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There's no time of year that we concentrate more on our creature comforts than in the cold depths of winter, so this weekend is the perfect one to be tempted into improving one's domestic lot with the luxuries on display at Toronto's annual Interior Design Show. We took a wander 'round to see what IDS2013 has to offer.
Over 300 exhibitors have ideas and products for every part of your home or condo, whether you are looking for the latest kitchen appliances, unique lighting, innovative storage solutions, urban fireplaces, beautiful furniture, unique accessories, a whole new bathroom… the list goes on and on. If you've ever been before, you can imagine what many of the options are that await you at the show. Here are just a very few of the more unique things that caught our attention:
We'll start with a simple bench. Well, simple other than the goegeous lattice-work on the sides. That's a map of Downtown Toronto holding you up there. Halifax-based Geof Ramsay will custom make you one of these with a map of just about anywhere cut into the side. Check out his website (linked above) for a fuller idea of what he can do for you for under 2 grand.
How Do You Work? is an exhibit that features four designers’ innovative approaches to today’s evolving concept of a work space. To many people a permanent office space has been rendered obsolete by ever-changing technology. Steel Space ask the designers to each fit a steel container with a mobile office. You'll have to visit to get a full idea of what was presented, but we loved a couple of presentations. First, below, blackLAB architects put together this pencil crayon wall with somewhere around 17,000 of the drawing implements. Its 3D make-up changes the wall's look constantly as you move around. We want to rip off this idea stat, but we doubt we could do as nice a job.
Dubbeldam Architecture + Design took used wooden palette materials, sanded them, and fashioned this flowing space inside a container. The palettes arrive on boats from China, and they don't go back when empty: this is a great way to reduce consumption by re-purposing. A big plus: those are very comfortable chairs! Not a sliver to be felt anywhere. We will happily take one of these for the back yard please!
KIA asked five prominent designers, some who are directly involved with this years show, to make some SUVs stand out from the crowd. If you arrive at the right time, you may find the likes of Karim Rashid strolling the halls at IDS2013, or you can make a more structured plan and go when Douglas Coupland is speaking. He happens to be on stage at 2 PM on Saturday, but you may check the full schedule of talks and seminars here. Several well-known HGTV personalities in particular have events planned at the show.
The Blu Dot Auction included 19 chairs for charity: ONEXONE children's charity was the beneficiary of funds raised by money bid for 19 unique designer chairs. We found Marilyn Lightstone and her husband Moses Znaimer tweaking the presentation when we came by. We are always happy to see worthy causes getting some much needed attention and some financial aid!
Visit the Interio Design Show's website for all the info you need to have a fun visit to the event this weekend!
