The Seminar Series at the Australian International Furniture Fair is one of Australia’s most respected annual line-ups of interior design tastemakers. The theme for the 2023 Seminar Series is ‘Elevate’, with an increased focus on socially conscious design.
Enjoy a phenomenal line-up of Australia’s most sought-after designers in a slew of glamorous showcases and practical workshops.
Thursday 13 July, 10.30am – 11.15am
BRAHMAN PERERA
In Conversation with Lucy Feagins, Editor of The Design Files
Award-winning interior designer Brahman Perera sees interior design as ‘an engineering of atmosphere’. Beautiful physical spaces which can break down barriers and enhance emotional connection.
Trained in architecture and with a background in fashion, food & wine, Perera effortlessly creates spaces you never want to leave. Cutting his teeth in some of Melbourne’s most renowned design studios, Perera has been winning plaudits since launching his eponymous studio. In 2022 he won the IDEA Emerging Design Award, the Belle Fanuli Emerging Design Star Award and the prestigious Est 10 and VL50 lists of top interior designers.
His experimental lighting, furniture and textile designs give Perera’s projects an unmistakable signature. His interior design projects range from residential through to commercial and intimate hospitality venues, such as Entrecôte in South Yarra and Ursula’s Paddington. He also has an ongoing collaboration with iconic fashion label Perri Cutten.
Join Brahman Perera in conversation with Lucy Feagins, Editor of The Design Files, for this inspiring seminar on creating atmospheres of enduring beauty which tap into intuition and nurture inclusivity.
$65
Thursday 13 July, 3pm – 5pm
Adele Locke, MINT Lighting Design
We’re all used to seeing a standard grid pattern of downlights, but we also know it’s not the best solution for lighting a home! Uncover the secrets of beautiful architectural lighting with Adele Locke from MINT Lighting Design.
Adele founded MINT Lighting Design in 2012 with the vision of bringing professional architectural lighting design to family and forever homes. Her firm has transformed hundreds of residential and commercial properties with lighting that creates mood, visual interest and enhances experience.
Delve into the science and psychology of light, its key elements and layers, as well as how to assess technical data sheets. Adele will also take you through the MINT lighting design process and give you the secrets to creating impeccable lighting that’s the final piece of the interior design puzzle.
This workshop is held in partnership with the Kitchen & Bathroom Designers Institute (KBDi).
$55
Thursday 13 July, 3.30pm – 4.20pm
JAMES TREBLE
Elevate your work with this tour of the exhibition led by the charming James Treble, experienced interior designer and recognised raconteur.
Get ideas on how to adapt standout, forward-thinking products from selected exhibitors – in a way that’s perfect for Australian homes. It will incorporate surfaces, furniture, lighting, textiles and décor for every part of the home.
The tour will focus on using exhibitor products for longevity and sustainability, what clients are currently loving, plus practical design tips from one of the most in-demand designers in the business!
James Treble is an award-winning interior designer, TV presenter and writer with over 25 years’ experience in the building & design industry. In addition to his vast expertise and experience in the construction and renovation of new homes, he is a qualified real estate agent, colour consultant and interior designer.
James is also well known for various roles on Australian TV over the past 10 years, including seven years as the resident Interior Design expert on the popular program The Living Room. James is currently a presenter on Open Homes Australia and the host of Renovate or Rebuild on Channel 9.
Whether you’re an experienced decorator or designer – or new to the field – this will be an entertaining tour that leaves you brimming with ideas!
$65
Thursday 13 July, 3.45pm – 4.15pm
Adelaide Bragg, Bragg & Associates
Charlotte Coote, Coote & Co
In conversation with Robyn Holt
There’s something about Melbourne. From its magical gardens to its atmospheric laneways and beautiful interiors, it has a sustainable magic that is the envy of other cities.
Join two of Melbourne’s best-known interior designers for a wonderful discussion on what gives the city and its interiors such timeless elegance.
Revered for her sense of style and boldness, Charlotte Coote creates seamless interiors that effortlessly meld classic and contemporary design. Charlotte’s work showcases her five principles of design – timelessness, authenticity, lifestyle, scale and quality. Her interior design practice Coote & Co has left its mark on some of Australia’s most exclusive homes.
