An insightful, entertaining (in one episode, Dale moons the camera in the background!) and candid view of the behind the scenes of creating an outdoor space, peppered with the hosts’ varied personalities, makes this show is a “must-see” for the season.

Dirty Business is aired on HGTV on Tuesdays at 8:00 pm.

Not far from Chinatown, Roseland Gallery in West Queen West, recently unveiled the work of Chinese born, artist Zhu Lan. Zhu Lan’s most recent body of work combines her trademark explorations of abstraction and surface texture with an innovative new splash of colour. Zhu Lan’s work will remain on display until June 19th.

On the same night, Dekla (distributor of Scavolini and Agape) and the Italian Trade Commission, hosted a prosecco tasting party. Fine Italian cheeses and meats were served to showcase the varied flavours of the four separate proseccos being presented that night. Two of the proseccos were white, there was a blush and even an unexpected red! Dekla returns to IDS 09 with Scavolini as the Opening Night Sponsor.

Speaking of bubbly, Veuve Clicquot, a sponsor of the IDS 08 VIP Media room, launched “Vertical Limit”, a stunning wine fridge designed by Porsche Design Studio at the show earlier this year. This contemporary work of art, stands at approximately 6 feet tall, with compartments shaped like Veuve bottles. This limited design, one of 15 in the world contains twelve rare vintage magnums of Veuve Clicquot and was up for auction to raise money for charity.

This past Tuesday, “Vertical Limit” was bought by auction for $100,000 with all proceeds going to benefit ongoing research at the McEwen Centre for Regenerative Medicine. The McEwen Centre's ultimate goal is to accelerate the development of better and more effective treatments for life-threatening conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, respiratory disease and spinal cord injury. The McEwen Centre for Regenerative Medicine is fully affiliated with University Health Network.

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In Milan last month, Italian plastic furniture/lighting manufacturer SLIDE (represented by Company B) introduced three new products designed by Dutch superstar Marcel Wanders (who by the way is about to launch 4 condo projects with YOO (Philippe Stack’s condo design company)… CHUBBY is the plastic mass market version of the Crochet Chair he created in a limited edition of 20 and showed with DROOG a year and a half ago…working inside and out, this version also has an ottoman – Chubby Low, that resembles a large smoothed stone… also in plastic, Marcel’s Bachus winerack holds up to 40 bottles of wine (or pool-side coolers!)…

French designer Jean Marie Massaud has expanded on his Missed Tree Collection vase series for Serralunga (represented by Innovativa) - now in a variety of plastic and steel, when warmer temps persevere, move your trees outside… closer to home, Andrew Richard Designs launched his new collection of outdoor seating this spring. It might be a little heavy to drag in and out with the rain, but not too worry, the modern stainless steel Cabo series can be left out all winter.

We also just heard that the hottest trend in outdoor living, is the outdoor shower. While it may bring back memories of Irish Spring commercials, Delta’s stainless steel LockwoodTM shower, and handshower offer a great way to wash that lake sludge or pool chlorine off lake/poolside without dripping all over the floor. And if the summer weather seems nowhere in sight, do like the Romans and invest in a few heat lamps…

We’re thrilled to announce that Palette Industries’ Dharma chair received such an enthusiastic response at IDS 08 that they’ve decided to go into production with 100 limited edition pieces. Nathan Tremblay, Co-Director of Palette Industries explains that their IDS08 experience allowed the opportunity “to bring the Dharma Lounge to the forefront of Canadian design …by simply having had the opportunity to showcase our work to such a large audience was the most memorable part of the show for us. The Dharma Lounge received high accolades …creating much fanfare at our modest corner of the Studio North "Prototype" plinth. We were grateful to have the media, industry, exhibitors and public leave us with their kudos and not to mention thousands of fingerprints.”

Tremblay explains that the inspiration for the Dharma lounge grew out of the idea of using text as both structure and decoration simultaneously. Embracing the Buddha’s wisdom of living in the moment, Palette Industries chose a proverb that is universal to everyone - “Stand, Forget, Breathe, Acknowledge and Observe” - obscure yet powerful.

We would like to congratulate the Palette Industries team and we look forward to seeing future products. If you are one of the many who loved this design and would like to have one of your own to leave your fingerprints on, go to the Palette Industry website to pre-order the Dharma chair.

We’re happy to announce that the winner of this year’s competition is Magic Pony. Magic Pony is an art gallery/boutique specializing in limited edition pieces, located in West Queen West. The winning window was created by Toronto artist and OCAD graduate, Tania Sanhueza. Her work is largely made up of sculpture inspired by the life of the animal and plant world. According to Sanhueza, her “New Year’s” window for Magic Pony was a reflection on the past and a celebration of the overwhelming healing force of nature. She used the mushroom as the ultimate symbol both of decay and restoration, as it transforms the trappings of death into new life.

Runners up of the competition were Petroff Gallery and Urban Barn.

We thank everyone who participated and voted online. We are looking forward to what everyone will do for IDS 09.

Ray Ban aviators, good sushi, my sketchbook, black Converse All Star Chuck Taylor, hockey.

How did you get into design?

Was very into art and drawing in highschool, natural evolution into design. Went to University for it, undergrad in Landscape Architecture and Masters in Architecture

Who or what inspires you?

Adolf Loos, Mies van de Rohe, Rem Koolhaus, Bernard Tschumi, Charles and Ray Eames, Marcel Duchamp, The Futurist manifesto

What do you consider good design?

Good design is something that is thought provoking, changes the way you think, and absolutely functional.

