With the home being the ultimate avenue for self-expression, Decorex Cape will provide décor professional and home passionates with inspiration to create a home environment reflecting who and what they are.

Your home should reflect a yearning to enjoy life’s simple pleasures.

"We spend more on bedrooms and bathrooms - while also spending time, energy and money on the heart of the home – our kitchens and living areas," said Melanie Froneman, director of Decorex SA. "Consumers would rather buy things with personality that give them emotional satisfaction, rather than items everybody has. Even when selecting functional ware such as kitchen appliances, aesthetics and good design influence our choice." This means that our homes are becoming more energetic, colourful in the way they look. There is no single style, but rather our interiors reflect our own personalities.

"Items become more and more eco friendly as we become aware of the way everything has an influence on our wellbeing," said Froneman. Decorex Cape 2005 sees a host of new initiatives to help Cape homeowners on their way. Highlights include:

Plascon Room by Room brings the best in décor inspiration with real-life room settings and concept stands showcasing real living solutions, timeless formulas, and styling tips. Future-driven, brave and breaking the mould, Plascon harnesses the talents of top Cape interior designers, encompassing retail and fabric houses complete with creative lighting and innovative accessories.

Sanlam "Young South Africa Thinking Ahead" challenges young design students to imagine the future and create inspirational futuristic furniture for the home of tomorrow. Recycled material, compact living, energy-saving designs and the next generation of home comforts are just some of the aspects the young design-minds will incorporate in their designs.

Decorex Talk Show is multi-disciplinary forum for in-depth décor and design discussions, where top architects, designers, trend forecasters, décor stylists and magazine editors debate hot trade issues on 29 April (tickets are R50 per session or R250 for all six talks). Book online at www.decorex.co.za.

Cool Clusters make home inspiration-shopping and trend-spotting a breeze, thanks to clusters of boutique style pavilions with distinctive features, such as Fine Finishes.

Cross-over Couture happens when fashion gurus and interior design greats swop places.

Functionality combines with state-of-the-art design in the Kitchens Bathrooms show-within-the-show.

The Decorex Trend Pavilion forms a platform with a passion for pure design is one of the trade threads running through the show.

Food and Home Entertaining Theatre is where creative chef/décor duos are challenged to interpret themes tailor-made for Cape living.