Team Decorex SA shares festive season insights

The organisers behind Africa’s premier décor, design and lifestyle exhibition – Decorex SA – have taken some time out of their busy schedules to share their traditions and favourite trends this festive season. Learn more about this dynamic team and get some tips for your own Christmas preparations.

Sian Cullingworth: Portfolio Director (Randpark Ridge)

Leading the team is Sian, who manages the Decorex SA portfolio including the three Decorex SA exhibitions, 100% Design South Africa and The International Sourcing Fair. Here’s her Christmas favourites:

• Best 2017 festive colours?

Gold and white with wood. I love neutrals and white with the sparkle of gold.

• Favourite 2017 trend?

Sparkling settings! The soft, neutral pinks and whites are perfectly complemented by the incorporation of matte gold cutlery and touches of different metals in the table settings. This contrasts beautifully with the natural elements of wood, glass and ceramics.

• Name a family Christmas tradition.

When making a traditional Christmas fruit cake, as you stir in the brandy you have to make a wish!

• Describe your Christmas meal.

A traditional Christmas meal consisting of turkey, ham, brussel sprouts, roast potatoes and gravy!

• Your most memorable Christmas present?

My first ever boom box CD player.

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Angela Chatfield: General Manager of Sales (Bryanston, Fourways)

Heading up the sales’ team is dedicated Angela, who has been with the Decorex team since 1995. Here are some of her Christmas preferences:

• Best 2017 festive colours?

Silver and blue.

• Favourite 2017 trend?

Just keeping it natural.

• Name a family Christmas tradition.

When I was a child growing up in then Rhodesia, we would put 5c coins in the Christmas pudding – it would be so exciting to find them while you were eating your pudding!

• Describe your Christmas meal.

A traditional roast turkey with ham for lunch and Christmas pudding for dessert.

• Your most memorable Christmas present?

A summer duvet set that my daughter-in-law bought in India.

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Reshnie Naidoo: Senior Sales Coordinator (Midrand)

Passionate about her profession, Reshnie has been pushing the sales’ side of Decorex since she started in 2016. This year she’s bringing the natural element into her Christmas décor.

• Best 2017 festive colours?

At the moment I love green and gold.

• Favourite 2017 trend?

I like to veer away from the excessive and keep it natural.

• Name a family Christmas tradition.

We like to open just one present on Christmas Eve.

• Describe your Christmas meal.

It will be turkey with all the works for lunch, and a great potjie for dinner.

• Your most memorable Christmas present?

It was a bit unusual, a trip to Cape Town!

Anneline Naidoo: Customer Relationship Manager (Midrand)

A people’s person, Anneline is looking forward to celebrating the festive season with family and close friends with a more traditional backdrop of Christmas colours.

• Best 2017 festive colours?

Reds, white and lots of greenery.

• Favourite 2017 trend?

The ‘less is more’ approach – keeping it natural.

• Name a family Christmas tradition.

A big family lunch at gran’s house and biryani of course.

• Describe your Christmas meal.

Lamb biryani and a slice of turkey (or two).

• Your most memorable Christmas present?

A beautiful, handmade Christmas tree.

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Tawanda Runganga: Customer Relationship Executive (Northgate)

His passion for events’ organisation and relationship development drew Tawanda into a dream job with Decorex. This year he’ll be channelling this passion into his festive season preparations.

• Best 2017 festive colours?

Red and white.

• Favourite 2017 trend?

Keeping it natural really resonates with me.

• Name a family Christmas tradition.

Decorating granny’s home every Christmas.

• Describe your Christmas meal.

Just a good, old-fashioned braai.

• Your most memorable Christmas present?

A pair of Nike sneakers.

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Zinhle Dlamini: Marketing Coordinator (Ormonde, Joburg South)

For Zinhle, the move away from garish bright colours and excessive décor at Christmas time opens up space for a more natural Christmas design.

• Best 2017 festive colours?

I like the earthy tones.

• Favourite 2017 trend?

African craft in the home.

• Name a family Christmas tradition.

Growing up, all the children in my family would wake up early to see the sunrise on Christmas Day because the adults told us that the sun dances every year on Christmas Day.  This tradition is still followed by my family – it’s also a great distraction to get the kids out of the house while the parents get the presents ready under the Christmas Tree!

• Describe your Christmas meal.

I enjoy my mom’s malva pudding which she always makes for Christmas.

• Your most memorable Christmas present?

At the age of eight I received a ceramic tea set for Christmas with the 101 Dalmatians painted on them. I still have the tea set to this day!

HAVE YOUR SAY

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