Decorating & Design

June 29, 2011

2011 Design Bloggers Event

The second Canadian Design Bloggers Meetup took place this past weekend at Toronto’s trendy Brassaii on King Street West. Bloggers flocked from all over to network, schmooze, nibble, and learn which new design blogs have popped up this past year, and which have continued to thrive out there in web world. The attendees ranged from bloggers who work in the design industry to full-time moms to lawyers by day and bloggers by night. This year had an even bigger turnout — more than 70 bloggers! — and even more great sponsors and prizes. Plus, organizers Vitania Liscio and Daniella Zitella managed to book HGTV star and Sarah Richardson designer Tommy Smythe as a guest speaker.

For details and photos from last year’s event, click here.

Here are just a few of the raffle prizes from sponsors like Ikea, Delta, Crate & Barrel and Rowenta.

Daniella (of Dress, Design & Decor) and Vitania (of Verdigris Vie) did an amazing job of organizing the event.

Brassaii was the perfect venue to mingle and chat about all things design.

Here are Vanessa Francis from Decor Happy (left), Christine Dovey from Bijou and Boheme, and Amy Parrag from Eye See Pretty.

The ladies to thank for many of the prizes? Anita Griffin from Delta (left) and Laurie Hall from Rowenta (middle), hanging out with Susan Forint from the blog SAF Affect.

Wendy Hicken from Desire to Decorate and Staci Edwards from Inspired by Life keeping close to the swag bags!

Brittany Stager from My Daily Randomness (left), Amanda Cromwell from Amanda Cromwell Design, Janice Casagrande from Life begins at Thirty, Right?, and Emily Hayes from Not a House, But a Home smile for the camera.

Sharalee Mushore from Escapade (left), Sandi Tower from For Design’s Sake, Daniella Zitella of Dress, Design & Decor, and Maria Miller of Suite Henry enjoy the delish finger foods.

Special guest Tommy Smythe poses with Vanessa Francis from Decor Happy (left), Ana Castanheira from Second Wind Interiors, Sarah Gunn from Wall Candy (second from right), and Christine Da Costa from Decor By Christine (far right).

Tommy kept the crowd in giggles with stories of his trip to Sweden and Denmark with designer sidekick Sarah Richardson. And he passed on some valuable tips about blogging in the design industry.

Daniella (left) and former H&H style editor Andrea Mills (now at Ikea) help Tommy draw the lucky winners who brought home all those fabulous prizes.

All in all, another successful blogger meetup. Thanks to all the creative cats out there keeping the design dialogue going!

Photo credits:
Leah Kirin, Forever Moments Photography