Design professionals in this industry often use annual trade events that occur across the world as mile markers. They are significant in that one can visually measure the pace of change in design within the built environment, as well as evaluate design trends and the logistics of working in an office today. First Look is one of my favorite annual events and has been happening for the last 13 years at the New York Design Center, shortly after NeoCon takes place in Chicago. Happening across five floors at 200 Lexington Avenue, this is one concentrated evening that regularly draws upwards of 1,200 people to see and touch the latest products and innovations these manufacturers have to offer.
For the multitude of busy, creative and continually distracted designers in New York, this event takes the place of a regular trip to NeoCon. For me, as well as many of my colleagues, it supplements the trip to Chicago, and enhances the experience of seeing the furniture pieces in a different context. Like a visit to the New York Guggenheim Museum, I prefer to start my First Look experience at the top floor and work my way down. My first visit was to the DIRTT showroom on the 15th floor, where local reps Akua Lesesne and Sally Hinderegger greeted me with a telepresence robot that is often used to communicate with their many offices throughout the world. The telepresence was being operated by London counterpart Katie Jeffery. She said, “Sometimes we are in the middle of a meeting and someone from the Calgary office will appear at the table. It’s amazing.” They shared plans with me for a showroom expansion later on this year, and they were not the only tenants at the NYDC that told me that. (ed. note: please see more photos in the gallery below)
Further down the hallway, Ken Gibson was playing the part of gracious host to many local design dignitaries. Featured prominently in the showroom was the Co-op Meeting Space by Arcadia. Designed to function equally well in new or existing spaces, these open to semi-private meeting enclaves can be positioned anywhere and require no elaborate construction to create a custom built-in look. Additionally, fashion forward furniture pieces by Aceray, Enwork, Logiflex and many more terrific manufacturers were on display.
Right across the hallway was Italian manufacturer Alea. I was given a great showroom tour by North American Director Kieron Bux, who later began to list the impressive size and the scope of recent international jobs Alea has worked on. These guys deliver custom service at an affordable price. I also loved the seating products by Sitland, another Italian manufacturer sharing space in the Alea showroom.
Downstairs on the 14th floor, I headed first the Aristeia Metro showroom, home of such brands as Okamura, CF Stinson, Snowsound and Decca Contract, to name a few. Old friend Bob Lefferts greeted me at the door and placed a drink in my hand before showing me around. The grand acoustic chandelier by Snowsound dampened the noise of the bustling crowd. The elegant Traverse table by Okamura was on prominent display. Designed by HOK Product Design, The top of the table is incredibly thin – less than one inch at its thickest point, which then tapers to a knife edge. Able to span of up to 20 feet long, the surface creates the effect of a hovering plane. Next door at the Decca showroom, Mr. Lefferts mentioned they will be expanding that showroom into the existing Aristeia Metro space very soon. Growth is always good!
Skipping across the hallway to the Krug showroom, I met up with Ann Issackedes, the newest representative at Levine Contract Furniture Group. Showing me the Jordan Recliner, Ms. Issackedes, who has worked extensively on healthcare projects, said, “This is the best one I have seen in years,” and I tend to agree. Right next door to Krug is Arc-Com fabrics, another big player in the healthcare market. Flexing their muscles and showing their range of colors and sophisticated designs this year, Arc-Com is utilizing much richer jewel tones, and the range of textures and weave structures are really terrific. Continuing on the textile material trend, I headed across the hallway to Luna Textiles and its elegant showroom. Showing off three new fabric patterns and displaying their work as objects on the walls, Luna has always been able to take understated sophistication to the next level. I’m looking forward to seeing what happens next for this great company.
Boyce Products has been on my radar lately, and I was happy to see them with a new showroom on the 14th floor. While talking with the friendly folks inside, I mentioned the now-retired sales rep Mario Riservato, and how he was the one to introduce me to the company many years ago. Mario’s vibrant presence is still felt among the hallways of 200 Lex; I even chatted with him briefly at First Look last year. Boyce’s custom capabilities were most impressive, and it was great to see them in such a wonderful location.
