Toronto's Interior Design Show, held in January at the Metro Convention Centre, was smaller than usual, and maybe, for the same underlying reasons, the brashness was gone. The designs were quieter and the technical developments were confident and progressive without flashiness. Just as interior design is rooted in supporting human comfort, I was reassured by what I saw – solid design following the important trends in quiet forward motion.
The trend statement was clear. Four boxes all have to be checked to get the attitude right. A mix of textures, neutral colours or a tonal blend, layers, a feeling of softness if not actual sink-in softness itself.
For a little background, Caesarstone has been as synonymous with quartz counter-tops as Kleenex with tissue. But the brand has just expanded to embrace genuine natural stone slabs and porcelain, the dinnerware and tile material relatively new to the 4' x 8' slab-sized materials market.
So, here was a view into a kitchen with layer on layer, texture on texture, all tonally blended. Grand and stimulating and quiet at the same time. Not to leave out practical, you could set a hot pot straight from stove top to island top without scorch or scratch. Every material was available in a polished, flat, rough or smooth finish texture.
There are the four boxes: 1. Neutrals 2. Textures 3. Layers 4. Softness. Check all the boxes and you have the look.
As for softness, all Weaver's Art carpets, exclusively woven in the country best suited for each design, are as soft as blankets. Add custom colouring and there is little wonder why they have been favourites with designers for years.