Metropolis editors select their favorite products from NYCxDESIGN.
This year, NYCXDESIGN will be having its largest production yet, running from May 3 to 24. Our editors selected their favorite products from the city-wide design fest as part of a biannual award program known as #MetropolisLikes. This year’s submissions fell into five categories: Furniture, Materials, Kitchen & Bath, Lighting, and Accessories. Each of the winners will receive an award trophy, specially designed by Trueing , at A/D/O . The trophy features a kaleidoscope that’s embedded in a minimalist assemblage of forms and which, in Trueing’s words, acts as “a metaphor for the varied and ever-changing world of design.” See all 35 winners below!
FURNITURE
BINOME / Akene
This sculptural bench by Ingrid Michel and Frédéric Pain at Binome was inspired by the relationship between a maple seed and a propeller—the bench’s removable oak base is meant to represent a seed about to take flight. All images courtesy of the manufacturer.
See it at: Wanted Design .
Arcos Collection / Arper
The Arcos Collection by Lievore Altherr for Arper is versatile enough for public and residential spaces alike. The collection includes a chair, lounge chair, and sofa, all with distinctive, cast aluminum armrests that draw on the geometric elements of Art Deco. Designed for dining, lounging, and waiting room settings, pieces in the series come in many options for customization.
See it at: Arper USA Inc., 476 Broadway, Suite 2F
Design Within Reach / Furnishing Utopia
Exploring the influences of Shaker design on modernism, Design Within Reach’s new Furnishing Utopia Collection II: Shaker Reinterpreted will include over 50 objects by 15 design studios, along with a full schedule of daily programming. Learn more about Furnishing Utopia.
See it at: DWR Studio, SOHO NYC, Starting May 20.
Expormim / Twins loveseat
This loveseat is the newest member of the Twins collection by Alberto Sánchez of MUT Design. Its 3D mesh upholstery, OmegaTM Outdoor, was developed by the Danish company Gabriel specifically for Expormim and makes it suitable for outdoor as well interior spaces.
See it at: Wanted Design , booth 19.
Justin Bailey Design / Iso Table
Isometric drafting inspired this coffee table by Justin Bailey Design. A wireframe of inclined sections forms the base of the table and supports Corian surfaces that can be arranged to suit the moment’s needs. The Iso Table’s functional construction make it apt for indoors and outdoors settings.
See it at: Wanted Design , Wanted Design Launchpad, Booth 14.
Kimball Office / Theo
Kimball Office’s Theo lounge chair harkens back to mid-century classics. Theo features 360 degrees of swivel with tilt control and comes in high-back, mid back, and a guest chair, that can be complemented with the collection’s ottoman.
See it at: Kimball Office NY showroom, 215 Park Ave.
LWM woodwork / The hank coffee table
Luke Malaney from LWN Woodwork designed this elegant coffee table with walnut and copper fittings.
See it at: BKLYN DESIGNS , booth: 16.
Phase Design / Dombak Tables
Dombak tables get their names from the small Persian drums that inspired them. This line of coffee and side tables by Phase Design are hand turned and available solid walnut and white oak.
See it at: ICFF , booth: 2005.
Poliform / Mondrian Tables
Poliform offers this geometric table by designer Jean-Marie Massaud as a compliment to their Mondrian Sofa. The tables are available with noir saint laurent marble, wood and glossy lacquer tops in two sizes and shapes, making them an elegant option as everything from standalone coffee or side tables to work desks.
See it at: Poliform at 112 Madison Avenue
Royal Botania / Palma
The mechanisms of this automatic garden umbrella are hidden, making the Palma by Kris Van Puyvelde a practical option for the outdoors that is both stylish and easy to operate.
See it at: ICFF , booth: 2301A.
SP01 / SP01 Indoor
From a collaboration between the Milanese studio Metrica, and the Austrailan furniture brand SP01 comes SP01 Indoor. The collection features chairs, sofas, armchairs, dining and coffee tables, all customizable with a wide range of shades and upholstery options and manufactured with the highest regard for craftsmanship.
See it at: Over / Under, located on the ground floor of XOCO 325, at 325 W. Broadway in SoHo. Open to the public April 28 – May 31, 2017.
String Furniture AB / String system
In 1949 architect Nils Strinning created an icon of Scandinavian design, the flexible String shelving system. With the changing workplace in mind, Anna von Schewen and Björn Dahlström worked together to complement String with new accessories and metal shelves that honor the original design’s intent for high adaptability.
