In shades such as tangerine and teal, these kitchen staples are so cheery, you’ll want to leave them on the countertop for all to see

It’s true — we say this about IDS every year: it just keeps getting better!? This past weekend I grabbed my camera (and my photographer friend, Kelly Lawson ), put on some comfortable shoes lost myself in the latest and hottest trends, products, and creative minds in contemporary design. ? Here’s what made my ‘greatest hits’ list from IDS 2012…

Doctors can’t explain what’s wrong for about 10 percent of couples who can’t conceive, and some experts suspect the culprit is where you’d least expect: in the home

Add character to plain rooms with crown molding, baseboards, wainscoting, and more architectural details

Hung in a front entry or a cozy corner indoors, these pendant-style fixtures cast a soft ambient light that’s both charming and inviting

IDS 2012 officially launched?yesterday and I had the opportunity to?fill my day with all things IDS! My morning?began with an exclusive preview of the show where I got a first-hand look?at the showroom before it opened up to the public. There’s lots to see and discover at this year’s show and I noticed a focus on “small space living” throughout the gigantic showroom space.

IDS 2012 officially launched?yesterday and I had the oppurtunity to?fill my day with all things IDS! My morning?began with an exclusive preview of the show where I got a first-hand look?at the showroom before it opened up to the public.?Many of the designers were present and?I got?a chance to hear some of?them speak about their designs as I got a sneek peak at some of the main exhibits. Above: Piero Lissoni and Mazen el-Abdallah speak about their designs The show just keeps getting bigger and?better each year and some of the highlights of this year’s show include the interesting and beautiful How Do You Live? multi-dwelling designer spaces, the Studio North & Prototype showcase of?unique?Canadian and International design pieces,?the Design Gen Next display of up-and-coming Canadian design talent and the Cherish?Auction & Exhibit , which features?Magis Julian chairs re-imagined and reinvented by some of the world’s top designers, and ultimately silently auctioned off for the charity ONEXONE.

Crate & Barrel Coupons

We Canadians are a design savvy lot and retailers are taking note. 2008 saw the arrival of the US-based retailer West Elm (part of the Williams-Sonoma family), and just a month prior, Crate & Barrel got its foothold in the Canadian market with stores opening in Toronto and Calgary. Now, Crate & Barrel’s younger, hipper sibling, CB2 , has finally followed in the stylish path laid before it.

clarestoker posted a photo: Potential finishes for tin ceiling for bathroom. I’m leaning towards the black as it has a nice texture. Haven’t decided on pattern yet