Workstead unevils its new Park lighting collection at ICFF. Inspired by porcelain lighting fixtures from the pre-war era, the design studio has created three new opal milk glass fixtures that were developed specially for the firm’s first residential development near Brooklyn’s Propsect Park that’s currently underway. Comprised of a corridor sconce, bath sconce and powder sconce, the trio has been produced by the Urban Electric Company and is available in bone white or black enamel
The curator/interior designer Brad Ford has put together an exhibition celebrating the craft of chair design entitled ‘Sitting Still’, on view at The Hudson Company’s Manhattan showroom. Ranging from the 1960s to present day, the 24 chairs that Ford included all exude a clarity and simplicity of design with classic craftsmanship to boot
With pieces from designers including George Nakashima, Egg Collective, Coil + Drift, BDDW and Fort Standard, which were pulled from Ford’s personal collection, his showroom and relationships with the makers themselves, this succinct study of chairs is the perfect reason to pause, even if just for a moment
The co-operative showroom Colony continues to fly the flag for independent designers, especially with its latest effort, ‘Balance/Unbalanced’. Set against a rich blue background, the assortment of works from designers such as KWH, Meg Callahan, Vonnegut/Kraft, Farrah Sit and Studio Paolo Ferrari, all experimented with the ideas of equality, whether in form, colour, scale or material.
Ranging from furniture, lighting, textiles and objects, the refreshing showcase was a clear highlight of the week
The moody, gothic aesthetic of design studio Material Lust took new shape with the extension of its Orphan Work label, a line of objects and lighting inspired by lost designs from its archive. Ranging from incense holders (right), ashtrays and vases to brushed brass and alabaster lighting sconces, the collection is austere, sculptural and glamorous, all rolled into one
In the spirit of reducing, reusing and recycling, the Finnish Cultural Institute in New York has opened an eye-catching pop-up restaurant at Wanted Design Manhattan called Zero Waste Bistro. Photography: Nicholas Calcott
Co-curated by designers Harri Koskinen and Linda Bergroth, the sustainable eatery brings the zero-waste philosophy of the Helsinki favourite, Restaurant Nolla, to New York with four of its chefs taking charge of breakfast and lunch service. The space also features dinnerware and interiors made from Durat’s sustainable material, designed by Bergroth. Zero Waste Bistro.
Pelle’s fusion of architectural polish and design-driven creativity comes together effortlessly with its newest Beam and Glow collection, which makes its debut at ICFF this week. Made from anodized aluminum, the horizontal and vertical structures combine bright metallic colours with rose and amber-hued resin bulbs, which create a soft luminosity, whether the lights are on or off
Inspired by the Minimal Art movement, these minimalist, industrial pieces also come in hand-stained renditions that produce a more delicate appearance
Focused on emphasising the power of simplicity, the LA-based design firm, Kalon Studios presents its Bough dining collection, in all its unadulterated glory. Comprised of a dining table, bench and stool, all made from solid ash wood, the pieces each display exquisite joinery, inspired by the Japanese Sashimono tradition, that seamless fit together. To preserve the lightness of the ash wood, the pieces are each coated in a non-toxic, hemp oil finish to allow a natural patina to develop over time
With its flair for championing emerging designers, it’s no surprise that Bernhardt Design’s latest enterprise tips the scales. The label has launched a new textile collection produced by the Iranian artist Taher Asad-Bakhtiari. Based between Tehran and Dubai, Asad-Bakhtiari draws from his family’s tribal heritage to give ancient weaving techniques a reinvigorated relevance in today’s landscape. The artist has created six unique patterns, available in 52 colour ways, that brim over with motifs referencing his culture - an admirable example of merging traditional craft with contemporary design
At the lighting designer’s showroom, Bec Brittain revealed her collaboration with glass artist John Hogan, which will be available in a limited edition of ten. Inspired by Brittain’s Aries lighting, her first lighting system since 2015, Hogan has created mesmerising glass bolts that are cast as celestial accompaniments to Brittain’s architectural frameworks. Photography: Lauren Coleman
