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This weekend sees the return of the annual Interior Design Show here in Toronto, and thanks to the generosity of Mark Gleberzon of MJG Gallery (www.mgjgallery.com) I was given access to the show on Professional Trade Day yesterday. Entering the showroom floor at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, a display of hanging Chinese lanterns set the stage for colour and innovation in home decor and design. I went to visit Mark first to say thank you and found him with artist, Andrea Rinaldo in the MJG Gallery booth (below).
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Then I grabbed my floor map and set off into the deepest, darkest design jungle. But WOW! what a fantastic journey it was. First up, a stunning lighting display before stopping at the Oceania bathrooms booth. Where’s my soap on a rope?! http://www.oceania-attitude.com/baths
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Then I had some fun with the lovely booth ladies at http://www.Beauti-Tone.ca (below) who were conducting a pick-your-favourite-colour contest with their paint chips. Thanks for the sparkly lanyard gift, ladies.
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Walked a few more aisles seeing some gorgeous displays and lots of must have’s if I ever get a new condo (and can afford to dump my 15yr old furniture)
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Loved these carved stone sinks and giant bathtub from Stone Forest – https://www.stoneforest.com/kitchen-bath/ Everyone wanted to jump into the giant soaker tub (pictured below).
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One of my favourite booths was the Urban Barn one featuring a rustic seaside dining room and a luxurious bedroom – visit their sit for more stunning decor ideas: http://www.urbanbarn.com/
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More fabulous lighting…
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..then more fun accessories including these fun (and animal friendly) wildlife heads from http://www.camillahouse.com
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….and then it was all about the plaid! Had a fun time with the folks from Montauk Sofas
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CaesarStone had a great exhibit – but it was their interactive swing set (for grown-ups) that was the hit of the show. Look who I found at the show….celebrity decorator Ambrose Price. http://www.caesarstone.ca/en/Pages/default.aspx
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Look at these gorgeous taps and shower fixtures from http://www.Rubinet.com Me want….
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Just loved the Indonesian petrified wood sinks and accessories from the lovely folks at Prehistoric StoneWorks Inc. (pictured below). Everything was very tactile and reminded me of my previous trips to Bali and Jakarta back when I lived in Australia (Bali is to Australians what Ft.Lauderdale is to Canadians!) Check out all their stunning products at http://www.prehistoricstoneworks.com
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I then met the oh so fabulous Elizabeth of Elizabeth Interiors located in Burlington (pictured below) who showed me around her super luxe and livable display booth. I am definitely visiting her store the next time I’m down in Burlington. http://www.elizabethinteriors.com/
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More fab booths and displays, then….
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…I found it….AGA!….Agaaaaah. Yes, the olde worlde Brit stove and mainstay of cottage kitchens is here and oh boy, what a step up into the 21st century. They are gorgous and long-ago memories of my mum cursing and swearing at the temperamental fiery beast disappeared and a warm glow rolled over me. The Aga is a marvelous stove/oven for which modern cooks (incl. Martha Stewart) would give eye teeth, an arm and a leg. Check out these incredible units/colours and visit the website for complete information: http://www.agamarvel.com/
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More fun pretty things to see and touch…
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Then I walking by a booth that was playing music…an hypnotic mix of modern beats mashed up with Lou Reed’s Take a Walk on the Wildside…so I did. Gorgeous tiles and ceramics (below) ….
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…but the music was coming out of what looked like a small occasional table (below).
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It’s called the La Boite Concept (LD Series) from Funktion Furniture & Lighting – a compact multi-speaker unit to which you connect your laptop/iPad and play your tunes with such a superior rich quality that it sounds like a pro club DJ is spinning just for you. I listened, I danced and I chatted with Daniel Fisker from the local contact, Fisker International (pictured below) http://fiskerintl.com/about.html
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As I left the Fisker booth, I ran into some charming design students visiting from La Cite Collegiale in Ottawa, all of whom were excited and inspired by this year’s show. You go, girls, and good luck with your studies.
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I walked by a cute booth where a wee one was playing with some toys and proving that good design caters to all ages. The http://www.ellaandelliot.com showcase was adorable and very functional and safe. Definitely a must-see for all fashion-fwd parents visiting the show.
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Lots of contests to win fab furniture – including this booth promoting magazine publisher WallToWall
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The NettHaus Design-Build booth (below) was quite spectacular, all gold and black and shiny. Thanks to the elegant Sherry Larjani, Managing Partner & Architectural Designer, for your hospitality http://www.netthaus.com/
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Then I met the friendly folks at ProGlo Refinishing (below) who can take your old, ugly cabinets and completely make them over with updated designs that will make you smile! Loved these bright happy colours. http://www.kitchenrefinishingtoronto.com
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Here’s the lovely lady from MiniGarden that, as the signs say, brings walls to life. Great idea for indoor cultivation of plants, herbs, flowers. Join the urban green revolution at: http://www.minigardening.com
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I then had some fun playing with the bathrooms at the Neo Metro booth. The red sink not only washes your hands, it also dries them with warm air blown out over your hands or whatever else you wanna dangle over the sink!! Loved the illuminated blue sink…forgot to ask them if the toilets lit up, too, for late night tinkles!! http://www.neo-metro.com
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It was a real pleasure meeting Naomi Neilson Howard (below), the Founder & CEO of Native Trails which features rustic and contemporary designs, copper sinks and fixtures for bath and kitchen…all inspired by the southwest. My photos didn’t do them justice so please check out http://www.nativetrails.net or visit booth #024 at the IDS.
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I found Lisa Turner of Vancouver-based Quake Furniture in a section dedicated to individual designers located at the west end of the showroom. Her tables are made from metal, wood, marble…all unique designs and stunning colours. Check out her complete range at http://www.quakefurniture.com
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In the same section, I met the creator of Christopher Solar Design who features very clean lines reminiscent of mid-century modern. He has some really great pieces: http://www.christophersolar.com
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And around the next corner I saw the rich imaginative handcrafted furniture of Oliver Drake of http://www.DrakeWoodDesign.com He uses a lot of found/repurposed wood and listening to Oliver, I could tell he really loves his work.
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So much to see, so much to wish for. I spent about 3 hours wandering around, meeting the brilliant designers, decorators and craftspeople. Definitely a great way to spend your weekend.
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For show times and tickets, visit the official IDS website: http://www.interiordesignshow.com/
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