Design Inspiration from Decorex 2025: Bringing Luxury Craftsmanship into Winchester & Hampshire Homes
Attending Decorex 2025 at Olympia this year felt like stepping into a living gallery of future interiors where traditional craftsmanship, bold design thinking and material innovation all met under one roof. The atmosphere was rich with creativity, and what struck me most was how many exhibitors championed the maker’s spirit, emphasising hand-finished detail and artisanal quality. Brands like Knots Rugs, Bert Frank, Armac Martin, The Soho Lighting Co. and Hyde House presented collections that celebrated uniqueness over uniformity, reminding me how powerful it can be when a home reflects personal narrative rather than just trends. For my Winchester and Hampshire clients, this translates directly into encouraging the use of bespoke elements such as handcrafted woodwork, made-to-order lighting or even a single artisan-made ceramic piece to add depth and individuality to otherwise calm, timeless schemes.
Another key inspiration came from the confident yet considered use of colour and pattern across the show. Many stands embraced saturated tones and striking geometric motifs, but crucially, these were always balanced by areas of calm, a reminder that impact comes from contrast, not excess. The VIP lounge space by Adẹ̀kọ́ & Co, titled Palomino, beautifully demonstrated how maximalist touches can still feel elegant when anchored by good spatial breathing room. For Hampshire homes, especially in Winchester where natural light and period architecture often set the tone, I see this translating into feature wallpapers or rich accent colours used selectively, perhaps a deep olive or burgundy in a snug or library corner, offset by softer neutrals or heritage whites elsewhere to maintain harmony.
Lighting was another major highlight at Decorex, treated not just as a practical element but as sculpture and atmosphere. Exhibitors showcased lighting that cast beautiful shadows and highlighted surface textures in subtle, intentional ways. This has reinforced my belief that lighting must be woven into the design conversation from the very beginning. In local projects, I’ll be placing greater emphasis on layered lighting schemes ambient, task and accent to allow homes to shift mood from tranquil to lively at the flick of a dimmer. A sculptural pendant over a dining table, wall-wash lighting to enhance natural plaster or textured wallpaper, and warm-toned fittings to create evening ambience are all direct expressions of this inspiration.
The layering of tactile materials was also a standout theme, with combinations of stone, metal, wood, matte plaster and soft textiles creating richly sensory spaces. Walking through displays by exhibitors specialising in wallcoverings, metals and textiles, it became clear how much emotional warmth can be created through material contrast. I envision this resonating beautifully in Hampshire interiors, perhaps a hallway with natural stone flooring and a plaster-finish wall, adorned with an aged brass wall light, or a living room that pairs linen upholstery with a handwoven rug and a single piece of statement joinery in walnut or oak. These layers bring soul to a space, especially in homes that already carry architectural character such as sash windows, fireplaces or original cornices.
One final, more subtle lesson from Decorex was the importance of responding to light, proportion and setting. The show was full of drama, but what resonated most was the idea that design must always be in dialogue with place. Winchester homes often enjoy beautiful natural light and views of gardens or surrounding countryside, and it’s essential to frame those strengths rather than compete with them. Instead of replicating a show-stopping London-style interior verbatim, I’ll be reinterpreting these influences with sensitivity adjusting scale, palette and texture to suit Hampshire’s softer light, more traditional architecture and calmer pace of life.