The Month of May globally is fixed by the International Federation of Interior Architect/ Designers{IFI} for the annual event of World Interior Day as the Nigeria body under the auspices of Interior Design Association of Nigeria[IDAN] celebrated resident designers as the crème de la crème in the interior sector converged!
This year’s edition tagged ‘’Pride of the past an incentive for the future’’ which took place at the Alliance Francaise de Lagos in Ikoyi, Lagos, a centre donated by the Chief Mike Adenuga. It was an elitist night with a beehive of activities from Networking, panel discussion, 1 minute pitch session, Monitoring opportunity and cocktails.
This event was not only for camaraderie, but to as well assess the impact of the sector, creating more awareness, and it importance to the public. It was also opportunity for designers, architects to further promote their businesses, hence the above average attendance witnessed by the Hog Furniture Team. The Up and coming brands in the industry given the chance to network with the bigger names is a way of closing the gap between the former and the latter as for them to have a strong relationship for mutual benefit, and growth of the association in general.
Hog Furniture team been a member of the association for some years now, grace the occasion to see how we can further promote the growth of the interior sector as we provide a solution to the stagnating status of some interior designers with their unique craft but due to lack of visibility to the industry’s customers, the run on a mill job practice continues in the promotion of only foreign product and style
According to Evon Hassa, one of the guest speakers, emphasized what Brands like Hog furniture stands for as she aptly stated that even though we are coming from somewhere, but the future also lies in the hands of technology for the sector to strive the more in our ways of expressing Arts, and way and manner designers offers services to clients.
Another top player with much pedigree, Mrs Kaine M. Amachree, took the audience back to the memory lane as she shared how growing up was for her with her white stepmother as she lived and enjoy the western architectural structure, passion for interior, and the eventual breakeven into the sector. The audience was so surprised as she made a strong statement making a detour from what her background would have influenced her by encouraging contemporary interior designers to come all out to make Nigeria's statement through their works as they have remained complacent to what our colonial master bequeathed to us.
Also, a seasoned architect and speaker at the event, Mr Michael, views on the contrary but tackles what the industry players are facing. According to him, ‘’Due to my architectural background, before I ventured into this sector, I understood that architects are not well paid. At that time, I was determined to buy the latest car{Range Rover} but I discovered that it would take me 5 years to purchase it owing to what I was earning then. So, with my company, we seek to offer value to clients, so if what we do influences how they earn, what they do, I think I should also earn better’’.
All these eye-opening and secret discussions thrilled the audience as the whole program was brought to an end, not after the raffle draw game. Different representatives shared their brands, which was followed by a cocktail as we all relished the wonderful moment together.
Hog furniture team therefore enjoin members of Interior Design Association of Nigeria to further speak of our unique culture and heritage through our craft as we beautify our home and environment.
Author: Olatunji Olasehan
Olatunji Olasehan, is an educationist by profession but is currently a Merchant recruiter & Affiliate manager at HOG- Home. Office. Garden online marketplace. He just regained his long-time love for writing as he expresses himself in the mood of Art that depicts his nature in a stylish manner towards appreciating his evolving environment.
