IFDA SELECTS takes ICFF By Storm, Awarding Best In Show in Ten Categories, May 2016

Today, we are fortunate to have the talent of new member Catherine Ruvolo here on the blog.  We are grateful to Catherine for her time and effort documenting our day at ICFF with IFDA Selects.   Let's give a warm welcome to Catherine as we include her with the all-volunteer core of industry talents in our New York Chapter. Please follow#IFDASelects on social media for updates.

ICFF Best in Show winners from IFDA New York Selects:

May 14-17, 2016
by Catherine Ruvolo, IFDA member

The mood was set and our senses were immediately stimulated as we entered the 28^th annual International Contemporary Furniture Fair Design show. Designers, architects, retailers, manufactures, and merchandisers come to this design hub every year from all across the globe. Both veteran and inaugural booths take the stage while they show their  latest display of contemporary furniture, seating, carpet and flooring, lighting, outdoor furniture, materials, wall coverings, accessories, textiles, and kitchen and bath for residential and commercial interiors. Among the team of judges include legendary interior designers, artists, and architects. We joined forces to choose the best of the best at the show, across isles of beauty and inspiration. Follow us and tune into who we voted as "Best In Show". These designers and manufactures were one of over 500 exhibitors who débuted their latest product to the creative masses. Every inch and corner you turned hosted more and more design fuel for the soul.  
Judges included--

Rose Ott, Iliada Bass, Justin Shaulis, Amy Figueroa, Stacy Garcia, Michelle Slovak, Debbie Viola, Lisa Blecker, Catherine Ruvolo

                The winners of the 2016 ICFF Best in Show: 

Flooring

Judge: Rose Ott

SHORE | Flooring and innovative Rugs

Founders Louie and Gill

This young duo is right out of the Royal College of Art in London. After graduating two years ago, they developed floor covering woven out of silicone cord (one of the most environmentally friendly products). Their products are hand woven, waterproof, UV resistant, non-slip, easy to clean, and extremely durable. Not to mention; they will turn heads of everyone who experiences them!

Kitchen

Judge: Amy Figueroa

GALI | compact kitchen prototype

Student Designer Ana Arana

We were gaga over this kitchen pro-type designed by Ana Arana, an Architecture and Design Student from Spain. This compact unit is not only visually interesting, but this is THE kitchen of the future. Cook top, several storage options, mini fridge, and sink all designed into one beautiful unit. She nailed this kitchen design! Judge Amy calls this winning design “creative, innovative, efficient, and compact tiny kitchen. It is amazing for single occupancy living with a very clean lined, modern feel”. Bravo Ana!

Decorative Accessories

Judge: Amy Figueroa

ADD+ | Bruno Lamoureux| ADD+ Packs

Designed to give the home furnishings world a qualitative alternative and functional décor, Add+ has redesigned and reinvented how we can live in a space. These malleable and interactive wall units allow us to limitlessly create wall units and systems.  This is a “creative, fun, custom, modern, decorative accessory that is easy to install and adds character and conversation to any space”.

Textiles

Judge: Michelle Slovak

Jude | Jude Cassidy Textiles| Hand woven Irish Textiles 

This young talent left us appreciating the beauty of hand craft and attention to detail. From Saintfield, Ireland, Jude Cassidy is the voice and visionary for this luxurious, yet subtle and soft textile line. We were honored to award her Best in Textiles as this was her first appearance at ICFF. Interior Designer, Michelle truly loved the product for their “elegant hand woven, innovative combination of fibers including hand painted gold foiling”.

Wallcovering 

Judge: Lisa Blecker 

Fliepaper | By: celebrity photographer Don Flood| Astek Wallcovering

His wall coverings will truly make any wall a work of art! From Magnified beetles, iconic architectural elements, and colorful florals, Don Floods photo printed wall coverings are show-stopping. These bold designs are simply inspired by unexpected found objects, then printed during an eco-friendly process. “This L.A. artist’s work is innovative, unique, flexible, and customizable”.

Innovative Booth  

Judge: Catherine Ruvolo 

Larose Guyon | Audree Larose and Felix Guyon| Objects and Luminaires

This creative couple took their first trip from Canada to ICFF this season! Their booth gave the most minimalist, yet impactful and powerful stage to their stunning lighting and decorative objects. This cascading paper installation created the perfect moment for their trend-setting pieces.

Art

Judge: Debbie Viola   

Frates | Doug Frates| Blown Glass

How could we not highlight this American based pattern, blown and colored glass artist? His custom, one of a kind pieces are sure to entice any viewer from all angles. Artist and judge Debbie calls these masterpieces “innovative and creative use of color, form, and pattern.  His art branches from sculptures, to shelves, to unique installations”.

