October is suddenly here, bringing fresh ideas, warm tones, and cooler temperatures. For interior designers, it also marks the return of Decorex, one of the UK's key design fairs, which we’re both looking forward to attending next week in London.
As we are always keen to plan ahead, we recently sat down over coffee to sketch out our design calendar for the rest of this year and into 2025. Salone del Mobile and Maison&Objet were, of course, the first on our list, but we’re equally excited to return to 3daysofdesign in Copenhagen next June.
Attending 3daysofdesign for the first time this year gave us a new perspective on how design fairs could feel. With over 400 exhibitors across 11 districts, the event balanced a large-scale fair with an intimate atmosphere. Wandering through showrooms (whilst stopping by bakeries or sipping a glass or two of natural wine) was worlds apart from the traditional exhibition-centre setup.
"To see all the showrooms, you had to walk or cycle around one of the most beautiful cities in the world"
Rosa Roig-Fiol, founder of Interior Architecture and Design studio Ro Projects, also attended for the first time. She shared, “I loved that to see all the brands and showrooms, you had to walk or cycle around one of the most beautiful cities in the world. It creates opportunities to stumble upon a showroom that wasn't on your planned route, leading to unexpected and delightful discoveries.”
Rosa Roig-Fiol, Ro Projects
Helle Mardahl, 'The Grand Suite' installation
International expansion
One of our stand-out installations came from Design and Antiques studio Emerson Bailey with their ‘Centuries’ installation, entwining the old and new.
Founder Susan Weiss shared, “With one half of our team based in Sweden, 3daysofdesign had been on our radar for quite some time. Over the past few years, we’ve enjoyed watching the festival expand internationally, drawing visitors to celebrate the region’s design traditions and innovations.”
We noticed this too. The streets were filled with designers and creatives from around the globe, all drawn to Copenhagen’s vibrant design scene. It got us thinking, could this city-wide, immersive approach be the future of design fairs? As we planned our list of 'must-visit' shows, we couldn’t help but wonder how much more engaging they could be if they embraced this sense of intimacy, inviting visitors to explore beyond the exhibition centre.
Emerson Bailey 'Centuries' Installation, by Fanny Radvik
The appeal of Danish design
Whilst in Copenhagen, we also visited St. Leo Interiors’ new showroom. Inspired by culture and nature, St. Leo creates eco-friendly paint, plaster, and finishes that transform spaces. The showroom allowed us to experience their colours and textures in a truly personal way.
St. Leo also collaborated with designer Rafael Prieto on their installation, 'The Real and Concrete'. "This project encapsulates St. Leo’s passion for collaboration and the inspiration we take from both art and nature," they shared.
Reflecting on the event, St. Leo noted, "3daysofdesign is undeniably the central event for design in Copenhagen, and it has marked significant growth compared to last year’s edition. Whilst we can only speculate on the reasons for this—perhaps the general public’s appeal to Danish or Scandinavian design, set within the context of lifestyle and culture—we’re grateful for the interest and hope to continue reaching new people with our products and projects."
'The Real and Concrete', by Rafael Prieto and St.Leo
The changing design landscape
This left us wondering—was it the event's immersive nature or the charm of Copenhagen itself that captivated people? We asked Akua Objects, a Copenhagen based brand, with a vision to design glassware as poetic objects.
Founders Annika Zobel Agerled and Josefine Arthur shared with us, "3daysofdesign has become a more widely exposed event, with opportunities for both larger brands and young, upcoming designers to be visible. There were more than 300 events over three days, and in that way, it felt like the design landscape had changed rapidly. During COVID, interior design saw a peak, and it’s hard to tell if this year’s 3daysofdesign was the result of that peak or if it just became a greater manifestation of what already was."
As we prepare to explore other fairs, we’re left contemplating how they might evolve. Perhaps the future lies in blending the grand scale of traditional exhibitions with the intimate spirit of city-wide experiences.
