Autumn Fair News Headlines

The Home Decoration Retailers’ Association (HDRA) announced the winners of the HDRA Awards at Autumn Fair International. The Awards reflect the views of both independent retailers and suppliers within the home décor, furnishings and interiors market, recognising and rewarding excellence in the field. The Awards are as follows:

*  HDRA Retailer of the Year: Bob Holden Decor Supplies in Lichfield.
*  HDRA Best Wallpaper Collection: Pompadour by Osborne & Little, London.
*  HDRA Best Fabric Collection: Arkona by Harlequin Fabrics & Wallcoverings
*  HDRA Best Blinds Collection: The Fabric Box by Decora in Lisburn
*  HDRA Best Window Furnishing Product: Integra Wood Works - wooden pole collection.
*  HDRA Best Member Of Staff: Peter Sadler, Manager of the Ward Group Decorating Centre in Barrow in Furness.
*  Runner Up: Nigel Bowerman of Decor Supplies in Lichfield.
*  Special, Lifetime Achievement Award: Anthony Evans of Cole & Son

HDRA’s Retailer of the Year, Bob Holden Décor Supplies, was established in 1984 and has been a member of Home Decoration Retailers’ Association since then. This is a family-run business with a wealth of experience in the trade and a showroom with 4,500 square feet of selling space, offering wallcoverings, curtains and soft furnishings beautifully co-ordinated in stunning displays throughout the store.

The Best Wallpaper Collection, was won by Pompadour by Osborne & Little, one of the world’s leading names in both fabric and wallpaper design. For four decades the company’s designs have been at the heart of interior trends, from the paint effects of the 80s, the celestial motifs of the 90s to today where they are leading the way in the resurgence of metallics and flocks. The winning collection for 2009 is Pompadour, which was launched in Spring this year and is wowing everyone with its beautiful designs inspired by a bygone era of the court of Louis XV’s court and his most famous mistress Madame de Pompadour."

Harlequin Fabrics & Wallcoverings scooped the Best Fabric Collection award for Arkona, which is reminiscent of cocktails, cruise liners and couture gowns of the Art Deco era.

The Best Blinds Collection was The Fabric Box produced by Decora, which is celebrating 30 years in the business. The Fabric Box is an inspiring collection of roller, vertical and panel fabrics, where understated, sophisticated weaves, merge with bold colours and contemporary designs, in 67 fabrics ranges and 316 colour options.

Integra Wood Works scooped the Best Window Furnishing Product for its wooden pole collection. With an extensive portfolio of products covering everything from stylish, sleek curtain poles, to metal or plastic track and a comprehensive selection of blinds, Integra’s Wood Works Mix & Match collection offers a rich, warm feel to rooms, with seven beautiful finishes, to be matched with one of six outstanding finial designs leaves. All the wood used comes exclusively from sustainable resources of well-managed forests."

The runner up in the Best Staff Award is Nigal Bowerman of Décor Supplies, who has worked for Bob Holden for us for 19 years and, despite a history of Spina Bifida in his immediate family, has only had a few days off sick. He is very knowledgeable on all aspects of product knowledge, with customers going out of their way to seek his advice. 

The Best Staff award winner was Peter Sadler, manager of Ward Group, of whom MD Ian Noble said: “Peter Sadler should be the Best Member of Staff because despite a debilitating illness necessitating walking aids, Peter refuses to let this hold him back and is the driving force behind the highly successful Ward Group Decorating Centre. Affectionately called ‘the man with the sticks’ by customers and representatives alike, he deserves recognition for his monumental efforts."

The Special Lifetime Achievement Award was then given to the unique character Anthony Evans of Cole & Son. Making the presentation, HDRA Secretary Diana Truman said: “Ladies and Gentlemen, Home Decoration Retailers’ Association is making a one off special award for someone, who, we feel, is unique in the home decoration industry”. Diana went onto to chart Mr Evans' long and impressive career in the industry, which began with wallpaper manufacture at ICI in 1963 and led onto the foundation of Cole & Son Wallpapers, which enjoyed a resurgence in September 2000.

“With new designs, revamped historical designs and new colourways,” Diana continued saying, “the company came back with a vengeance and wowed the world. The gentleman I am talking about is just a unique person, he is pure genius. He retires in early 2010 and I feel his particular brand of knowledge and passion for beautiful papers and designs will be deeply missed.  So I am delighted to say that Home Decoration Retailers Association is offering a special one off award to a very special one off person – Ladies and Gentlemen our Lifetime Achievement Award goes to Anthony Evans.”