2 Videos Highlighting Toronto Interior Design Show 2012

Irwin Weiner ASID - The Toronto Interior Design Show 2012 this January saw a resurgence in up-north style that spanned the globe. We were impressed with the imaginative use of shipping containers, with designers and studios turning them into living spaces (see above, from Mason Studio, Toronto), and the room that Piero Lissoni designed (see below, the show's official international guest of honor - what do you think of the bookshelf with books spine-in, showing off pages; it's a look!).

The official show overview video is directly above ... and delightful interior design blogger Kat Bell of Kat Bell Designs visited the show and took the video highlight reel (below) of some of the sights, designs, and innovative products that made an impression on her.

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3 Tips for Decorating Red in Your Home

Jessica Ackerman - During these chilly months, the winter weather is often quite bleak and cold outdoors. However, this doesn't mean that the inside of your home has to look bleak as well. This year, why not spice up your home's look with some exciting touches of red? Not only is red the perfect choice for Valentine's Day decor, but it's also just a great color to add an overall warm and inviting look to your home long after Love Day has passed. Here are 3 tips you can use to help spice up your home with red.

1. Decorate with Hearts

Heart shapes can offer a lot of decorating versatility, not only for Valentine's Day decor but also throughout the rest of the year. Whether you prefer small, frilly and romantic looking hearts or the bold look of large heart shapes, the overall look will be warm and inviting. If you like the look of wooden art, look for pieces that feature a heart motif. For a subtler look, kitchen towels decorated with small red hearts or a wallpaper border featuring red hearts could be just what you need.

2. Go Bold

If you want to give your home a warmer look for winter, try going bold with your color scheme. Darker and bolder colors often work quite well for winter decorating schemes, providing a much-needed touch of contrast against the white snow and bare tree branches outdoors. Red can be a perfect choice to use, especially since there are so many different red shades from which to choose. For example, you might choose a deep burgundy shade to blend nicely with a traditional decorating scheme, or a bright light red shade to add a more contemporary touch.

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3 Things We Hate in the Interior Design Industry

Irwin Weiner ASID - If you've followed our Design2Share videos in the past, you know that we have our own "pet hates" about the design industry. Our Worst Home Design Mistakes video has garnered many thousands of views because people are naturally drawn to worst dressed lists and other industry rants. By and large, we try to stay on a positive, upbeat path, but here are three aspects of the interior design industry that I can't stand ... and I'm not going to take them sitting down any more!

1. Home Goods Shipped in Flimsy Packaging

More designers and their clients are turning to online decorating resources and having merchandise shipped to their homes or job sites. Why do some companies fail to understand that merchandise is fragile and should be well packaged so home goods arrive unscratched, unbroken, unmarred, unbent, and ready to use? I've had mirrors packaged in flimsy cardboard boxes; they arrive with the broken contents tinkling around inside the container. Not acceptable! Advice: Be sure you do not accept any merchandise delivery until you open it up and carefully inspect all items. Do not sign for or accept something that is damaged. Have it sent back and work with your designer to get a free replacement rush shipped in proper packaging - a crate if they have to in order to ensure a better condition upon arrival.

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The 8 Best Interior Design Color Sources

Irwin Weiner ASID - I love how both the fashion and interior design industries are run by "trends." So-called experts and manufacturers come out at the start of each new year with their color trend prognostications. They group colors together into compelling "stories" and tie in editorial hogwash aimed at attracting consumers.

"These shades of green will give you the comfort you're looking for in a world plagued by a declining economy - and who can't use a reassuring life?" "These colors radiate warmth and sunniness, putting you into a good mood and energizing your life." It all sounds good, but it boils down to the very real psychology behind colors. 

Cool and warm colors impact our moods, and if you're running a paint company or coming out with new appliances or floor fashions or wall coverings, it pays to tap into the psychological vein, spin some color palette stories, and call them hot trends in the hope that consumers will buy more of your products. 

I don't think color trends amount to compelling information you must  use to keep your house fresh, au courant, and trendy - you know how I hate that. Be done with the fashion victim "hot color of the year" cycle and make your home timeless looking. Stop being a trend slave. But do look at what the color experts are putting together when it comes to "color stories."

These can be helpful ways to group colors that make sense and sometimes form surprising color blocks that might shake your interiors out of the doldrums. Experts are putting these stories together, so look at a variety of them and gravitate towards the one that you'd like to live around day after day in your home. Here are the 8 best sources that can give you color inspiration; click on the links below for more information.

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