Having caught a few glimpses of their product at January shows gone past, I've long wanted to see what Romania's furniture manufacturers are really capable of. I arrived in Bucharest yesterday, expecting to encounter a swathe of heavy, classical wooden ranges - the well-forested region is certainly not lacking in raw materials.
However, what greeted me was a much more diverse proposition, from woodworking machinery and kitchen solutions to home accessories and textiles. In between, the furniture actually seems to veer towards modern contemporary styles in general, hinting at a desire to engage Western audiences.
And why not? Eastern Europe is fast becoming the go-to for suppliers sourcing closer to home, its designs, manufacturing and delivery capabilities often surprisingly advanced. Earlier in the year, I reported on the foil-finished cabinet and low-slung upholstery present at Meble Polska, and the fans it was steadily attracting. BIFE-SIM's offering is less specialised, but it shares some of the DNA of the Polish output, interpreted in various ways.
What do I mean by this? While the show is a little too small to draw any conclusions regarding general furniture trends, there is a common handwriting across much of the product. The upholstery sprawls, low and rounded, sometimes sporting built-in tables - its footprint is often excessive, but it screams relaxation. Most styles of cabinet are evident, but it's the classical giants which dominate, their heavy, well-finished wooden stands echoing the product within, which, while a little rich for my taste, reflect a strong tradition of craftsmanship.
There's a stirring of design in student product showcases, and a few eye-catching ideas already in production - but, as was the case with Meble Polska, I get the feeling that UK buyers might appreciate the manufacturing potential behind the products more than the articles themselves. Indeed, the number of world-leading names in machinery and components exhibiting here indicates that the industry going on in Romania is something many want to be a part of.
BIFE-SIM is still a show in development. This is the third edition since the two exhibiting entities came back together to offer a unified event, and even now, it remains a fairly small affair. A good number of bigger Romanian players have outgrown the show, so it is not wholly representative. Plus, for an up-and-comer, the timing of the show is questionable - falling in mid-September, there are plenty of national and international exhibitions vying for buyers' attention.
Yet, in the wake of my brief walk around, I can certainly say that BIFE-SIM has piqued my interest - Furniture News will feature a full report shortly. BIFE-SIM runs until Sunday 14th September at Bucharest's Romexpo venue.