What “trends” are you loving or hating right now?

Loving: Green movement, Attention to colour, Rapid Prototyping

Hating: Knock off furniture, CNC production for the sake of CNC production, Damask patterns everywhere, The return of the acid wash jeans

Are there any other designers that you would love to collaborate with? Who and why?

Tokujin Yoshioka because of his wacky innovative use of industrial materials for installations and furniture, Irwin Hauer if he were still alive because of his mind blowing use of volume and material to create those amazing screens

If you were not a designer, what other profession would you most like to do?

Photography

What advice can you give to any designers out there wanting to start their own thing?

Patience, patience, patience. Make sure you have the right clients to start with, otherwise it’s an uphill battle.

In I.D Magazine’s "New & Notable" section of the January/February issue, Ober Arbel’s latest work for Bocci, featuring lighting that resembles barnacles, a complex system that wraps porcelain skin around frosted Pyrex, was mentioned. The same issue also showcased IDS08 Trade Day Speaker, Arne Quinze's colourful office as one of the top 40 most creative spaces around the world.

Innovative Canadian designer, Loyal Loot has also been featured as one of the picks on Domino Magazine’s website for the “Under $100 – Affordable eco-friendly home accessories.” This list was compiled by celebrity design blogger, Grace Booney of Design*Sponge, who has also been named in Time Magazine’s “The Design 100” list who names the people and ideas behind today’s most influential design.

If you are traveling to NY for the ICFF next month, look out for Studio North alumni Rollout Custom Wallpaper, Hut J, Pascale Giardin, Tsunami Glassworks and Geoffrey Lilge who will be making an appearance there.

What sets Suite 22 Interiors apart is its ability to customize every single piece to cater to an individual’s personal taste. Armed with the capability to customize each piece’s wood finishes and with over 100 different fabrics and leather choices, buyers need not be afraid of seeing the same furniture at their contemporary’s homes. According to D’Ulisse, they are currently upholstering some stools in soccer jersey for a customer whose brothers play soccer for a European team!

Suite 22 Interiors is located at 223 Signet Drive, Suite 2 in Toronto, Ontario.

We just recently uploaded some new videos with all the design teams talking about their concept spaces. Also, catch Mark Challen's video on the top 5 Trends that he spotted at IDS 08.

Here are Anwar Mukhayesh's answers to our Designer Profile questionnaire. Allen Chan and Matthew Davis' answers will be posted in the weeks to come, so stay tuned.

What are the 5 things you can’t live without?

my phone (blackberry but soon to be iphone), my truck (1985 mercedes gwagen), sunlight, good food & friends

How did you get into design?

studied engineering design and then started my own design company in 1998

Who or what inspires you?

life & possibility inspires me, as well as such people as Stark, Bill Gates, Karim Rashid, etc.

What do you consider good design?

good design is subjective to a degree but must answer some fundamental purpose mixed with an as universally acceptable aesthetic as possible.

What “trends” are you loving or hating right now?

The trend to ‘responsible & sustainable design’, the exploration of new processes and materials as well as alternate sources of energy. I am hating the overly neglectful emphasis by society on consuming. The best trend is the trend towards acknowledging and appreciating design as a fundamental necessity of the future in all aspects of life

Are there any other designers that you would love to collaborate with? Who and why?

Philppe Stark – so I can challenge his ingenuity.

If you were not a designer, what other profession would you most like to do?

Travel writer & photographer

What advice can you give to any designers out there wanting to start their own thing?

Get a good solid education but start your design research and inspiration ASAP, don’t be afraid of risk when it comes to doing your own thing.

Awards were given out for the following categories - Renovation: Valerie Rowley (1st) and Sara Nadeau (2nd), New Construction: Harvey Winks (1st) and Deborah Casey (2nd), Unlimited Budget: Mairi Vasil (1st) and Gwen Grover (2nd), Interior Decoration Without Construction: Anita Vizzini (1st) and Deborah Casey (2nd), Student: Rebecca Grim (1st) and Renae Sawatzky (2nd).

Congratulations to all the winners!

Clockwise from left: Staff from Belgian radiator manufacturer,Jaga chisel chocolate (Belgian, of course!), 10 Innovative Canadian Designers Exhibit presented by Audi & Azure; Ani + Lumigrane, winner of "Best Collection" from Studio North exhibit, Moen: Booth Award (Gold) for 200 SQ FT to 400 SQ FT; Mark Baechler (shown above) of Teeple Architects Inc/Willis/ Countours Contertops & Millwork: Booth Award (Silver) for 200 Sq FT to 400 SQ FT, Ministry of The Interior: Booth Award (Gold) for 50 SQ FT to 199 SQ FT; Frame Magazine (Booth designed by OCAD students): Booth Award (Silver) for 50 SQ FT to 199 SQ FT; Judges Tom Dixon (Designer - England), Ben Watson (Moroso USA) and Arne Quinze (Designer - Belgium) have a discussion with Brent Cordener of Luflic: Recipient of Best Prototype Award.

Above: IDS 08 Booth Awards for 401 SQ FT and higher; Montauk: Booth Award (Gold) and Dekla/Scavolini: Booth Award (Silver).

IDS 08 Booth Design Awards were judged by Elizabeth Pagliacolo, Azure's Senior Design Editor, Danny Sinopoli, The Globe and Mail's Style Editor and New York based designer, Larry Laslo. Best Studio North Collection and Best Prototype were judged by British Designer Tom Dixon, Belgian Designer Arne Quinze and Ben Watson or Moroso, USA.

Congratulations to all award winners!

