New York Design Week 2013: the highlights

Living up to its mantra as 'the city that never sleeps', New York threw down the gauntlet last weekend with NYC x Design - an umbrella title for the stalwart International Contemporary Furniture Fair, the up-and-coming contender Wanted Design and cool hipster offering that is Noho Design District.

This year's event unleashed itself on a rather weary public. The two weeks prior saw the coming and going of two design and art fairs: Collective Design Show and Frieze, leaving only the strongest marching onwards to the end of May.

Nevertheless, New Yorkers and their international counterparts lapped up all the design that was on offer, with pop-up exhibitions, cocktail hours and intellectual panel discussions sprouting up all over the city. Team Wallpaper* was, of course, there in force, supporting friends like Tom Dixon, who launched his Adidas and accessories ranges into the hallowed halls of ABC Carpet and Home, and Neri & Hu, who unveiled a brand new furniture collection produced by De La Espada.

Amidst the frantic, mad dash, it was satisfying to see New York continuing to cement its position on the international design calendar. ICFF once again recruited niche designers and makers to exhibit within the Javits Centre, while Wanted Design upped the ante with exhibitors coming from as far as Turkey, Puerto Rico, El Salvador and Quebec to present their products. New York may have experienced three consecutive weeks of citywide fairs, yet it continued to brim with creative energy. And for that, we are grateful.

Wooden furniture displayed in store window

(Image credit: Lauren Keogh)

One of our favourite West Coasters, Commune, unveiled a furniture collection for Environment in New York this week. The collection includes a dining table, coffee table, chairs and a daybed, which allude to easy California living.

Furniture displayed on wooden pallets

(Image credit: Lauren Keogh)

True to Commune's DNA, each piece is uncomplicated in form and tastefully comprises warm wood and metal accents.

Wooden shelving & drawer units

(Image credit: Lauren Keogh)

Within the larger collection is a series of furniture known as the Cleat range, due to its use of cube configurations to make up larger pieces.

Metal homewear

(Image credit: TBC)

The American Design Club staged an homage to the trophy, inviting young designers from across the country to present their vision of this traditional symbol of accomplishment. The exhibition, 'Trophy: Awards We Live With' was presented at The Standard Hotel, East Village

'Bare Bones' game set

(Image credit: TBC)

Situated in the heart of the Noho Design District, lifestyle and fashion boutique Billy Reid got in on the action by commissioning The Principals, a design firm based in Brooklyn, to create a set of dominoes entitled 'Bare Bones'

Close up of 'Bare Bones' game set

(Image credit: TBC)

The angular 'double 6' domino set is cast from raw concrete and shows off a new take on the traditional domino's shape and numbering system

Room full of candles & hanging lights

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Lindsay Adelman threw open the doors to her newly minted showroom at 1 Great Jones Street this week

White room with various hanging lights

(Image credit: TBC)

Typically open by appointment only, Adelman's studio served as an intimate showcase for her range of works, including new pieces such as the 'Catch' (first seen at Nilufar Gallery), made in floor light and suspension versions…

Coloured glass ornaments

(Image credit: TBC)

…the Curiosity vessels made from cast brass, horsehair and glass blown by artist, Nancy Callan…

Metal table lamp

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…and a new zigzag frame table lamp made from hammer bronze

Bedroom with fireplace & canopy bed

(Image credit: TBC)

The Merchant's House Museum, the only family home from the 19th Century preserved in tact in New York City, was a unique backdrop to contemporary works from a selection of up-and-coming designers. Here, a collection of lights by Noah Spencer of art collective Fort Makers stands within one of the untouched bedrooms

Twin room with bed linen on the floor

(Image credit: TBC)

The sculptural weavings of designer/artist Dana Barnes run over twin beds in the servants' quarters of the museum

Large grand canopy bed

(Image credit: TBC)

A graphic quilt by textile designer Meg Callahan and woven baskets by Doug Johnston blend in with the rest of the furniture

Armchair & foot rest

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Vitsoe celebrated the relaunch of the legendary 620 chair by Dieter Rams during ICFF

Cross section showing inside of chair

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Although the new chair has been reengineered, it still boasts the same traditional upholstery craftsmanship

Blue framed double bed

(Image credit: TBC)

Paola Navone made her US debut with a fully-formed range of furniture and home goods inspired by the richness of India for Anthropologie. The vibrancy and eccentricity that underlines the colourful 'Out of India' collection is probably best embodied in this four-poster bed

Blue, white & black padded bench

(Image credit: TBC)

