* In partnership with Domkapa.
Interior tradeshows are always such a pleasure to attend. Especially when you get to go and see one of your favourite furniture brands in the flesh and the lovely people behind it. I mentioned last month about my upcoming collaboration with a Portuguese upholstery brand Domkapa. They make handcrafted furniture produced locally with high-quality materials, such as wood, metals, fabrics, leather, mirror, glass, etc. Each piece of furniture has been carefully designed with purpose, comfort, and aesthetics in mind. I’ve been swooning over their stunning designs for a while but seeing the creations in person at Decorex International was way better than I had even hoped. The brand delivers what they promise. High-quality furniture is precisely what the interior world needs right now. The level of quality and comfort cannot really be appreciated without physically seeing and testing the products. I also didn’t realise just how customisable all the products are and how much the brand listens to its customers (especially interior designers). Creating new product lines based on customer feedback is what every modern furniture brand should be doing. A bespoke approach to furniture design is huge right now and I would personally be happy to see the back of mass customisation in return for more individuality.
Now let’s talk about what caught my eye at the event..
C H L O E S O F A
As soon as I arrived at Decorex, I made my way to see the lovely Domkapa stand. The first thing I had to inspect a bit closer was the Chloe sofa. What a stunner! The giant bouclé sofa wasn’t just my favorite (clearly). Everyone who walked past had to have a closer look, followed by a little sit test. Upholstered in heavenly Columbia Nata, the Chloe sofa is probably my dream sofa. The curved design combined with luxurious textured fabric is such a luxe take on midcentury design. Chloe is available in two-seater, three-seater, and chaise-longue versions and can be paired with a matching footstool. You can also opt for a wooden or metallic base and additional cushions for added comfort. I love this sofa design in an open-plan area but it also works well for smaller spaces, thanks to the curves. The Grant pouffe is guaranteed to be a classic with elegant piping and can be reconfigured in multiples to create extra leg resting space if needed.
R U T H A R M C H A I R
I love an accent chair and the Ruth armchair in peachy velvet hit the spot. Not just a pretty chair, this armchair is made of the most luxurious and easy-to-care velvet. It is also amazingly spacious and so comfortable. I love the contrasting colours and feel that the black feet give this classic design a modern feel. The sculptural design oozes elegance offering incredible comfort without sacrificing the design. I couldn’t stop touching the velvet. It is truly as soft as it looks. I’d love to pair this armchair with a matching pouffe for the perfect cocooning experience. I think Ruth would also work very nicely in luxe brown leather. Like with all Domkapa products, you’ll have so many different fabrics and finishes to choose from that you’ll be spoiled for choice.
C O L B E R T B E N C H
I asked the talented design team at Domkapa what is in demand at the moment and the answer was benches. I wasn’t exactly surprised. They are versatile and a great space-saving solution. Seeing the Colbert bench at the event made me realise just how perfect they are for a contemporary setting. Made of the softest leather, this bench is an investment piece. Leather will age beautifully and is very easy to care for. But it is the shape of the seat that stood out for me. The oval shape beautifully contrasts with the raw materials and lines of the structure. Absolutely fabulous, don’t you think? I can totally see why benches are popular right now. They work nicely creating a more balanced setting and additional seating, pretty much anywhere in the house.
A N N A D I N I N G C H A I R
The chairs at the Domkapa stand were like a piece of art. Especially the Anna chair which is available in four distinct versions. You can customise the armrest (have it with or without it) and have two options for the base (four legs or a sled base). The upholstered seat and the backrest can also be customised with contrasting fabrics. I personally love the idea of how the upholstered seat and backrest were made with two contrasting fabrics. So clever! Quality and comfort are very high on my list for me when searching for perfect dining chairs and these chairs certainly did not disappoint.
S H I N T O
I raved about the Shinto modular sofa in my last blogpost a few weeks ago, so you can understand my excitement when I learned that it would also be on display at Decorex. The great thing about modular sofas is that they are very adaptable and can be used in all kinds of spaces. I love the idea of a single seat or two in a more formal setting mixed with a curved sofa like Chloe to break up the shapes. Shinto may not look like the comfiest sofa/chair out there but thanks to the supported backing and cushion you have nothing to worry about. After my multiple sit-tests, I can confirm that comfort and ergonomics have been taken into account when designing this product. Most importantly it can be tailored to your needs which makes it a winner in my eyes.
Thank you so much Domkapa for inviting me to come and see your products in person at Decorex International. Not only was I impressed by the designs and level of comfort, but I was also blown away by the friendliness and sheer expertise of your design team. There was not a single question they couldn’t answer and everyone was happy to sit and talk about the finer details of each product. I also love the way Domkapa interacts with customers and invents new products that fill a gap in the market. Bravo!
* All images credited: Pedro Machado.