So far, we've had a tremendous response from our exhibitors, trade and public attendees. We leave you with some pictures from the show but as promised, we will update our Facebook and Flickr accounts in the days to come.

What's next? We start planning for 2009!

From all of us on the IDS team, thank you so much for attending the show.

This year, we've decided to share some of the action that goes behind the making of the show. You'll be able to find IDS and our exclusive "behind the scene" pictures in the next coming days on our Facebook Fan Page and the IDS Flickr Page.

See you at the show!

Also new to IDS (and to Canada!) is the Colmio line of furniture by Finnish designer Päivi Mikola. The Colmio Chair was first designed in 2003 and since then has been shown in many international exhibitions and has won several design awards in Finland as well as Japan... ...living the “sustainable life”, retail designer Stephan Hagens launched EauTerre 3 months ago, a collection of "healthy" furniture all made locally from sustainable materials...he shows the collection for the first time at IDS 08

Speaking of which, Smith & Fong Plyboo launches at IDS 08. A laminated bamboo material made from 100% bamboo that can be used for flooring, paneling, and plywood... and made from grass (rather than a tree), it has a very complex root system and is constantly sending up new shoots so it doesn’t require replanting...used in LEED-certified buildings around the world, Plyboo is distributed in Toronto by Taproot who partner with Canadian Starchitects, KPMB (Kuwabara Payne McKenna Blumberg) and Tron-X Corp to create a conceptual exhibit as part of the new Collaborations feature at IDS 08 where 4 teams of architects and designers each create 200 square feet made solely from one material...the other 3 teams include: Giannone Associates Architects / Structure Corp / Ciot with Caesar Stone; Teeple Architects / Contours Countertops and Millwork / Willis with Dupont Corian; and Johnson Chou / Sound Solutons with fibreC ...see how far one material can go...

IDS 08 starts this week, limited tickets are still available for DECADEnce, IDS 08’s Opening Night Party and 10th Anniversary Celebration on Thursday February 21st . Tickets for the show during the consumer days can also be purchased online now.

There are 10 unique banners/posters designed by 10 designers: Marcel Wanders (Netherlands), Karim Rashid (Canada/USA), Christophe Pillet (France), Piero Lissoni (Italy), Fernando + Humberto Campana (Brazil), Yves Behar (Switzerland/USA), Arne Quinze (Belgium), Tom Dixon (England), Julien de Smedt (Denmark) and Winka Dubbeldam (Netherlands/USA).

In addition, the Interior Design Show with the sponsorship support of Design Within Reach, will be selling IDS 08 reusable bags. All proceeds will also go to Medecins Sans Frontiers/Doctors Without Borders. Both items have limited quantity so be sure to come early to give to a worthy cause.

On the exhibitor front, Palmyra Design, a small import company of both traditional and modern Moroccan lighting will also be helping a charitable cause of their own. On their last buying trip to Morocco, they discovered a studio operating solely by a cooperative of women, who specialize in hand painted tableware and classic mint tea glasses.

The same trip led to the discovery of a small orphanage started in 2003 by a Dutch woman. The orphanage, Fiers et Fortes, located in the Tameslouht village outside of Marrakech, is home to 30 children. Palmyra Design is supporting this orphanage by buying tableware from the cooperative and donating ALL profit to the orphanage. The tableware will be launched in North America at IDS 08.

In light of today’s multitude of kitchen options, it’s not at all surprising. Whether from Canada or across the pond; for the small or large budget; or for the traditionalist or modernist, the options are boggling…Italian kitchen manufacturer, Scavolini (distributed in Toronto by DEKLA) shows FLUX at IDS 08. Designed by Giugiaro Design, it combines straight and curved lines, unusual materials with a wide range of layouts.

Locally, Harvest House Craftsmen introduce handcrafted cabinetry created from reclaimed premium hardwood. (each custom built kitchen is crafted without cutting down a single tree!)…and at IDS 2008, they will debut an entirely new kitchen design in collaboration with interior designer, Brian Gluckstein.

Also committed to having minimal effect on the environment, Italian kitchen manufacturer, ValCucine (represented by DOM Showrooms) repays its debt to nature in several ways including the founding of BIOFOREST, a rapidly growing organization whose programs include planting, education and environmental preservation; the use of recycled materials and farmed trees, replacing trees with twice the number needed to offset their production’s C02 emissions; and making kitchens that are easily recyclable after use.

IKEA showcases a complete kitchen solution, where everything coordinates, and is customizable. For the minimalist client on your list, Alberto Minotti’s influences of “mediterranean minimalism” and “essentialism” characterize the very clean and slick lines of Minotti Cucine, the epitome of modern, being launched in Canada by Casa-Cucine at IDS 08.

And of course, no kitchen is complete without appliances. GE Monogram shows new and on-trend stainless (non-smudgeable!) appliances in IDS 08’s GE MONOGRAM ICE LOUNGE, a cool and icy environment designed by hot emerging design firm, Croma Design (featured in OFFSPRING at IDS 07).

Visit IDS 08 for the ultimate kitchen party!

Click on IDSLive to watch the second installment of the behind-the-scenes of the coming together of this feature exhibit.

In the meantime, here is Sarah's answers to our Designer Profile questions.

What are the 5 things you can’t live without?

Weekend getaways, Chardonnay, Fancy shoes, Fresh flowers, My husband and daughter

How did you get into design?

I started as a behind-the-scenes prop stylist for a TV show more than 10 years ago. I wasn't even looking for a job in the industry, but got a call out of the blue and started the next day at 7am. I have worked in TV and design ever since. It was like winning the career lottery.