The energetic printed upholstery that accompanies this daybed by Navone is an abstracted take on Hindi writing. In addition to soft furnishings and bedding, wire storage baskets and pendant lamps also rounded out the collection, which is available online

Metal bookends

(Image credit: TBC)

These bookends by fellow Brooklynites Egg Collective and Hangar Design Studios, were presented during Reclaim NYC, a design community initiative comprised of teams of designers benefitting the Brooklyn Recovery Fund and Hurricane Sandy casualties. The polygonal forms are cast in bronze

Wooden desk

(Image credit: TBC)

Dana D'Amico worked with KWH furniture to produce this walnut desk and its accompanying porcelain drawer, shown at Reclaim NYC

Wooden discs

(Image credit: TBC)

The wood of these vessels by Baltimore boys Jonah Takagi and woodturner Mark Supik is reclaimed yellow pine, previously used in vinegar barrels

Hanging metal ornaments

(Image credit: TBC)

Windchimes by the Seattle-based Ladies & Gentleman Studio and ceramicist Nicholas Nyland

Ceramic bowl on wooden table

(Image credit: TBC)

'Set for One' is a solid walnut side table, inlaid with brass and accompanied by a slip-cast porcelain bowl, by furniture designer Asher Israelow and ceramicist Wyn Bauer. It was also shown at Reclaim NYC

Long table with various ceramic pieces

(Image credit: TBC)

Parsons alumni Souda put together a delectable collection of ceramics, all cast from soft leather molds

Wooden stool

(Image credit: TBC)

They also designed the ergonomic Mitre stool, which is comprised of four slanting wooden planes

Wooden shelving unit

(Image credit: TBC)

A shelving unit and lamps by the Los Angeles based firm, Atelier de Troupe

Small wooden table

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A table of curious objects by Portland-based designer/maker Jason Rens. His studio is called Rason Jens

Wooden desk

(Image credit: TBC)

A desk by Brooklyn-based designer, Pat Kim

Wooden block lamp


(Image credit: TBC)

A closer look at a lamp by Michael Rey for Atelier de Troupe

Green folding chair next to some plants

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An attractive vignette of works by Californian-turned-Portlander Eric Trine

Lampshade cages

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'Carnasto' small wire floor lamps from the El Salvadorean design hub, The Carrot Concept, which popped up at Wanted Design, courtesy of Bernhardt Design

Blue wooden bookcase

(Image credit: TBC)

A small bookcase, 'Maleta' by José R. Paredes of The Carrot Concept

Blue metal chair

(Image credit: TBC)

Mark Moderna's 'Lami' metal sheet chair

Yellow metal side tables

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The 'Circa' metal sidetables, by The Carrot Concept founders, Claudia and Harry Washington

White ceramic mugs & cups

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Fort Standard created new ceramic designs for British ceramic company 1882…

Metal bottle openers on marble mats

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…as well as a new trio of 'Crest' bottle openers

Ceramic pots

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'Novela Vessels' is a range of stacking table vessels from Turkish designers Erin Turkoglu and Melodi Bozkurt of Muzz Design

Brown table lamps

(Image credit: TBC)

British designer David Irwin contributed this family of wireless table lamps to the inaugural collection of the new furniture company, Juniper

Pink light

(Image credit: TBC)

Joanna Grawunder's 'Pink Void' - a stunning aluminum lighting piece made by Neal Feay Studios

Blue wooden side table

(Image credit: TBC)

A colourful table service set atop a pedestal table by Quebecoise designer, Zoe Mowat

Wooden chair with black frame

(Image credit: TBC)

'Twig' dining chair by Chad Wright for Council, as spotted at Design Junction's first US pop-up space, Intro NY

Metal desk lamp

(Image credit: TBC)

A new desk light by Castor is French for Beaver at Intro NY

White hanging ceiling lights

(Image credit: TBC)

Hanging pendants by Castor is French for Beaver

Colourful travel posters

(Image credit: TBC)

Jonah Takagi's second project, Field, played the role of curator on an exhibition (entitled Here & There) of new objects created by his peers. In collaboration with the multidisciplinary studio, Various Projects, designers including Okolo, Studio Gorm, Hannah Waldron and Takagi himself, worked to the theme of travel, which in turn produced some wonderous results. Pictured are Okolo's posters, inspired by the golden age of jet-set traveling

Canoe hanging in the middle of room

(Image credit: TBC)

A canoe crafted by Colgate Searle and Matthias Pliessnig at the Here & There exhibition

