Coming Up At IDSwest 2012

Get ready for it: Suzanne Dimma and Mark Challen are set to bring their design savvy to the West Coast for House & Home’s third year at IDSwest. The 8th annual residential design show runs next weekend from September 27th to 30th and hosts the crème de la crème of the national and international interior design scene — all under one haute roof. The event has garnered a reputation for showcasing the best new contemporary and cutting edge trends, ideas and products, and this year will be no exception. (This blog post is sponsored by IDSwest.)

Join designers and exhibitors on opening night for an evening of music, entertainment, fashion and — of course — design. After you make your way through the Tips & Trends entrance presented by General Paint — you’ll want to stop and take a closer look at its six unique spaces! — head over to the Bocci Bar by Inform for a cocktail and contemplate its scene-stealing installation. Designed by Omer Arbel, creative director of the innovative Vancouver design firm Bocci, the installation features the all-new 28.d desk lamps, seen above.

Check out GE Café Trade Day on Friday the 28th and hear from industry insiders, like architect Michael Green, who will share their newest, most-exciting projects. Get a taste of la dolcé vita from Italian architect and designer Piero Lissoni as he divulges the inspiration and approach behind his on-site installation and chats about his design process. Impressed by Lissoni’s lounge designed for IDS12 (seen above), Lynda Reeves dissected its secrets in her April 2012 column.

On Saturday the 29th, Suzanne and Mark take to the stage for what’s sure to be the highlight of the weekend — at least we like to think so! Listen in on their interior design secrets as they share some of their favourite personality-filled homes from the pages of H&H, and take a peek inside their own homes. Check out Mark’s bistro kitchen reno and Suzanne’s lovely bathroom refresh — they’ve got some great ideas to help you find your inner decorator. 

Last but not least, don’t miss the always-entertaining HGTV star, Tommy Smythe, on Saturday and Sunday. He’ll be offering stylish solutions for small spaces.

Other can’t-miss show highlights include the One of a Kind District (for all you Etsy addicts), Studio North, which features edgy designs from young, up-and-coming talent, and the What’s Your Design Dilemma? space where you can chat one-on-one with a designer about all your interior design quandaries.

Whatever your style or budget, you’ll find countless exhibitors and designers to suit your taste at IDSwest’s most inspirational year yet. As if that wasn’t enough incentive, drop our name for $2 off tickets. Simply visit IDSwest.com and enter the promotional code, HouseandHome.

Photo credits:
1. Bocci
2. House & Home April 2012 issue, photography by Jason Stickley
3. Suzanne Dimma portrait by Jason Hudson and Mark Challen portrait by Arash Moallemi
4. House & Home December 2009 issue, photography by Michael Graydon