Riffing on this year's theme of "Inspiration," the Space Concepts installation presents five spaces designed by five sets of designers, from edgy to establishment. Check out Toronto architect Dee Dee Taylor Hannah's indulgent retreat (designed for relaxation and "celebrat[ing] life,") and up-and-coming firm 64th & Queen's high-energy living space where light and high-tech takes centre stage. Also look for the space by landscape designers Earth Inc., whom you may know from HGTV's Dirty Business.
Crystal clear
Mmmm, Swarovski. Everyone's favourite eye candy gets a starring role at this year's show (you'll find the display in the centre aisle of the exhibition hall). Swarovski invited six hot Canadian designers and design firms to create installations showcasing the sexy crystals. Interior designers Full Scale Partners, Munge Leung, Powell & Bonell, plus architects Ralph Giannone and Jacques Bilodeau stepped up to the plate.
But perhaps the biggest surprise comes courtesy of two Toronto brothers. What have ahead-of-the-curve industrial designers Brothers Dressler (known for their arty shelving and storage featuring reclaimed timber) done with this luxe, delicate material? Find out at the show.
New material
Although the challenge put to this year's Collaborations participants was to create sustainable structures made from just one material, the results are anything but monotonous. Top architects created living spaces using eco-friendly prefabricated and recycled materials like cork, Corian and Paperstone. You may never look at these materials the same way again.
Design & Tech
The Innovative Design Technology section of the show features the latest and greatest in design-focused, consumer technology. And yes, that means fun stuff. Home entertainment, "designer power tools," stylin' coffee grinders and more, more, more showcase the aspirational side of home technology.
Up and coming
DesignGenNext is always one of our favourite corners of the show. It's never slickly packaged, but it's a fun section of the show to hit for its youthful energy and a sneak peak at the best in student design from Canada's top industrial design programs. This year participating schools include the Ontario College of Art & Design, Ryerson University, Humber College, Sheridan College, George Brown College and the University of Alberta.
Prototype
Another look at burgeoning industrial designs, Prototype is a juried design competition displaying inspiring designs that aren't in production … yet. We love Cista, the coolest rain barrel we've ever seen. Designed by Moss Sund, Cista consists of a series of stacked cisterns that flank the side of a house, collecting rainwater from the eaves trough. A topiary surrounds the vertical rain barrel, preserving aesthetics, while an LED indicator shows how much water is in the cistern, and the raised design ensures strong water pressure for your garden hose. Styish and sustainable: we hope this one gets picked up for production.
Luxehome
Design daydreamers will love walking through Luxehome, a new feature at IDS 09. Promising to present "the best in couture home fashions" from top fashion houses and design boutiques, this is the place to be if your idea of Missoni furniture and haute, eco-fabulous rugs are what float your design boat. Recession? What recession?
Studio North
Celebrate some homegrown design talent in the Studio North section of the show, where two dozen different designers showcase their best work in textiles, fine art, lighting, furniture and accessories. Highlights include Chroma Lab's colourful, casual-chic redesigns of standard-issue utilitarian wooden dressers and Bookhou's felt-and-wood chair.
Go global
Finally, be sure to hit the International Design Pavilion for exclusive product unveilings from top French and Finnish design companies. All participants are showing their lighting, furniture and decor accessories for the first time in Canada.
Take a sneak peek at fab finds from this year's show!
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To see and read more about the show (or to buy advance tickets), visit InteriorDesignShow.com.
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