Inside the Interior Design Show 2014: 33 stylish snaps from the opening night party

Date January 24, 2014

Interior Design Show 2014 party — Photography by Jenna Marie Wakani

See all the IDS 2014 Opening Night party photos »

Alright, Toronto. Your post-holiday hibernation is officially over and it’s time to get back into the social swing of things. Given the record-breaking low temperatures of late, The Interior Design Show’s Opening Night Party served as an ideal transition: the normally drafty Metro Toronto Convention Centre turned into a cozy hub of design last night, welcoming hundreds of stylish guests eager to get a sneak peek at the show’s wears. After all, where else can you browse luxe fireplaces, decadent rugs and overstuffed sofas with a cocktail in hand?

Lest you think the crop top trend was so 2013, IDS partygoers proved that it’s still going strong. Midriff-baring shirts were paired with structured jackets and sheer layers—a necessary addition on a chilly winter night. Fur hats and leather leggings were also just as popular with the ladies, while the men were all about suit jackets in various textures and fabrics (perhaps inspired by the opulent upholstery on display throughout?) the from blue velvet to camo-print.

As for the exhibits, smaller, standalone displays reign supreme at this year’s IDS. The normally expansive Concept Space saw a minimalist overhaul, with a focus purely on custom lighting. Nearby, partygoers literally watched paint dry during a demonstration from drip artist Amy Shackleton that was like a Pinterest tutorial come to life. At the other end of the show floor, Designboom Mart was back for its second year, offering whimsical goods at bargain prices. But perhaps the most alluring price tag of all was for the prefab Altius Architecture home. The sleek one-bedroom abode—more stylish and spacious than your average condo—was valued at a cool $110,000 and looked like it belonged on the cover of Dwell. Put us down for one, please?