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From fashion to cosmetics to interior design, metallics are hot and they are here to stay!

Chain links, sequins, futuristic sparkles, and metallic surfaces – the Gilded Age is back with a modern twist.  For interior design, metallic finishes add luxury and flair to a room with décor accents, fabrics, carpets and wall or window coverings.  For some great ideas on adding shine to your home, check out this ideabook.

Brass, blackened steel, copper, silver and powder coated structural architectural forms and supports are being highlighted and exposed for their natural beauty rather than being concealed.

      

Greenscape Creative Director, Christine Cox says, “I love the juxtaposition of using hard architectural materials like concrete and steel with the movement of grasses and textured plants like succulents and cacti.”  Some of her recent creations:

      

Event Designer, Christa Hovis, has created a wonderful table setting that integrates the movement of textured greenery with metallic event decor elements:

And finally, as our Greenscape Design & Decor Principal and known non-fashionista, Corinne Kessel, proclaims, “Just get your sparkle on!”

I spent the last weekend at the four-day, annual Interior Design Show West (IDSwest) at the gorgeous Vancouver Convention Centrewith the Greenscape team showcasing our work and being inspired by amazing designs and designers! So many things I can’t yet afford – all conveniently under one roof! One day….We met some fantastic new people and had a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with our friends and fellow design fans. Our booth featured an interactive Westcoast Modern design, which encouraged people to be playful in the sandy beach floor and walk through the driftwood canopy.  Shoes were definitely optional!

      

Some of our favourite pieces at the show:

We loved the Illuminated tree rings by Judson Beaumont of Straight Line Designs, Inc.  Illuminated from within, these pieces are a playful perch for your feet or drink during the day, and provide bright and lively luminescence at night to transform your space.

A cool freestanding soft shelter partition system by Molo Design offers endless possibilities with shaping intimate spaces within larger open areas  - we thought this would be fantastic for special events!

And a big shout out to the Collaboration booth that was almost as messy as our sandbox with their beautiful moss floor! We will both probably end up with a vacuuming bill! They launched a striking collection of hand-cast planters with a wonderfully irregular silhouette.

What was your favourite exhibitor at IDSwest 2011?

Tweet us @greenscapevan or post here to let us know!

IDS West 2011

The Interior Design Show West (IDSwest) based in Vancouver BC, is Western Canada’s annual premiere design show for contemporary residential design.  From Sept 29 – Oct 2, 2011,  IDSwest tranforms the Vancouver Convention Centre into a mecca for design, showcasing the newest and most exciting top designers, retailers and manufacturers from around the world.  An audience of design-savvy consumers and industry professionals participate in a celebration of design, art and architecture through interactive displays, feature highlights, design competitions, and international keynote presenters. Greenscape is proud to be a 2011 exhibitor - don’t miss our booth!

TRIVIA TWEETS! ENTER TO WIN!

Follow us on twitter @GreenscapeVan and follow the hastag #TriviaTweets to enter to win an IDSwest Evening for 2 package including:

• a $50 Gift Certificate to Joey Restaurant
• 2 tickets to attend the IDSwest tradeshow
• 2 drink tickets at the show!

For our #TriviaTweets contest, we will be testing how well you know Greenscape Design & Décor! Each week for the next three weeks we will send out a new trivia question.  Tweet your answer, mention @GreenscapeVan and include the #TriviaTweets hashtag.  Answer all 3 questions and receive 3 entries into the draw!  The winner will be selected by random draw and announced via Twitter on September 26th, 2011.

Feel free to tweet something like this: “I entered to win an IDSwest Evening for 2 @GreenscapeVan with my answer:  (insert answer) #TriviaTweets”

QUESTION #1 (Sept 5-11) Which of our clients did we create the Pacific Passage exhibit for?

QUESTION #2 (Sept 12-18) What instrument does our Principal play in her band, Los Furios?

QUESTION #3 (Sept 19-24) What is the name of our red rose petal lady?

Enjoy a few pictures from our previous exhibits – however, prepare for the unexpected from our booth this year!

               

Celebrate design and become inspired by some of the world’s most creative people at IDSwest!  Visit our booth and participate in our interactive contest for more chances to win!

Bamboo has long been the darling of the green design world. Known for its lightening speed growth and extraordinary versatility, this plant may very well be the future of, well – many things.Its fibers can be spun into soft fabric used for clothing, or its poles can be used to reinforce buildings. Lately designers are taking bamboo to heights never before imagined (and bamboo can grow up to 100 feet!).  New innovations such as the electricity-free bamboo speaker and the bamboo bicycle keep proving that the uses of bamboo are infinite.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Bamboo isn’t wood – it is actually a grass that grows in stalks called culms.

• Bamboo is one of the fastest growing plants in the worlds – some species can grow over 4’ in 24 hours.

• Trees used in conventional wood fencing can take up to 50 years to replenish whereas bamboo can regenerate its full mass in just 6 months.  Bamboo renews itself from it extensive root system, so does not need to be replanted.

• It is stronger than mild steel.

• Bamboo produces 35% more oxygen than an equivalent stand of trees and provides wildlife habitats for animals and birds.

At Greenscape, we love this renewable plant source, not only for its green factor but for its aesthetic excellence as well. Check out some of the displays we’ve recently done using this wonderful grass. Don’t forget to come by the warehouse to look at all the new bamboo we have in stock as well!

    

 

 

 

Tropical—Where’s My Pineapple?

Tropical themes typically see décor items such as tiki huts and tropical foliage and flowers and signature drinks with umbrellas or coconuts. Fun ideas for beach themes include hanging pool floats from the ceiling, having guests sit on bamboo mats around low tables, or putting up brightly coloured table umbrellas. New eye-catching spins on tropical themes are contemporary illuminated tables, centerpieces, and palm trees.

Winter Wonderland

A winter wonderland theme can be a elegant event whether is it hosted at a mountain top venue, a hotel ballroom, or even in the summer. Let white reign supreme with touches of ice, blue, lilac or silver. Forget traditional winter props and Christmas trees, and move to a modern feel with crisp white linens, contemporary acrylic ghost chairs, real ice centerpieces, flocked trees, natural birch poles, and magical lighting to create an enchanting atmosphere. Check out our winter wonderland creations!

Black and White Theme – Instead, Think Pink!

The elegance of a formal black and white event is timeless. However, a modern approach to the traditional black and white is to create a monochromatic event. All black, or all white, or even all pink, or chartreuse, or silver, or gold! You get the idea. A monochromatic event design included different tints and shades of the same colour, so you still can achieve depth in florals and fabrics, while also creating high impact achieve with a single choice of hue.