Finding that inspiration to decorate new digs or enliven an outdated abode isn't easy - even if Colin & Justin say it is.
The Interior Design Show won't solve all your reno problems. But this cavernous collection of cutting-edge products at Toronto's Exhibition Place is one way to get to to your nesting Nirvana.
Towering fixtures shimmering with energy-efficient lights greet design mavens, dangling from the ceilings as they walk into the Direct Energy Centre - the home base for IDS until Feb. 8.
Individual room settings, such as those found in this year's 5X5 displays, present inviting, upscale twists on today's biggest lifestyle trends.
From artfully designed faucets with the perfect splash mechanism to eco-friendly "hydration units," posh landscaping ideas and idyllic, toxin-free beds, the message to buyers, consumers and designers in 2009 is simple: Think big or go home.
Enthralled with small
"You have to approach a show like this with certain basics," says Toronto design expert Kevin Fitzsimons.
"Nothing replaces great, functional design," says Fitzsimons as he studies a multi-scalloped sink basin. "Check out the faucet. It splashes water off the sink," he points. "That tells you it wasn't designed properly. That's not what you want in your home."
Don't overlook the small finds. It's hard to do given IDS' massive size. But if you keep focused on the booths, not the overall splash of the showroom, you'll discover items and ideas that will surprise and inspire you, Fitzsimons says.
Aquaovo's sleek, ceramic water filters, for example, were an unexpected delight and an eco-friendly eye-opener.
Like some "Jetson"-styled water unit ready to serve guests in style, the creamy ceramic dispenser includes a filter that can be sent away for recycling and replacement. It keeps water cool with minimal energy. More over, its smooth, stacked, egg-shaped silhouette makes an interesting conversation piece in any home.
"Even if you have just the bare bones in your house, a piece like this makes a great focal point. It does its job. Its design is excellent and right for the times. It says something to everyone who walks by," says Fitzsimons.
It's about ideas, not the big sell
No matter your budget, everyone can enjoy the hunt for new ideas. It's exciting. It's illuminating. But more than that it's an invitation to experiment in your living space -- that's what the IDS show is all about.
A testament to that philosophy comes from the students at Ryerson University's School of Interior Design.
Driven by the idea of community and the design process, these future design stars present some exciting treatments for smart, functional living spaces of the future.
For example, a clever cardboard desk sits proudly upon Ryerson's NAPitat display booth. The desk is eco-friendly and functional. It's sturdy and clean-shaped. It also has a foldaway cardboard bed built into the bottom of unit.
"Our goal was to create a piece of furniture that let you work, sleep and be creative all in one spot," says Laura Carwardine, a second year Ryerson student involved in this desk's design process.
In the same vicinity Albertan design students present chic, clear, plastic-looking curtains suspended before inverted display units and foam-cut magazine racks.
From fledgling design stars to the big names in the industry, IDS' best ideas and brightest designers all share the same message: Live creatively.
