel industry, it is a fantastic opportunity to get some more inspiration for your designs. Sleep is a powerful leader within trade shows and I highly recommend you visit it this year.
For more information about Sleep 2017, visit thesleepevent.com