My favourite finds at IDS17

The interior design community was abuzz earlier this month with the Interior Design Show in Toronto. Along with spotting new trends and products, I take the opportunity to re-connect with other pros, garner some inspiration from industry leaders, and liaise with some of our suppliers.

IDS has certainly changed over the years.  I mourn the absence of larger-than-life installations featuring the brightest design firms in the city.  As a young designer, it was the opportunity to see great design in action, and it was always incredibly inspiring. Times have changed, I suppose, and so has the economy. As a past exhibitor, I can attest to the challenge and cost of setting up a fully furnished booth, let alone creating a full installation! The Show now features simpler, more accessible thematic areas that highlight local artisans. 

This year I was all business, and opted to skip the opening night party (cheers to those that made it!) in favour of attending a pre-IDS breakfast industry seminar hosted by American Standard and DXV.  I got the chance to share croissants and coffee with some very talented colleagues, and caught a preview of the newest Grohe products and beautiful DXV installations.  Well-caffeinated, I then headed over to the show.

A few trends and products particularly caught my eye this year:

​freestanding bathtubs

The height of bathroom luxury, deep freestanding soaker bathtubs are available in so many styles. These are from WetStyle.

​mosaics

Designers took note of the stunning mosaics at Surfaces and Co. They had just a sampling of the tile ranges available at their Castlefield-area showroom. I’m very excited about several lines that we’ve been waiting to see more of in Canada. 

​unexpected colour

Having just received a lot of press for this new line at KBIS, Grohe was excited to present their line of colourful faucets at IDS.

details

A great local discovery for me was Junction Wood + Metal Co., who sold me at first sight with their beautiful stainless steel “x” joinery detail.  Bonus: neighbourhood business!

​soft hues

Delicate colours were very present at the show. Dusty rose, pale lilacs and tasteful pastels were all on offer.  Even deeper shades such as Benjamin Moore’s Colour of the Year, Shadow, exuded softness and luxuriousness.

Always looking to expand our sources and reach, IDS is a must-attend for Canadian interior designers!