The Interior Design Show 2019 in Toronto

Hope everybody is enjoying 2019 so far. The first show of the year that I always look forward to check out is The Interior Design Show. It is happening at the Metro Convention Centre from January 17-20. Due to new floor plan and additional space needed, IDS19 will move to the south building, instead of the north building.

IDS19 will be in its 21th year, showcasing hot topic design trends and the most innovative of international and Canadian design. An incubator of ideas, the show hosts the most influential design minds of today, curates feature exhibitions and collaborations, and is a platform to launch never-before-seen products. IDS is a total design experience!

At this show, IDS will celebrate the "Power of Design" and is expanding and evolving its currect offerings to include IDS Contract (reason for the new location at the MCC) a hyper-curated B2B trade-only exposition and conference focused on all verticals of design.

Lots of great speakers that will definitely inspire and educate visitors. One very interesting speaker at the IDS19 is Questlove! That's right, the musical director for The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, where is beloved Roots crew serves as house band. He will be in conversation with Adam Sandow to talk about all things creative! Click here for the guest speakers schedule.

For more information, schedule and to purchase your tickets, click here.

Fun Visual Ads from McDonald's

I love advertisements and always keep my eyes out for them. Check out these cool ones from McDonald's, just in time for back to school.

I especially love visual ads and this McDonald's campaign for Back to School created by ad agency Moroch are smart and beautifully done.

No need to mention or show any food. The ads feature visual illusions such as a school bag that looks like a happy meal, books that looks like a cheese burger and pencils that look like French fries.

So fun! Which one is your fav? These ads are making me hungry : )

UMBRA SHIFT - A Contemporary, New Collection from Umbra

I'm a fan of Umbra and was very intrigued of their latest collection called Umbra Shift.  You must go check out the full collection - so many great/fun ideas! It will definitely make you look at everyday products in many different ways.

Umbra Shift is an extension of Umbra that focuses on contemporary influences in the design community. For more than 30 years, Umbra has broken the mould by creating entirely new categories that apply thoughtful design to everyday items. Umbra Shift revisits these roots with a roster of established, emerging, and in-house designers who share Umbra's passion to re-think things, designing personal objects they themselves would want to give or use at home. The result is a collection that expresses diverse points of view, yet sits together with a shared belief in ideas that are functional, familiar and forward thinking.

Below are some of my fav. Click on the captions for more info. You can also purchase them online on umbra.com.

HANGER CHAIR

CUP LAMP 

SPOON CLOCK 

Heys Latest - Goodbye Boring Luggages

I had no idea?!
Heys produced the Olympic Team luggage for Sochi 2014 - cool, eh?

I've always been a fan of Heys products especially their luggages. Check out my past postings here. If you're planning on any travelling or in the market for a new luggage, make sure to check out Heys!

Heys' luggages are always so interesting and cool looking - my kind of style. I like not only the design thinking behind the luggages, ie. Lightweight Pro and the Smart Luggage, but also love the design/creatives printed on them. Say goodbye to boring luggages, time to stand out from the the crowd and travel in style!

Check out some of my fav and latest luggages from Heys - they're just so fun! I might just have to pick one up, but so hard to decide. Also, don't you think it's kind of a shame to only use them only for travelling/vacations purposes? I think we should start a trend and use them (the carry-on size) more often like when going out to do your groceries or shopping at the malls - why not, right? : )

Below are a limited edition Series of luggage created by Canadian designer Karim Rashid - Organik Set. It's imprinted with his signature style of hypnotic colourful swirls. He referred as a "digipop" pattern, the graphic aims to embody his visualisation of the global information age through its sound-wave light aesthetic. They will be available exclusively at Sears in March 2014 or online through Heys.

Below are luggages created by Brazilian-born renowned digital artist/illustrator Fernando Volken Togni - World Map & The Cities. His intricate compositions and bold use of colour are influenced by the observation of details and daily life. Through vivid colours and sharp shapes, Fernando forms an eye catching organized chaos.

World Map Set - designed to showcase different parts of the world, and when
put side by side, the entire set form the full world map!

Cities Set - designed to celebrate 3 famous cities: New York, London and Paris.

More great looking luggages from Heys.

FVT by Heys - Limited Edition Luggage

If you're in and around Toronto, I'm sure you've noticed all the billboards, subways and bus shelter ads from Heys. It's for their latest luggage - a limited edition series of luggage created by artist/illustrator Fernando Volken Togni. I'm a fan of his work. I love the look and style - it's my kind of luggage!

I really like the design especially the Canadian theme! I love the colours and all the icons/landmarks used that represent Canada. Canadian pride indeed! It's so fun and definitely a stand out! You can get them exclusively at the Bay or from their website. Anyone want to share the 3 piece set? : )

 

I'm a fan of Heys. You can always count on them to travel in style! What do you guys think of this latest luggage?

Images from Heys.

Earth Day - Tote Bag Giveaway!

Earth Day is tomorrow, April 22. I always try to do my best to help out the environment. One small way is to cut down on plastic bags and use re-useable tote bags.

I'm sure everyone have tons of them - but are any of them as fun, cool or cute as my creation? : )

FYI - These tote bags are my creation! They are part of my Hello! Stuff by David Chiu collection. There are 3 fun designs: Robots, Skulls and Penguins!

You can get more info from the Hello! Stuff website or actually purchase one from my etsy shop here.

To celebrate Earth Day, I want to give my readers a chance to WIN one of my Hello! Stuff Tote Bag!
Winner will get to pick which design they want.

Here's what you will have to do to enter and you will receive an entry per methods. Lots of ways, the more methods = more entries into the draw.

1. Facebook: You must if you haven't, LIKE my David Chiu Stuff Facebook page, and then 'like' the Hello! Stuff Tote Bag giveway post to receive one entry. 
An extra entry if you share it on your wall. 
Another entry if you leave a comment on the Facebook post, telling me what other items I sell on my etsy shop.  

2. Twitter: Follow @stardchiu and tweet the following: (cut and paste)

I want to WIN this cool & fun Hello! Stuff Tote Bag @stardchiu http://ow.ly/kgIfi RT for re-useable bags! #blogger #giveaway

3. Leave a comment below: Tell me which design is your favourite?

One reader will be randomly chosen from all the entries. Giveaway is open to Canadian residents. Enter before April 26, 2013 at 10pm EST. Good luck!

One of a Kind Spring Show & Sale 2013

If you're looking for a feeling of Spring or something do to this long weekend - The One of a Kind Spring Show & Sale is the place to be! It's happening at the Direct Energy Centre, Exhibition Place in Toronto from March 27 - 30, 2013. More info here. Also, you can check out my last posting here - where I also gave away 10 pairs of tickets to the show.

I was invited this past Wednesday morning to a Media preview breakfast. Avery yummy and great looking food provided from Toben - food by design. After that, I got to walk around and checked out the show.

Lots to do, see, and buy. Check out some of the items that caught my eyes: from my favourite things, great packaging, cool/fun ideas, yummy food, great looking booth/presentation, and overall - inspiring artisans. I included the artisans' link. All photos below taken by me. Enjoy!

Nugs and Tricia O

 Marmalade and Whiteout Workshop

Cedar Mountain and Wilk Watchworks

Greg Voisin Pottery and Electrik Kidz

Tealish and Monkey Butter

For those who love one of a kind stuff - it's definitely worth checking out! Meet 450 Artisans, shop local and buy handmades! It's also a great place to be inspire - being a designer, I was! Happy shopping!

New to the show this year, Etsy section! and Nesslee Illustrations

Creation Li