From Cambodia to Paris, from Milan to Vegas – there are interior design/furniture trade shows around the globe. But how does one translate design styling from Germany or Italy or Singapore into a slope side chalet or water front cottage in Canada?

Visiting Italy was number one on my bucket list for years and when I finally went it included visiting the Abitare IL Tempo Design Show in the city made famous by Romeo and Juliette – Verona.  The question of how to incorporate what would be shown into designing interior decor for homes around Georgian Bay - was quickly answered. 

With a million square feet of show cases to view, presented by hundreds of incredibly diverse worldwide manufacturers and suppliers, one of the very first was a Belgium company that resembled Ralph Lauren’s collection – Alpine Lodge. The scrubbed raw reclaimed wood was teamed with studded distressed leather club chairs.  That comfortable vintage feel; layers of texture from linen to fur; old patina silver; funky and whimsical accessories all provided a sense of rustic luxe that said stay awhile to enjoy the comfort of class without pretention. 

When I arrived back in Canada to stacks of mail there was a catalogue from Restoration Hardware - now re-branding as 'RH'.  It looked like the furniture I had travelled over 6 thousand kilometers to see - right down to the popular x-back bistro chair currently available in dozens of colours and presented by three different companies in Verona. But the catalogue somehow missed the mark and that’s where the master of lifestyle concepts steps in. Lauren adds the luxe and the unexpected.  He’s not afraid to add ruffles to expensive bed linens; native Indian inspired blankets and patterns along with fine leathers, raw silk and menswear suiting.

So at the Toronto Gift and Tableware Show, in 10 by 10 foot booth in building 12 was a company from Belgium offering wonderful decor items, lighting and small pieces of furniture - I almost pinched myself.  Simple china dishes adorned with vintage brown transfer-ware-like skis, sledges or ski poles; cast metal lamps with small standing rabbits and crumbled canvas shades; mercury glass used for all types of items from lamps to candle sticks; dozens of different French wire wall hooks and loads of the humanizing whimsy missed by mass marketers like Restoration Hardware.

Still there is no need to be a minion to any one designer or style. If a sectional sofa functions best in the space by all means use one. Any decor can use a hit of black or a thoroughly modern something and a modern decor can benefit from the juxtaposition of a great antique or vintage piece. If you have a favourite family heirloom then get it out and remember to tell the story behind it - especially to the next generation. 

In my opinion there should only be two rules in design.  Form should follow function and it should reflect the lifestyle and personality of the owners.