Of all New York design week events, ICFF, the International Contemporary Furniture Fair, is the most challenging. Walking miles and miles of Javits Center’s carpet avenues and viewing the works of 700 designers and interior brands is certainly more exhausting than sipping champagne at SoHo showrooms. I took the challenge and visited every single exhibitor and here’re what I discovered.
For better or for worse, the era of form-follows-function has vanished. If there was a Maslow’s pyramid of interior design where the base of the pyramid represents function and the top — form and artistic expression, this year’s ICFF should be considered an overcrowded rooftop party. Here’re some of the top design directions that stood out.
1. Unhide the structure
If only a couple years ago designers were concerned about how to conceal wires, joints and seams, this year the inner workings of the pieces were intentionally on full display.
3. Amuse me
Instead of adding to utility, some designers tried to amuse with humor and illusion through materials, shapes and unorthodox applications.
4. Mobility
If you’re like me: can’t settle where you like to sit, read, and work, there’s an array of mobile interior pieces you can move around all day long.
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