Charlotte’s designs are known for their originality, creating nuanced spaces enriched with elegance, emotion, purpose and a touch of the unexpected. Environments that are reflective of the way her clients live and what they love.
For thirty years, Adelaide Bragg and her studio Adelaide Bragg & Associates have created stunningly elegant interiors that still possess colour, warmth and tactility. Her interiors welcome life: a big family gathering, a dog on a sofa, a whisky by the fire, or a quiet moment in a window seat. All are accommodated in her generous style that conveys joie de vivre.
Join Charlotte and Adelaide in conversation with Robyn Holt, Design Consultant and Former Editor of Vogue Living, as they discuss how they create elegant designs that reflect the spirit of Melbourne and have longevity at their heart.
$65
Friday 14 July, 10.30am – 12.30pm
Ben Lai, Sales Ethos
Ben Lai is the founder of Sales Ethos, which helps clients sell ethically, organically and effectively. As a former nurse turned sales professional, he is determined to bring care and integrity to the world of business. Now with 15 years’ experience in sales, Sales Ethos has worked with a diverse range of companies, from Start-ups to $80million+ annual turnover. It has been nominated for the Telstra Business Awards and featured in the Australian Business Journal.
Ben’s soft approach is perfect for creative industries. Join this workshop to rethink your money mindset and how sales works. Learn core selling skills such as building trust, communicating your value and closing the contract.
If you’ve ever struggled to convert an Instagram lead into monetary value or questioned the worth of your work – this workshop is for you!
This workshop is presented in partnership with the Kitchen and Bathroom Designers Institute (KBDi).
$55
Friday 14 July, 11am – 11.50am
JAMES TREBLE
Elevate your work with this tour of the exhibition led by the charming James Treble, experienced interior designer and recognised raconteur.
Get ideas on how to adapt standout, forward-thinking products from selected exhibitors – in a way that’s perfect for Australian homes. It will incorporate surfaces, furniture, lighting, textiles and décor for every part of the home.
The tour will focus on using exhibitor products for longevity and sustainability, what clients are currently loving, plus practical design tips from one of the most in-demand designers in the business!
James Treble is an award-winning interior designer, TV presenter and writer with over 25 years’ experience in the building & design industry. In addition to his vast expertise and experience in the construction and renovation of new homes, he is a qualified real estate agent, colour consultant and interior designer.
James is also well known for various roles on Australian TV over the past 10 years, including seven years as the resident Interior Design expert on the popular program The Living Room. James is currently a presenter on Open Homes Australia and the host of Renovate or Rebuild on Channel 9.
Whether you’re an experienced decorator or designer – or new to the field – this will be an entertaining tour that leaves you brimming with ideas!
$65
Friday 14 July, 12pm – 12.50pm
BREE LEECH
Join Dulux Colour Forecaster & Stylist Bree Leech for the 2024 Major Design Trends Forecast at Decor + Design.
Bree has over 25 years’ experience in various design disciplines within the commercial & residential interior design industry and is an experienced trend forecaster.
Bree has provided key information and creative services to many well-known Australian brands and each year works closely with Dulux Australia to produce their Colour Forecast and colour marketing initiatives.
This will be an informative, inspiring and visually rich presentation in which Bree draws on her inimitable experience, as well as her trip with Dulux Australia to Salone del Mobile and Milan Design Week 2023, the world’s annual crucible for the latest design trends.
This is an unmissable session for those interested in the materials, textures, patterns, colours and directions which will inform interior and furniture design in 2024, all with an eye as to how they can be adapted to the unique Australian environment.
$75
Friday 14 July | 1.15pm – 2pm
NIA PEJSAK, STYLUS
‘See past the now’ with Futurist Nia Pejsak, Advisory Director of Stylus, for a fascinating look into the future of living.
This macro forecast will address how global populations will change the way they live, the design of their homes and areas to deal with major issues such as climate change and cost-of-living.
