A perk of being an IDA member is the chance to win a trip to the annual Design Show. We sat down with this year’s winner, Coralie Stow, to hear her top takeaways and insights from the event:
What were the biggest design trends you noticed this year?
Marble used in large pieces to show off the natural variation, floating cabinetry, premium hardware, curved and textured walls, recessed and diffused lighting, bronzed and brushed metals, organic shapes.
Which exhibitor or brand impressed you the most, and why?
Cork has made a comeback for flooring (Cork Imports Australia) – sustainable and stylish – and also an option for soundproofing and humidity control (Corkon)
Were there any talks, presentations or panel discussions that really stood out?
I attended four talks and two panel events which sounds like a lot, but the quality on offer was very high. The presentation on AI for design businesses by Melissa Kaplan (Microsoft) was very insightful
What products or materials do you think we’ll be seeing much more of over the next few years?
Most of what I saw felt quite familiar from the past few years but taken to the Nth degree of sophistication, as you’d expect from the Design Show. I do love cooking so I was very taken with the Bora X Pure cooktop extractor system and their steam ovens.
Did anything change the way you think about your own design work or business?
Conversation with architect Joe Snell about managing client expectations and getting trusted contractors involved early in the design stage to provide reality checks
If another IDA member is considering attending next year, what advice would you give them?
Don’t cut your time short. Study the program and the speakers as there are sure to be talks of interest and people whose brains you can pick. Take an empty carry on bag to bring back your samples!
What was your favourite moment from the trip?
Chatting with Pollyanna Cadden of FUTURE re MADE – one of the up and coming creative designers that were selected for the Australia’s Next Top Designers (sadly she didn’t win but I think she has a great future in furniture design)
If you could bring one idea, product or trend back to Queensland immediately, what would it be?
Too hard to pick just one! Given our climate, there were some great outdoor living ideas from suppliers like Umbrosa, Renson, and Caneline. I also loved Bisazza’s glass mosaics – I think Queensland clients would appreciate their potential for unique murals and wall art
In one sentence, how would you sum up your Design Show experience?
Lots of talking, walking and QR code scanning, the Design Show was a great source of inspiration, product knowledge and thought provoking presentations.
IDA Members – make sure you attend our events regularly to increase your chances of winning a trip to the 2027 Design Show in Melbourne!