To complement Hogan’s ethereal glass, Brittain created a robust network of trusses and scaffolding that not only suspend each piece, but are also designed to highlight the way it refracts and interacts with light. Photography: Lauren Coleman
Collaboration is high on Sight Unseen’s busy agenda this year at New York Design Week. For one of the projects, the team have handpicked retail spots for design studios to display their launches, providing a new dialogue for the fresh pieces. For this, Sophie Lou Jacobson and Sarita Posada launch their vibrant furniture collection at fashion boutique Creatures of Comfort (left). In a celebration of New York design aesthetic and Colombian making, the range is versatile with minimalist powder coated steel structures and interchangeable upholstered or wood surfaces. Meanwhile, inside fashion designer Phillip Lim’s NoHo showroom, Ben & Aja Blanc have installed their serene new collection (right). ‘We love the idea of someone in a bright red outfit possibly sitting on our muted palette chair,’ Ben muses, ‘its about the dance that’s happening between those elements’
Berlin-based studio Llot Llov is assigned to launch its two new projects at furniture boutique Assembly in Low East Side. The playful pieces include a fringed pendant lamp that appears floating hanging by a thin cable (left). The work is crafted by Mammu, a Latvian social enterprise that gives unemployed mothers an opportunity to work on projects at home. The new tables, Osis (right), employ unique surface techniques to produce fascinating, multi-hued patterns with sea or stone salts engrained in the wood, both are sure to stand out in the space
For this collaboration between Jamie Iacoli and John Hogan, the pair look to experimenting within the realm of where art meets design. The products are not intended to be functional, but act as mini architectural structures that are on display inside Finnish fashion showroom Samuji
The Los Angeles-based design company Atelier de Troupe has become a well-known arbiter of good taste and design. For its presentation at ICFF, founder Gabriel Abraham will create a conceptual Brutalist concrete residence to serve as the backdrop for the firm’s new creations. Inspired by the jungles of Mexico, the installation, Casa de Tropa will be a fitting backdrop for new furniture, tiles and lighting, including new pendants made together with the artist (and Wallpaper* Handmade contributor) John Hogan
Anything that alleviates the burden of our daily chores is a plus indeed. Furnishing Utopia, the Shaker-inspired project lead by Ladies & Gentlemen Studio, Studio Gorm and Christopher Specce, tackles just that with its third chapter. Presented by DWR, the exhibition will showcase elegant takes on cleaning brushes, housecleaning dispensers, bins and more from over 25 international designers. Photography: Charlie Schuck
The results of a personal year-long study of the creative process is what the Chicago-based design studio Gentner is putting in the spotlight at this year’s ICFF. Entitled ‘The Fraction Collection’, the new line of furniture, lighting and objects continues to articulate founder Christopher Gentner’s sculptural approach, while experimenting with more distilled, adventurous forms
Two years since Collective Design Fair launched Collective Concept – a platform dedicated to showcasing the work of contemporary designers at the fair – its reach is now rightly being extended, thanks to an inaugural collaborative effort with the International Contemporary Furniture Fair. The showcase will highlight new, artistically-driven work from Fort Standard, Harry Nuriev of Crosby Studios, Allied Maker and The Coast, amongst others, bringing a breath of fresh air to the Jacob Javits Centre. Pictured: works from Coil + Drift (left) and Slash Objects (right)
The creative dialogue between Norwegian and American designers continues with the third instalment of Norway x New York. Presented at Sight Unseen Offsite, this year’s edition celebrates the spirit of collaboration, as exemplified by this LED light from Souda and Stine Aas (left). Made from perforated metal and a thin central stem, this piece combines ephemeral and industrial elements in all the right ways. Pictured right: pieces by Kin & Company x Henrik Ødegaard. Photography: Charlie Schuck
