Every year people from all corners of the interior design world come together under one roof for Decorex. This year, Decorex is hosted in Kensington Olympia, a 1200 tonne frame made of iron and 2500 sheets of quarter inch thick glass. It is alive with people meeting designers and viewing new collections of fabrics and furniture.

Amidst the numerous people moving between the endless stands, is a young man called Alfred Newall of The London Workshop making a side table. He is precise, knows his craft well and is excited to tell me that his Bobbin side tables have progressed from the sample that is perched on a stand next to him.

The legs of the side table are now fluid, allowing the bobbin design to flow through the wooden shelf. This is a true craftsman at work. A man not in a rush, like those around him, he is willing to sacrifice for perfection. His work is bespoke and can be made in various wood finishes and sizes.

It is refreshing to see a craftsman at work; his stand is a lesson in slowing down and admiring something that could become an heirloom.

There are a few familiar faces, including our friends at Vaughan. Their beautiful lighting is used throughout our hotels, from pendant lights over the bed to table lamps. We loved their new pottery collection, with organic inspired designs for wall lights and pendants in paired back finishes.

It wouldn’t be Decorex without a visit to our favourite team at A Rum Fellow. They work with women in Guatemala who weave these intricate fabrics and rugs. Their unique style fits perfectly with our ethos of celebrating artisans in all their different forms. In the Terrace Suite at The Whitby Hotel, we have made their fabrics into colourful sofa cushions.

The fair is also one of the best events of the year for finding new inspiration and fresh ideas. Each stand is a mini-interior scheme in its own right, and many of them are ingeniously put together, making them perfect places to contemplate the art of decorating a small room.

Lynne MacLachlan’s 3D printed plastic pendants would inject colour and fun into any scheme.

Finally, we loved James Pillier’s beautiful tables which celebrate wood in its most natural form.

Decorex was a delight; we saw some old friends and met some new. It is well worth a visit!