The Salon was looking for a sponsor. It found an ideal one in Christophe Pinna. Some might say he is just a front name, that he is the sponsor only because he is from Nice and is currently in the spotlight with the Star Academy where he is the sports coach. These critics are wrong. Besides being from Nice and one of the stars of the TF1 show, Christophe Pinna is the same age as the salon and, more importantly, he is passionate about decoration: “I come here every year and take notes, gather contact info, and it allows me to redo my decoration.” On Wednesday, just after his classes at the Star Academy, he came to the Exhibition Center for a signing session. Approachable and friendly, he explained his passion: “At 40, you are at an age where you need references and where you like to build a personal cocoon. I change the decor of my rooms every 3-4 years. We are a Kleenex generation. We buy and then replace. It’s no longer like before when you bought wooden furniture and kept it for a lifetime. I don’t get attached to objects. My bathroom is being finished. It was white, now it will be entirely black with lots of bright spots.”
Christophe Pinna is the archetype of the visitor to the Furniture Home Decoration Show. People come here to wander, take their time, and imagine the changes to bring to their interiors. Others already have a precise idea. They want to redo their kitchen, bedroom, or living room, change their trinkets or lights. When all this is gathered over 12,000 m² for nine days with 150 exhibitors, 40,000 decoration lovers flock in. Success guaranteed. Jacques Kotler, president of the salon, is a happy man. Why such success? Jacques Kotler answers, “There are very few events of this kind in France. Often decoration exhibitors are lost among the masses of big fairs. Here, in Nice, we dedicate a bigger space to them. The salon is also an institution, it celebrates its 40th anniversary this year.”
The salon has evolved. Long gone are the days of the first edition when everything was gathered on 350m². Over the years, it has become a large-scale event. Although organized by an association led by volunteers, this contrasts with the 230,000 euros allocated to the event’s communication. It is prepared a year in advance, and Jacques Kotler is already thinking about the 2008 edition: “From January and February, we ask exhibitors if they want to renew their presence. Then, as they attend many salons, they help us find new ideas. Most are merchants located in the region.” The only rule is the budget balance. This year, a small hiccup was the increase in rates by GL Events, which manages the Nice Exhibition Center. “We had to raise the price of the stands,” laments Jacques Kotler.
The salon continues until Sunday, November 11, with an evening opening on Friday, which should attract many enthusiasts of interior art.
