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Product Picks from ICFF 2012, Part 1

heba — Thu, 24 May 2012 20:30:21 +0000

Innovation was back and better than ever at the 2012 International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF)! We were lucky enough to spend several hours, or should we say days, at New York’s Javits Center and had the opportunity to touch, try and test drive the furnishings and learn the latest trends in lighting, wallcovering and more! There were over 500 exhibitors from more than 30 countries at the show, but we’ve managed to narrow down our favorites! Here are a few of our top picks as well as a look as some of ICFF’s Editors Awards winners!

Editors Awards Winners:

Autoban De La Espada

Axor Bouroullec

Golran

Mosa Tiles

Trove

Our D-C editors couldn’t agree more with the selection by the 2012 awards committee, which included: Arlene Hirst; Elizabeth Pagliacolo, Azure; Amanda Dameron, Dwell; Cristina Bonini, Interni; Chantal Hamaide, Intramuros; Paul Makovsky, Metropolis; and Pei-Ru Keh, Wallpaper. In addition to the ones selected by the jury, here’s some that caught our eye:

Peter Glassford’s versatile wall collages

Alsio’s textured wall tiles

Royal Botania’s relaxing outdoor furniture

Parvez Taj’s exciting booth

Tomomi Sayuda’s “Daydream” lighting made of Japanese Paper

Art of Board installations made of broken skateboards

M2L’s colorful and comfortable stools

Graypants’ Scrap Lights made of repurposed cardboard

Unique lighting installations from Marc Trotereau

The Strandkorb or “Beach Basket” Chair at the Oasiq booth

New Norwegian Design: Plain and Simple at ICFF

danielle — Thu, 24 May 2012 18:28:13 +0000

He’s got an eye for emerging design, Scandinavian to be specific! Curated by Paul Makovsky, Editorial Director of Metropolis Magazine, the New Norwegian Design prototype exhibition, part of the Insidenorway booth, was one of the standouts at this year’s ICFF. It featured the innovative work of young designers who are just breaking into the market. The award-winning architectural firm Snøhetta (who co-hosted one heck of a party with Metropolis) debuted a prototype blanket, which was done in collaboration with Røros-Tweed, a manufacturer of blankets since 1940. “The blanks were specially commissioned for the exhibition as a way of symbolizing the potential for future collaborations between Norwegian manufacturers and young design firms,” says Makovsky.

The exhibition also featured products and designs from five Norwegian furniture companies: Variér, VAD, Stokke, Sundays and Røros-Tweed. VAD’s Convita chair caught our eye. Designed by Svein Asbørnsen, the recliner follows the curves and movement of the body. Leaning back, the footrest will automatically rise up to a perfect position for relaxation, with the feet at the same level as the heart. This improves blood flow and helps release stress. After 4 busy days at the fair, this looks like the perfect chair for a power nap!

I LOVE NEW YORK Artist Free!

danielle — Thu, 24 May 2012 17:39:31 +0000

Thanks for reporting the good news Huffington Post! Takeshi Miyakawa was released from jail on Wednesday, after spending five days in prison for what Brooklyn residents thought was a bomb scare. In reality, it was a public art installation meant to showcase his love for the city. While we are glad he is out, we still can’t believe that the judge is insisting that he take a mental evaluation for the incident.

Free Takeshi Miyakawa

danielle — Tue, 22 May 2012 22:15:12 +0000

We were shocked to hear that artist, furniture designer and one of our favorite former Brooklyn Designs standouts Takeshi Miyakawa was arrested on Saturday for doing what he does best – guerrilla art. He was taken into custody just after 2am while installing his “I (heart) New York” lighting project in Brooklyn. What was supposed to be a display of love for NYC and a celebration of New York Design Week was seen by another as bomb scare. The judge has sentenced Mr. Miyakawa to 30 days in jail and a mental evaluation.

We will be closely following this story and will share updates as we receive them. In the meantime, please sign the official petition to free Takeshi Miyakawa.

Where o’ Where is this SAVA Chair?

danielle — Thu, 17 May 2012 22:02:36 +0000

Can you spot where the SAVA is? If so, then you could win one of Stylex‘s award-winning chairs. As part of their new ad campaign created by the Brooklyn-based graphic design form Maiarelli Studio, Stylex is running a special SAVA give-a-way on Facebook. They have already unveiled the first two clues:

Clue #1: The ads were shot in a location on the West Coast

Clue #2: The architect behind the space is also a poet and a professor!

