Today marks the official start of the Dwell on Design 2012 modern design conference held in downtown Los Angeles. We’ll be there today through Sunday looking for eye-catching design and up-and-coming designers who are shaping the direction of modern design. Here are a few booths that we will be seeking out – look for us here:

GRAFF Faucets will be exhibiting their newest designs – the Ametis Collection of faucets and showerheads designed by high-profile Swiss designer Davide Oppizzi at booth #921. Oppizzi is known among design circles for his willingness to push the boundaries of modern design, and his collaboration with GRAFF has resulted in a striking and innovative collection that has the industry abuzz! The Ametis shower and faucet collection has been praised for its unique design and integration of LED lighting. Another product we want to see at GRAFF’s booth is the ceiling-mounted and electronically controlled Aqua-Sense shower system. Aqua-Sense is widely considered to represent a major advancement in the technology of luxury showers and, like the Ametis, it incorporates chromotherapy LED lighting into the design. Also to be displayed is the SENTO collection of sleek faucets designed by Italian industrial design company Angeletti Ruzza. GRAFF is also holding a competition where booth visitors scan a QR code on their smart phone and are entered to win an iPad – all of these are great reasons to stop by the GRAFF booth!

Graff Ametis Faucet

We are very interested in learning more about Damian Velasquez. Damian is an Albuquerque-based designer of distinctive modern furniture who will be showcasing Half13, his new outdoor collection. Velasquez designs and builds the furniture in his studio and especially likes to use metal and wood, and other materials that he finds piquing his interest. His entire five-piece outdoor collection is made from powder coated expanded stainless steel which he became enamored with after viewing the work of Japanese designer Shiro Kuramata. Part of the collection will be displayed on the deck of a prefabricated home at the show while all else will be at his booth #1011.

half13 by Damian Velasquez

Native Trails is a second-time exhibitor at Dwell and we are excited to see their new Renewal series ‘in person’. Native Trails popular line of unique bamboo vanities and bamboo-trimmed corresponding mirrors have received a lot of press and rightly so, since their products are sustainable and beautiful. Bamboo has been booming in popularity in recent years as it is increasingly sought for its hardiness and sustainability but is still a rarity in bath furnishings. Visitors to their booth will have a chance to win a Solace mirror, by “liking” their Facebook page and may double their chances of winning by also commenting. Native Trails can be found at booth #1331.

Native Trails Amelie Vanity

Sander Architects (booth #722) will have a booth definitely worth checking out to learn about the latest in green construction and increasingly trendy and efficient prefabricated housing. The Venice, California-based firm is well-known for their “hybrid house” concept where the frame, roof, and skin of the building are prefabricated off-site while the layout and design of the building and interior spaces are custom-designed. This has resulted in a diverse series of custom homes that have a smaller environmental footprint, faster construction and lower cost per square foot.

Prefabricated housing by Sander Architects

Of course, this is just a teaser list and there are certain to be many, many booths proudly exhibiting innovative and unusual designs. We hope that you check out these booths and tweet us @Styleture to let us know which exhibitors you are excited to see. See you on the show floor!