Who or what inspires you?

Teamwork, creativity, innovation and originality

What “trends” are you loving or hating right now?

I'm not too keen on the trend of disposable design. I wish people would consider what they really like and then invest in pieces that will last instead of buying cheap chic that falls apart and ends up in landfill sites.

Are there any other designers that you would love to collaborate with? Who and why?

Thomas O'Brien. I love his work and our approach is in synch, but he designs with a more masculine edge while mine is more feminine. I think we could have some fun together.

If you were not a designer, what other profession would you most like to do?

When I was in grade 5 I wanted to be a graphic designer and when I was in high school I wanted to be a fashion designer. I can't imagine a career that wasn't focused on design.

What advice can you give to any designers out there wanting to start their own thing?

Know who you are and what you like. Be prepared to work hard to make a name for yourself, and don't expect to be an instant star. Nothing worth having in life comes without really working for it.

Every once in a while a clever designer hits a home run. Two years ago, Matthew Kroeker launched Splinter bench at IDS Prototype: New Ideas for the Home. The wood seating system fits together like a jigsaw puzzle and was picked up by Jane Hamley Wells, a furniture manufacturer in Chicago. Last month Interior Design awarded Splinter a merit award for best residential seating in 2007. Industrial designer Derek McLeod is another regular at IDS Prototype. Because of his talent and entrepreneurial spirit his clients include Speke/Klein and Seating Systems International. He's currently in negotiation with an Italian manufacturer to produce Sum, his elegant walnut chair, which he showed at Prototype 07.

Also fortunate is Natalie Kruch. Last year at IDS, she exhibited an adorable accent table wrapped in balloons as part of the University of Alberta display. Umbra is now manufacturing the design and it's available at the company's new downtown Toronto store.

Next month, Prototype is celebrating its fifth anniversary at IDS. The juried competition/exhibition provides the opportunity for rising designers (and some fairly established ones too) to strut their stuff to the media, industry, and design savvy consumers. Highlights include: Nature's Dryer, a picturesque tree-shaped clothes dryer for the outdoors. Geoffrey Lilge, who famously co-founded Pure Design, which is now sadly defunct, is introducing his brand new Grand sling chair. Patrick Turner and Andrea Pearson, better known as Thout, are exhibiting their playful Beanbench. Also not to be missed is Crawford Noble's Helmet table, made of Corian and, yes, a modified MK2 helmet. Come see these designs and more at the Prototype exhibit at IDS on February 21-24.Tom Dixon, Arne Quinze and Peter Huiberts of Frame magazine will judge the Best Prototype.

Many of you may have seen the IDS magenta sticker around the city. Vote for your favourite and you may have the chance to win Opening Night tickets or Public Day tickets. While you are on the "Contest" page, be sure to enter our Shopping Spree Contest for an exclusive chance to win a gift certificate worth $2,500 towards purchases made with our IDS Exhibitors.

For a closer look of any of these windows, please click on the thumbnails of the window you would like to view on the contest page. Be sure to check back on the window contest page often as we are getting pictures from other contestants.

But then again, Jaga isn’t your normal radiator manufacturer. At last year’s Furniture Fair in Milan, Jaga commissioned Arne Quinze (IDS 08 speaker) to create the “Experience Truck” that trolled the super cool Zona Tortona offsite area as well as created an XL version of the heatwave in chocolate (Belgian, naturally) from which chunks were chiseled off for visitors. As part of the 2006 Nevada dessert Burning Man Festival, Jaga worked with Quinze again to create Uchronia– a structure made from thousands of small wooden beams and nails by 213 people over the period of 2 weeks and then set on fire…see the heatwave at IDS 08 and hear more about Uchronia in the IDS 08 seminar entitled “ Is economic thinking becoming a disease and can creativity be the cure” by Jaga co-founder, Jan Kriekels.

Also showing for the first time in Canada, Dutch furniture manufacturer, Quodes looks at furniture as “lifetime companions” and shows pieces by design superstars Barber Osgerby, Alfredo Haberli and Marcel Wanders, available in Toronto at Ministry of the Interior…and known for their oversized vases and flower pots by international designers like Ron Arad, Karim Rashid, and Ross Lovegrove , Italian manufacturer Serrralunga (presented by Innovativa) shows Flow, a new vase by Zaha Hadid for the first time ever in North America at IDS 08…and at 7 feet tall, you’ll be sure not to miss it.

Netherlands’ based Westplant Green Facility also make their Canadian debut at IDS, a worldwide innovative greens supplier, Westplant works directly with architects to find green solutions. Westplant founder Jaaco Van Delden is also involved in a European study on the positive effects of greenery in the work environment. Westplant’s planters, flowers and green life can be found around the world including Amsterdam’s Krasnapolsky Hotel and Abu Dhabi’s Emirates Palace Hotel.

To visit other international and local exhibitors at the show, buy tickets online here.

Today, one of the biggest challenges for designers is to be innovative. But what does design innovation mean exactly? Functionality, aesthetics, new technologies, all or none of the above? Fortunately for the young Vancouver company, Molo, naval gazing definitions have never held them back. Principals, Stephanie Forsythe and Todd MacAllen, transform everyday materials into useful objects of desire. Their bestselling Softwall and furniture collection revitalizes the old-fashioned honeycomb folding paper (used in paper jack-o'-lanterns, etc.) and has won accolades around the world. Fosythe and MacAllen are partners both personally and professionally and also run a busy architectural practice.