Nia Pejsak has a background in international marketing, brand strategy and product development, having worked with global brands such as Mulberry, Net-a-Porter and the former Arcadia Group. Leading a global team, Nia’s skills as a futurist have seen her tackle complex research briefs for everyone from Korean automotive companies to billion-dollar American retail and global furniture brands.
Stylus is an international trends and insights business that predicts change and helps businesses to prosper. They are the authority on emerging trends in over 20 sectors – from Product Design and Colour & Materials to Retail, Leisure, Lifestyle and beyond. They’re trusted by more than 600 of the world’s leading brands, agencies and businesses to help them reveal what’s possible, not just predict what’s probable.
From the future of architecture and retail to work, this is an unmissable session for savvy design visitors.
$65
Friday 14 July, 2pm – 3pm
Andrea Lucena-Orr, Colour and Communication Manager, DuluxGroup
Australia is blessed with unique light and landscapes. Join one of our foremost voices on colour, Andrea Lucena-Orr, for this practical workshop on how to apply colour for both interiors and exteriors, for commercial or residential projects in a quintessentially Australian way.
Colour and Communications Manager for DuluxGroup, Andrea has a strong background in colour and design, and has been working with colour for over twenty-five years. She executes colour training, trends and colour forecasting and presents her findings to trade, retail and media – and her recommendations play an integral part in Dulux marketing strategies.
A member of the international Colour Marketing Group (CMG), Andrea scours the globe in pursuit of her passion for colour forecasting.
This session is essential for interior designers, decorators and design students who want a practical grounding in the application of colour.
$55
Friday 14 July, 2.30pm – 3.15pm
BRIELLYN TURTON, with Jen Bishop
Interior designer Briellyn Turton’s TikTok account has become one of the hottest Australian destinations on the app, with almost 70,000 followers – perhaps because its creative, high-quality content instructs as much as it entertains.
Brie is a talented and experienced Interior Designer with over 10 years of experience in the industry and the director of Studio Brie, a boutique design firm that specialises in creating glamorous but functional living spaces for clients across Australia.
In addition to her work at Studio Brie, Briellyn is also the host of Australia’s Best Home on Channel 9. Through this show, Briellyn showcases her design expertise and shares tips and tricks with viewers to help them create beautiful living spaces of their own.
Don’t miss Brie in conversation with Jen Bishop, the charismatic founder of popular design site Interiors Addict. So much more than influencers, they’ll show you how Brie approaches each project and blends storytelling with elements of the client’s personality to create magical homes that transform lives.
$65
Friday 14 July, 3.45pm – 4.30pm
Behind the Brief: Creating Maximum Impact
Heather Nette King has an inimitable sense for what creates impact. Known for her colour and vibrancy, the well-known interiors stylist and writer always achieves maximum impact for her clients.
Heather loves collaborating closely with creative teams to produce campaigns for products and brands from concept stage through to shoot day. She works on casting, location hunting and production scheduling, as well as the look and feel of the products.
Her work has appeared in both Australian and international magazines, and her own home has been featured in the international style bible, Elle Decoration UK. Heather’s commercial clients include Cult Design, Dulux, Myer, Fenton & Fenton, Early Settler, Carpet Court and Network Ten.
Go behind (and beyond) the brief with Heather, learn how to work effectively with stylists and create maximum impact in your own work.
$55
Saturday 15 July, 10.30am – 11.15am
Kerrie-Ann Jones
Kerri-Ann Jones knows how to elevate interiors. As the former style editor of Real Living magazine, her impeccable style and eye for trends have influenced and inspired how Australians decorate their home.
The Sydney-based style director is known for her signature style – a curated and evocative approach to interiors, balanced with a neutral colour palette. She mixes high-end with affordable pieces, vintage with contemporary, layers with textures and is environmentally conscious.
Kerrie-Ann engages audiences with her enthusiasm and knowledge of interiors with a sincere and joyful approach.
This Styling Masterclass is essential for interiors designers, decorators and retailers looking for practical ideas to elevate their interiors styling.
$55
Saturday 15 July, 11.30am – 1.30pm
Lee Biderovsky, Lee Bird Photography
Ditch the overwhelm, transform your brand presence, tell social media who’s boss and start seeing the results you dreamed about at your business’s launch.
