Opening Night in Vancouver: Celebrating 30 years of design

The Vancouver Home + Design Show kicks off tomorrow with a party to celebrate 30 years of all things design, home improvement and entertaining. You’re invited to join in the fun at our opening night soiree tomorrow, October 17, from 4-9PM at BC Place Stadium.

Enjoy an evening of rubbing shoulders with the who’s-who of Vancouver’s creative set at the biggest design party of the season, complete with au-courant cocktails in the Western Livng Lounge designed by Nicole Sjostedt. Nibble on snacks from some of the city’s favourite eateries, like Beaucoup Bakery, while bobbing your head to a live performance from DNA6 presented by The Beat 94.5. You’ll be treated to exclusive surprises all night long; make sure you don’t leave empty handed, no good party ends without a goodie bag!

For three decades, the Vancouver Home + Design Show presented by Scotiabank has been a major event, attracting more than 30,000 visitors each fall. Every year we bring you high-interest exhibits and high-profile industry personalities, accompanied by the latest in home and lifestyle trends.

  

This year, you won’t want to miss the big names like Johnathan and Drew Scott, stars of W Network’s Property Brothers, Jillian Harris and Todd Talbot, hosts of W Network’s Love It or List It Vancouver and local favourites like A Good Chick to Know. The Vancouver Home + Design Show will also play host to more than 325 exhibitors and tons of new and exciting features. Check out the HGTV Main Stage schedule to mark off your must-sees in your calendar.

Home entertaining will be infused with flair and flavor from Vancouver’s best known chefs and culinary personalities on the Vancouver Magazine Cooking Stage. Chef Massimo Capra, Ned Bell and Trevor Bird are some of the familiar faces that will be cooking up a storm on stage. Check the Vancouver Magazine Cooking Stage schedule so you don’t miss out on all the flavor filled action.

Purchase your tickets online today for the Vancouver Home + Design Show and save $3 off regular adult admission.  See you tonight! 

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ASK THE EXPERT: Small accessories with big impact

That wood picture frame on the mantle, those floral teacups in the china cabinet, that knitted blanket on the sofa, these are just some of the unique items that make your house a home. Sentimental accessories add character and cast a cozy, inviting feel over a room. Not all of our home accessories have a history, but without them our houses would not be the same.

Home styling doesn't always come naturally, so we went to Nicole Sjostedt, an expert fashion and lifestyle stylist, for her go-to accessorizing tips. See Nicole’s work up close and personal at the upcoming Calgary and Vancouver Home + Design Show, where she’ll be showing off her signature style with the Western Living Lounge.

Choosing accessories and deciding where or how to place them can be tricky. To style your home like a pro, try playing with Nicole’s four cardinal rules of accessorizing:

1. Use Multiples

Hanging a trio of matching mirrors on the living room wall or placing five similar candleholders together can create a burst of visual interest. You don’t have to use items that look exactly the same, just ones that look related. The pieces can be similar in colour, shape or texture.

2. Mix & Match

Throw a couple of sparkly items with sleek industrial pieces and voilà! Pairing contrasting items is just as intriguing multiples. As with fashion, interior décor shouldn't be too matchy-matchy.

3. Strike a Balance

There are two basic types of balance to take into consideration when debating how to display your accessories. Symmetrical balance is the most traditional approach and is characterized by having similar objects repeated in the same places on either side of a vertical axis. When following the asymmetrical style, balance is achieved by considering the visual weight of the objects. To do this, place dissimilar objects strategically based on their visual weight.

4. Play with Texture

Soft blankets and throws immediately add warmth to a space, but cool textures can be just as interesting. Try a stone bath mat or hang metal wall décor with sharp angles to play off an over-stuffed occasional chair.

Now that you have got the basics down pat, it’s time to start decorating!

To learn more ways to style home accessories, ask the design experts at the Calgary and Vancouver Home + Design Show yourself! Purchase your tickets online today and save $3 on regular adult admission.

     

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FEATURE FRIDAY: Kick Back in the Western Living Lounge

After wandering around the Calgary and Vancouver Home + Design Shows for a few hours, your feet are going to need a break! Enter the Western Living Lounge designed by Nicole Sjostedt.

As a prop stylist with Lizbell Agency, Nicole is no stranger to large design projects. After working with some of the biggest names in the biz, including InStyle UK magazine, Ralph Lauren and Hugo Boss, this fall we have her to ourselves as she makes her mark on the Western Living Lounge.

Expect mid-century modern style mixed with traditional and modern Scandinavian accents. The sturdy walnut coffee tables, welcoming wood bar and covet-worthy aqua tiles will beckon passers-by to nestle up and knock one back, all while flipping through the latest copy of Western Living.

 

Located adjacent to the Main Stage, it’s the perfect spot to sit comfortably while enjoying live presentations from our favourite home & design celebs, including the Property Brothers themselves, Jonathan and Drew Scott, plus Jillian Harris, Todd Talbot and many more!

To see how the lounge comes together, get your tickets for the CalgaryHome + Design Show and the VancouverHome + Design Show online today. Cheers!

   

For 2-for-1 tickets to either show order HERE and save today! 

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