See it at: ICFF , booth: 1805.
Vestre / April Go furniture collection
Snøhetta and Vestre have partnered to launch a new line of outdoor furniture pieces, April Go. The collection’s sturdy designs were made with urban spaces in mind, and will be part of Snøhetta’s new pedestrian plaza at Times Square.
See it at: Times Square.
Wilsonart / Wilsonart Challenges Student Chair Design Competition
Drawing from the troupe of the American melting pot, design students from San Diego State University designed unique chairs as part of a year-long competition by Wilsonart. This year, the initiative challenged the students to use Wilsonart Laminate to respond to the theme of Borders, Boundaries & Mashup. The winning entry “A Piece of Tlaltecuhtli” was designed by Matthew John Bacher. His design and the five runners up will make their first public appearance at this year’s ICFF.
See it at: ICFF , booth: 2039.
MATERIALS
3form / Mobius
To create the Mobius bench, designer Louis Lim drew inspiration from 3form’s new material, Dark Chroma. “This material immediately mesmerized me,” Lim said. “It transmits light better than something white or translucent.” Honoring the material’s qualities, the designer fitted the bench with vibration sensors that responds to touch with flowing light.Photo by @paulriveraphotography
See it at: Wanted Design .
3M / 3M Fasara Glass Finishes
Fasara glass films by 3M transform plain windows into decorative elements by giving them a textured look at a fraction of the price of other finishing processes. Their easy and durable application makes it easier than ever to customize windows for privacy, shading, and ambiance.
See it at: Wanted Design .
Cancos Tile & Stone Corporation / 2CM Porcelain Pavers
These porcelain pavers by Cancos are easy to install, easy to clean, and keep cooler to the touch than stone, making them a highly-functional solution for both exterior and interior floors. With many choices for personalization, the pavers come in two thicknesses and can be placed with a variety of installation methods.
See it at: ICFF , booth: 1263.
Chemetal / Glowing Metals
Chemetal’s new collection, Glowing Metals, features 36 new metal finishes for interior surfaces in a rich range of tones, textures, patterns, and patinas. These metals and laminates are easy to install and are ideal for walls and light-duty horizontal surfaces. See the variety of choices at chemetal.com.
See it at: ICFF , booth: 667.
Fil Doux Textiles / Nomad Collection
The Nomad Collection is a series of textiles for upholstery and bed covers created by Fil Doux Textiles and the designer Clodagh. Inspired by her travels to over 100 countries, the designer devised a collection of 15 multi-purpose fabrics ideal for hospitality spaces. “I’m inspired not only by the weaving techniques of other countries but also architectural details, colors and smells of the local markets, the native music, and the indigenous people,” says Clodagh.
See it at: Clodagh Design .
Mohawk Group / Homegrown
Mohawk Groups’ latest addition to their Karastan line of woven carpets, Homegrown rescues a time honored looming process achieved by Karaloc looms from the mid-century. Exchanging wool for the high-performance nylon fiber Duracolor, this line offers permanent stain resistance for heavy commercial use with the warmth and texture of residential carpets.
See it at: Wanted Design , 21E.
Nemo Tile + Stone / Patchwork
Piero Lissoni created the patchwork effect of this new collection at Nemo Tile + Stone by designing a myriad of patterns etched across tiles in white, beige, deep navy, and a dark grey, all with a high-quality gloss finish.
See it at: ICFF , booth: 1553.
Juniper / THIN Multiples
Peter Bristol is the designer behind THIN Multiples, a new line of linear LED fixtures by Juniper Design Studio. The series includes different array options, aptly named after the number of LED clusters each one features—Single, Dyad, Triad, and Tetrad. Each one of these functional fixtures comes with finishing options in aged brass, black oxide, and satin nickel.
See it at: ICFF , booth: 1853.
Wolf-Gordon / Folio
To celebrate their 50th Anniversary, Wolf-Gordon is putting together a display of commercial wall-coverings and upholsteries, as well as their new publication Wolf-Gordon: Sample Book. Under the title Folio, a reference to printed media, the installation will display spreads from their book and quotes from industry leaders and Wolf-Gordon employees.
See it at: Wanted Design .