Small wooden box with alcohol

(Image credit: TBC)

Travelling cocktail set by Jonah Takagi and Art in the Age craft spirits

First aid kit in brown leather bag

(Image credit: TBC)

First aid kit by Elizabeth Beer and Brian Janusiak of Various Projects, also for Here & There

Light attached to wall

(Image credit: TBC)

Over at ICFF, we spotted this 'Monocole' bedside light by Rich Brilliant Willing

Hanging wooden lights

(Image credit: TBC)

Roman and Williams debuted their first furniture collection with Matter. Available in an array of woods, the robust range makes a nod to the American tradition for heavy wooden furniture, and includes chairs, stools, a coffee table - as well as this barrel-shaped chandelier. The 'Woodrum' design is also available as a standing floor lamp or a single hanging pendant, and is a contemporary interpretation of hanging elk antler chandeliers

Metal structures for holding logs

(Image credit: TBC)

A pair of log holders by the French-based Kilian O'Sullivan Design

Colourful wooden table

(Image credit: TBC)

A colourful, tessellating coffee table by Brooklynite, Volk Furniture

Marble side table

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A marble and bronze coffee table by Why Not Bespoke

Side board with shelf to hold records

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Symbol is a design and audio company the integrates listening equipment with furniture. This modern LP console comes with an LP storage bin attached

Metal floor lamps

(Image credit: TBC)

A pair of swiveling standing lamps by Los Angeleno, Phase Design, is named the 'Open Mic Light' for obvious reasons

Triangular side tables

(Image credit: TBC)

Assembly Design's quiet approach proved to be just as impactful as its neighbours

Copper chair

(Image credit: TBC)

A copper framed chair by Assembly

Hanging ceiling lights

(Image credit: TBC)

The homegrown lighting studio, Apparatus, did not disappoint with its fashion savvy approach. In addition to the usual finishes, one of its new creations is also available in leather

Cut out shapes lit up

(Image credit: TBC)

Sconces in basic shapes by Apparatus

Wooden food bowls & dishes

(Image credit: TBC)

Serving and storage bowls and stacking Corian coasters by 100xBtr

Bright yellow sofa & wooden coffee table

(Image credit: TBC)

The Future Perfect debuted its very first in-house collection, which included this cheerfully coloured, 1970s-inspired sofa by Lindsey Adelman, as well as a branch-armed chandelier by San Franciscan, Charles de Lisle

Colourful patterned cushions

(Image credit: TBC)

The latest notch on Fab.com's belt: a collection of home accessories with the Albers Foundation, featuring several of Anni Albers' prints

Black & red patterned glasses

(Image credit: TBC)

More hypnotizing glasses and trays from the Albers Collection with Fab.com

Pastel orange chair

(Image credit: TBC)

Not your usual chair by bespoke furniture makers, Vonnegut Kraft

Wooden desk organisers

(Image credit: TBC)

David Okum contributed this beautiful family of desk organizers

Monochrome padded bench

(Image credit: TBC)

Rhode Islanders O&G Studio roped in textile designer Meg Callahan and furniture designer Andrew Mau to collaborate on a range of new pieces, including this sofa

Colourful cage wire tables

(Image credit: TBC)

Wood & glass coffee table

(Image credit: TBC)

The duo also released a new coffee table with removable glass panels

Hanging metal ceiling lights

(Image credit: TBC)

A new hanging light by Lindsey Adelman alumnus, Mary Wallis

Wooden shelving stucture

(Image credit: TBC)

Playful shelving by Commonhouse Furniture

Wooden cage style table

(Image credit: TBC)

Pelle's architectural roots shine through with its latest series, Quadrat, which uses wood lattice grids to form coffee and side tables

Various ceramic pieces on a table

(Image credit: TBC)

A collection of handcrafted porcelain tableware by Brittany Pool, on show at Cranbrook Academy of Art's exhibition space

Black metal ornamental pieces

(Image credit: TBC)

Another highlight on Cranbrook's stand was this family of welded steel multi-purpose vessels by Mark Baker

Pei-Ru Keh is a former US Editor at Wallpaper*. Born and raised in Singapore, she has been a New Yorker since 2013. Pei-Ru held various titles at Wallpaper* between 2007 and 2023. She reports on design, tech, art, architecture, fashion, beauty and lifestyle happenings in the United States, both in print and digitally. Pei-Ru took a key role in championing diversity and representation within Wallpaper's content pillars, actively seeking out stories that reflect a wide range of perspectives. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband and two children, and is currently learning how to drive.