Spotted: 4 Nature-Led Trends at Canada's Interior Design Show
Earthy palettes and organic materials signalled a return-to-nature trend at Canada's top design show in 2019
Barbara Milner
27 October 2019
Houzz Contributor. Designer, journalist and vintage hound. I enjoy telling personal stories through my design projects and creating happy, practical spaces that are both inspirational and memorable. I adore edgy elegance and have a passion for vintage objects and curiosities. You can often find me with hair in bun and child in tow at thrift shops and antique markets. www.southhillinteriors.com.
Houzz Contributor. Designer, journalist and vintage hound. I enjoy telling personal... More
Creating a connection with nature in today’s digital world was an overriding theme at Interior Design Show (IDS) Vancouver held in Canada last month, which showcased top designers and new products, furniture and concepts. Exhibitors displayed products featuring organic shapes and textures, earthy palettes, botanicals and handcrafted timber objects, emphasising a back-to-nature direction for design.
The show, held from 26 to 29 September 2019, 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 from 26 to 29 September 2019, 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 PoLite candle series and Qualicum Low Tide table by Quake Studio
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,” says Turner.
The candlesticks feature a curved base that mimics the appearance of stones found on the shores of the Salish Sea off the coast of Canada’s 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.
Find a local interior designer or decorator on Houzz to work the latest trends into your home in a timeless way
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,” says Turner.
The candlesticks feature a curved base that mimics the appearance of stones found on the shores of the Salish Sea off the coast of Canada’s 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.
Find a local interior designer or decorator on Houzz to work the latest trends into your home in a timeless way
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 timber from Australian eucalyptus forests. The modern pattern repeat of Vector elevates its aesthetic.
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 timber from Australian eucalyptus forests. The modern pattern repeat of Vector elevates its aesthetic.
Bloom coffee table Style No. 3.4 by MTH Woodworks
This Bloom coffee table by MTH Woodworks 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 traditional Japanese technique that makes the pieces durable and fire-resistant.
The white top is made from a non-toxic resin and all the hardware is created from scrap metal. Even the timber chip waste produced during the tables’ manufacturing process is repurposed: it’s mixed with beeswax to create natural fire starters.
How to Build Recycled and Discarded Material Into Your Home
This Bloom coffee table by MTH Woodworks 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 traditional Japanese technique that makes the pieces durable and fire-resistant.
The white top is made from a non-toxic resin and all the hardware is created from scrap metal. Even the timber chip waste produced during the tables’ manufacturing process is repurposed: it’s mixed with beeswax to create natural fire starters.
How to Build Recycled and Discarded Material Into Your Home
Column Oval Boardroom table by Union Wood Co
2. Timber craftsmanship
Furnishings and flooring at this year’s IDS Vancouver proved that makers are embracing solid, handcrafted timber. Seen here is the Column Oval Boardroom table from 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. Timber craftsmanship
Furnishings and flooring at this year’s IDS Vancouver proved that makers are embracing solid, handcrafted timber. Seen here is the Column Oval Boardroom table from 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
British Columbia-based Craft Floors featured its flooring made from century-old beams and decking salvaged from historical buildings across North America. The company restores the timber by hand to expose its natural patina and authentic features, such as nail holes, timber plugs and patches and hand-chiselled bevels. For an extra level of detail, the company can supply customers with information on precisely where their floors originated.
British Columbia-based Craft Floors featured its flooring made from century-old beams and decking salvaged from historical buildings across North America. The company restores the timber by hand to expose its natural patina and authentic features, such as nail holes, timber plugs and patches and hand-chiselled bevels. For an extra level of detail, the company can supply customers with information on precisely where their floors originated.
D4 lounge chair by Atelier Dimopoulos
Handcrafted timber furnishings by designer Stéfane 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 workings to become a design feature.
“I try and explain how I make my furniture to strangers without using any words,” says Dimopoulos. “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 timber furnishings by designer Stéfane 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 workings to become a design feature.
“I try and explain how I make my furniture to strangers without using any words,” says Dimopoulos. “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 colours
Earthy palettes prevailed at IDS Vancouver, highlighting a connection to nature through the use of colour. Marset’s new Bohemia pendant was a striking example of how earthy tones – here, green and orange, as one might find 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 colours
Earthy palettes prevailed at IDS Vancouver, highlighting a connection to nature through the use of colour. Marset’s new Bohemia pendant was a striking example of how earthy tones – here, green and orange, as one might find 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 matt 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 matt 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; image from IDS Vancouver
Echoing the trend toward earthy browns and soft neutral tones was Benjamin Moore’s paint palette for its IDS Vancouver booth, shown here.
Echoing the trend toward earthy browns and soft neutral tones was Benjamin Moore’s paint palette for its IDS Vancouver booth, shown here.
Benjamin Moore paint colours from left to right: Spiced Rum, Jet Black, Cloud Cover and Collingwood
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.
Toro 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 and native to New Zealand, showcased her new Toro self-watering planter at the prototype exhibit.
The planter has a floating water-level sensor connected to a micro-controller computer in the timber stand. The sensor sends out an LED signal once it hits the bottom of the water reservoir. The company is developing the second phase of this product: an app. Eventually, the device will send information to the app, which will notify the homeowner when the water 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 and native to New Zealand, showcased her new Toro self-watering planter at the prototype exhibit.
The planter has a floating water-level sensor connected to a micro-controller computer in the timber stand. The sensor sends out an LED signal once it hits the bottom of the water reservoir. The company is developing the second phase of this product: an app. Eventually, the device will send information to the app, which will notify the homeowner when the water 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.
Flower Haze from The Herbarium Collection by WA Moga 29
Founder Reiko Katayama of WA Moga 29 showcased her modern twist on herbariums: hand-picked plants preserved with premium-grade silicone oil. A lack of daylight presents no challenge for these vibrant florals, and no maintenance is required.
Founder Reiko Katayama of WA Moga 29 showcased her modern twist on herbariums: hand-picked plants preserved with premium-grade silicone oil. A lack of daylight presents no challenge for these vibrant florals, and no maintenance is required.
Blooming Citrus wallpaper by Anewall
Large-scale floral wall coverings had a playful presence at this year’s IDS Vancouver. The Blooming Citrus wallpaper seen here is by Anewall. The punchy pattern is printed on a PVC-free wallcovering with a smooth matt finish. The combination of citrus and flowers delivers a pretty and fun daily dose of visual vitamin C.
Your turn
Which of these four nature-inspired trends captures your imagination? Tell us in the Comments, like this story, save your favourite images and join the conversation.
More
Keen to see how nature and sustainability is being embraced in trade fairs on the other side of the globe? Read up on Sustainable Ideas to Adopt From the London Design Festival
Large-scale floral wall coverings had a playful presence at this year’s IDS Vancouver. The Blooming Citrus wallpaper seen here is by Anewall. The punchy pattern is printed on a PVC-free wallcovering with a smooth matt finish. The combination of citrus and flowers delivers a pretty and fun daily dose of visual vitamin C.
Your turn
Which of these four nature-inspired trends captures your imagination? Tell us in the Comments, like this story, save your favourite images and join the conversation.
More
Keen to see how nature and sustainability is being embraced in trade fairs on the other side of the globe? Read up on Sustainable Ideas to Adopt From the London Design Festival
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Love the textural look of the Spanish wall tile combined with the colour palette.
Brilliant article!
Lovely job!