The Interior Design Show West (IDSwest) is Western Canada’s annual premier residential design show featuring 300 curated exhibits showcasing quality products and services to an audience of consumer design enthusiasts, industry professionals, architects and designers. The event attracts over 30,000 design aficionados over three and a half days, all of them looking to source and purchase some of the latest trends and innovations in contemporary home design.
Taking place from September 19-22, 2013 at the Vancouver Convention Centre West, IDSwest boasts an exciting lineup of guest speakers set to take the Para Design Stage. This year’s program showcases Canadian flavour including all-time Canadian favourites from across Canada as well as some notable speakers from our neighbours to the south in the Pacific Northwest. Presenters will impart their passions, inspirations and knowledge on topics such as the New Canadian Aesthetic or The Power of Collaboration and much more.
This year’s speaker highlights include the following:
Brian Gluckstein: Interior designer Brian Gluckstein is internationally recognized as one of the top 35 designers in the world by the Interior Design Journal and has been named “Canada’s Favourite Interior Designer” by Canadian House and Home.
The Design Agency is an award-winning Toronto-based design consultancy managed by former HGTV’s The Designer Guys, long-time friends Allen Chan, Matt Davis and Anwar Mekhayech. Their studio unites architectural, interior design, branding and digital design expertise and boasts a local and international portfolio of projects including TELUS Gardens in Vancouver and the cutting-edge Generator Hostels of Barcelona, Dublin, Hamburg and Copenhagen. The Design Agency embraces the full spectrum of design typologies and remains open to innovative ideas, technologies, and new creative design approaches that enables them to bring the best solutions forward to their clients.
Tommy Smythe of Sarah 101: Big Ideas and Stylish Solutions for Small Spaces. Known for his incredible sense of style, his passion for design and his signature look (complete with an enviable collection of bowties) Tommy Smythe is one of HGTV’s most beloved personalities. Tommy is not afraid to tell it like it is and viewers appreciate his frank, delightfully acerbic approach to interior design.
Kelly Deck and Craig Stanghetta: Kelly Deck has immersed herself in the spirit and lifestyle of the West Coast design community. After opening her interior décor boutique on Vancouver’s Main Street in 2002, she began a successful foray into homes and backyards, developing a design presence that champions the integrity of coastal living and the importance of design. Now the director of Kelly Deck Design in Vancouver, her full-service interior design firm specializes in private residences. Craig Stanghetta is a highly sought-after restaurant designer known for putting his earthy and elegant stamp on establishments such as Bao Bei, Revolver, Meat & Bread, Pidgin and the Homer St Café and Bar. Craig uses his natural eye for design to create some of the most interesting spaces in the Vancouver restaurant, lounge and café scene.
Anna Abbruzzo and Alain Courchesne: Anna Abbruzzo and Alain Courchesne are the award-winning interior design duo behind IglooDgn. Established in 2005, IglooDgn has an illustrious international roster of projects and in 2012 opened a second office in Shanghai to service their strong demand in the Asian market. Based out of Montreal, both designers bring a passion and fresh approach to design, focusing on building a detailed brand identity in each project from inception to completion. Be sure to check out the Bar by Inform, Designed by Igloodgn on the show floor at IDSwest.
Jeff Kovel: Portland-based Skylab Architecture firm is best known for designing commercial and residential spaces notably the W Hotel in Seattle and Nike Camp Victory. Both projects were recognized by the Interior Design Best of the Year Award in 2012.
Matthew Coates: The award-winning architect behind Coates Design Architecture has 15 years of sustainable design and consulting experience. He is forward-thinking, focusing on where architecture and sustainable design are heading, using technology to promote the most versatile use of energy and materials. Matthew’s firm, Coates Design, is based out of Bainbridge Island, Washington.
Johnson Chou: Johnson has an extensive background working with some of the best agencies in the country and has been the recipient of many awards including the Arts Toronto Protégé Award. His firm, Johnson Chou Inc., is a multidisciplinary design practice encompassing architectural and industrial design, furniture and interiors, graphic identity and corporate communications.
Amanda Forrest: Amanda’s enduring style of vibrant, fresh sophistication and modern classic appeal has made her a well-known personality in the world of Canadian design. Amanda appears on TV as the design expert for The Marilyn Denis Show and as a style personality on CTV Morning Live. The owner and founder of Amanda Forrest Interior Design Group, her work has included prop styling for Benjamin Moore Paints, colour forecasting for Comex Group (General Paint), brand consulting for Moulding & Millwork, and designing the Etalk Celebrity Lounge for the Juno Awards.
For more information, please visit www.idswest.com.