Sarah Richardson's Rooms at the Interior Design Show 2011

I mentioned in yesterday's post that one of the highlights of the Interior Design Show in Toronto was seeing the Sibling Revelry rooms that Sarah Richardson and Tommy Smythe decorated with Sarah's brother Theo Richardson.  The rooms were fabulous, warm, inviting, and filled with so many take-away ideas.

The idea behind the design project was that siblings would collaborate on decorating rooms.  Theo is a co-founder of the New York City furniture design company Rich Brilliant Willing and the rooms were designed using many of his products along with Sarah's warm inviting design style.

When I went through the rooms I was impressed with Sarah's use of:

• bold primary colours - a different one in each room
• balancing bold colours with white (the white panelled walls in each room was the perfect foil for the strong colours)
• mixing traditional elements with more modern industrial pieces (many of them Theo's)
• mixing pieces from high and low price points

THE RED DINING ROOM

I loved the red Summerhill subway station photograph,

 the mix of vintage chairs all painted glossy red (some of them cost $10 according to Tommy),

 the display of dishes and candlesticks in this gorgeous metal cabinet,

 the bandanas tied with a simple knot and used as serviettes,

 the mix of fabrics, including this cheery polka-dot on the end chairs,

the ribbed green glass pendant lights designed by Theo,

and the shaker inspired dining chair beside the cabinet designed by Theo.

THE BLUE STUDY

I loved the mix of IKEA drapes with other blue and white pieces,

the bold polar bear painting,

 the metal bar cart ready for action with blue patterned glasses on top and some crazy animals on the shelf below,

 the modern simple wall clocks designed by Theo,

 the amazing wooden wall hanging (would this not be a great DIY idea),

 the beautiful blue fabric on the inspiration board,

and the fantastic collection of fabrics on the cushions.

THE YELLOW BEDROOM

I loved the chaise's chevron side panel and the wood side table designed by Theo,

the mix of fabrics in the cushions on the chaise (and the purse, of course),
 

the mix of gold-toned metals and yellow accessories on the dresser,

the metal dresser with a vintage suitcase underneath,

  the wooden overhead light designed by Theo,

 the fanciful yellow polka-dotted headboard,

the gorgeous orange and yellow pillows on the bed,

the side table designed by Theo, and the Audubon bird prints framed in yellow on the wall.
 

I loved seeing Sarah, Tommy, and Theo's designs up close and personal and especially loved that there were lots of ideas we can use in our own homes.  I really liked all three rooms a lot, but would have to say that the red dining room was my favourite.  What about you - what's your favourite?

Interior Design Show Gala - Toronto 2011

A few weeks ago I stood outside Sarah Richardson's house and took photos (which you can see here) and last night I stood right near her and watched her talk to some of her friends.  Yes I am definitely getting closer to her.

Now I'm sure you're wondering how I came to rub shoulders with Sarah, well it was because I won tickets at the Blogger Meet-up (thanks to Jennifer from Rambling Renovators) to attend the gala opening night of the Interior Design Show in Toronto.  I invited my friend Tara, from the blog Cinnamon Post, to come with me and we had so much fun.  


Here we are holding our entrance tickets in front of the sea of black-clad visitors. 

 I even had my name in lights (just kidding - it was a coincidence).

There were so many big names in the design field there, that I have to say I was impressed.   


There was Alfred Sung at the display of his new line of patio furniture,

Peter Fallico from Home to Flip and other HGTV shows (on the right) being interviewed by Mark Challen from House and Home (on the left),

 Suzanne Dimma, editor of Canadian House and Home magazine,

Chris Hyndman from the Designer Guys (many apologies Chris for how horrible the photo is, but it is the only one I got of you),
 

Erin McLaughlin, editor of Style at Home magazine (a blur on the left) and Tamara Robins Griffith, managing editor of Style at Home (third from the right).

Sarah Richardson and Tommy Smythe,

Photo taken by Tara (Cinnamon Post)

I overhead Tommy telling some visitors that the American TV stations don't like the fact that he swears so much and they have to bleep it out.

I was also pleased as punch to meet up with Jennifer from Rambling Renovators and her adorable, charming husband aka the Handyman.

Tara from The Cinnamon Post, Jennifer from Rambling Renovators, and me.  Photo taken by the Handyman.

There were so many amazing booths at the IDS, but my favourites were the Style at Home booth and the Sibling Revelry rooms.  Since this post is already so long, I'm going to put my photos of the Sibling Revelry together into a separate post.  You're going to love Sarah's rooms.

Here are some of the booths I enjoyed:



Montauk sofas against a blackboard covered in furniture design sketches.

Gorgeous lights from the SNOB booth.

Alfred Sung's black watch plaid outdoor patio furniture.

The gorgeous Up Country mix of industrial table, jadeite dishes, and sparkly chandelier.

The cheerful patio furniture from New Caribbean Design which also appealed to me because it is fair trade.

The industrial, steampunk look (I think it is, anyway) at the Metropolis Living booth.

The very charming, and might I add handsome, Andrew Metrick (whose great grandfather founded Elte) and their new line of colourful over-dyed antique carpets.

The quilted carpets at the Elte booth made from over-dyed remnants of antique carpets.

A touch of spring with these hanging vases filled with yellow tulips.

Ikea's booth with paper lanterns overhead,

and a sophisticated dark kitchen.

There were other smaller booths that had things like unique Canadian pillows,

a beautiful piece of rustic wooden wall art,

and two gorgeous, I-totally-want-these paintings by San Murata

And finally the amazing Style at Home booth.  Isn't this an ingenious use of paint can lids.

I loved the free-spirited mural done by Alanna Cavanagh,

 the painted striped floor,

the bright, cheerful table decorations,

 and who doesn't love overhead lights made out of paint cans.

Coming soon - some photos of the three rooms designed by Sarah Richarson.