Vancouver is a hothouse for talented designers. In addition to Molo, there is also Omer Arbel. An architect by training, Arbel has worked for John and Patricia Patkau, and Peter Busby. On his own time, he also prototypes good-looking furniture. The 2.4 cast resin chair, and the 1.1 shelf earned him numerous design awards, but never made it into production. However, Arbel hit a home run with his cast glass pendant lighting. He expanded the design into a full collection and started up Bocci to manufacture and sell the lighting around the world.

As Toronto-based designer Patty Johnson, demonstrates, innovation is also about forging new collaborations between craft and industry in developing countries. Johnson spearheads the North South Project, which focuses on creating beautiful products appropriate to the traditions, skills and resources of Botswana and Guyana, as well as other countries for the western markets.

And finally, for something completely different, there is Castor based in Toronto. Founders Brian Richer and Ryan Taylor are the Bob and Doug McKenzie brothers of Canadian design. They love to fool around with reclaimed objects, burnt out fluorescent tubes, vintage headphones and mix it with up Canadiana imagery, such as antlers and beaver tails. The result: whacky provocative design. deleted rest of sentence

Come see the works of Castor, Johnson, Molo and Arbel at IDS this February 21 -24. They will be participating in the special feature "10 Innovative Canadian Designers," presented by Audi and Azure. The exhibit will also showcase: Loyal Loot Collective, massieoffice, Matthew Kroeker, Kerr & Co., and Pierre Thibault.

We’re excited about Winka Dubbeldam being one of our Trade Day speakers this year. Ms. Dubbeldam is the principal of Archi-Techtonics, an architectural firm in NY whose design philosophy “is based upon the combining of the theoretical with the pragmatic, of research with construction.”

We got to ask her some questions:

What are the 5 things that you can't live without?

My friends, my dog, my blackberry, the gym(or yoga) and architecture!

How did you get into design?

We kept moving when I was young, guess I loved construction sites!

Who or what inspires you?

Gilles Deleuze, and other french philosophers, and travelling

What do you consider good design?

Something which has an intelligent fun concept

What “trends” are you loving or hating right now?

Hmmmm, I don't like trends in general

Are there any other designers that you would love to collaborate with? Who and why?

Anyone who does research in new systems and materials!

If you were not a designer, what other profession would you most like to do?

Mathematician

What advice can you give to any designers out there wanting to start their own thing?

Stick to your own ideas and follow your dream regardless

Founded in 1952 in Udine, Italy as a resource for fine upholstery, Moroso is currently under the direction of the founder’s daughter, Patrizia Moroso. Last Spring, Moroso took design to the street with the opening of its New York Soho gallery/store adjacent to the Moss Gallery. Serving both consumer and contract accounts through this space, it further cements Moroso’s position as a design furniture manufacturer at the international forefront of what’s happening. This can also be explained by the company’s choice in partnering with only the most innovative designers, a list that reads like a designers’ hall of fame. For example, at IDS 08, the Moroso stand will be designed in collaboration with Arne Quinze (IDS 08 Trade Talks Speaker), and will show new pieces designed by Quinze as well as by Ross Lovegrove, Ron Arad and Patricia Urquiola. (The IDS 08 Media/VIP lounge will also be outfitted with furniture designed by Urquiola for Moroso and presented by Italinteriors Contract)

And once you’re down at IDS08, check out French designer Jean Marie Massaud’s Ad Hoc chair for Viccarbe being shown by Toronto’s Tusch Seating. Made by hand, each” webbed metal” ad hoc chair is unique. Also new at IDS08 is the Traccia Table (“table with bird’s feet), designed by surrealist Meret Oppenheim and represented by Italian modernist furniture manufacturer, Simon. The tabletop is imprinted with ostrich footprints and sits atop a pair of ostrich legs, originally produced in bronze and 24-karat gold, a white gold version was introduced at the 2007 Milan Furniture Fair and will be shown at IDS 08 by Toronto’s Palazzetti.

In the interim, don’t forget that you can now order your tickets for the show and Opening Night Party online. New this year are also paid workshops: Design & Decorating Trendwatching, presented by House & Home's Cobi Latner and Mark Challen on Saturday and Living With A Commitment to Green, presented by TreeHugger with Sue Bennett of Bennett Design Associates and Mark A Salerno of CMHC. Seating is limited so we encourage you to sign up as soon as you can.

From all here, best wishes for health and happiness for the New Year!

We're thrilled to announce that Amy Kent & Ryan Martin of Croma Design are back in the Interior Design Show (IDS08). Croma Design was one of the four rising stars of last year's Living Concept spaces. This year, they've been selected to design the GE Monogram Lounge, site of the House & Home VIP party for the Opening Night Party and the main lounge used for the rest of the show.

I recently got to talk to them.

Hi guys! It's great to see you back with us, designing yet another special space. It's almost been a year since the last show. How is the experience different now - designing last year's Offspring space compared to this year?

A - It was a great honour to be part of last year's show. This year we are ready for the challenge of designing another amazing feature space, and proud to be a part of GE Monogram's exciting new product launch to the design community.

Can you share with us some details of what you're planning for the lounge this year?

R - Without giving away too many secrets, you can look forward to seeing something "cool" and elegant.

Are there any trends that either of you are loving or hating right now?

A - We are inspired by the modern eclectic trend, mixing classic with modern, and slick with hand finished.

Speaking of trends, what do you guys think are the new trends for 2008?

R - We're excited by the new technologies for integrating electronics more seamlessly and invisibly into design.

