
September means teens are back to school, leaves are changing, and it’s time for the Vancouver Interior Design Show!
Design DNA is the theme for 2019. This year’s show offers a “deep dive into the fundamental ingredients that shape the West Coast’s design landscape”. IDS definitely took a different direction this year, with less focus on exhibiting designed rooms and more emphasis on product lines.
This year’s opening party was busy as ever. DJs kept the vibe energetic as fashionista designers jostled for glasses of bubbly. Conceptual installations were mobbed by selfie-taking enthusiasts. An older gent confided that he attends to party to see beautiful women.
It wasn’t until yesterday’s Trade Day that I got the chance to take my time and explore the exhibits. IDS is a good place to see this year’s interior trends once they have settled down at the level of the home.
In this post, I cover seven autumn 2019 interior design trends at IDS that stand out to me.

1. Neutral colour palette trend
Colour is being used in a much more restrained way in autumn 2019. What I’m not seeing at IDS this year: maximalist colour palettes and patterns. Designers are offering simple and soothing colour palettes. Black adds drama, sometimes contrasting with white. Shades of grey make up most of the in-between.

Benjamin Moore
The beloved paint manufacturer’s exhibit was designed by Sharon Glech. It features a few trends:
- black and white geometric pattern with a black feature wall
- greys, whites, and creams (pick up some large paint chips!)
- soothing neutrals with a 70s influence
- dry-erase paint that actually works
Dark + moody

- Lock & Mortice’s booth features modern solid wood furniture in a moody and atmospheric setting. People are loving this exhibit.
2. 70s autumnal colour trend

- Colour lovers will enjoy artist Emily Forgot‘s entrance installation. Her palette combines 70s autumnal olive, ochre, brick, and peacock blue, updated with 80s pastels: mint, pink, and powder blue.
- Muratto: 70s colours are prominent in cork wall panels
- Formica: this historic company has new collections in colours we remember from the 70s
- J & M Home‘s exhibit includes 70s coloured upholstered accent chairs

3. Irresistible surfaces trend
People are really responding to surfaces that they can’t help but touch. It’s all about, matte, leathery, three-dimensional and tactile materials:
- Muratto: three-dimensional wall cork wall coverings—great for sound installation
- Formica: check out the new 70s coloured felt-textured laminate. There was much fondling! Amazingly, it still has stain-proof properties
- Matt Concrete: concrete wall panels in dark and light neutrals
- Capital Tile + Stone: lots of three-dimensional geometric tiles in neutral colours
- Caesarstone: natural grey stone looks in leathery, matte finishes

4. Apartment scaled trend

Those of us who don’t have palatial homes appreciate exhibits that highlight apartment-scaled furniture and fittings.

- The Apartment features Danish furniture, lighting and interior objects curated by CASESTUDY STUDIO. The solid oak Corian-topped kitchen cabinets by Reform brings restrained luxury to the small home. “Rooms” combine sculptural lighting with dainty seating pieces. Maroon adds some colour to off-white, light wood, and black tones.
- a simple, dainty navy sofa is the focal point in EQ3‘s neutral palette living room exhibit
- J & M Home‘s Scandi-style furniture pieces combine natural wood with light neutral upholstery and accent pieces in 70s colours
- The Kompact kitchen by Bauformat brings some serious wow factor to IDS. The astonishingly small footprint kitchen hides a fridge, a microwave/oven, a mini dishwasher, a washer/dryer, a table, and a TV!



5. Modern free-standing tub trend

A must for today’s luxury bathroom. The IDS features a variety of modern free-standing tub styles:
- House of Rohl has gorgeous Victoria + Albert volcanic stone tubs on display. Cleverly, the plug releases when the tub gets too full, thus eliminating the clutter of the overflow.
- Norburn Lighting and Bath has a sculptural Victoria + Albert tub that is a must-see
- ROBINSON features a white tub that sits in a black metal frame
- Cantu Bathrooms & Hardware‘s display includes a black marble-like fluted tub
- Native Trail‘s tub has an earthy modern vibe

6. Statement faucet trend

For kitchens and bathrooms, a European style sculptural faucet feels luxurious. IDS has so many on display this year:
- Cantu Bathrooms & Hardware: designers were buzzing about the just-released Theory tapware collection by Blu Bathworks, displayed in matte black, white, and brass
- AD Waters: great selection of statement faucets in different styles and finishes
- House of Rohl: shiny and matte finished faucets in a variety of metals and styles
- BLANCO: steel and matte white faucets stood out here
Over to you…
Did you check out the Vancouver Interior Design Show this year? Are you seeing these trends where you live? Tell me in the comments.