Saturdays will never be the same again.

Opening closely on the heels of the grand INDE.Awards Gala, the 15^th edition of Saturday Indesign was a resounding success. Running in 16 stunning showrooms across Melbourne with 27 exhibitors, the day-long series of events, installations, talks and workshops was the ultimate celebration of all things design. As the day progressed, crowds of architects, interior designers, specifiers and design enthusiasts made their way into each of our participating showrooms, lending buzz, energy and dynamism to the event.

If you missed out on all the fun, here’s a quick recap of some of the defining moments from the day.

Boy George at Stylecraft!

Ending the day on a high note, Stylecraft’s VIP party was a show-stopping affair. Singer, songwriter and DJ Boy George kept the mood going, belting out dancefloor classics. It was the perfect end to an incredible day – one for the history books! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Saturday Indesign (@saturdayindesign) on Jun 22, 2019 at 10:40pm PDT

Did you meet Narelle?

The ownworld showroom recreated the 90’s office experience in collaboration with Dowel Jones and polytec for Saturday Indesign. However, it was the character of Narelle who succeeded in getting people talking throughout the day. Posing as an employee and sharing her deep love of the photocopier, Narelle engaged in absurd and funny banter with visitors and attendees. We wonder if she ever did get Employee of the Month?

Getting arty

An all-expense-paid-trip to the next Milan Design Fair is every design professional’s dream come true. And it’s no wonder that crowds of designers gathered in the beautiful Gaggenau showroom, located in the South Melbourne district to design the new Dekton by Cosentino colour. Add into the mix cheese master classes and this South Melbourne locale had everybody talking.

The dazzling theatrics of Christopher Boots

Theatrics and drama reigned supreme at the Christopher Boots showroom in Fitzroy. The brand’s star showcase, Meteor, was unveiled against a smoky and dramatic backdrop to recreate the look and feel of a meteor slashing through the sky. A genuinely dazzling experience for all onlookers, the whole Christopher Boots atelier came to life at Saturday Indesign, alongside furniture from Barbera, with guests treated to outstanding hospitality.

A packed house at Sub-Zero, with Omvivo and TSAR Carpets

Providing a mix of both excitement and engagement, collaborations are now part of the everyday design language. Case in point: The Adele Bates x Omvivo Lune collab at the Sub-Zero Wolf showroom for Saturday Indesign. The showroom was packed to the rafters, especially as the crowd got ready for the highly anticipated talk with Adele Bates, Miriam Fanning (Mim Design) and Michael Drescher (DKO), with Alice Blackwood moderating. Rounding out the space was TSAR’s rug collection, which added even more oomph, with ideas on lending warmth and a sense of luxury to residential spaces. And let’s not forget the gnocchi making!

Painting, learning and experimenting

It was a colour riot at the exquisite Design Precinct showroom during Saturday Indesign, which collaborated with Dulux and Artisan Furniture. Bringing the show to life were four artists, painting throughout the day to the delight of all those attending. A relevant and timely reminder about the intersection of art and design, not to mention all the other outstanding activations and talks taking place throughout the day.  

Cooking off in style 

The newly-opened Residentia showroom in Burnley was packed with delicious surprises for visitors and attendees, courtesy of celebrity chef Paolo Arlotta. The biggest highlight was the live cook-off session, with participants bringing their best culinary skills to the table, for a chance to win the grand prize – an InAlto Wine Fridge. The winner, Lena from The Stylesmiths, impressed the judges with her delicious pureed spinach, lemon zest and pecorino risotto. 

Let’s sip to that!

As the afternoon rolled on, guests at Arthur G, in collaboration with Mokum, were treated to some of the best classic and contemporary gin drinks, courtesy The Melbourne Gin Company. Champagne lovers, on the other hand, were seen enjoying the incredible delights of the showroom with a glass of Bollinger. It was hospitality that served as the perfect accompaniment to an incredible installation in the showroom, created in collaboration with WMK Architecture.

Stay tuned for more updates as we review all of the talks, and give a rundown on the collaborations and new products releases from #SaturdayIndesign 2019.

Photography by Einwick.