Special Report: Design News from Toronto

Cyndi K. The Elte carpets saturated tones are yummy!; the pelt pendants - thanks for the giggle : ); sectionals are swinging fun, but I wouldn't invest a lot in one; you grow tired of them and they're just not as flexible when you want or need a change.
Again- love getting these updates from the shows....thanks.

Paul Anater It's my pleasure Cyndik, this trend reports are a pleasure to write.

Becky Shankle Thanks again for sharing, Paul! Would love to see more pics from the IKEA display if you have any. :)

Elaine M. Rushlow C.K.D. Hey thanks Paul I was very disappointed that I couldnt go I will definately be there next year for the party.

woodnewman Paul, do you find the Canadian design more European-influenced than American, now that you've seen the two back to back? (P.S The Dekla Scavolini kitchen had all Euro-Line Appliances in it (my client) so we did some great photography of it during non-show hours. That kitchen was beautiful.)

Becky Harris Oh Paul thanks so much for keeping us up to date, you jet-setter you!

Paul Anater Woodnewman, I need to photos! I told Daniele from Scavolini I wanted some photos but I'll take anything I can get. That Scav display was always so crowded I could never get a shot. And yes, I saw a lot more European influences at IDS than I was expecting to.

Becky: I'm just doing my thing (and packing for Spain on Thursday!)

Designher: We had a design blogger meet up and everything. You should have been there!

Becky: I have a few shots, but that display was as crowded as any and it was hard to get a clear photo.

Pat Lukes The fur lampshade is in very poor taste. We are trying to educate the world that using animals that are killed for their fur is not acceptable. No, it is not something that I would ever consider using.

Cydney Kaster I read this with interest as a Canadian from Toronto. About the fur lamp, I have never seen or even heard of something like that anywhere in Canada.... sounds like a designer's whim. Yes, large urban centres are more European in taste largely due to the number of cultures there. You see a lot Transitional Contemporary coming along. BTW, I think sectionals are great because you can take them apart and make them smaller when necessary. Or at least in Europe, they come with a fitting system so that you can take one part out and piece the rest together.

mijbe Having just moved to Toronto from South America I was thrilled to see your feature of the Toronto design scene - it's amazing what you can find here - from the most sophisticated to my favorite, reclaimed! The Brothers Dressler had an amazing display of reclaimed wood furniture and shelves - absolutely stunning!

Designing Home Another great visit to a design fair from the comfort of my home. Thank you. Living in eastern Canada and well away from design savvy Toronto, I viewed this post with great interest. Like cjkaster above, I have never seen a fur lamp and agree that it is hopefully a designer' s whim only. It seems that dark woods are all I ever get to work with these days and it's oppressive for someone who loves bleached and gray tones. I've loved European styled kitchens forever, but the most traditional styles are the design choice in Newfoundland. I like my styling sleek and subtle so the re-dyed vintage carpets caught my eye and the Selene chairs. Hopefully you have more design trips planned Paul.

ewharvard This was almost as good as being at the show. Paul summarized what he saw designer to designer.
Eileen

marmarmish I'm a huge fan of using rustics, especially dark wood, with a contemporary edge. Especially loved the wood wall behind the mounted tv. Definately not a fan of the fur pendants tho - not cool. Canadian winters are too cold for that poor animal to be without his coat!

designchallenged You commented that "The colors were bright, matching the optimism of the Canadian economy." Hmmm. . . .makes one wonder about the current popularity of gray in the US.

Karen I'm intrigued by the bookshelf behind the two sleek gray chairs! Luuuuuuv it!

Irene Turner at Home LOVE the Elte Rugs! simply stunning. Second, the rough hewn woods. I'm sure brass will make a comeback, but don't like much!

Lisa Loved the guayana chairs- fun colors. Fur for me? On my shoulders, please. Or on my floor, in front of the fire,...

gpicillo Love seeing the city I live in be written about so generously, thank you. I too was at the design show, currently being a student of design, I felt transported, I didn't feel I was in To., I was impressed with the quality and inspiration of the colours, textures, and materials used. Go To

gpicillo Love seeing the city I live in be written about so generously, thank you. I too was at the design show, currently being a student of design, I felt transported, I didn't feel I was in To., I was impressed with the quality and inspiration of the colours, textures, and materials used. Go To!

Andrea Love the dark woods, mid-century-inspired designs, deconstructive sleek furniture and brass and gold...Lots of great inspirations, thank you for reporting! IKEA is a wonderful place to shop for cabinetry! Fur for pendants?..I have been taught not to say anything, if I don't have anything nice to say,..but that is pretty much as ridiculous as ridiculous gets....Who came up with that idea? Hannibal Lechter??!!! It puts the lotion on...I thought the idea was to be environmentelly responsible, not cruel. I can understand the role fur plays in subarctic temperatures, but on a pendant..really?? BTW, fur n heat don't mix well...so much for a great design concept. ....I could go on..but I'll stop here before I find Lechter and give him/her that well deserved tar n feather ceremony..Anyway,,,as usually, thank you for your report Paul, love your design style and can't wait for the next one.

loishapi ARE YOU KIDDING US? CANADIAN DESIGNS? WHERE IN TORONTO OR ALL OF CANADA WAS THIS PHOTOGRAPHER? EXCLUDING CARPETS, THESE ROOMS/ITEMS ARE RIDICULOUS TO OBSCENE. I HAVE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING IN TORONTO OR THE REST OF CANADA REMOTELY RESEMBLING THESE SO-CALLED DESIGNS. FUR LAMP SHADES? HELLO? ANYBODY HOME? EMBARRASSMENT.

Elte I just had to say thank you for featuring Elte in your article. My name is Andrew Metrick. My great grandfather started Elte more than ninety years ago, which makes my brother and I the fourth generation. All of the rugs you see were my brother Jamie's doing. He buys rugs and broadloom while I buy our furniture as well as bath/kitchen products for our sister company Ginger's. The Second Life rugs we showed at IDS are, as you said, antique rugs anywhere from 30 to 80 years old which we've sand-washed and then re-dyed in fresh, vibrant new colours Seeing the ways that different people have used them for their homes has easily been my favorite part. Anyway, I just wanted to say thank you. It looks like you had a great show. My family and I were at our booth all weekend and I just loved meeting everyone that could drop by. The response from people was overwhelming.

Thanks again and I hope to see you at Elte or Ginger's sometime soon!

Andrew.

denpo I don't recognize Canadian design in those photos.