The International Contemporary Furniture Fair, known succinctly as ICFF, is the U.S.'s premiere design circus, made all the more a draw because of the satellite events and showcases scattered around New York City during the annual expo, now in its 24th year.
The extended weekend is not only a great opportunity to see what's new in products and trends and stock up for the coming months at A+R. Andy and I (and on this trip, our 9-month-old design afficianado-in-training, Nina) can reconnect with vendors, friends and the places we love to experience (ie. museums, book stores, restaurants and theater).
Our bags finally unpacked after returning last week, we're finally filtering through the notes, images and handouts (which we tried to keep at a minimum...email us please!) from the show. I'm only now getting a chance to share some of my favorite things here.
Some are already enroute to A+R store and warehouse. Some will only remain a glimmer in my eye:
Design collective Council in San Francisco has long been on our radar. And not simply because we think t their designers are the bees knees. We also want to feature their work in our home.
Ditto the work by the young design trio Rich, Brilliant and Willing, who took the Best New Designer award at the show. Here, Charles Brill talks new lamps with Andy (and a zonked Nina). Stay tuned for a few models to light up our lives at A+R.
We also loved the new Joby Trapeze light by our pal Peter Stathis in San Francisco. Those are definitely on the way (including quite possibly to our night stands at home!)
On that illuminating note, the eco-conscious Plumen bulbs are days away from becoming part of the A+R offerings. I can't wait to twist these beauties into our lamps at home. Each bulb uses 80% less energy and lasts 8 times longer than incandescent bulbs. And they look good, too.
Adore these heavy cast-iron pots by Hoffman-Metallgefaesse, an award-winning metal work firm based in Nuremberg since 1985. Mr. Hoffman was at the show. Most of the pieces are priced in the triple and four digits. And they are worth every penny.
The herb pot-cum-bbq from Black+Blum which will be recieving before too long. Clever, compact design. Ditto the award-winning lunch boxes which will be arriving in all available colors. Those will go fast.
From Aspen-based Board By Design, the Windsorrondack Rocker made of North Carolina Walnut and powder-coated steel.
These customized wine holders from Vin de Garde that we will likely be offering. The Canadian company provides the panel and the pegs according to a client's size specs.
Fans of our best-selling Boskke upside-down ceramic planters, which save space and water while filtering air in any environ, now have these new plastic options.
Meet Yuki Matsuoko, the man behind the laser-cut, 3-D, D-Torso figures from Japan. We have sold thousands of his mini creatures instore, and we held on to a couple of the life-sized human figures. So cool. Loved the giant yellow giraffe!
Flatpacking comes in all forms—from D-Torso's Giraffes to these folding chairs (above and below) from Flux. They debuted last year, but are still fresh. As the wall above declares, some 24 chairs can be folded flat and belted to the wall.
These round stacking pillows in synthetic metallic and Kvadrat wools are an updated alternative on our bright leather poufs we dragged back from Fez years ago. We urged the designers to make them a bit bigger: though intended for children, they could serve the whole family with a slightly longer diameter.
These are only prototypes for the prototypes from Tools for Schools program at the School at Columbia University. But let's hope they go into production. For public school or private home, they are fantastic. And I recall something about junior high school kids helping in the design process.
From our fab pal Kip, who specializes in Japanese-made modern goods, the steel Praxis desk set. The folding form resembles an envelope.
That's all that fits in this post. Stay tuned for Part II
Of course I want more, and Nina is a delightful addition to your roundup. That walnut and powdered steel rocker is gorgeous. xo
Posted by: Janet | Friday, May 27, 2011 at 10:42 AM