Pretty in pink: The Future Perfect taps Leilani Zahn for a secret exhibition at NYCxDesign

Head upstairs to The Future Perfect’s ‘secret space’ (the brand’s second-floor office and adjoining gallery just down the street from their main, open-to-the-public location) and you’re welcomed by a warm, blush glow. The ambiance, a product of walls painted in Farrow & Ball’s ‘Ground Pink’ and the light from a new range of architecturally inspired LED fixtures, is part of the realised vision of interior designer and For Reference founder Leilani Zahn, who curated the space for TFP’s NYCxDesign event.
‘Lighting is important to me. Living with a lighting designer, I’m always really conscientious of lighting,’ says Zahn. The designer collaborated with a range of artists – including her husband, product and lighting designer Karl Zahn – to outfit the space, which is set up as living room, dining room and bedroom vignettes, all done in a pared-down palette of creams and blushes.
‘I made the colour palette unified, so you really look at the furniture,’ explains Leilani. And the furniture, a selection of pieces from Portugal-based De La Espada’s impressive lineup of designers, is worth taking a good look at. Works from Neri & Hu, Luca Nichetto, Matthew Hilton and Studioilse are used throughout and shown in De La Espada’s newest finishes: oiled white ash and painted black ash.
‘Outlines’ by Leilani Zahn at The Future Perfect
In addition to curating ‘Outlines’, Leilani made her first foray into product design for the show. Her collection of lighting (LED fixtures inspired by barrel and cloister vault ceilings, and arched doorways) and soft goods (geometric floor and throw pillows) are also on display, and both fit nicely into the show’s second unifying motif: sculptural geometrics.
Finishing touches include Karl’s new collection of oversized hanging mobiles and table sculptures that all have a kinetic quality to them, and a floral-patterned linen textile designed by Leilani in collaboration with New York-based florist Brittany Asch of Brrch and illustrator Natalya Zahn (Karl’s sister).
‘I wanted to include a mix of geometric, organic and architectural details, and that’s something we try to bring through in every project. We always think of our designs in that way—balancing those three elements. That’s actually how the floral textile came to be... I just needed one organic plant feel, so we layered in a floral,’ says Leilani.
The pièce de résistance (and, we’re predicting, the most Instagrammed item from the show) was ‘Heather’ – a throw pillow designed by Leilani that’s made with a mix of human and acrylic hair.
Titled 'Outlines', the exhibition features Zahn's new range of architecturally-inspired LED fixtures
The ambiance was set by Farrow & Ball’s ‘Ground Pink’ painted as the backdrop
Zahn collaborated with a selection of artists for the space including furniture from Portugal-based De La Espada's roster of designers including Neri & Hu and Luca Nichetto
Zahn's LED fixtures were inspired by barrel and cloister vault ceilings, as well as arched doorways
The set up of living room, dining room and bedroom vignettes were all done in a pared-down palette of creams and blushes
'I wanted to include a mix of geometric, organic and architectural details' says Zahn
INFORMATION
‘Outlines’ is on view through July by appointment only. For more information, visit The Future Perfect website
ADDRESS
The Future Perfect
55 Great Jones Street
New York, NY 10012
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
-
The Sinclair name is back, attached to a pocket-sized games console with an educational edge
Grant Sinclair’s name is freighted with early computing history. Wallpaper* tapped up the British inventor to find out more about his new GamerCard console and other innovation
-
Beloved sushi restaurant Sōgo Roll Bar comes to Highland Park
The sushi hangout begins a new chapter in its second location, becoming the perfect spot for a quick grab-and-go or a relaxed tasting experience in east LA
-
Japanese designer Shinichiro Ogata's latest venture is a modern riff on the traditions of his home country
As he launches Saboe, a series of new tearooms and shops across Japan, we delve into Shinichiro Ogata's creative vision, mirrored throughout the spaces and objects, rituals and moments of his projects
-
Ralph Pucci’s new Provence exhibition celebrates sculpture in its purest form
To mark 70 years of Ralph Pucci International, the New York gallery is collaborating with top designers to bring scaled, textural forms to Château La Coste
-
New York Design Week 2025: live updates from the Wallpaper* team
Now through 21 May, design is taking over the Big Apple. Here's the latest news, launches and other goings-on from NYCxDesign, as seen by Wallpaper* editors.
-
What not to miss at NYCxDesign 2025, according to our editors
From mega furniture fairs to can't-miss parties, here's what to catch at North America's biggest celebration of design
-
Basic.Space launches its first IRL shopping event – in an empty West Hollywood mall
With the launch of its first in-person event in LA this weekend, the e-commerce platform is looking to bring collectible design to a whole new audience
-
Design Miami 2024 is alive with possibility: here are 14 things to see
Design Miami 2024 opens 4-8 December – let Wallpaper* guide you to the highlights, from dazzling installations to plump sofas and anthropomorphic sculptures
-
Nendo’s collaborations with Kyoto artisans go on view in New York
‘Nendo sees Kyoto’ is on view at Friedman Benda (until 15 October 2022), showcasing the design studio's collaboration with six artisans specialised in ancient Japanese crafts
-
Italian craftsmanship comes to Los Angeles in this eclectic Venice Canals apartment
Boffi Los Angeles celebrates a juxtaposition of texture throughout a waterside bolthole
-
Design Miami/Basel 2022 explores the Golden Age
Design Miami/Basel 2022, led by curatorial director Maria Cristina Didero, offers a positive spin after the unprecedented times of the pandemic, and looks at the history and spirit of design