At the show this year we're implementing a lot of art or installation type exhibits in the show. What do you think is the difference between design and art?

A - Art is pure expression while Design is always related to a function, a need, or a space.

Are there any new, exciting projects that you are working on now?

R - You've seen a lot of our residential work, but expect to see more retail, restaurants and office projects from Croma in 2008!

The December issue of Metropolitan Home mentioned two new exhibitors to the IDS08 show. Moroso recently announced the opening of their 3,200 square foot showroom in London. We are excited to announce that Moroso, distributed by Italinteriors Contract, is IDS08’s official furniture sponsor of the Media-VIP Lounge. Another IDS newcomer also featured this month is Ronel Jordaan, a South African based textile designer who creates lifelike felt rocks. You can look for Ronel Jordaan’s products at the Africharisma booth.

Our very own Shauna Levy wrote a 4 page article covering the 100% Design Show in London. Among other things, she talks about Tom Dixon (one of our keynote trade day speakers at IDS08) and Established & Sons. Ministry of the Interior, an uber cool gallery-like retailer in Toronto, recently held an opening for the Established & Sons line in Toronto. You can also check out their other lines at the show this year, including a new line from the Netherlands, called Quodes (whose designers include Marcel Wanders).

House & Home recently released their 2008 Trends issue – one of our personal favourites! “Modern Baby” and “Fair Trade” were a couple of the trends that we were quite excited about. Earlier in the Fall, we wrote a post about our expanded KidZone area. We’re glad to see that the trend for modern kid spaces is becoming a norm in interiors. This issue features some products carried by IDS exhibitors Baby Guru and ella + elliot. The concept of “Fair Trade” is not a new one. Canadians continue to buy local…even for their homes! New this year to our show guide is our noting of “green products”; in addition, our Studio North exhibit featuring artisans and their hand made products is more diverse than ever.

The House & Home issue also gives an inside view of the home of one of Canada’s scions of the contemporary furniture industry, Klaus Nienkamper Jr. Klaus runs the super cool contemporary design shop on King Street East, KLAUS. Walking into Klaus’s store, makes you feel like you could be in London, Milan or Amsterdam. Klaus has also supported IDS since year one, making that 10 years now…he’ll be presenting Tom Dixon at IDS this year (if you’re planning to come, get there early to make sure you get a seat!). Klaus will also be showing Tom’s new collection at the show.

Earlier in the year we featured an ad for our show with a picture of Arne Quinze in his studio (Quinze is one of our trade day keynote speakers at IDS08). The caption reads “Belgian Designer, Artist and Provocateur.” Truer words could not have been written. Once a street kid, then a graffiti artist, this self-made designer returned to Brussels, the city where he lived his street life, earlier this Fall to create an awe inspiring art piece in the middle of the luxury district in the city. This project is called Cityscape and was sponsored by Mini. The installation is a huge in size, 40 metres long, 25 metres wide and 18 metres high. Interior Design magazine captures moments of construction, thoughts and reaction to the project. Click this link to watch the time lapse video of Cityscape from concept to final revelation.

Based in Winnipeg’s fashionable Warehouse District, it’s a new boutique manufacturer of handsome wood furniture by talented young Canadian designers. Small-scale manufacturing was quite popular in Canada in the eighties and nineties, but today it has more or less disappeared, with the exception of Speke l Klein and a few others.

HutJ (pronounced Hut-J) is the vision of 42-year-old, Tim Borys. He named his company after University of Manitoba’s design studio, which was housed in an old army barrack. “It has great memories for me, where we made these incredible models,” says Borys. After graduation, he worked for a glass and aluminium fabrication company and made custom furniture on the side. Borys is passionate about furniture: “It has everything that architecture has--the design, the math, and the history--but without the general contractor.” Matthew Kroeker, an innovative furniture designer also from Winnipeg, convinced him that there was a real need for Canadian industry to lend a hand to young designers. “Matthew couldn’t even find a manufacturer for his prototypes,” says Borys. “It just seemed to make sense and be a great opportunity” to start producing Canadian furniture,” adds HutJ.

Indeed it does: HutJ has scooped some of the best new designers in the country including: Derek McLeod, Craig Alum Smith, Thout and Stuart McQuarrie (who have all participated in the IDS Prototype competition).

Future plans for HutJ? Toronto’s Interior Design Show in February 08, of course! There’s also a plan to re-issue the 1950s Winnipeg chair by James Donahue, affectionately known as the Canadian Coconut. “It’s an amazing chair!” exclaims Borys. A manufacturer championing Canadian design, both old and new, that’s amazing too!

See HutJ and over 35 more Canadian designers and studios at Studio North at IDS 08.

In October, we asked the following questions to Lynda Reeves and now it’s Brian’s turn. It’s always interesting to see what inspires a designer. We will be posting more designer profiles on the blog in the months to come so stay tuned.

What are the 5 things you can’t live without?
Family, friends, my art, books, and an antique desk from my parents.

How did you get into design?
I was exposed to interior design when I was young. I come from a creative family so I was always surrounded by art and design in some way. My family had an interior designer and there were always design and architecture books and magazines in the house.

Who or what inspires you?
Old Movies, Fashion, Architecture

What do you consider good design?
Quality materials and craftsmanship

What “trends” are you loving or hating right now?
Trendy spaces that try too hard to be hip.

Are there any other designers that you would love to collaborate with? Who and why?
John Saladino for his incredible color sense and knowledge of the history of architecture and antiques.

If you were not a designer, what other profession would you most like to do?
Medicine.

