Keep the last weekend of this month clear: the Vancouver Home + Design Show returns Oct. 27-30, so make note of your makeover inspirations and hit the Vancouver Convention Centre for the best local and celebrity advice for nailing your dream-home style. Here are my top-five most anticipated exhibits at the show.
The Urban Barn Main Stage
This is set to be the hottest design destination of the season. With expert advice on how our city’s homeowners can create their dream pad with ease, the guest lineup is sure to leave attendees with the insider know-how they need to live and entertain in style. Hitting the stage are Mia Parres and Rob Evans (HGTV Canada’s The Expandables), Colin and Justin (W Network’s Game of Homes and Cottage Life’s Cabin Pressure), Todd Talbot (HGTV Canada’s Love it or List it Vancouver), frequent Cityline guest expert Leigh-Ann Allaire Perrault, and some of Vancouver’s very own top talent, including Jamie Banfield and Kristina Hibbs.
The Floform Lounge
Entertaining in style has never been easier! Take in the Main Stage’s creative advice while enjoying your favourite cocktail in a space set to inspire. The Lounge was designed by award-winning designer Kendall Ansell, with furnishings provided by Suquet Interiors. Sit back, sip and savour, and flip through the latest edition of lounge sponsor Western Living while taking in the show.
The DIY Runway
A curated group of Vancouver’s top style influencers has brought its creative energies together to support the Habitat For Humanity Society of Greater Vancouver. Eleven local fashion bloggers, stylists, designers and boutique owners have been invited to participate in the Runway, for which they’ve been tasked with drawing inspiration from a favourite item in their own closet, which will then be used to repurpose a pre-loved home décor piece from ReStore Vancouver using a curated box of goods from Rust-Oleum Consumer Brands Canada. Come see how fashion has influenced the designs of our city’s top tastemakers – literally.
Ask a Designer
Ever wished you had free design advice at your fingertips? The Ask a Designer studio is your décor genie in a bottle. Bring your inspiration boards, paint swatches and biggest style challenges, and spend a complimentary 10 minutes of one-on-one time with local interior designers and real estate marketing professionals – no appointment needed. This is one stop you can’t afford to miss.
Workshop
New to this year’s show, learn from the pros in this hands-on workshop series programmed by some of Vancouver’s finest local artisans. Learn from the best in a variety of categories, including Fox and Flourish (Intro to Brush Lettering), Celsia Florist (Wreaths & More), Spool of Thread (Comfy Couch Cushions) and Lucy Poskitt Textiles (Looming 101). Learn the lost art of calligraphy, create your own unique floral wreath, try your hand at sewing and fashion design, or get creative with hand-looming and weaving. Choose your workshop and reserve your spot online.
Advance tickets $6-$13 from VancouverHomeAndDesignShow.com or $13-$16 at the box office. Free for children 12 and under.
