As May came to a close, we dove headfirst into New York Design Week – without question, our favorite time of the year. The city was buzzing with creative energy, and everywhere we turned, there was something to take in. From industry conventions to intimate gallery installations, each neighborhood offered a unique perspective on design.
With every space we stepped into, we considered how the pieces could inspire our own projects, both current and future. Some pieces felt instantly destined for a specific client’s space, while others sparked new ideas entirely.
NYCxDesign offers more than just an itinerary of events – it’s a refreshing opportunity for designers, makers, and vendors to connect, share ideas, and experience innovative design firsthand.
One of the week’s biggest highlights was attending the 36th annual International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF). As always, ICFF took center stage, bringing together over 400 visionary exhibitors from around the globe under one roof.
This year’s fair leaned heavily into the future, with a strong emphasis on sustainability, thoughtful craftsmanship, and the power of in-person connection. We found ourselves drawn to booths that blended timeless design with fresh thinking, pieces that felt both grounded and entirely new.
We made sure to stop by our longtime favorites to catch up on their latest collections and see how their work continues to evolve. But what excited us most was finding new discoveries, making new connections, and opening the door for possibility.
Emily, one of our interior designers, found it “exciting to see how different studios are pushing the boundaries of design.” Every booth had something to offer – a material we hadn’t seen used that way before, a silhouette that sparked a new layout, a color palette we haven’t been able to stop thinking about. We left with our phones full of photos, arms full of info pamphlets, and heads full of ideas.
ICFF was full of amazing vendors. Here are a few of our standouts:
Hyphen Founder & Principal Designer, Shelly, “fell in love with Streicher Goods's ceramic table lamps. Their unique patterns, textures, and sizes would be a great accent in any space.”
“Ah Um Studio’s tiled furniture was so playful and unexpected – it had this perfect mix of retro charm and modern design,” shared Emily.
The sustainable practices of MycoWorks caught the eye of Natalie, one of our technical interior designers. “They are making a plastic-free, leather-like biomaterial called Reishi using the root fibers of fungi and recycled sawdust woven into a cotton substrate,” Natalie explained, “It’s really important to support these types of products and companies so they gain traction and eventually become the norm!”
Emma, a Junior Interior Designer, loved the new Pivione collection from Luminaire Authentik, saying, “the outdoor floor-mounted lights would be amazing for a garden or poolside.”
Lo & Co, an Australian brand we’ve long admired, showcased their stunning hardware made from solid marble and brass. Getting to connect with the team (who travelled all the way from Adelaide!) and seeing the artistry of their designs up close was a definite highlight.
LaRose Guyon created an immersive – almost ethereal – installation to showcase their handmade lighting. We stepped into a walk-through gauze structure that framed their pieces and spotlighted the craftsmanship of the team, with an artist creating a fixture in real time. The sculptural fixtures seemed to float within the installation, creating a dreamlike environment that softened the light. The experience reminded us how great design isn’t just visual – it’s atmospheric.
During the week, Emily gallery-hopped at Chelsea Design Night, “It was such a fun and inspiring way to explore the design scene across Manhattan.” She had the opportunity to know new vendors, reconnect with familiar faces, and meet with “so many talented designers and architects from around the city.”
Popping into showrooms like ETĒLINE, Bossa Furniture, Les Ateliers Courbet, and Artemest Galleria, each space offered a mix of sculptural lighting, richly textured materials, and gallery-like curation. Emily thought “it was a really great reminder of how creative and welcoming the design community is.”
While not technically part of the NYCxDesign calendar, we couldn’t resist a detour to the newly opened Printemps location in FiDi. The store itself felt like a living moodboard. We admired custom wallpapers, bold tile choices, sculptural lighting, and thoughtful displays layered with color and material. (And yes, we all crowded into the bathroom to marvel at the chrome toilets.)
Design Week reminds us why we do what we do. Design is more than aesthetic – it’s connection, storytelling, and the endless potential of built environments. We’ve returned to the studio with new ideas, refreshed creativity, and gratitude to be part of an ever-evolving community.
Counting down until next year,
From the Corner Chaise