Interior Design Show Vancouver 2019: 4 Nature-Inspired Trends
Earthy palettes and organic materials signal a return-to-nature trend at Canada’s top design show
Creating a connection with nature in today’s digital world was an overriding theme at Interior Design Show Vancouver 2019, which showcased top designers and new products, furniture and concepts. Exhibitors displayed products featuring organic shapes and textures, earthy palettes, botanicals and handcrafted wood, emphasising a back-to-nature direction for design.
The show, held September 26-29 in Vancouver, British Columbia, included more than 220 exhibitors from 17 countries. It attracted more than 38,500 attendees, including architects, interior designers, homeowners and design enthusiasts. Read on to learn how cues from nature dominated designs at the show.
The show, held September 26-29 in Vancouver, British Columbia, included more than 220 exhibitors from 17 countries. It attracted more than 38,500 attendees, including architects, interior designers, homeowners and design enthusiasts. Read on to learn how cues from nature dominated designs at the show.
Vector ceramic tile from Spanish tilemaker Saloni’s Timber series
Another modern take on natural beauty at the show was this eye-catching ceramic tile, the Vector by Saloni, from the Spanish company’s Timber series, which is inspired by wood from Australian eucalyptus forests. The modern pattern repeat of Vector elevates its look.
Find a local interior designer on Houzz
Another modern take on natural beauty at the show was this eye-catching ceramic tile, the Vector by Saloni, from the Spanish company’s Timber series, which is inspired by wood from Australian eucalyptus forests. The modern pattern repeat of Vector elevates its look.
Find a local interior designer on Houzz
Bloom coffee table Style No. 3.4 by MTH Woodworks
This coffee table by MTH Woodworks is called Bloom and is made from tree stumps salvaged from logging industry waste. Designer and company owner Michael Host dries the stumps for a year, then burns them using shou-sugi-ban, a Japanese technique that makes the pieces durable and fire-resistant.
The white top is made from a nontoxic resin and all the hardware is created from scrap metal. Even the wood chip waste produced in making the tables is used: It’s mixed with beeswax to create natural fire starters.
This coffee table by MTH Woodworks is called Bloom and is made from tree stumps salvaged from logging industry waste. Designer and company owner Michael Host dries the stumps for a year, then burns them using shou-sugi-ban, a Japanese technique that makes the pieces durable and fire-resistant.
The white top is made from a nontoxic resin and all the hardware is created from scrap metal. Even the wood chip waste produced in making the tables is used: It’s mixed with beeswax to create natural fire starters.
Column Oval Boardroom table by Union Wood Co.
2. Wood Craftsmanship
Furnishings and flooring at this year’s IDS Vancouver proved that makers are embracing solid, handcrafted wood. Seen here is the Column Oval Boardroom table from East Vancouver-based Union Wood Co. It comes with a top in solid ash, oak, walnut or reclaimed fir and can work both as a dining table or in a modern office space.
2. Wood Craftsmanship
Furnishings and flooring at this year’s IDS Vancouver proved that makers are embracing solid, handcrafted wood. Seen here is the Column Oval Boardroom table from East Vancouver-based Union Wood Co. It comes with a top in solid ash, oak, walnut or reclaimed fir and can work both as a dining table or in a modern office space.
Reclaimed heart pine flooring by Craft Floors
Burnaby, British Columbia-based Craft Floors featured its flooring made from century-old beams and decking salvaged from historic buildings across North America. The company restores the wood by hand to expose its natural patina and authentic features such as nail holes, wood plugs and patches and hand-chiseled bevels. It can supply customers with information on precisely where their floors originated.
Burnaby, British Columbia-based Craft Floors featured its flooring made from century-old beams and decking salvaged from historic buildings across North America. The company restores the wood by hand to expose its natural patina and authentic features such as nail holes, wood plugs and patches and hand-chiseled bevels. It can supply customers with information on precisely where their floors originated.
D4 lounge chair by Atelier Dimopoulos
Handcrafted wood furnishings by designer Stefane Dimopoulos appeared like curated art on the show floor, reminiscent of Danish design classics. This photo shows his D4 lounge chair. Rather than concealing the mechanics of the chair, Dimopoulos exposes joints that would typically be clad with upholstery, allowing the workmanship to become a design feature.
“I try and explain how I make my furniture to strangers without using any words,” Dimopoulos says. “This gives added value to the consumer, as they can see the quality of the work and how I am not trying to hide any cheap tricks.”
Handcrafted wood furnishings by designer Stefane Dimopoulos appeared like curated art on the show floor, reminiscent of Danish design classics. This photo shows his D4 lounge chair. Rather than concealing the mechanics of the chair, Dimopoulos exposes joints that would typically be clad with upholstery, allowing the workmanship to become a design feature.
“I try and explain how I make my furniture to strangers without using any words,” Dimopoulos says. “This gives added value to the consumer, as they can see the quality of the work and how I am not trying to hide any cheap tricks.”
Bohemia pendants by Marset
3. Earthy Colors
Earthy palettes were predominant at IDS Vancouver, highlighting a connection to nature through the use of colour. Marset’s new Bohemia pendant was a striking example of how earth tones – here, green and orange, as might be found in a garden – have made their way into unexpected finishes. The large-scale pendant is made of polycarbonate and is also available in a berry hue.