Lee Biderovsky is a professional product and branding photographer, a social media content curator and the face behind Lee Bird Photography. Her photography helps frustrated business owners get great photos, shake up their socials, hone their visual marketing skills and rock their business socks off.
Lee is a photographer who understands that perception is everything. With her artistic eye and attention to detail, she makes sure that your brand oozes confidence, success and opportunity at every glance. Her superhero power is taking your product from wow to KAPOW!
This workshop is held in partnership with the Kitchen and Bathroom Designers Institute (KBDi).
$55
Saturday 15 July, 11.45am – 12.30pm
Rebeka Morgan, BuildHer Collective
Many interior designers dream of harnessing their skills for profit in their own projects, rather than for clients. Rebeka Morgan from the popular community BuildHer Collective is here to show you how.
BuildHer Collective has gained a huge following online by empowering women to crack the codes of what has traditionally been a male-dominated industry, and design and renovate for profit. With a university background in architecture and construction management, plus years of experience in the building industry, Morgan has developed a step-by-step system to leverage your interior design skills for profit. This session is essential for designer entrepreneurs with big ambitions!
$55
Saturday 15 July, 1.10pm – 2pm
JAMES TREBLE
Elevate your work with this tour of the exhibition led by the charming James Treble, experienced interior designer and recognised raconteur.
Get ideas on how to adapt standout, forward-thinking products from selected exhibitors – in a way that’s perfect for Australian homes. It will incorporate surfaces, furniture, lighting, textiles and décor for every part of the home.
The tour will focus on using exhibitor products for longevity and sustainability, what clients are currently loving, plus practical design tips from one of the most in-demand designers in the business!
James Treble is an award-winning interior designer, TV presenter and writer with over 25 years’ experience in the building & design industry. In addition to his vast expertise and experience in the construction and renovation of new homes, he is a qualified real estate agent, colour consultant and interior designer.
James is also well known for various roles on Australian TV over the past 10 years, including seven years as the resident Interior Design expert on the popular program The Living Room. James is currently a presenter on Open Homes Australia and the host of Renovate or Rebuild on Channel 9.
Whether you’re an experienced decorator or designer – or new to the field – this will be an entertaining tour that leaves you brimming with ideas!
$65
Saturday 15 July, 2pm – 3.45pm
Karie Soehardi, Circular Design Thinking
Are you ready for the future of design? From circular design to digital passports for products and AI, we’re at the nexus of change. Join us for an afternoon of drinks, canapes and discussion about how we can continue to make beautiful objects but preserve the planet for future generations.
Karie Soehardi has 25 years’ experience as a designer and is the Founder of Circular Design Thinking (CDT), curators of the 2023 Green Design Hub at Decor + Design. Karie is passionate about changing the way products are designed and utilising waste as an asset, as well as fundamentally shifting the values of the industry.
Join Karie in conversation with James Treble, award-winning interior designer, TV personality and sustainable building expert, for an entertaining afternoon which will connect you with like-minded people.
$65
Sunday 16 July, 11.30am – 12.20pm
JAMES TREBLE
Elevate your work with this tour of the exhibition led by the charming James Treble, experienced interior designer and recognised raconteur.
Get ideas on how to adapt standout, forward-thinking products from selected exhibitors – in a way that’s perfect for Australian homes. It will incorporate surfaces, furniture, lighting, textiles and décor for every part of the home.
The tour will focus on using exhibitor products for longevity and sustainability, what clients are currently loving, plus practical design tips from one of the most in-demand designers in the business!
James Treble is an award-winning interior designer, TV presenter and writer with over 25 years’ experience in the building & design industry. In addition to his vast expertise and experience in the construction and renovation of new homes, he is a qualified real estate agent, colour consultant and interior designer.
James is also well known for various roles on Australian TV over the past 10 years, including seven years as the resident Interior Design expert on the popular program The Living Room. James is currently a presenter on Open Homes Australia and the host of Renovate or Rebuild on Channel 9.
Whether you’re an experienced decorator or designer – or new to the field – this will be an entertaining tour that leaves you brimming with ideas!
$65
: @brahmanperera