What advice can you give to any designers out there wanting to start their own thing?
Study everything you can on the history of architecture, fashion, antiques and design
because knowledge is the foundation of interior design. Whether contemporary, modern or traditional, everything relates back to historic proportions, materials and color.

This year KidZone has been expanded to a full section. Come see the latest and greatest offers for budding, design savvy progeny.

We would also like to add a special mention for several Interior Design Show 2007 participants who also won awards last night:

Donald Chong Studio, Silver for Architecture (Residential) for Galley House.
Nienkamper, Gold for Industrial Design for Vox Open Office.
Cecconi Simone Interior Design, Bronze for Landscape Architecture

And of course congratulations to all the winners from last night! We look forward to seeing even more great design at IDS 08!! (if you’re a member of the professional design trade, don’t forget to register for free for our trade day).

Tom’s entrée into the design world began with welding recycled materials and industrial scrap from London’s steelyards into chairs and tables. It was a series of motorcycle accidents that changed Tom’s career path from bassist for London’s punk bad Funkapolitans to welder, designer and ultimately manufacturer.

Known for his iconic Mirror Ball Light, Jack Light and the S Chair (designed for Cappellini), Tom was also the head of design for British furniture chain Habitat. Currently, he is the Creative Director for his eponymous brand TOM DIXON and modernist Finnish Brand ARTEK. Interior design projects include the swanky private club Shoreditch House in East London and residential apartments in Dubai. He has worked on shops for superbrand fashion labels Paul Smith and Vivienne Westwood. His work can be found in the permanent collections of the most important museums around the world. Last year, in homage to Lacoste’s iconic polo shirt and to his personal passion for eco materials and technology, Tom created the Limited Edition Eco Polo and Techno Polo shirt series for the brand.

At the 2007 Milan furniture fair, Tom introduced an exciting new collection of furniture and accessories. It will be launched in the U.S in January, and in Canada, or more specifically Toronto in February at IDS 08, presented by Klaus by Nienkamper.

We managed to ask Catherine Cote, PR Manager of Modern Weave & Weavers Art, some questions:

Why did you choose King Street East as the location for this new venture?

King Street East was a perfect fit for our new contemporary showroom as it is a prime art and design district that has become a cutting edge destination for those with modern design mentality.

How does Modern Weave differ from Weavers Art?

Modern Weave differs from Weavers Art in one fundamental way – it is all about contemporary lifestyle. It is North America’s largest contemporary rug gallery. Modern Weave also carries soft case accessories.

Who is the Modern Weave customer?

Modern Weave was specifically designed to appeal to all contemporary clientele. It has a broad base product line to satisfy a wide customer base – whether that is a designer requiring custom ordering, or a homeowner looking for that perfect rug.

Are there any new collections or designers that you would like to talk about?

The Upper Gallery features designs from Lapchi and Italy’s leading design house StileBK. Another gem found at MODERN WEAVE is the STEPEVI's Main Floor Gallery offering unique rug and textile accessories.

What are some trends in floor coverings that you think are really important right now?

There has been a recent revolution in how floor art is perceived in context to room design. Colour and texture are predominant aspects found in contemporary rugs today – artists are able to execute their designs like never before with the options now available to them.

Modern Weave is located at 160 King Street East (Between Jarvis/Sherbourne) and will be showcasing many of their new products at this upcoming IDS08.

The D/X is a non-profit organization promoting Canadian design and it’s actually housed in Toronto’s original Stock Exchange, hence the name. Each year, they hold a fundraiser to help finance their many programs. This year's gala evening began with a dinner and was followed by live entertainment. A silent auction and raffle was held on the lower level to the strains of a live jazz band playing in the background. One of the silent auction items was a Lacoste polo designed by Tom Dixon (Tom will speak at IDS 08 on Trade Day...details to be released shortly.)

Upstairs, the dance portion of the party was kicked off by the multi-talented DJ of the night and much lauded designer and long time friend of the Interior Design Show, Karim Rashid. Some may recall Karim was the IDS Designer of the Year in 2001 and also designed a concept space called Kit 24, a preassembly house, specifically for IDS 06.

Overall, there was a great turn out and it was wonderful to see so many people come out and support design in Canada.

She is President of House & Home Media, the Toronto-based company that brings you Canadian House & Home Magazine; the television show House & Home with Lynda Reeves; and the merchandise collections House & Home: Style for Living, available at HBC’s Home Outfitters and The Bay stores, and NEST: Style for Casual Living, available at Zellers.

Recently she answered the following questions for us:

What are the 5 things you can’t live without?

1. A fabulous iron
2. Natural floor covering like abaca, sisal and sea-grass
3. White honed anticatto marble countertops for the kitchen
4. Hardwood floors stained dark ebony
5. My hanging Fortuny light fixture

How did you get into design?

I learned by apprenticing at a design firm. I've had a true passion for the subject for as long as I can remember.

Who or what inspires you?

Travel and fashion are my main inspirations. People like Donna Karen, Dries Van Noten, Prada, Mui Mui, Ralph Lauren. Also great vintage textiles and rugs for wonderful colours, textures and patterns.

What do you consider good design?

Good design is when you walk into a room and experience it with all of your senses. You feel it and you try to memorize it. It's not just about seeing a pretty room it's about experiencing it.

What “trends” are you loving or hating right now?

I'm loving fanciful fashion inspired accessories, damask and floral, I love the trend toward whit, i.e: Moooi, taking something serious and treating it in a fun way. I also love the clash of old and new. I hate minimalism, retro 50's and 60's vintage itchy teak.

