IDS 12 - Design stalking

IDS 12 is less than a week away and there are lots of exhibits I can't wait to see.  It is the event of the year for design in TO and is the place to see the latest trends in action and to discover what we may be calling a "trend" in future years.  I love checking out DesignGenNext - exhibiting local design schools, Studio North - focusing on Canadian designers and Prototype - pieces from independent designers.   Some exhibits I'll be checking out on Friday include:

IZM - Eyeful Walnut - I love the shape the lines of this table make

Roshan & Pumbeeri Collection - Tahir Mahmood - check-out those candleholders

Joel Tobman - In Out Chair (by my lovely friend's hubby)

Brothers Dressler - Cross III Table 1 - these guys can do no wrong

Resource Furniture - Cabrio - love the bright colours of this transformative piece

Uufie - Score - I love units like this that can act like room dividers

Happy Chair - Fab.com

The latest from Fab.com has some fantastic chairs.  Shawna Robinson takes one-of-a-kind chairs and updates them with contemporary prints and colours.  I love how she uses a range of fabrics to create something truly unique while still retaining the shape of these classic chairs.  Check out her site Happy Chair for more galleries and where you can find her creations. 

Tabatha

Marie

Pippa

Wallpaper

I've only used wallpaper once in my own home but am always flipping through wallpaper books whenever I pop into my local paint shop looking for inspiration.  Here are a few of my recent finds:

Eijffinger has a wonderfully whimsical collection called Pip.  It's actually a collaboration with Pip Studios which is a Dutch-based company that specializes in "Happy products, Happy people".  Their prints certainly exemplify that thought.

Brocante - 10711 - would be wonderful in a cottage

Artikino - 386102 - no need for your own artwork

I love Shand Kydd (available through Sears) and my spare room incorporates this Kendal pattern:

Large floral pattern - a 2012 trend

So many vivid colours to choose from - fun for an accent wall or small space

Tap into the reclaimed wood trend and rather than attaching barnboard to your wall (still a fabulous idea though) try Piet hein Eek Scrapwood wallpaper instead.

If you like Amy Butler's fabric designs then you'll love her wallpaper line through Graham & Brown.  It definitely has that over-the-top 60's/70's vibe but when you look at the furniture parings in the images below, you can see that it actually feels quite contemporary.

Or go custom and create your own wallpaper.  Rollout is a great company with studios in Vancouver and Toronto.  They design and digitally print custom wallpaper by the square foot and their site is full of fantastic images showcasing their work. You can also print your own artwork.  I particularly like what they've done for Earls on King St. in Toronto and one of my fave restaurants in Calgary, Mango Shiva.

Earls - King St - Toronto

Mango Shiva - Calgary

You can even turn your own photos into wallpaper and create a mural using one photo or create a collage of photos.  Artistic Homeowner is just one site I found on-line that provides this type of service and even includes an enormous collection of photo murals for inspiration.

Landscapes

Sky - would be really fun in a kid's bedroom

Water washing on rocks - quite abstract

Walls - not just for paint or wallpaper

During one of my school projects, my partner and I were researching the use of barnboard for our country-influenced design.  There really are so many wallcovering options outside of paint and wallpaper and a few options include:

Barnboard - Urban Tree Salvage is a great source for reclaimed weathered barnboard from abandoned and dismantled barns and can be used to panel walls

via the Ace Hotel in Portland

Brick - Century Architexture is an easy way to get the look of a brick wall when exposing the underlying brick in your home isn't an option (if it even exists at all)

via Century Architexture

Grasscloth - reborn - a new option has the texture of grasscloth but is comprised of recycled newspaper.  I think this would be perfect in a laid back library/office.

Weitzner Newsworthy wallpaper (WNE113-1)

Fabric - Apartment Therapy has an article on how to make removable fabric wallpaper with just lightweight fabric and fabric starch. A great idea for renters or those not willing to make a big commitment.