Sneak Peek: Interior Design Show

Last night champagne flowed and chalky-white cirque-robats glowed while media types mingled in an interior design fantasy world for IDS07. I was fortunate to gain entry into this world for a sneak peek at all that's fresh and fancy in design this year before the big opening tomorrow.

You can expect the usual design stars to be around pushing product - Debbie Travis, Lynda Reeves and Brian Gluckstein - but none seemed to offer any notion of innovation or inspiration, except perhaps what the next hot colour of the season will be. Travis' "no photographs please" living space was decked in Hallowe'eny black and orange. All I can say about that is "Boo!"

Moving away from the dens of domesticity, local designers were making a splash. Read on for my top TO best of show.

1. Adept with porcelain, artist Ken Gangbar, creates fluid sculptures and installations for clients from TO to HK. If you too want to give ceramics a whirl he offers workshops from his studio in Liberty Village.

2. Everything Queen East shop Up to You showed, I wanted to buy. Coolest are the wood carved clothes hangers depicting New York, Tokyo or Paris skylines, though they are $120 a pop and there's no design for TO. There is an "I Heart ______(blank)" sticker though. That's where TO can go.

3. I was seriously blown away by the modern stand-alone apartment and eco-friendly fireplaces made by Ecosmart. No gas, no hard connection. Great for any place that needs a little warming up.

4. Utillity in a tile? That's where Utilitile comes in. I found these walnut wood tiles in the prototype section. Following form and function is truly the way to a Danish girl's heart.

5. Simple, practical shelving by Sheridan made a big statement. The statement is "I'm fun, and smart, dammit" - made for and by students so they've got to be.

The Interior Design Show takes place this Saturday and Sunday at the Direct Energy Centre, CNE Grounds. Tickets are $16 online or $18 at the door.