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For the eighteenth consecutive year, the Interior Design Show (IDS) is back at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre this weekend. Celebrating Canadian and international designers, the three-day event will be open to the public on both Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th of January. UrbanToronto had the chance to tour the event yesterday evening, during the opening party.
Featuring a wide range of interior design styles from modern and luxurious products to locally handmade objects, visitors will be able to enjoy Canada's favourite trends and brands. Located by the main entrance is Citizens and Collaborators' timber-made pavilion, featuring Ontario-made wooden furniture and decorative objects. Supported by the Provincial Government, Ontario Wood is presented here not only as part of one of the leading sectors in our economy, but through a series of hand-made items, often produce is very small batches.
Farther in, visitors will find innovative high-end fireplaces powered by...water! Using the Opti-Myst technology created by Dimplex, a reservoir placed at the bottom of hand-made, customed cabinets produces harmless vapour. The smoke-looking condensation is then illuminated by orange-toned LED lights, giving it the visual aspect of fire. French artisan David Schmitt, the creator and maker of the wall-mounted cabinets, explains how the Nero Fire Design encounters an important success in the eyes of both home and shop owners thanks to the product's high modularity, expandable up to 26 meters long.
Steps away, Canadian artist and designer Jordan Söderberg Mills showcases his anaglyphic mirror, reflecting a pair of images each boasting a different colour. This technology was widely used prior to the digital age to produce 3D movies, during which spectators had to wear a pair of tainted glasses in order to make the two images overlap and give the impression of depth. This is the occasion to give a new look at our surrounding environment.
In a neighbouring booth are Quebec-based Kino Guerin and his furniture made with a single, hand-distorted piece of wood featuring no added crossbars or supports. Well-known within Montreal's art scene and rewarded for his work as early as in the 1990s, Guerin's creations defy the laws of science and gravity with their unexpected curves.
Finally, Habitat for Humanity Canada is presenting a human-scaled house made out of 38,000 plastic bricks. This creation was realized by a team of volunteers directly on site and is part of the organization's Brick for Brick campaign. By donating a virtual brick for the price of $25 each, you can contribute to raising funds dedicated to the construction of real houses. The goal is not only to provide well-needed housing to families in need, it is also to restore some stability in the lives of the children affected by the lack of a decent home, by giving them a safe and appropriate place to thrive within their community.
There is much, much more to see! While IDS is reserved today (Friday January 22nd) for the professional members of the design trade industry from 9 AM to 7 PM, all visitors will be welcome and able to discover Guest of Honour Tom Dixon's work, presented by Caesarstone Canada and Klaus by Nienkamper, this weekend from 10 AM to 7 PM on Saturday, and from 10 AM to 6 PM on Sunday. Tickets for the design fair and seminars are available online and at the door of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, situated at 255 Front Street West.
