WAG spent May 21 back at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in Manhattan touring the many (many) aisles of exhibitors at the 30th edition of the International Contemporary Furniture Fair.
The prestigious ICFF is an annual exploration of cutting-edge design from around the world.
It’s a dizzying display of furniture for indoor and out, of carpets and flooring, lighting, wall coverings, accessories, textiles, artwork, kitchen and bath appliances and decorative goods, with products designed for both commercial and residential use.
We delighted in meeting those staffing some incredibly creative booths, including those behind Surkoya Art Rugs Atelier out of Miami and Brazil’s Sérgio J. Matos, a small booth filled with distinctive seating.
But most of all, it was the chance to connect with some locals, from representatives from Scandecor Rugs in Larchmont to West Chin of Croton-on-Hudson, the noted architect and designer behind West NYC Home in Manhattan and West Out East in East Hampton.
“We basically design our stores to represent how people live,” he said, with the Manhattan store set up as a loft and the Hamptons as a beach house.
His booth was a sleekly stylish homage to the indoor and outdoor furniture, closet and storage systems and kitchen and bath goods that are all about, he said, “creating a complete environment.”
Also, we heard about some big things happening in Mamaroneck. We complimented Luke Kelly of Luke Lamp Co. on his artistic lighting display.
“Every year we try to get a little bit taller,” he joked about the dramatic woven-nylon/LED lighting that’s earned him a lot of work in the hospitality business.
That lighting was hanging over statement-making furniture designed by his “booth mate,” furniture designer (and friend) Ethan Abramson. We’ve also featured Abramson and his award-winning work before, so it was a chance to see his latest designs.
And Abramson introduced us to Michael Schmieder of Arquitex, Alternative Stone Surfaces, who shared some news about a designer-oriented showroom set to have a grand opening this summer in Mamaroneck.
Stay tuned, as we hope to follow up on stories discovered at ICFF both here and in WAG’s print editions.
For more, visit icff.com.
– Mary Shustack
