interior design show

Yet more design fun! The Toronto Interior Design Show one was much more of a commitment than the DWR store but still fun. I doubt I'll go again but it's definitely worth one trip. For me, it's really hard to enjoy those large trade shows just because I get people-claustrophobic when they're all up on you like that. Personal space people! Another thing I did not like was that the Design Live section was cornered off as if to keep the all-holy HGTV design personalities away from the likes of the plebians. The line to get in was astonishingly long at all times and we opted not to stand in it despite my love of Sarah Richardson. What's up with that?? I was bummed. Nevertheless, we saw a bunch of stuff that was actually useful to us (tile suppliers etc) and a bunch of stuff that was just pure design porn. Here are my faves:

The Baby Guru stand: Clean and simple baby furniture that's, dare I say, hip and cool and graphically appealing? With nary a teddy bear or duckie to be seen? Indeed! Items of note are the Argington Sahara crib and modern HiLo high-chair. I don't even have/want kids and I hate the look of high-chairs! I can't imagine how happy this thing would make a modern parent.

Nature's Dryer: This is an outdoor clothes dryer made in a tree shape and I adore it. Tell me this isn't 100 times better than those awful metal contraptions you get at the hardware store?? I met the woman who makes them and she couldn't have been nicer or more informative. This is not only adorable but entirely practical and is able to hold a whole set of bedsheets or up to 35 shirts. Pricey though at $775 but it's handmade, comes in 2 colours and made to weather extremely well.

The EcoSmart retro fire cube: Completely environmental friendly fireplaces, they're flue-less and don't require any installation or utility connection for fuel supply, fueled by a renewable modern energy (Denatured Ethanol) that burns clean and is virtually maintenance free.

The lighting creations from AM Studio Architectural Art: I can't even really describe how beautiful these pieces were in person and I can't at all pick a favourite. Absolutely breathtaking.

This mustache dresser cuz it made me smile and was the first thing I saw when we walked in the door. I don't know how makes it or really anything about it - it's just awesome and if I had a baby boy, this would be his dresser.

This crazy wall radiator from the Radiator Factory. I would never have this in my house but I love that someone is at least trying to do something cool with new rads. If you can't have big old-fashioned rads in your house maybe this is right up your alley. They had many different styles to choose from this was just the most photogenic.

This crazy-ass sink! It folds up like a tool chest! I can't fathom why you'd need this but again, I love that someone does!

And here's a picture of Marc lounging in one of many Louis Ghost chairs that were around. Now call me crazy, but if I was picking chairs for big fat tourists with fanny packs to sit on, my first choice wouldn't be $400 Ghost chairs and $5000 Barcelona chairs! And there were about 5 different seating areas, all with at least 10 -15 chairs. Sounds like trouble in the making...

Bottom line: fun show if not a bit over-whelming.