Are there any other designers that you would love to collaborate with? Who and why?

I would love to collaborate with a great colorist like Donald Kauffman, a great potter like Francis Palmer and the talented textile designers Christiane Lemieux and Jennifer Chused.

If you were not a designer, what other profession would you most like to do?

I would do what I'm doing right now - communicate design - talk about other peoples work, and make great affordable products.

What advice can you give to any designers out there wanting to start their own thing?

Think about what is commercially viable without giving up your art. Always be professional.

We would like to congratulate Anacleto Design Associates and full scale + partners inc. for their awards.

This year, we are working on several special features and exhibits and you will need to come and see them for yourselves. They too could be future award winners!

The Ridpath’s store still holds much of its old school charm with large airy rooms and antique wood beams to showcase the finest in antique and contemporary furnishings and accessories. Proud of its past, Ridpath’s is housing a small museum on its main floor featuring some of the original Ridpath furniture, original furniture design sketches and old ads for viewing over the next six months. I was lucky enough to ask Jack Lochhead, the store manager, some questions.

Ridpath’s just celebrated its 100th year which is such a mind boggling feat. What do you think is the secret to the store’s longevity?

Quality - Ridpath's started this tradition from the start. From the fine furniture made here in the factory to the manufacturers that were chosen when the factory closed down. Service is another important factor to our success; Ridpath's has been a household name that signifies quality and service and we stand behind everything we sell. We have been very selective of all the furniture manufacturers we sell and continue to look for furniture that represents our 100 years of retail. Our customers want the Ridpath’s truck to pull up to their door. We are the only downtown location that offers the quality of furniture we carry and have the reputation to support it as well.

Describe the Ridpath’s “look” and customer.

Ripath's has two sides: the fine traditional furniture which has built our reputation and the other is the contemporary side, which we have always tried to have an edge as styles and trends change. We offer styles that suit today’s diverse lifestyles and living spaces - over scaled furniture to condo size pieces, mixed for a very eclectic look. Today we have diversified with collectable lighting and accessories, a new assortment of the finest linens to original works of art. This is to cater to established clients from over the years, the baby boomers who now want to buy quality pieces for the home and up and coming younger established clients who want to start with quality.

What are 3 things in the store that you are coveting or dying to own yourself?

Contemporary dining from our Italian manufacture Selva, a yet to be produced contemporary platform bed and any of our fine traditional pieces to create that eclectic mix.

Are there any new things or initiatives in the store that you would like to announce?

Service, we have 100 years behind us and I would like to work towards the next 100. With all the competition one has, one has to strive to be number one in service. We have also added a lighting gallery that will offer collectable pieces, a bedding collection of only the finest linens exclusive to Ridpath's and original works of art from paintings to objects of desire. We’re also creating a resource area for our Designer trade, as it is important for us to know what they need.

The other question often asked is can sustainable design be well designed? It’s great to see many innovative designers, architects and manufacturers are stepping up to the plate to answer this question; Tom Dixon being one of them.

His latest project is a lighting installation featuring recycled plastic lights, which use a low-energy compact fluorescent light bulb. In addition to being powered by nearby renewable energy, Glowb will be giving a total of 3,500 of these light bulbs away during the course of the London Design Festival at Trafalgar Square in exchange for old conventional light bulbs, which will be recycled. If you’re lucky enough to be in London this week, you could score one of these light bulbs. The Glowb bulbs’ full consumer launch will be in December 2007 and are provided exclusively by Megamen. No word yet on when these products can be found in North America.

As you know, we’re excited to have Tom Dixon as one of our keynote speakers and it will be interesting to hear more of his thoughts on design. In the meantime, Inhabit has posted this great interview of Tom Dixon speaking about sustainable design.

Anke Fox and Lesley Armstrong won a national competition to capture this coveted commission. Hespeler is an old mill town that hasn’t forgotten its roots and wanted to celebrate its textile heritage through this important commission. Kongats created an award winning transparent glass sheath to surround the 1920s historic library. Armstrong & Fox’s delicate hand-dyed woven yarn and linen fabric and surrounds the perimeter of the second floor and has garnered considerable press. Artisans collaborating with architects-- that’s my kind of Canada.

Two exhibitors that I am eager to see at the show are Baby Guru and Fineline industry. Baby Guru, an online store consisting of modern nursery and playroom furniture, is the brainchild of Jon Dyer and Courtney McBean. For busy parents or parents to be, this is a great way to shop in the comfort of your own home. In addition to notable names such as Bugaboo, Monte, Feurville and Dwell, the owners are launching their own in-house designs in the Fall.

Fineline Industry located in Bangkok Thailand, manufactures funky modern, retro inspired furnishings for kids and teens. With designs reminiscent of 1950’s diner furniture, your child can be the cool cat you always wanted to be yourself. Their site is currently under construction but you can check out a good selection of what they have to offer at the show.

You’ll find new features on our site like the IDSblog (formerly IDS Matrix), where we’ll cover of-the-moment products, projects or events (keep up to date with our posts through your RSS feed reader or have them sent directly to your inbox weekly via our IDS BlogAlerts); a Canadian Design Calendar listing must-attend Canadian design events - ie shows, showroom openings, new product launches, events and parties; a comprehensive design resource guide featuring IDS exhibitors including photos, full company descriptions, and direct links to their websites…and in the near future IDStv will feature short videos highlighting some of Canada’s leading design firms, retail stores and showrooms and not to mention, the behind-the-scenes planning of IDS 08 …and this is just the beginning! In the meantime, take a peek around and let us know what you think…