KITCHEN AND BATH
Caesarstone US / Future Kitchen
Caesarstone and industrial design students from Pratt Institute will explore the role of the kitchen in a future global society, seeking to address issues that range from food and water supply, to waste management and nutrition. Future Kitchen is led by architect and designer Marc Thorpe, who will guide the students as they consider the implications of, among other things, smaller spaces and changes in food consumption.
See it at: Wanted Design
Duravit / Luv
Cecile Manz is the designer behind Luv, the new collection by the Nordic design firm Duravit. The series of bathroom furniture, washbasins, and bathtubs is quintessentially Scandinavian, produced with Duravit’s exclusive sustainable materials—washbasins are made with DuraCeram®, that allows for wide basins and clean, seamless edges.
See it at: ICFF , booth: 1439.
GRAFF / Tephi
The Tephi Bathtub by GRAFF’s G+ Design Studio features the company’s Sleek-Stone material, combining the visual appeal of natural stone with the qualities of a technological composite that is durable and easy to maintain. Borne out of a mix of cutting-edge casting technology and artisanal processes, the tub can be complemented with a matching sink, in gloss or matte finishes.
See it at: ICFF , booth: 309.
Infinity Drain / USG Durock Brand Infinity Drain Shower System
USG and Infinity Drain teamed up to create the USG Durock Brand Infinity Drain Shower System, a waterproofing system for showers paired with Infinity Drain’s line of decorative linear drains. The USG system controls moisture and forms a solid base for a long-lasting, completely waterproof shower installation.
See it at: ICFF , booth: 1967.
Stone Forest / Calma
Each one of these freestanding tubs is hand-carved from an individual block of stone, then expertly finished with hand-held polishing tools. Between the natural expressions in the limestone or marble that bear them, and the slight variations in the craftsmen’s technique, each Calma tub is 100% unique.
See it at: ICFF , booth: 567.
WETSTYLE / C2 Collection
The C2 Collection by designer Pierre Belanger and Canadian manufacturer WETSTYLE Design Lab is a testament to the power of simplicity. This C2 vanity is available in two sizes with Black Matte and Satin Brass finishes and walnut wood accents.
See it at: ICFF , booth: 357.
LIGHTING
Elish Warlop Design Studio / Hoop Shades
Elish Warlop took a queue from 1900s hoop skirts to design this Hoop Shade Sconce. Fitted with a linen shade, the sconce diffuses light from LED bulbs, producing soft glows and subtle shadows. Each of the sconce’s hoops can be rotated to customize lighting schemes.
See it at: ICFF , booth: 321.
Marset / Bicoca
This portable lamp by Biocca is made out of lightweight polycarbonate and is fitted with a magnet at the base, making it adaptable to variety of surfaces—even metallic surfaces and walls. For other spaces, an accessory allows the lamp to attach to ledges, headboards and sofas.
See it at: ICFF , booth: 1535.
SONNEMAN A Way of Light / Suspenders Precise
Robert Sonneman originally designed the Suspenders LED luminary as a modular system that could be customized to a space and its lighting requirements. Now, Suspenders Precise expands the possibilities with new components that allow for direct and reflected ambient light in both spot and flood options. The new fixtures, which come in black and satin white, can aim up, down, or be entirely adjustable.
See it at: ICFF , booth: 1463.
Vibia / EMPTY
With a few simple surfaces, EMPTY is both an outdoor furnishing and a floor lamp. Crafted out of matte gray concrete, the subtle light source with dual functionality is ideal for illuminating outdoor pathways and providing ambiance to lounging areas.
ACCESSORIES
Keap / Waves Candle
These sustainable candles by Keap are made out of all-natural coconut wax, and because their labels and wicks are adhesive-free, the candleholder can easily be repurposed. In line with the firm’s commitment to sustainable lighting, each candle sold supports the distribution of a solar lamp via the company’s “Buy a Candle, Light a Home” program, in partnership with SolarAid.org
See it at: BKLYN DESIGNS , booth: b24.
Public – Supply / 5×8″ Embossed Notebook Collection
The designers at Public – Supply believe that art education should be available to every student, which is why they channel 25% of each sale to assist teachers in high-need classrooms to fund their student’s creative projects. Their 5×8″ Embossed Collection is a line of no-nonsense notebooks bound in French Paper and filled with 96 pages of 60# cream. Pages come ruled or dotted in a grid.
See it at: BKLYN DESIGNS , booth: b25.
Congratulations to all!