If you’ve figured it out, LIKE the Stylex page on Facebook, type in your answer and you’re entered to win (if you are correct!). If you’re still not so sure, check back each week this month fore more helpful hints! The winner will be drawn and revealed on Friday, June 1.

Clue #1Clue #2

New York Design Week/ICFF Event Guide

danielle — Thu, 17 May 2012 17:16:44 +0000

Product Placement 4.5

heba — Fri, 11 May 2012 21:13:04 +0000

Products are often greatly overlooked in their roles as part of our everyday lives. Rarely do we consider the amount of effort and inspiration, the type of materials used, and the processes and alterations, that it takes to get our favorite products into our hands, whether they be pencils, a bag of chips or our beloved smartphones. This is Product Placement is a blog that offers a series of presentations and aims to fight that notion that products are “just something there to be consumed,” by concentrating on goods, their creators, and the stories behind them. Founders Kimberly Oliver and Julie Taraska use their knowledge in media, journalism and design to work with emerging and established designers and retailers to raise awareness about their businesses. The latest group of presentations, Product Placement 4.5: Heart of Glass, will take place on Sunday, May 20. This installment will explore a range of innovative glass items and will feature talks by product and interior powerhouse, Harry Allen; architect and Bocci Creative Director, Omer Arbel; lighting designer extraordinaire, Bec Brittain; and Aruliden Principal and product provocateur, Johan Liden. The event takes place from 1-3pm at 269 11^th Avenue (between 27^th and 28^th Streets) in New York, as part of ICFF’s Wanted Design. Heart of Glass is free and open to public, though trade guests can preregister here.

Here’s a look at some of the products that will be discussed:

Bocci’s 38 Series lights

Jonah Liden’s Fishscape Fishbowl for Gaia & Gino

Harry Allen’s Black Swan vase

Bec Brittain’s Maxhedron chandelier

The Designer Showhouse of New Jersey

heba — Fri, 11 May 2012 20:38:34 +0000

The Designer Showhouse of New Jersey, featuring thirty top interior and landscape designers, is going on now through June 10^th! Located at the Hidden Acres Estate at 27 Denison Drive in Saddle River, the showhouse is open everyday, except Monday, from 10am to 4pm. Admission, which includes the Designer Showhouse Journal, is $30 and all proceeds benefit the Heart and Vascular Hospital and the Emergency Trauma Department at Hackensack University Medical Center. This year, participating designers and landscapes include Vanessa De Leon Associates, Michael Mariotti Interior Design, Black 2 Rock/ARGO Landscaping, and Barbara Ostrom Associates. Visiting the beautifully landscaped estate grounds and the creatively inspired rooms featured in the house is the perfect way to spend these summer days, rain or shine! For more information, visit the showhouse website or call 551-996-252.

Herman Miller Pop Up Shop

danielle — Mon, 07 May 2012 22:04:10 +0000

Great design is popping up all over the city. Over in Soho, Herman Miller is making a scene with its first public display of the Herman Miller Collection. The brand known for producing products that improve the environments where we work, heal, learn and live is opening a Pop-Up Shop this week. Open from May 10 – July 1, it will feature richly detailed vignettes, accessories and objects. With a full schedule of design-related programming, the shop will tell design stories past and present. While the Pop Up Shop is intended to serve as a showroom for the architectural and interior design community, it will also be open to the public seven days a week.

We’ll be there as soon as it opens….our new office could sure use some accessories!

When: Wednesday, May 10 – Sunday, July 1, 2012

Hours: Mon – Sat 11:00 am – 7:00 pm, Sun 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Where: 68 Wooster St, Soho

View directions and map

Francis Bitonti’s New Line: Technology & Design Join Forces

alexandra — Fri, 04 May 2012 22:11:24 +0000

It’s fascinating to encounter the way that some designers go about their creative process. Some use complex technology that paradoxically results in products that look organic in form. Enter Francis Bitonti. Well-known for his “Alien” bike rack (officially the Squiggle), an entrant in the NYC Department of Transportation competition, the NY based architect/designer is now launching a line of furniture designed using cutting-edge software and mathematical methodology.

Bitoni uses advanced technologies like algorithmic form generation and 3D printing to create his work. “The use of animation programs mixed with algorithms creates the layers that are then fused together through computer-controlled methods of manufacturing.” While we may not understand the science behind the new pieces, we think the outcome is delicate and multi-faceted. These are modern statement items.

A few highlights from the collection:

Squiggle Bike Rack (photo courtesy of www.francisbitoni.com)

The Bristol Chair (photo courtesy of www.francisbitoni.com)

The Reaction Table (photo courtesy of www.francisbitoni.com)