TIMES INTERIOR EXTERIOR EXPO - 2001

'International' has been the catchword for Chennai consumers and the general consumer taste for interior and exterior products have also followed the trend.  The Times Interior Exterior Expo - 2001 has served as a platform to witness this trend in action.  From Cinebel's The Jamo Shop, which had visitors in awe with their entertainment systems to Modfurn, which had an exclusive 2,000 sq ft space to display the best of their imported furniture, the expo drew the who's who of the city's furniture and interior stores.

The exhibition was proof enough that the average Chennai consumer's mindset has changed from viewing foreign or imported products as a status symbol to looking for quality and style in an international product. That the Chennai consumer has become well informed about the latest trends was evident and it was indeed good to see many a visitor, inquiring in great detail about the nuances such as style and finish of certain products.

The expo is certainly the largest ever gathering of dealers and producers of furniture, electrical fittings and sanitary ware, bathroom fittings, floor coverings, ultra modern readymade kitchens, wall coverings and even security systems.  All this was under one roof spread over an area of 75, 000 sq. ft.  The exposition surely comes as a godsend to interior designers and architects who can get new ideas for utilisation of space without compromising on the comfort level of the users or the ambience. 

Furniture seemed to be the most sought after item with crowds thronging the furniture stalls.  Many major players in Chennai like Modfurn, Huzaifa Décor, Spacecraft participated in the expo.  The choice and the range included, domestic, imported, modular, kitchen assembles, office furniture and executive chairs. Modfurn clearly stole the show with its huge space and display.

Doors were another big slice of the cake.  From customised ornamental carved teak doors to visage polymer doors and seasoned flush doors to imported moulded skin panel doors -the wide variety certainly had something to offer to everybody's taste.  Of special interest was the range of carved ornamental doors from Arya Bhangy, who lays claim to being the 'country's only ornamental door specialists'.  Stalls showcasing polywood partitions, false ceilings and wall panelling also attracted good crowds, emphasising the need for cost effective interior alternatives.  Yet another stall, which was a crowd puller was the Sterling Décor stall, who had a special customer assistance cell to help customers make an informed choice to enhance their interiors or exteriors. 

It was advantage- buyers from the 26^th to the 29^th of July, at the Chennai Trade Centre, Nandambakkam.  The entire show was co-ordinated and organised by Zak who had organised the Jewels 2001 show very recently.  It was held in collaboration with the Times of India Group.

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