New York’s Times Square might not be known for its design credo, but the Times Square Alliance is changing all that. This week, the organisation has revealed the Times Square Design Lab – a new initiative that brings design to the public space. Installed in the plaza at the middle of Times Square, the inaugural effort brings together new creations from New York designers including Joe Doucet (yellow houses - pictured), Brad Ascalon, Louis Lim, DYAD and Hive Public Space and spans seating, signage and book display
In addition to its presence at Collective Concept, Crosby Studios will also present its new creations at Opening Ceremony, who collaborated with Crosby Studios’ founder Harry Nuriev on the project. Inspired by Pedro Friedeberg’s hand chair, which Nuriev acquired on the street outside his Brooklyn apartment, the playful furniture collection is complemented by a colourful clothing and accessory offering available at Opening Ceremony’s Howard Street boutique
British graphic artist Camille Walala is bringing her colourful sense of geometry to the streets of Brooklyn with her largest building project to date. In honour of WantedDesign Brooklyn, Walala will reveal a permanent work covering the seven-story façade of a neglected building in Industry City. Inspired by the repetition of the building’s windows and using a palette of sunset tones, the prominent art piece will leave its mark on the Sunset Park neighbourhood long after the fair has concluded
Kiwi furniture label Resident brings its new seating and sofa collection over to American shores for its first large-scale show in New York City. Taking over a 3000 square-foot gallery space in Nolita, the new offerings are being exhibited in an environment designed by interior architect Rufus Knight, and also features other popular Resident lighting and furniture pieces to complete the sublime picture
For its first showing at New York Design Week, Muuto has created a suitably Scandinavian setting to show its latest collection. Located in the Flatiron district, the space will showcase new additions, including Cecilie Manz’s Workshop coffee table, new sofas and seating from Anderssen & Voll, the Enfold sideboard by Thomas Bentzen and a new Base high table by Studio Tolvanen
Radnor has always wanted to produce its own collection – a box that’s been ticked this month for New York Design Week with the unveiling of the Radnor Made collection. Set inside the David Chipperfield-designed residence, The Bryant, the brand creates an enviable setting for the launch, titled ‘Material Interiors.’ Read more about the project here
WallpaperSTORE* is joining forces with Italian brand Poliform for its first US pop-up. Staged inside the furniture specialist’s flagship, the retail haven will offer its refined range, from tableware to kitchen accessories by a roster of global design studios including Minimalux (left), Phil Cuttance, Editions Milano, House of Today and Paola C (right)
Sight Unseen’s Offsite exhibition has a knack for getting the best out of its participants. As part of its collaboration theme this year, the curatorial body has paired the Austin-based online art platform Twyla, with a quartet of architectural photographers to create Ratio, its first line of limited edition wallpapers. Each photograph has been transformed by a contemporary painter (also selected by Sight Unseen) into a captivating design that leaps off the wall
The Future Perfect continues to solidify its design gallery status with two new collections from the designers Charles de Lisle and Chris Wolston. Presented together in its Noho space, the exhibition will showcase new aluminium furniture that fuse Wolston’s interests in ancient influences and postmodern fabrication, and new lighting from de Lisle – the gallery’s first production in the field. Photography: Joseph De Leo
Fernando Mastrangelo and Anna Karlin found a shared interest in where sculpture and design meet following a group show organised by Mastrangelo last Autumn. Using textured materials including celadon blue cement, crystal quartz and black sand, the pair form a serious of limited editions that debut at New York Design Week
Avenue Road played host to one of The Rug Company’s newest undertakings – a new collaboration with the German designer Sebastian Herkner. The two attractive designs, which feature quadrilateral layers inspired by the junctions, overlaps, transits and spaces within a city, have been made with different pile heights to produce a three-dimensional effect. The stylish showcase also included Herkner’s latest furniture designs, which were recently revealed at Salone del Mobile
