IDS kicks off 20th anniversary with wine, food and design

A day after Canadian interest rates rose and as housing prices continue to flirt with all-time highs, 5,500 Torontonians celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Interior Design Show last night. At the IDS opening party, well-dressed partygoers sipped fine wines from Niagara to California, tasted delicious canopes prepared by local restaurants and, of course, sampled the latest in interior design and furnishings from more than 300 exhibitors. Forget your worries (and winter) and enjoy.

Perrin & Rowe are aglow

Canadian designers Sarah Richardson, Tommy Smythe, Colin & Justin, Arren Williams and international stars Jay Osgerby, Snarkitecture and Kathryn Ireland mingled with the crowd as Bellosound DJ's blasted grooves across the Metro Convention Centre (though no one was dancing). Altogether, the IDS kick-off amounted to a giant TIFF party but with cool furniture. The IDS opener remains one of the prime cultural events of the city.

For the industry and public alike, the IDS continues through Sunday. Designers can attend professional classes, in-person meets with folks like Richardson, and tours (all sold out) of local landmarks, such as the Broadview Hotel and Bisha Hotel. Homeowners can check out the massive floor show (alas, without the food and wine samples) on Saturday and Sunday (not today, Friday). Tickets.

Whipping up Wit cocktails in front of the DJ at the Caesarstone Stage, the central hub of the IDS

Pai Restaurant creates its wing bean salad: blanched wing bean, chilli shrimp paste, toasted coconut and crispy shallots. A food highlight.

Arepa Cafe's mini reina pepiadas - curvy queens: roasted chicken, avocado, red onion and cilantro. Another food highlight.

Hot Bunzz's Spadina BBQ Duck bun: 5-spice BBQ duck, cucumber, orange fennel slaw and hoisin glaze. The most delicious food of the IDS party.

Meyer's Clean Day blends aromotherapy with household cleaning products, like lemon verbena laundry detergeant.

Jan Kath

Bonaldo

Kare

Design Workshop Architects

PrettyHardware.com

Oscar Peterson pianos

Maple Six: 5-year aged cheddar, benedictine bleu and chevre noir

Inbound by Retrobound

Benjamin Moore

Story and photos by Allan Tong