For the average Vancouverite, September marked the beginning of the fall season. For interior designers though? The end of September brought the most anticipated event of the year in our industry, the Interior Design Show Vancouver.
The trek from our home-base of Port Moody to the Vancouver Convention Centre in Downtown was well worth it for us at Andrea Jae Studio, as the Interior Design Show Vancouver 2024 was one to remember.
IYCMI, here were some of our favourite moments of inspo for us this year:
Design inspired by the outdoors: naturally inspired materials and colour palettes
The Perpetua Bar was the social centre of the entire event. Through the use of materials like recycled timber, the aim was to create a space that invited gathering from all angles, blurring the lines between enclosed and open spaces.
Having our office situation in the natural beauty of Port Moody, the West-Coast inspired colour palette felt familiar to us, yet somehow still refreshing in its presentation. Designed by Stark Architecture and Interiors, collaborators also included ffabb (furniture) and A-N-D. (lighting).
Emphasis on Canadian makers and creators
Vancouver locals Lakaz Studio really made an impression on us with their line of home decor and furniture items. A women-led studio (we can relate!) founded by self-taught maker Sadjeda Umar, the focus on resin and the capabilities of the material was on full display here.
You can see marble inside that was sourced from countertop offcuts that otherwise would have been thrown out, also bringing a tactile interest to the pieces.
Emergence of rounded shapes
Rounded objects were in abundance at the Interior Design Show this year. Origins, an iterative design studio, is guided and inspired by materiality. We felt the “maker” vibe throughout the entire show, with a focus on recycled materials and found objects.
While we understand the importance of precision in our interior design practice, we love embracing and highlighting imperfections when it makes contextual sense. Juxtaposing shape, details and texture can be such a playful way to explore space.
Focus on “full circle” life cycle and sustainability
SA-Math is a branch of Studio Alpha, an educational facility now based in Shanghai. With a vision to challenge conventional ways of practicing architecture, we were inspired by this large-scale 3D printed model. It wasn’t slick, nor polished - which we absolutely loved.
Combining concrete with the natural elements of moss created a stark and beautiful contrast. In this piece, sustainability is at the forefront - something like this would have traditionally taken far more time and resources to create.
Interesting plays on texture
Ideet Shannon, an abstract mixed media artist, instantly grabbed our attention with her striking artwork. Captivating one’s imagination while also not being too “loud” is a delicate dance that we as interior designers are always trying to perfect. Working out of her studio in East Vancouver, Ideet’s work is tactile by its nature, inviting a playful use and visualization of 3D texture. Geometry, angular precision and abstract lines all come together to create something truly one of a kind.
Using design to build a sense of community
The Prototype platform at the Interior Design Show provided an opportunity for designers to showcase products that aren’t currently in production.
“Sentidos”, made of cherry solid wood, cotton webbing and porcelain slip, was presented by Natalia Coronado, an industrial designer originally from Colombia who now calls Vancouver home.
The piece was inspired by Vancouver’s (perhaps deservingly so) reputation for being a lonely city. Coronado describes the piece as follows:
“I wanted to build objects that help others deepen the connections they make on a daily basis, and make the connections they already have stronger. “
At Andrea Jae Studio, we want every design to tell a story - storytelling is what we do. After such an inspiring time at the Interior Design Show Vancouver this year, we’re looking forward to implementing some of what we’ve seen and weaving it into the narrative of our current and future design projects.
Are you looking to add some fresh new inspiration to your residential space? Fill out the contact form today and let’s talk.