3. Earthy Colors
Earthy palettes were predominant at IDS Vancouver, highlighting a connection to nature through the use of colour. Marset’s new Bohemia pendant was a striking example of how earth tones – here, green and orange, as might be found in a garden – have made their way into unexpected finishes. The large-scale pendant is made of polycarbonate and is also available in a berry hue.
Primordia engineered quartz surface from Caesarstone
Caesarstone showed off Primordia, a new addition to its Metropolitan line of engineered quartz. The slab has a matte finish and is leathery smooth to the touch, much like weathered river rock. On a light grey base, off-whites and rusty browns are blended with hints of yellow and green for a deliberately imperfect look.
Caesarstone showed off Primordia, a new addition to its Metropolitan line of engineered quartz. The slab has a matte finish and is leathery smooth to the touch, much like weathered river rock. On a light grey base, off-whites and rusty browns are blended with hints of yellow and green for a deliberately imperfect look.
The Benjamin Moore booth at IDS. Photo from IDS Vancouver
Echoing the trend toward earthy browns and soft neutral tones was Benjamin Moore’s palette for its IDS Vancouver booth, shown here.
Echoing the trend toward earthy browns and soft neutral tones was Benjamin Moore’s palette for its IDS Vancouver booth, shown here.
Spiced Rum, left, Jet Black, Cloud Cover and Collingwood paint colours, all from Benjamin Moore
The colours that bedecked the booth are reminiscent of clay, soil and atmospheric compositions.
The colours that bedecked the booth are reminiscent of clay, soil and atmospheric compositions.
Tōrō smart self-watering planter by MiMOKO
4. Low- and No-Maintenance Botanicals
Bringing nature into the home in ways that work with today’s busy lifestyles and shrinking living spaces was a theme found in the botanical-inspired designs at the show. Monique Skelton, founder of MiMOKO, showcased her new Tōrō smart self-watering planter at the prototype exhibit.
The planter has a floating water level sensor connected to a micro-controller computer in the wooden stand. The sensor sends out an LED signal once it hits the bottom of the water reservoir. MiMOKO is developing the second phase of this product, which will be an app. Eventually, the device will send information to the app notifying the homeowner when the reservoir is low.
4. Low- and No-Maintenance Botanicals
Bringing nature into the home in ways that work with today’s busy lifestyles and shrinking living spaces was a theme found in the botanical-inspired designs at the show. Monique Skelton, founder of MiMOKO, showcased her new Tōrō smart self-watering planter at the prototype exhibit.
The planter has a floating water level sensor connected to a micro-controller computer in the wooden stand. The sensor sends out an LED signal once it hits the bottom of the water reservoir. MiMOKO is developing the second phase of this product, which will be an app. Eventually, the device will send information to the app notifying the homeowner when the reservoir is low.
Moss wall art design by Greenstems
Designer Heather March, owner of Greenstems in Vancouver, showed maintenance-free green walls composed of multiple moss species in various colours and textures. The design seen here features a mix of pole, reindeer and sheet moss. The frames are custom-made by a fabricator in Vancouver, then layered with moss, which lasts five to seven years without any light, watering or misting. Clients can replenish the frames with new moss when the time comes.
Designer Heather March, owner of Greenstems in Vancouver, showed maintenance-free green walls composed of multiple moss species in various colours and textures. The design seen here features a mix of pole, reindeer and sheet moss. The frames are custom-made by a fabricator in Vancouver, then layered with moss, which lasts five to seven years without any light, watering or misting. Clients can replenish the frames with new moss when the time comes.
Blooming Citrus wallpaper by Anewall Decor
Large-scale floral wall coverings had a playful presence at this year’s IDS Vancouver. The Blooming Citrus wallpaper seen here is by Anewall Decor. The punchy pattern is printed on a PVC-free wallcovering with a smooth matte finish. The combination of citrus and flowers delivers a pretty and fun daily dose of vitamin C.
Tell us
Which trend or look can you see in your home? If you enjoyed this story, like it, save it, save the photos and share your thoughts below. Join the conversation.
Large-scale floral wall coverings had a playful presence at this year’s IDS Vancouver. The Blooming Citrus wallpaper seen here is by Anewall Decor. The punchy pattern is printed on a PVC-free wallcovering with a smooth matte finish. The combination of citrus and flowers delivers a pretty and fun daily dose of vitamin C.
Tell us
Which trend or look can you see in your home? If you enjoyed this story, like it, save it, save the photos and share your thoughts below. Join the conversation.
1. Organic Shapes and Textures
Several designs at this year’s IDS Vancouver drew on organic shapes and textures, offering fresh interpretations of nature. This photo shows the PoLite candle series and Qualicum Low Tide table by Quake Studio designer Lisa Turner, both designs inspired by land and sea. “My goal with Quake is to sculpt the natural elements of the coast into modern yet timeless pieces that bring a new aesthetic to Northwest design,” Turner says.
The candlesticks feature a curved base that mimics the look of stones found on the shores of the Salish Sea off the coast of British Columbia. The top of the Qualicum Low Tide table repeats the shape of the candlestick base and is intended to echo the rhythm of the tides.