Calling All Design Nerds: The Editors’ Take On NYCxDESIGN Week 2016

The Trickle-Down theory is the genesis of regular conversations in my household. I won’t go into my stance on the economic principle here, but when it comes to home furnishings, it’s a very real thing. What is seen in “high design” is always quickly echoed in the mainstream, which is why my design-loving heart beats for trade shows like ICFF, WantedDesign and Sight Unseen OFFSITE. Last week, the Apartment Therapy team tore up New York in search of the new, the now and the wow. Check out some of the team’s discoveries.

“Walking through ICFF, WantedDesign and Sight Unseen Offsite this year, I was on the hunt for design trends, (like the ones my colleagues have pointed out in this post). But I was also looking for what grabbed my attention. Not an easy thing to do with tons of great design to comb through. This small collection of products and designers are what jumped out to me the most. Everything is gorgeous, no doubt, but I also love that familiar companies (like Bend Goods and Pigeon Toe Ceramics) pushed their designs in fresh directions.”

Clockwise from top left: DittoHouse owner and lead designer Molly Fitzpatrick created colorful patterns on pillows and blankets using sustainable fibers (think the fabric scraps that pile up when manufacturers cut out patterns.) Justina Blakeney’s Nana wallpaper for Hygge & West. Bend Goods fails to disappoint this year. A peek at Erich Ginder’s new link lighting. The marble detailing on these Analog Watch Co. timepieces are a showstopper. Watercolor-esque vibes at Eskayel. Pigeon Toe Ceramics exhibited these lovely vessels with a woven basket feature.

Our Executive Editor’s highlights include caned seating, animal motifs, reimagined vintage bohemian style and luxe textures with decadent details. “I love how much “decorative chutzpah” seemed to inform much of the design I saw at ICFF was this year. Designers are making pieces that are bold and beautiful, with lots of statement pieces on display instead of safe staples. I think it accurately represents where home decorators are moving to, as well; as we become more confident in expressing ourselves through how we decorate our homes, we seek out the interesting, unique and memorable.”

Clockwise from top left: Bold, oversized black caned pattern chair by Schema. A gorgeous wish-I-could’ve-stuck-it-my-suitcase kimono made from Morag MacPherson’s original textile designs. Functional yet decorative objects from Umbra Shift. So smart and cool: zip-together sectional pieces from Bernhardt that are super comfy and totally modular. Make a sofa to suit any space and change it up when you move! Glitzy glassware from Tom Dixon. Wallpaper and fabrics from Witch and Watchman.

One of our resident senior writers spotted Memphis-style furniture and décor throughout the weekend. Her eye was drawn to the clean-lined furnishings that retain a sense of playfulness.

Clockwise from top left: A detail from ceramicist Elyse Graham’s first foray into furniture. Nursery Works’ beautiful rocking crib. Ries strips down its silhouettes in these chairs and display unit. Iridescent credenza by Simon Johns. Daily bed by Ben Barber Studio.

Dabney spotted oblong shapes in numerous iterations: candy-colored room dividers from Bernhardt, benches by Grain Design and Coil & Drift’s mirrors. Another notable trend pinpointed by our projects editor was tinted concrete, mirrors and glass, mostly in subtle pastels or smoky shades.

Clockwise from top left: Layered glass hits the bullseye in the Lunar table from Studio Marfa. A braided footstool by Debra Folz. Tinted concrete basins by Kast. These vases in smoky hues by SkLO Studio are pretty dreamy. Built from a combination of bamboo plywood and nylon rope, this coffee table from YC Design can easily fold up and be stored away. Room dividers at Bernhardt Design.

“I’m so excited about the mix of materials: charred oak inlaid with brass, leather woven into wood, light fixtures sculpted out of wire and silk cocoons. Designers are not only working with new materials, but they’re pairing old standbys in unexpected ways. I also loved the focus on customizable pieces that let the consumer determine the final design. Add+ presented a modular storage unit that snaps together like Legos, giving the consumer the building blocks to play with the design.”

Clockwise from top left: Sandback featured aluminum nail inlays in gorgeous wooden tables. Palo Samko nestled leather in wood. Stacked shelving modules from Muuto let you create a personalized wall unit. Wallpaper is clearly having a moment, but we particularly love NLXL’s materials wallpaper by Piet Hein Eek that resembles wood slats, brick, marble and beyond. Walking through ICFF, you couldn’t help by stop and stare at this charred oak wall by Amuneal Manufacturing. Another customizable module, this time from Add+.

“From the spectacular elephant-sized installation at Stickbulb’s ICFF booth to Kjartan Oskarsson Studio’s interactive Halo light at WantedDesign, for me, hands down, lighting stole the show(s). There was a dizzying range of cage pendants and globe lights everywhere and a plethora of metallic finish options. I just love how lighting design has really turned the corner and become a true art form as well as a stage for craftsmanship.”

Clockwise from top left: Areti’s simple concepts blown up to a larger scale stopped us in our tracks. A bevy of cage lanterns by Shelter Bay. The folks from Montreal’s Lambert & Fils know how to do the globe pendant right. Two.Parts uses LEDs and 3D printed ceramic for their clever fixtures. This mammoth by Stickbulb could easily be the most instagrammed product of ICFF. Wood and leather come together beautifully in the Halo light by Kjartan Oskarsson Studio (watch Katie demo it here.)