Events

Interior Design Show Vancouver Runs All Weekend—Here’s a Sneak Peek

The convention centre is packed with design and inspiration September 26 to 28. Here are the can't-miss moments.

By Stacey McLachlan /

Interior design is usually the domain of our sister mag, Western Living, but if you’ve seen any of our home tours or shopping guides over the years, you know the Vanmag crew loves a well designed space, too. So the whole magazine family gets excited when September rolls around each year, because it means something special: Interior Design Show Vancouver is back, baby.

If, unlike us, you haven’t had this date circled on your calendar for months, it might be news to you that IDS Vancouver kicks off tonight with the big launch party. But now you know! And tomorrow, the convention centre is open for any design lover with a ticket, with booths and displays from big design brands and local faves ready to inspire some serious design dreaming.

Because we’re keeners who couldn’t wait another 24 hours, we popped in early to take a little sneak peek today at the showroom floor. These are the exhibits and events you’re going to want to check out at Interior Design Show Vancouver 2024.

white bar surrounded by fabric with floating lights

The Perpetua Bar

The bar is always the heart of the IDS experience—grab coffee here by day, or a glass of wine for a little happy hour stroll around the floor. But what’s special about ‘Perpetua’ isn’t just what they’re pouring: it’s that Squamish architects Stark built the structure to be as reusable and recyclable as possible. After the show is done, tables, lights and materials will be donated to charities, and the furniture by Ffabb Furnishings will be off to new owners. Cheers to sustainable design.

black tree trunks in sculptural shapes

‘Learning to Be’ by Brent Comber

Brent Comber talks about his sculptures like they’re friends; the little signs that accompany the artist’s installation even give each structure a name (‘Bjorn’ is the leader of the pack, of course). “IDS is such a good opportunity to bring people and the design community together, but I thought it could be an opportunity to bring people and creatures together too,” says Comber. Each towering trunk was rescued from the same property on the North Shore—together, the trio forms a little family, brought to IDS to remind us just how alive the natural world is.

modern kitchen

Miele’s quartet of kitchens

How did Miele manage to build four kitchens in just a few days? Maybe the appliance brand reps revealed this during the tour of its massive booth (curated by Toronto designer Michael London), but we were too busy falling in love with the grey-toned wall ovens and knock-to-open dishwashers to hear it.

design objects on a white platforms at a conventions centre

Prototype

The prototype section is always a fave here—a chance for up-and-coming designers or Vancouver’s brightest design students to show off their more innovative projects, like Kirby McLean’s shirt-sleeve vases or Alexis Williams’ melty stools. It’s a “sister section” to the Studio North display, a collection of micro-displays from more established local designers like Oehl Interiors.

woman setting up display at conventions centre

Capella Design

We spotted friend-of-the-mag Kaly Ryan setting up shop during our tour. She’s a past Western Living Designer of the Year and is doing some very cool, very meaningful work in accessibility design and aging-in-place with her studio, Capella Design—just check out how beautiful her grab bars and tray tables are.

colourful seating in a conventions centre

The BonBon Lounge

The lounge seating at this year’s IDS Vancouver is designed by Calgary-based firm Hereby. Each modular, stacking piece looks like a piece of Rocket candy, but they’re made from recycled plastic.

entryway to an exhibit

Future Neighbourhood

The Future Neighbourhood exhibit brings together four architects and design groups to question how design can help make neighbourhoods better. Vancouver designer Michael Leckie is showcasing his multi-floor pre-fab product, for instance, while Petit Architect will be engaging kids to help them build a 15-minute city model.

workers setting up a display on a stage

The IDS main stage

The main stage was still in the process of being set up upon our visit, but this is where plenty of magic is going to be happening this weekend, including panels moderated by the Western Living team (including, ahem, yours truly).

All the design fun starts tonight, and tickets are still available—grab yours here.