New York really popped off. The activations were out in full force during this year’s NYCxDesign, and AN was there to witness the melée firsthand. There were new showroom openings—Poltrona Frau’s sprawling new flagship on Madison, Quarters’s bar and gallery, and Arclinea’s revamped space—cocktail release parties, and of course, many must-see booths at ICFF. Amid the fervor, a sense of human-centered, feel-good design was on many brands’ minds during their unveilings. Elements like earthy tones and organic curvature united booths and showrooms. Out of all the novelties released during the week, the following are AN’s favorite new products.
Pillar by Stickbulb
At ICFF, Stickbulb, the New York–based lighting company committed to salvaging the city’s wasted wood, was the one to watch. The company was awarded Best in Show at this year’s fair and gave a talk at the Oasis stage, moderated by our executive editor Jack Murphy. There, Stickbulb also launched Pillar, a lighting series that introduces curvature to the brand’s otherwise linear lineup. Characterized by an illuminated square pocket within a wooden volume, Pillar is available as a sconce, pendant, ceiling-mount, and chandelier.
Hemispheres by Bankston Architectural
The Australian, family-owned hardware brand makes its U.S. debut with Hemispheres, a collection made in collaboration with CIVILIAN. Hemispheres is an art deco twist on architectural hardware, embodying the convergence of two geographic bearings that takes after two landscapes. The series is made up of interchangeable and modular components through five materials: American Walnut, Portoro Gold Marble, Polished Chrome, Smooth Nickel, and Bone.
Outdoor Collection by Poliform
During this year’s NYCxDesign, Poliform launched its first-ever outdoor collection which focuses on the transition and fluidity of indoor and out. As such, many of the pieces within the launch, such as the rounded Monolith dining tables, bring an indoor aesthetic to exterior furnishings. Designers Jean-Marie Massaud, Emmanuel Gallina, Marcel Wanders, and Soo Chan are featured collaborators for the collection.
OTS Chair by Pern Baan
The new Thai and American furniture company founded by Robert Sukrachand, Pern Baan, debuted six pieces at the fair. This includes the OTS Chair, designed by Office of Tangible Space. The chair’s asymmetrical silhouette combines a powder-coated steel frame with a woven framework. Working with a Thai factory that primarily produces motorcycle components, the chair’s steel frame is precision bent and powder coated and then woven by hand in a variety of rope fibers.
Fortune by JUMBO
Available exclusively at DWR and Heller, the Fortune chair takes its shape from the take-out treat from which its named. The indoor/outdoor piece has a pinched and puffed appearance and made from recycled plastic. It features a drainage hole at its seat to better perform outside.
Stone Textures by Turf
Turf, winner of this year’s Materials and Surfaces category at ICFF’s Editors Awards, showcased Stone Textures at the booth. The collection applies the look of stone, including its veining and marbling, to acoustic felt wall and ceiling solutions. The team’s digital printing process offers marble, travertine, and granite styles that broaden the visual possibilities of performance textiles.
Pendants by Gantri
Gantri launched its first collection of pendant lights, a 13-piece collection designed by 12 independent designers. Each is unique in its shape and style but all are dimmable, emit soft light, and made by 3D-printing Gantri’s proprietary Plant Polymers derived from non-GMO sugarcane—which emits 75 percent less carbon than plastic. Plus, it’s biodegradable.
Shadow Play by Juntos Projects
At ICFF’s Wanted exhibit, Juntos Projects released a collection of furniture entitled Shadow Play. The collection includes the Raja chair, Parallel desk, and Arc bench that play with angled surfaces and rounded edges, drawing inspiration from Mies van der Rohe’s cruciform columns for the 1929 Barcelona pavilion, Kiyonori Kikutake’s 1958 Sky House, and Miguel Fisac’s IBM Office building.