Five Interior Design Show 2014 Favourites for Young Professionals

The 2014 Interior Design Show is Canada’s premier showcase of new products, innovative designers, and avant-garde concepts from North America and beyond.

Ali Budd, Notable Interior Design Partner and principal of Ali Budd Interiors, shares five products featured at IDS14 that stood out as must-haves for any stylish young professional’s décor dream list.

Mix and Match by Ceragres (pictured above)
While boldly coloured and/or patterned tiles aren’t generally my first choice for a sophisticated interior, stopping in at the Ceragres display proved there’s an exception to every rule. They used IDS to introduce a new Mix and Match line, which features eight different series in gorgeous hues and patterns, designed with a wall or light residential flooring application in mind. The colours and patterns hit the perfect balance of fun and elegance – an unexpected and unique combination that can put a personal stamp on any space. Each 6” x 18” tile has been designed to be versatile enough to configure them to satisfy your eye. These would be stunning in a space like a power room or mudroom where you can afford to take some risks without being overwhelmed as the amount of time you spend in these types of spaces is limited.   

Nuview windows and doors
Nuview has been manufacturing windows and doors for over 30 years, their continued success attributed to tireless innovation and design genius. Case and point: their award-winning Brilliance Series, which caught my eye immediately. Unlike the other retractable door and window series showcased at IDS, Nuview’s Brilliance Series is designed with glass panels that operate and open independently, allowing you to place them in large or tight spaces and open one or more panels at a time. Based in Toronto, they’ve made this product to withstand even our harshest wind chills – and for those glorious few months when the sun shines, the standard sliding mesh screens keep the bugs out. The range of size options is the cherry on top of this amazing product. These doors and windows come in many standard sizes, making them an accessible and more affordable option to anyone wanting to transform their space into a coveted architectural masterpiece. 

nuview

Ikea
Yes, Ikea. Their incredible (and accessible) design aesthetic has always been well represented at IDS. This year their focus was integrating select products from their line with more expensive pieces to create a high-end look. This is something we’ve been doing in clients’ houses for years – although Ikea is a fantastic, mostly inexpensive resource, we aim for the space not to read “Ikea.” Tricks like pairing an Ikea kitchen or vanity with premium finishes and fixtures were front and center at the show. One of our favourite pieces was from their new Silkeborg rug collection, which at first glance was difficult to distinguish from the expensive second life rugs at Elte (second life rugs at Elte can be upwards of $7000, while a 6′ 7″ x9’10” Silkeborg is priced at $999). Pairing this rug with a vintage bench and a grouping of their new Stockholm chandeliers made for a stunning vignette that one would be hard pressed to recognize as coming from our favourite big box retailer.  

ikea

Flor carpet tiles
Early in my career, I spent a lot of time designing common spaces in condo buildings and I used the 19.7” square Flor carpet tiles all the time. They were durable, easy to clean or swap out if a tile falls victim to one of those dreaded un-removable stains. Walking through the show I was ecstatic to see their booth showcasing bold, chic new patterns and textures marketing themselves to a more residential application. Using the Flordots system, you can design and create an area rug in any shape or size, add a border (or not) and mix and match colours and prints – all without the need to use adhesive on your floors. Each square is made from 100% recycled nylon fibers, have low vocs/off gassing and can be recycled through their return and recycle program. The best part of the Flor system is the price point; a standard 5’ x 7’ rug would typically work out to be less than $200! Anyone who has ever shopped for an area rug knows this is incredible. Shipping is free and samples can be ordered for $2 each. High style and good quality at a low price point made this a big value win for us at IDS. 

flor

klampwave antennas
Although our heart flutters when we see something strikingly beautiful, we do have a deep appreciation for well-engineered function. This small start-up had the show buzzing with one of the most usable products for the young professional we’ve ever seen. The accessibility of our favourite shows online are causing people to eliminate cable from their lives – and the expensive monthly bills that come with it. The compromise is missing out on the local TV content in your region. The klampwave proves the modern antenna has come a long way from that twist of coat hangers you remember from your childhood. Designed for those living in high-rise environments or close to urban areas, it’ll give you up to 30 local channels depending on your location and elevation. Unlike other antennas, there’s no wall outlet required, only a small thin cord directly into your flat screen. Easily mounted on any wall or window, not only will it look slick but the picture quality was equally impressive. A one-time price $65-80 lets you keep up on local news without paying the cable company premium. 

klamp

#LYNL | (Live Your Notable Life)

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