The International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF), held at the Javits Center in Manhattan from May 18-20, was a celebration of multi-sensory design this year, with original programming and interactive experiences from a range of companies. “The balance between the expanded WANTED area and the core ICFF exhibition was especially powerful,” said Claire Pijoulat, ICFF brand director. “Emerging designers brought fresh, exciting work that infused the fair with energy, while established brands delighted with unexpected presentations.”
Indeed, the settings or collaborations were anything but basic. The new MORPHO collection was developed in partnership between Belgian electronic music festival Tomorrowland, Belgian brand Ethnicraft, and Antwerp-based architect Dieter Vander Velpen. The line, an ICFF award-winner in the outdoor category, includes furnishings with Art Nouveau flair updated for modern interiors. Pieces like the Solis daybed were surrounded by lush greenery, inviting visitors to an oasis on the show floor.
Canadian studio Larose Guyon displayed their handmade light fixtures in an ethereal booth swathed in sheer fabric. Co-founder Audrée Larose explained that it took six months for everything to come together, from initial design to completion. It was a favorite of the judges and attendees, winner of best in show and exhibition design ICFF awards.
Nature is the prime inspiration for Larose and co-founder Félix Guyon, and the pieces on view had aged brass elements shaped like leaves. As people moved through the space surrounded by a warm glow they stopped to touch the material and savor a rare, quiet moment amidst the buzz.
Wallcovering company Astek highlighted the Kinetic collection, which allows specifiers to take part in design in a whole new way. Consisting of a set of 10 motion graphics, an individual simply goes to the website, chooses a motion, and freezes it at a favorite point. Astek will then print that frame as a custom mural. “Within one moving graphic there are thousands of frames,” noted Anya Monisoff, business development manager at Astek. “We think it will be more fun for designers to have this experiential interaction.” Crafted using a patented process, each motion is an original and fully developed moving image. With an array of color, finish, and material options available, the only limit is one’s imagination.
The WANTED section is never short of interesting objects and prototypes. Ben Mickus, founder of Bay area studio Mickus Projects, was a first-time exhibitor. He showed his 3D-printed Hedron pendant, made of a renewable bioplastic material. He received inquiries from potential clients in hospitality and workplace sectors, but was most surprised by the camaraderie to be found in a busy exhibit hall. “The conversations I’ve had have been the most meaningful part of the show to me,” he said. “Not just the conversations about my own work, but the talks with fellow designers in the adjacent booths. It really feels like I am part of a community here.”
Justin Champaign, founder and creative director of Here Now, a North Carolina-based contract furniture company, introduced Tate, a modular seating system. It was an instant hit, winner of an NYCxDESIGN award in the contract lounge seating category. Champaign was able to expand Here Now’s network, which was key. “We wanted that visibility, so it was exciting to debut our new product and to meet with architects working on projects and get their perspective,” he explained.
Over 13,000 people were in attendance, and engagement was particularly strong—nearly 54,000 connections were made through the ICFF app alone, and despite uncertainty about the economy there’s already renewal momentum for 2026. “This year confirmed that ICFF is the unique meeting point of culture and commerce,” noted Odile Hainaut, ICFF brand director. “It was an energizing, elevated edition for the entire design community.”
NYCxDESIGN 2025 EVENTS
The 2025 NYCxDESIGN Festival, held May 15-21st, featured a full roster of talks, installations, and of course, parties throughout Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens. OI shares a few favorites.
Design Pavilion
Photo by Matthew Carasella
From May 10-19 visitors trekked to Hudson Yards to view this year’s Design Pavilion, Lexus Ambiance, an interactive installation presented by NYCxDESIGN and produced by the luxury automotive brand. It merged cutting-edge vehicle design with dynamic sensory elements highlighted by the spectral visual style of Australian artist Nick Thomm.
Myr and Mylla Launch Party
On May 14 a party at the Kvadrat Park Avenue showroom was held to introduce two new fabrics. Myr and Mylla. Designed by Note Design Studio, they are the first Kvadrat Febrik textiles crafted from 100% post-consumer recycled polyester. The studio created an installation in the space with large pillow-like bean bags in each of the colorways and details like oversized piping.
Spacestor’s Expanded New York Design Center
On May 15th Spacestor held a grand opening party at its newly expanded New York Design Center, a space for the brand and strategic showroom partner The Splash Lab. Redesigned in collaboration with Gensler’s local studio, the center is a “welcoming playscape for experience,” with adaptable areas that emphasize the flexibility of Spacestor’s solutions. Bold colors and fluid forms add a blend of whimsy and sophistication.
Rooftop Party
On May 16th Ege Carpets hosted a party on the rooftop of their New York showroom in partnership with Muuto and RS Barcelona. Guests enjoyed Nordic-inspired cocktails and barbecue fare during the evening while cheering on teams in a foosball tournament. “This gathering was more than a showcase, it was a celebration of the power of collaboration,” said Alex Lerian, general manager, Ege Americas.
Weaving The World
On May 18th architect and interior designer Lauren Rottet held an event at her Manhattan showroom, featuring a talk entitled “Weaving the World.” She shared her reflections on Milan Design Week and noted that industry professionals are fostering harmony through art and design. Rottet highlighted the latest products from the Rottet Collection. The Luminosa Screen is a standout from the line, and winner of an NYCxDESIGN award in the accessories category.
Herman Miller’s New Mexico Collection Launch Party
Photo by Kelsey Cherry for Herman Miller
Herman Miller celebrated the New Mexico Collection on May 19th with a cocktail reception. Never-before-seen archival photos of Alexander and Susan Girard, Charles and Ray Eames, and Georgia O’Keeffe in New Mexico—the influential friends whose collaborative spirit inspired the collection—were on view. Launched in partnership with the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, the Girard Snake Table and a special version of the Eames Wire Chair Low Base, are now available in a limited-run.
Crafting Brand Identity With Custom Furniture
On May 21st, Brooklyn-based furniture maker Mark Jupiter hosted a panel discussion and tour of his shop and showroom in DUMBO. Jupiter was joined by moderator Melissa Wagner of Wagner Creative, Megan Prime, founding principal at JAM Architecture, artist Louis Venturelli, and Kathryn Eisberg, founder of KE Design. They discussed how custom design is not only a practical solution but also a powerful expression of brand identity. Guests watched as Jupiter demonstrated various woodworking tools and techniques.