The Vancouver Convention Centre recently hosted another successful year of Interior Design Show West. This four-day event allowed consumers and retailers to come together and display fresh design concepts, initiate forward-thinking conversation and seek design inspiration for renovation projects. Anna Abbruzzo and Alain Courchesne of Igloodgn, a branding and interior design firm from Montreal, caught my attention with what they are calling the new Canadian aesthetic.

As a proud Canadian and local Vancouverite, I was thrilled to hear about the buzz we are causing in the international design world. This new style—termed maximal minimalism— Abbruzo and Courchesne explain as a reduced space with clean lines, a muted colour palette and one focal piece that catches the eye and draws you into the space. Imagine a beige room with a vibrant red sofa, a grand fireplace or an outrageously wacky backsplash behind your kitchen counter. Generating drama in one area means balancing the remainder of the room with minimal ornamentation. Together the two components create a look and feel of serene perfection.

To some, the idea of pairing a loud patterned carpet with a simple black table may seem too daring. But Igloodgn reassured hesitant audience members that maximal minimalism is the future for design in Canada. After viewing past residential, hotel and restaurant design projects I must admit I was convinced.

This sudden attention to Canadian design is cause for celebration because it means that Canadians, well known for our demure and unassertive character, are no longer afraid to make a statement. According to Igloodgn, interior design has come a long way since the late 90s, when the Canadian aesthetic was “humble, honest, and safe”. Today major cities including Vancouver and Toronto are hosting design shows such as IDSwest showcasing Canada’s newly-gained reputation as assertive, trendsetting and inclusive.

So how are Vancouver demographics determining the direction of interior design? One of my biggest concerns was space and functionality in small apartments in downtown Vancouver. Amanda Forrest of Amanda Forrest Interior Design recommends Resource Furniture, a company that specializes in convertible pieces and solve the problem of oversized furniture. IDSwest featured the Goliath table at the event. This unique table utilizes space by expanding from a dining table set for two up to its full size which seats six comfortably.

Living in Vancouver, life can get hectic. Not everyone has time to shop for the perfect new addition to their

home, office, or workplace. Forrest recommends online shopping as more designers are turning to the internet to find those quirky fun pieces. Websites such as etsy are perfect for accommodating busy lifestyles in Vancouver.

Interior design trends are constantly changing depending on what’s hot, affordable and in style: how can we keep up? The good news, Abbruzzo explained, is that “trends are a result of economic circumstances.” If we are able to understand what sparked a current trend we can begin to predict what’s coming in the future. Look out for these trends continuing into 2014. Bright technicolor, brass detailing, and handmade products that personalize spaces.

Looks like we just got the inside scoop!