Jonathan Adler and 5 Other Reasons to Hit IDSwest 2015

The annual event celebrating everything design across the Pacific Northwest kicks off September 24.

We’re less than a week away from the big opening night of IDSwest 2015 and we can hardly contain our excitement to snoop through Jonathan Adler’s pop-up shop check out the show.More than 35,000 of you, the design-hungry public, will be descending upon the Vancouver Convention Centre West to peruse 250 exhibits featuring the latest in décor and furniture from the Pacific Northwest, capitalize on numerous shopportunities, as well as take in special presentations and expert talks over the course of this three-and-a-half-day event.Every fall we find there’s a new host of reasons to get pumped for IDSwest, so here are the things we’re most looking forward to this year:

1. Jonathan Adler in the Flesh

This year the headlining guest for IDSwest is potter, author, designer, (and Designers of the Year 2015 Judge), Jonathan Adler. We can’t wait to hear the New Jersey native share stories and wisdom from his colourful career championing happy-chic living, as well as what inspires him and his wildly playful collections. In addition to his speaking engagement on the Saturday, September 26 at 1 p.m., Adler will have his own pop-up shop at the show so you can take home a piece of the modern glamour.

2. Designer Dinner (x 9)

It’s a dream dinner party put on by some of Western Canada’s best designers—and you’re invited. Now in its third year, the Monogram Dinner by Design setup at IDSwest always draws a crowd to poke through tablescape after tablescape (nine in total) of the latest home decor trends, and dramatic visions du jour. Last year we saw everything from a red rose explosion, to light shows, to a tropical storm. What will this latest crop of designers—including Karla Amadatsu and Stephanie Brown—have in store?

3. Battle of the Workspaces

It’s all about the home office this year, so we’re keen to see the debut of a new feature called Open Studio. This competition pits designer against designer (10 in total), with each getting a 10 by 10 square-foot patch to execute their idea of the ultimate workspace. If only we could bring popcorn…

4. IDSwest Gets its Weave On

Another novel feature at the design event, Off the Wall/Off the Loom is all about tactile wall coverings and loom craftsmanship. Minimalist woven pieces, instant-hit prints (Banquet Atelier and Workshop pictured) and the debut textile collection from Calgary designer Amanda Hamilton make this an intriguing new collection to check out.

5. Eye Candy

Studio North, Maker, LA Exchange, the New Frontier—everywhere you look, there’s going to be no shortage of curated collections featuring work from some the West’s best makers and designers. In Studio North, which showcases custom-made pieces and limited edition collections from emerging Canadian designers, keep your eyes peeled for Western Living’s Furniture Designer of the Year 2015 award winner Sholto Scruton, and past Ones to Watch Willow and Stump. As for Maker, look out for a special collaboration from Vancouver’s Jeff Martin Joinery and Montreal transplant and artist Zoë Pawlak. *Note: Products in curated collections are for sale, but outside of the pop-up shops purchasers will have to wait until the end of the show to collect their wares.

6. Next Gen Design

The baby room is going through an evolution as of late, so the brand new Modern Kid feature—a collection of contemporary designs for nurseries, kids’ rooms and playrooms—is a welcome addition to the show. Exhibitors like children’s furniture maker Nidi (pictured), West Coast Kids, Collage Collage, Crocodile Baby and Parade Organics will be showing off their latest innovations for tots, including environments that foster child development, non-toxic and organic materials, and multifunctional products. 

IDSwest 2015 — September 24 to 27

Where: Vancouver Convention Centre WestHours: Thursday (6 p.m. to 10 p.m.), Friday (Trade Only: 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.), Saturday (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.), Sunday (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.)Tickets: Multiple passes ranging from $10 to $25—full details here.