It was the biggest post-pandemic year for the International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) and Wanteddesign. For the first time, Wanted founders Odile Hainaut and Claire Pijoulat assumed director roles for both shows which included a overseeing a brand redesign of ICFF. There was a revived buzz and energy around the Javits show floor and the space looked more cohesive and organized than ever before. One layout element that is starting to be adopted is grouping exhibitors by categories, a long needed addition that makes walking and processing the show much easier.
Personal highlights for me were more from the industrial design end of the furniture spectrum. South Korea based Tangram Lighting debuted a series of slender floor and table lamps touchlessly controlled by hand gestures. The functionality is like a cross between a theremin and an Apple Vision Pro with the intensity and color temperature of the lights adjustable through waving or rotating one’s hand.
The Plus Collection of shelves, mirrors and planters by Goux Studio is based on a clever stealthy wall cleat. A thin machined metal plate is secured to a wall and accepts any of the plus shaped support arms without revealing any unsightly hardware.
Having personally struggled to find a slim shoe storage solution, Ylisse makes some narrow profile wall mounted bins that are a pretty good option. Located in Quebec, the company started during the pandemic and makes a range of smart and useful metal organizational products.
Photos and Text: Dave Pinter