IDS 2011 - Surface Innovation

Another exhibitor at IDS 2011 that we found interesting is

At first glance, it didn't seem like a lot, but when you look more in depth, it really does open up a lot of options!  What Surface Innovation does is specialize in veneer finishes, and not your regular stone/brick types, but natural slate, sandstone, and granite flexible veneers.  The guy at the booth explained that they take these slate and sandstone pieces, cut them down to 1mm slabs, and attaches a fiberglass backing to them.  What it provides is a bendable piece that can be fitted to most curves and surfaces without the weight and is much easier and affordable to install.

Below are some finishes I found from their site.  I can so see Kel try to incorporate some of these to our basement. :P

Possibilities are endless!  Below's two examples off their gallery.

IDS 2011 - EdgeWater Studios

Kel and I went to the Interior Design Show this past weekend and had a blast!  As always we "ooooh"ed and "ahhhh"ed over the various booths, offering new design ideas, materials, and trends.  As with any other show, we ended up collecting a lot of brochures and contact info.. too much to sum up in one post coherently, so I thought I'd share a few of them here.


The first exhibitor I'd like to share is..

EdgeWater Studios is based out of Vancouver (Go Canada!) and focused on custom tiling.  Now what is custom tiling?  Before this weekend, I wouldn't think twice about it, but after seeing patterns and murals like these...

How can I not be excited?  :)  Besides the ones shown on their site, they highly recommend you contact them as there are many different materials and colours available.  So one design can have many different looks depending on your choices!  Hmm.. I wonder how hard they'll be to install..

Interior Design Show 2010

IKel and I went to the Interior Design Show 2010 this past weekend at the Metro Convention Centre and saw a lot of cool and fun booths!  We didn't run into Sarah Richardson, but we did see her colleague Tommy walk by!

For those who's been following our blog, you'd know I've been in love with the Riobel Eiffel series faucets for the past half year or so.  I didn't think I'd see anything more elegant until this weekend! Check out the sleek and sexy curves on this Brizo Virage series!

Another set of faucets display we really love was the Axor Massaud.  We absolutely love the triangular sinks and soaker tubs paired with the faucets and branch like wall hooks.

While at IDS 2010, we visited our friend Tyco's award winning table "Fracture".  Below, I've taken a picture of Tyco and his award winning piece.  I've also attached a video that shows why his table is called "Fracture".  It's actually really cool, as it can be broken off into three pieces and used separately, as well as reassembled into different combinations for use that way.  You can check out more Tychotic Designs here.

Something else that really caught our eye at the show were all the different tiles on the market.  Check out these turtleshell tiles below by Saltillo.  Do you like the white or grey ones better?

And what about these bubble tiles?  Aren't they cool? :)

We thought this dining table and all its colourful chairs are pretty cool, too!

And finally, there were a lot of displays for electrical and gas fireplaces.  Out of all of them, this one really caught my eye.   Check out that tree in the middle, I thought the effect was quite unique.