This season’s trends in interior decor affirmatively show that it’s out with the new and in with the old —
all with a contemporary spin on retro chic.
The innovators behind the Interior Design Show bring back historic trends from the 1950s to the ’80s with the
mixing and matching of bold colours, busy patterns and vintage furnishings. With the show covering the latest
in both interior and exterior decor, paints, furniture and design, attendees are often left wondering how
such complex and peculiar designs were created. Held at Metro Toronto Convention Centre, the Interior Design
Show offers 300 exhibitors plenty of space to express their visions in life-size displays and in combination
with other products to achieve a complete look.
Exhibitor and paint guru Garry Belfall of PARA Paints covers the main colour palettes for this relatively
bright season, emphasizing the importance of paint in decor. “Everything that’s old is new again,” says
Belfall.
It can be expensive and highly time-consuming to redecorate a room every season, which is why changing wall
colours is an effective way to maintain an up-to-date space. “Canadians are becoming eco-conscious and going
through a renew and reuse generation more than a disposable generation of the ’90s,” explains Belfall, as one
of the reasons for the return of retro.
Belfall describes four main colour palettes for 2011 called Revise, Refresh, Renew and Retro. Revise is
inspired by the 1970s and features Garden Plum, a deep purple, and vibrant greens and dark greys. The most
sought-after colour is purple, be it bright or muted. Refresh is inspired by recycling with an integration of
recycled products into urban spaces and is filled with smooth greys and neutrals. “Canadians in these times
go with colours that can change, colour that goes with other colours very easily,” he says.
Renew is inspired by the thought of coming home after a hard day’s work like it’s your sanctuary. Taupe, tan
and golden colours mixed with turquoise and “rotten crust tans” embody this colour theme, with an emphasis on
mixing golds with teals.
Lastly, Retro brings back the old with corals and grainy greens mixed with furnishing trends and patterns
from the past. However, this trend isn’t likely to be embraced by all, says Belfall. “If you’ve been through
it, then you’re not as likely to adopt it,” he says of the returning trend.
In terms of furnishing and patterns, zebra, metallic and geometrics are exceedingly popular, especially in
leather. All decor rules have been abolished and almost anything can be mixed together. This is the time to
let loose and experiment with different ideas and eras in order to create something truly unique and
reflective of your style, personality and lifestyle.
More noticeable than ever is the strong harmony amongst all designers and creators, be it in fashion, decor,
art or music. “We find that clothing reflects trend on decor,” says Belfall.
Canadians are injecting colour in all aspects of their lives and adding a little boost to their space with a
new take on the past. According to Belfall, the younger generation is getting inspiration from their
grandparents and putting their own generation’s modernity into the mix to create a new, effervescent
look.
The Interior Design Show launched 12 years ago in conjunction with a sudden exposure of Canada’s interior
designers and decorators within the media. Now as Canada’s largest contemporary design fair, it has been a
hub for business owners, restaurant owners, interior decorators, designers seeking inspiration, media and the
general public to see the future of interior design. This year, the show seems to be more of a blast from the
past than a peek at the future. •
The Interior Design Show will be held from Jan. 27 to 30, 2011. For more information, visit interiordesignshow.com.
