Now in its 18th year, Interior Design Show brings together the newest & most innovative of international and Canadian design. With three full days of inspirational exhibits, influential speakers & leading products, IDS is not just a fair — it’s a total design experience.
Look for spotlights on Canadian-made products and small-batch designers, international speakers including Lee Broom, Ora-ïto, presented by Scavolini, as well as International Guest of Honour Tom Dixon, presented by Caesarstone Canada and Klaus by Nienkamper.
A little bit about history
In January 1999, the first Interior Design Show opened its doors to an enthusiastic design community, media world and consumer market. An important milestone for Canada’s design scene, the first show brought together 25,000 visitors, who came to see Wallpaper* magazine founder Tyler Brulé, Droog’s Gijs Bakker and furniture designer Holly Hunt. After 15 years, the Interior Design Show has become one of the most successful recurring design events in Canadian history and over the years has inspired over 660,000 visitors. Attendance has almost double since the show’s inception, and international designers and architects travel from around the world to stand on the IDS main stage. The Interior Design Show has established itself as the breeding ground for design creativity, innovation and inspiration, bringing together hundreds of exhibitors and thousands of visitors each year.
In 2012, the Interior Design Show was purchased by Informa, the largest publically-owned organizer of exhibitions, expositions and training events in the world. With 150 offices in 40 countries, Informa brings together over a million professionals each year. The newly formed Informa Canada manages over 53 tradeshows, consumer shows and conferences around the country, serving the construction, real estate, craft, art and design markets.
See also: imm cologne 2016
Feature exhibits in 2016
Caviar20 – Decades Of Chairs
Caviar20 is a design atelier, boasting collection-worthy modern furniture, contemporary art pieces and photography. Founder, Troy Seidman, also provides services including design, art sourcing and advising.
During Interior Design Show they are showcasing a curated mix of their signature art and design. In addition to key artists including Frank Stella, Sorel Etrog, Charles Pachter, Jenny Holzer and Vasa Mihich, they will also include a mini exhibition entitled Decades of Chairs, featuring exceptional examples of seats from the 20th century.
Central Lounge Installation
Since 2013, the programme, embodying the vision of Caesarstone CEO Yos Shiran, has pushed the boundaries of experiential design events with engaging work from Nendo, Raw Edges and Philippe Malouin. Caesarstone returns to IDS Toronto in the central lounge with another designer collaboration, Tom Dixon, the IDS16 International Guest of Honour.
For Caesarstone, IDS will be hosting the first part of a year long collaboration with Dixon – The Toronto Ice Kitchen is inspired by Canada’s frozen lakes and the icebreakers that clear the way for freighters. Powering their way through the ice, they leave behind a frozen mix of jagged pieces in a spectacular array of whites and greys.
Designboom Mart Toronto 2016
designboom mart is a unique interactive platform where emerging and established designers test their new ideas. Visitors meet the young avant-garde talents personally and become familiar with their work. They can buy self-produced or limited edition pieces directly from the designers. Over the intense days of exhibiting and socializing, the designers have the chance to discuss their work with other like-minded professionals, customers, manufacturers, distributors, press and museum curators – verifying their designs and their packaging credentials.
designboom is one of the world’s first online design and architecture magazine, and has been voted by TIME magazine as one of the top 100 design influencers in the world.
Excel Naturally Sweetened Lounge
Join interior designer and lifestyle curator, Jillian Harris and Excel ® Naturally Sweetened Gum at IDS for the ultimate experience in fresh, simple style and taste.
Jillian’s signature blend of high-brow / low-brow style makes her relatable to both small-town and city gals alike. With creativity and infectious energy, Jillian’s love for fashion, decor, food, fitness, travel, and family is fully expressed at JillianHarris.com and through her JH for Privilege and LOVE Jillian Harris for Korhani collaborations.
Jillian, Host of Love it or List It (Canada) & Love It Or List It Too (USA), will also be hosting the official launch of Excel Naturally Sweetened on Friday, January 22nd and Saturday, January 23rd in a space that is enhanced with her signature design touch. Meet Jillian and hear about her favourite simple choices for 2016 in food, fashion and design.
Habitat For Humanity – Brick For Brick
Visit the Habitat for Humanity Canada space – 129 – on the show floor, as they build a giant home made entirely out of Mega Bloks to raise awareness of fact that 1 in 5 Canadian families are living in unstable or inadequate homes. When a family is forced to constantly move, kids are the ones who are most affected. Kids need a solid foundation to grow, and they need stability. Homeownership is not just about having a roof over their head, it is the ground beneath their feet.
Studio North & Prototype
The Studio North and Prototype sections were promoted as one of the highlights of IDS15. Hosted in a gallery-like space on the show floor, these exhibits represent independent design at its best.
Studio North and Prototype participants are provided with the opportunity to have their work reviewed by a panel of international industry leaders and design experts. Past judges have included designers Tom Dixon, Eero Koivisto, Nipa Doshi, Arne Quinze, Gord Peteran, and Patricia Urquiola, as well as Paul Makovsky of Metropolis, Jesse Ashlock of ID, Kelsey Keith of Dwell Magazine, Giulio Cappellini of Cappellini, Anne Vos of MOOOI USA and Ben Watson of Moroso.
There is no other marketing opportunity in Canada that provides emerging designers and independent studios with such a high-profile platform to network with potential clients, manufacturers, trade professionals, buyers and media.
WOODLOVE
WOODLOVE is a curated space at IDS16 that helps consumers identify and purchase locally made Ontario Wood products. The space is an homage to our proud Canadian heritage and wood’s role in shaping our history. Ontario’s forests offer a wide variety of wood species with characteristics suitable for many needs.
Local manufacturers produce everything from structural lumber to flooring, furniture, log homes and artisan goods. Ontario Wood is the natural choice for designers seeking to achieve the balance between function, beauty, versatility and performance.
National Bank Design Lab
Have a home renovation project and need some professional advice? Stop by The National Bank and Interior Designers of Canada space on Saturday and Sunday, for a complimentary 15-minute consultation with a registered interior designer.
See also: Maison et Objet Paris 2016