Today is the first day of the fall home show (which sponsored this blog and our fall trends gallery), and there’s no better way to see what’s hot for autumn. Whether you want to turn your home into a sustainable space or incorporate the urban Farmhouse look into your home decor, you’ll find innovative products and great design ideas from over 300 merchants and industry experts. I got to take a peek behind the scenes yesterday, and while lots of exhibitors were still setting up, it’s clear there will plenty of elegant ideas on display for every room in your home. (Scroll down to see images from opening day!)
I also had the good fortune to meet designer Candice Olson, star of W Network’s Divine design (you can see her yourself today at noon). Candice is part of The Décor(k) Tour, a cross-country excursion promoting cork flooring as a chic, stylish, and environment-friendly alternative to wood and tile. Candice gave myself and H&H editors Morgan Michener and Andrea Mills a personal excursion of the six-room mobile showroom she created to demonstrate how versatile cork is, and after seeing the space, I’m sold.
“No other product has all the combined benefits, from green performance to style, than cork,” says Candice. “A lot of wood is sustainable, but that indicates cutting down a tree, planting another tree, and having it grow. The outer bark of the cork tree is what is harvested, and that bark regenerates itself over the course of a nine-year span. The bark is continuously harvested to create the product over the life span of the tree — over 200 years to 300 years of nine-year cycles. It’s a genuinely sustainable product.”
Cork supplies both thermal and sound insulation, as well as being waterproof, mould and mildew resistant, hypoallergenic and hard-wearing. “There isn’t a room in the house where you can’t use cork,” asserts Candice, who has used it anywhere from the shower room to the basement and on walls as well as floors. one of my much-loved spaces in the showroom at the fall home show was the sophisticated sitting area. Both the floors and the sensational leather-like wall treatment are made from cork tiles!
Here are two a lot more stunning examples of cork flooring:
*Update*
Here are some of my much-loved finds from the fall home Show, running now until October 3, 2010, at the better Living Centre, exhibition Place, Toronto. (Get discounts on tickets when you purchase them online!)
This charming pet dog bowl from L’Occhio Fino would look best in a French country kitchen.
This cosy booth by Homestars.com, featuring urban Barn furniture, has our Condos, Lofts and Apartments issue on the coffee table!
The next time I bake, I’m going to imagine I’m using one of these stunning ovens from Elmira Stoveworks instead of my grungy apartment or condo model that has clearly seen better days.
Wouldn’t this be fun in a kid’s bedroom? The murals at MuralUnique are made from original pieces of Canadian art, and range from cute (like this one) to graphic and edgy. this one is called ‘Butterfly Garden,’ by artist Ruth Baker. You can see the original piece on the left of the image.
The lively colours of artist Ivan Trotter‘s work pulled me in from across the floor! inspired by his visits to Provence, France and Tuscany, the original acrylics are as bright and sunny as a Mediterranean day. I love how he made the frame of this work part of the painting; the scrollwork adds extra texture and depth.
The habitat restore Recycled Dwelling was an interesting feature, because everything in the space has been sourced from the habitat For Humanity ReStore. created by Melissa Davis, the exhibit was a great testament to the fabulous, reclaimed home items you can find for next to nothing at the ReStore. For example, this mantle cost less than $200!
I fell in love with the muted colours of this stunning rug from W Studio. While I was tempted to get it on the spot, the prospect of getting it home on the streetcar, and then finding a place to store it until we get a house, made me leave it for the next lucky shopper.
Along with their main booth, Umbra had delightful mini-booths scattered throughout the show floor. I loved these delicate glass necklace holders; each arm has birds sitting on it!
These brightly coloured table runners (at right, hanging over the table) feature beautifully hand-embroidered flowers. made of 100% silk, these are sure to cause a stir at the Thanksgiving table.
Some of the greatest names in design, including Colin McAllister & Justin Ryan and income Property’s Scott McGillivray, will be on hand at the fall home show to share their take on the current decorating trends in interactive design seminars. Plus, cooking and home entertaining demonstrations will show you how to host holiday parties with style, so don’t miss it!
Get a lot more seasonal decorating and entertaining inspiration in our gallery of fall home trends, plus the urban Farmhouse and fall Entertainingtrends blogs.
Photo credits:1. Jennifer Murray2-3. Décor(k)4-5. APCOR6-14. Jennifer Murray