Decorex has an international reputation for showcasing luxury products, so it should come as no surprise that top designer, Shalina Misra, was handpicked to design the show-stopping centerpiece of the exhibition: The Champagne Bar.
Inspired by the Great Exhibition of 1851
Misra’s Champagne Bar will take pride of place at the center of this year’s 40th Anniversary Decorex. Misra has based her design on the Great Exhibition of 1851, which has proven to be an inspirational choice.
The 1851 Great Exhibition held in Crystal Palace was undeniably magnificent. Paintings of the time show how the designers of the day created an awe-inspiring glass conservatory, which soon became known as the Crystal Palace. The enormous glass structure was large enough to accommodate full-size trees, as well as hundreds of Victorian inventions and other marvels of the time.
Crystal Palace Inspired Champagne Bar
The original Crystal Palace was disassembled following the exhibition and moved to Sydenham Hill, where it eventually burned down in 1936. Luckily, we have numerous paintings that illustrate how impressive the structure was and Shalina Misra has used these, along with drawings and prints, as her creative inspiration.
Since Decorex International is synonymous with luxury, this year’s design for the Champagne Bar needed to reflect this. Misra understands this perfectly. She has created a hexagonal central bar with four sweeping roof structures, which are highly reminiscent of the 1851 Crystal Palace that welcomed millions of people back in its heyday.
Victoriana Design Influences
A dramatic central canopy hangs over the central bar, which features plenty of ironwork detailing and backlighting. The Victorian Age is linked to the Industrial Revolution, so metal is an apt choice of material. In 1851, the rail network was in an expansion stage and many visitors to the Great Exhibition arrived via train. Misra has incorporated Victorian motifs and detailing into her overall design, along with a decadent color palette that harks back to the 19th century.
Opulent Fabrics and Relaxing Décor
Inside the Champagne Bar, you will find plenty of opulent fabrics, including rich velvets, decorative screens, and potted palms. It’s the perfect place to enjoy a glass of champagne while exploring the Decorex exhibition.
Misra describes her design as “…a contemporary interpretation of a glasshouse infused with graphic pattern, luxe detailing and curiosities.”
An Award-Winning Design Portfolio
Of course, design enthusiasts will know that Shalina Misra is no stranger to masterful, contemporary designs. Her award-winning design practice was first established in 1996 and has since been responsible for a diverse range of projects in London, Delhi, New York, and Dubai. She is well known for her timeless interiors and functional spaces that are full of character and creativity. In fact, Shalina Misra regularly collaborates with many of the world’s leading craftsmen and women, artists, and antique experts to pull together her amazing designs.
The Decorex Champagne Bar is a prestigious design commission and previous creators include the Martin Brudnizki Design Studio, Martin Hulbert Design, and Russell Sage.
