Toronto, January 27, 2012 – The Interior Design Show, Canada’s largest contemporary design fair kicked off last night at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. Since the doors first opened in 1999, IDS has been visited by over 500,000 design professionals, design savvy consumers and media; it has served as a design industry hub providing a unique and unrivalled business opportunity for thousands of design-forward businesses. Each year world-renown designers and architects participate as keynote speakers and create inspiring feature exhibits. Located in the city of Toronto, Canada’s economic engine, IDS provides an annual catalyst for millions of dollars spent on design; and has helped significantly to place Toronto on the design map.

Andrew Richard Designs Booth IDS12

This year’s IDS features an interesting mix of exhibitors, speakers and special exhibits. We recognized many of our favourites from IDS11 and were introduced to some exciting newcomers.

World-renowned Italian architect and designer Piero Lissoni inaugurated last night’s Opening Party as this year’s Guest of Honour and host of the show’s Lissoni Space. Designers Alfred Sung, Burdifilek, Bruce Mau Design, David + Glenn Dixon, Debbie Travis, Donna Karan, FLARE Magazine, Joe Mimran, Philip Sparks and many others created customized versions of dog-shaped chairs donated by Magis Julian for the Cherish Auction with proceeds going to ONEXONE. The How Do You Live? exhibit demonstrates creative design approaches to tight big city living. The way things are going jail cells will be bigger than most bachelor condos.

Azure and Company of Outsiders are paying tribute to some of the most iconic chair designs this year in their Iconic Designs exhibit. Audi has taken the opportunity to launch their A5 Cabriolet ahead of the Toronto Auto Show and famed industrial designer Karim Rashid, the man who has 3,000 products in production in over 35 countries and works featured in 20 permanent museum collections played DJ for the night.

After four hours of perusing the countless IDS exhibits and sampling the great food from La Mexicana and the crazy Molson beer cocktails; the always styling Christopher Dewdney and I caught up with designers Glenn Dixon, Glen Peloso, Elite model Ariane Laezza and a few others at the Thompson Hotel Toronto for the IDS12 After-Party.

IDS12 After-Party - Thompson Hotel Toronto

IDS12 is open to the public this weekend (January 28/29) so be sure to check out some of the It’s All Style To Me favourites:

The Brandaid Project, Ridgely Studios, Pab Design+Build, Modern Revision, Philippe & Anne Pallafra, Fishtnk Design Factory, Native Trails, Interior Nation, VARASMUS Kitchens, Organized Interiors, ALX, Medallion Rugs, Metropolis LIving, North on 60, ELTE, Andrew Richard Designs, FLOS, The Recycler, SPINNAKER, By_Lisson, Creamsicle by Taylor Hannah Architect, UpCountry, Brothers Dressler, Eurolite, Jardin de Ville, Jason Wu for Brizo, Limitless, Contact Voyaging Co., JK, LivingLIGHTING on King, Scavolini, Miele, and SUNG Outdoor.

For more information including tickets, hours, speakers, and exhibits please visit www.interiordesignshow.com. Do yourself a favour and get there early. There’s a lot of ground to cover!