IDS 11 – some colourful highlights

Tags

AM Studio, Arbutus & Denman, Artist Alison Fowler, Brothers Dressler, IDS11, Interior Design Show, Modern Weave carpets, Quadrille fabrics, Ridgelystudioworks, Sarah Richardson Design, UrbanCanvasArt.com, W.Studio carpets

 

It was trade day at the The Interior Design Show yesterday and I was looking for some inspiration. There was a real buzz in the Metro Toronto Convention Centre and a feeling of optimism, which is just what the design industry needs.

The XXX table from Avenue Road – gorgeous

 

The glamorous calice table from Avenue Road

The bell table from Avenue Road

For me, some of the standout pieces came from the small independent studios. The indie factor is a uniquely Canadian phenomenon and the edgy, but natural approach many of our artisans take is part of our cultural identity. The Studio North exhibit featured contemporary Canadian design with a reference to raw materials like stone and wood.

 This barrel light from Zac Ridgely of Ridgely Studio Works Inc.  has a glamorous industrial feel. Zac is the son of award winning Toronto architect Gordon Ridgely

Zac Ridgely is known for reinventing materials in unexpected ways. I love the playful feel of this light 

This clever pendant light is by Jason and Lars Dressler – known as Brothers Dressler. They also took part in the Sibling Revelry exhibition along with four other hotshot designer siblings. Many of their pieces are made from what they call cut ups – leftover scraps of wood that would otherwise be thrown away. The 6’8″ identical twins, who have a workshop in Toronto, work with reclaimed materials and convert them into original furniture and lighting.

Aside from the focus on natural materials, colour was a dominant theme this year. From tiles to carpet companies, it was a strong and obvious trend that pushed neutrals to the back burner. Area rugs from Modern Weave and W. Studio featured designs that seemed pulled from beautiful abstract paintings. As a starting point in a room, these rugs offer so many possibilities.

 

Area rugs from Modern Weave (above) have a painterly feel

 W Studio’s rugs (below) reminded me of aerial maps

Newcomers Erin Julian and Dave McAdam from Victoria BC launched their company Arbutus & Denman at the show. Their simply spun lighting collection is made in Vancouver and features six simple silhouettes in white or black made from spun aluminum. The powder-coated matte finish gives the collection a clean contemporary feeling.

I was also drawn to the glass light fixtures designed and produced by AM Studio. The Toronto-based studio opened 3 1/2 years ago and sells mostly to designers and architects, but the company is also happy to deal with the public.

Toronto retailer Snob was attracting a lot of attention with its stylish booth. Owner Denise Zidel, features hand-crafted furniture, accessories and lighting from Africa. The pendant lighting she carries is magnificent. It comes in gold, black or silver.

Original art is often too expensive for people who are looking for large canvases. Victoria Adams is the founder and art director of an online site called UrbanCanvasArt.com. Based in Ottawa, Adams offers affordable modern canvas art prints for sale on the web. Various sizes, finishes and framing techniques are available. At the show, Victoria was highlighting White Birch – a print by Canadian fine artist Alison Fowler.

The line up for the Sibling Revelry exhibits brought back pained memories of  Disney World, but I have to admit I’m glad I stuck it out. Not surprisingly, Sarah Richardson and her brother Theo Richardson attracted the most attention. I’ve saved the best for last – take a look at what they created.

Ben Mark Holzberg’s Summerhill subway photo gives this room an urban edge

Love the crosses and the addition of polka dots

Sarah used a gorgeous quadrille fabric to highlight Theo’s lighting

The overhead light fixture and the table are fabulous. Sarah also used artist Michael Adamson’s work throughout this project

The use of yellow in this bedroom is so fresh (Sibling revelry photos, courtesy of Sarah Richardson Design)

 If you haven’t already checked out the Interior Design Show, it’s open all weekend.

 

Back to basics with Sarah Richardson

Tags

Design Inc., HGTV Canada, IDS11, Michael Adamson, Rich Brilliant Willing, Room Service, Sarah Richardson Design, Sarah's Cottage, Sarah's House, Theo Richardson

 

Last summer I was catching up with a friend on the patio of Rahier Patisserie on Bayview Avenue when an SUV pulled up in front of the Elegant Garage Sale next door. Heads turned as interior designer Sarah Richardson — camera ready in a skirt and stilettos walked into the consignment store with her design sidekick Tommy Smythe. Over the next hour — yes we were forced to have another croissant, they waltzed in and out of the store as the crew prepped to film a segment of Sarah’s new series Design 101. At one point, Sarah sat on the front steps of the store, shaking hands with shoppers who recognized her.

Energy, drive and talent have taken Sarah far. This nice Canadian girl is now a bona fide star both locally and beyond. She’s a natural on television, which accounts for much of her broad appeal. Sarah’s hairstyles may have changed over the years, but her approach really hasn’t. 

The cast and crew of Design 101

Sarah won her latest Gemini award for Best Host in a Lifestyle Program last November. Design 101, which debuts tonight in Canada on HGTV, follows her success with Room Service, Design Inc., Sarah’s House and Sarah’s Cottage. The designer’s well-honed blend of high and low has won over fans around the world. Room Service and Design Inc., are seen in more than 40 countries. Her latest series will feature 13 half hour shows that focus on the basics of good design.

 

 The art and glassware in this room are so appealing

Filming began last September for Sarah’s House 4 and will continue well into the new year. Sarah has her own furniture and paint lines and continues to run a busy interior design business while raising two daughters with her husband Alexander Younger, the owner of advertising and marketing agency, Design Lab. Envious yet?

Sarah is known for her love of muted blues, greens and greys, but since launching her own paint line she has embraced a bolder palette

Sarah and her brother Theo – now and as children

Later this month, she is also joining forces with her brother Theo Richardson, an owner of Rich Brilliant Willing, a design company based out of New York City at the IDS11 Interior Design Show in Toronto (January 27-30). In a savvy marketing move, the show organizers will feature four spaces designed by creative siblings. It seems that talent runs in the family. Theo exudes an edgier urban vibe, so it will be interesting to see what they come up with.  

Here are two Rich, Brilliant Willing lighting designs. Where does the company name come from? The founders last names are Richardson, Brill and Williams.

This is one of my favourite rooms from Design Inc.

If you just know Sarah’s work from her most recent series, you’re missing out. Take a look at Room Service and you’ll see the roots and evolution of her success as a designer and television personality.

 Sarah transformed this cabin on Lake Joseph in Muskoka. For five years, we rented a cottage on the same property. It’s a beautifully rustic spot.

 

An inviting summer shack

To me,  this is the perfect cottage bedroom

Sarah’s hard work has earned her a privileged and interesting life.  While it all looks quite effortless on television, I suspect she has a lot of balls in the air. Canadians don’t always celebrate their own, but Sarah is the real deal. I’ll be tuning in tonight to see what she and Tommy have in store on Design 101.

Photos courtesy of: HGTV Canada, Sarah Richardson Design, The Interior Design Show