At the end of the hall, I had to choose between Gordon International and the main showroom from Levine Contract. I knew I could not make a wrong decision, so I took a right into Gordon International, where I was met by Candis Burns and company president Peter Spaulding, two old friends who know the industry inside and out.
“We’re having a great time tonight,” said Mr. Spaulding. “First Look continues to be one of the best nights of the year for our local industry.”
The amount of food, drink and entertainment on every floor was truly remarkable. Across the hall, Matthew Levine was seen holding court with the best and brightest design talent in the city, showing off new introductions by Watson, Stylex, Naughtone and Nevins, to name just a few lines they represent locally.
Down on the 13th floor, I was happy to visit the only carpet showroom at the NYDC, Atlas Carpet Mills. My local rep, Vickie Vigil, showed me all the new introductions, which include a lovely striated tile called Shuffle Plank, along with a host of other carpet designs that would be perfect for corporate or hospitality projects. The range of color and texture in Atlas carpet is so distinctive, and one of its design hallmarks.
Across the hall from Atlas is the showroom for KI and Pallas Textiles, two great brands known for dependability and durability. Longtime friend at KI Curtis Winkler introduced me to new Pallas rep Julia Cotsarelis, a former resource librarian at Stonehill & Taylor. KI’s space was bright and populated with young designers, all exploring what was on display, and the new Pallas fabrics keep on getting better with each new collection.
All the way at the end of the hallway on the 13th floor, Harbour Outdoor Australia was receiving plenty of guests and showing of its sophisticated lines of furniture for outdoor and indoor applications, as well as a great line of accessories. This brand is a favorite of many hospitality designers, and commercial interiors is having much more of a call for outdoor applications lately.
Next to Harbour is the sprawling Davis/Halcon/Napier + Joseph + McNamara showroom. Neatly balancing several different contemporary design aesthetics from their various manufacturers, which also include Enrico Pellizzoni and Wall Goldfinger, among others, the team at NJM has learned to become ambassadors of design and tailor each of their presentations to suit the needs of the client. They are incredibly good at what they do.
Downstairs on the 11th floor, my first stop was the showroom of Andreu World. It seemed like I was not the only one who liked the furniture in this space, as it was probably the most crowded showroom I had seen yet. This Spanish manufacturer has been hitting its stride in the U.S. for several years now, and it is great to see them keep up the pace especially in the New York market.
Down the hallway, contract stalwarts Darran were showcasing ThinkingQuietly, a range of acoustic furniture that turns the volume down on peripheral sound. Workstations are available with front privacy panels and a mobile briefcase that can be placed between users. Cable trays utilize the same acoustic material to conceal power and data, which reduces floor level noise. Very smart!
All the way at the opposite end of the 11th floor, the Keilhauer showroom was in full swing with both local reps Carol Symchik and Alan Primason making everyone feel welcome and comfortable.
“First Look is such a special night for everyone here at the showroom,” said Ms. Symchik. “Some of our dearest friends come to this event regularly, and it is a fun and friendly way to get everyone updated.”
Boasting new lounge seating from Keilhauer like Visit and Luno, it is clear the manufacturer’s goal is to make corporate design more comfortable.
Right next door at Versteel, I was expecting to see more welded industrial looking furniture like they were showcasing last year. They had it around, but it became obvious that the industrial look is trending out of its mainstream orbit these days. We saw a lot of well-designed furniture on display, and much of it featured highlights of chrome.
My final stop of the night was the always-enjoyable showroom of Bright Furniture on the ninth floor. Greeted by both Lisa Sternheim and Chris Adam, two local reps that know the landscape of contract furniture very well, we all walked the showroom and saw their highlights of the season. Both Eric Chang and Dan Hellman from Hellman/Chang were in attendance and chatted us up about their wonderfully creative manufacturing process in Brooklyn. Before I knew it, the fun-filled evening had come to a close, and we were all spilling out on to the sidewalk and on to our next adventure in design.
Hats off to the hardworking team at NYDC that is able to pull this off every year. This was another great one!