Bath

Judge: Justin Shaulis

THG and Vitraform | Sink faucet and Mirror| Paris

The show was blooming with trend setting bath design and new forerunners, but TGH in Paris stole the show with their sleek and classic design in their sink, faucet, and mirror trio. Shaulis was inspired by this revolutionary piece and “aspirational luxury. The tangible price point is just one of many reasons this bath design is on trend and sophisticated brand collaboration”

Lighting

Judge: Iliada Bass

Veronese Paris | YSA| Tristan Auer

We were awed by the lighting exhibits at the show, however, this piece truly inspired us. Taking the functionality of lighting to the next level, this piece is the epitome in art and function working in harmony. Iliada coins this piece best in show thanks to its “layering of textural glass in a sophisticated way. They married LED technology with classic Murano influenced techniques”.

Furniture

Judge:Stacy Garcia

Suite NY |Marble Table| Angelo Mangiarotti 

We were wowed by this beauty. We adored her intriguing shape, strong presence, and clean lines. While we were catching so many glimpses of beautiful design during the show, this table took the cake. Suite NY never seizes to disappoint us! “The contract of material choice and playfulness of its design” kept us                going back for more”.

This years’ ICFF show was filled with luscious materials, inspiring designs, and trend setting concepts. We were honored to present these awards to the best in Show this year. All of their different stories and backgrounds are utterly exciting, but all come to share the common goal to captivate their audience and pave the way to an even richer design world!

IFDA SELECTS plans to head to ICFF and Award Best In Show on May 14, 2016

Join us for     IFDA Selects - Out and About at ICFF May 14 - 17, 2016 Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, NYC Visit all the IFDA Selects "Best in Show" winners    Their booths will be identified by IFDA Selects framed award certificates after 1:00 PM from May 14, 2016 through the duration of the show.    The "IFDA Selects" initiative supports and promotes the design industry,  highlighting new and innovative products debuting at New York City trade shows. Click Here to Register for your ICFF Show Badge  Walk the show and see the IFDA Member /Sponsor booths:  Cliff Young Ltd. for HearthCabinets and Lapicida  Presenting what's best and what's next that only ICFF can offer, make time in your schedule to hit the highlights: Luxe Interiors + Design pavilion;     Ho.MI New York Lifestyles pavilion;   The Milk Stand by Design Milk;   ICFF Global Emerging Designers Program, including the best of Design Fairs from around the world;   ICFF Studio presented by Bernhardt Design;   ICFF Talks; and register to attend ASID CEU approved programming.  End the day with us at the   Opening Night Party Saturday, May 14, 2016 7:00-9:00 PM Presented by ICFF & Luxe Interiors + Design and Sponsored by IOA The Museum of Modern Art, The Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Sculpture Garden,  Design and Architecture Galleries *Must register for ICFF to purchase tickets   About ICFF:   ICFF is the premier North American global Design Showcase for interior furniture, seating, carpet, and flooring, lighting, outdoor furniture, materials, wall covering, accessories, textiles, kitchen and bath, and fabricators, attracting more than 700 exhibitors and 32,000 attendees from around the world. The 28th annual; ICFF is scheduled for May 14-17, 2016 at New York City's Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. Visit www.icff.com for more Information. The first annual ICFF Miami will debut on October 5 &6. 2016, at the Miami Beach Convention Center, presenting hundreds of leading brands and addressing every facet of better interiors for residential, hospitality, commercial and high end retail. Visit www.icffmiami.com for more information.  _________________________________________________________________________

IFDA Selects Chooses Best In Show for ICFF in New York City on May 18, 2015

What is IFDA Selects?

IFDA Selects is committed to spotting and awarding stellar design. 

A select group of hand-picked judges are on hand at major design shows in New York City area to award Best In Show in various categories.  The judges walked the show at ICFF on May 18th at the Jacob Javits Center.  

Take a look at the winners...

Furniture – Bernhardt Design Chairs (Collective)

Judge Kim Price, Kavante

“The bold bright colors incorporated into fresh new seating designs clean lines innovative handles, livable, functional" 

Lighting- Work&Design “Golden Night”

Judge Andrea Algaze

“This handmade light fixture series is so simple and elegant, they would work in any space – clean, colorful, and impactful. Made in BROOKLYN.”

Textiles – Abigail Edwards – “Bird Shadow Wallpaper”

Judge Yasue Ishikawa

“Natural and elegant, unique wall covering & fabric. Hand drawn printed on traditional rollers.

Environmental friendly.”

Decorative Accessories – Bueno Glass

Judge Andrea Algaze

“A collaboration between husband and wife artists from the Penland School of Crafts in the mountains of North Carolina. These hand blown stones can be used as a tabletop display or wall sculpture. Both the Stone Series and the Silver Series can be curated independently or combined in any design. They are both beautiful, organic exciting & calming, and can be specified for residential as well as commercial environments.”

Innovative Booth Design – 
Apparatus (also a former IFDA NY Rising Star)

Judge Michael Tavano

“Great use of simple chic architecture - frames the product beautifully and creates an encapsulated environment to experience 
a modern palace of lighting.”

Art – Cosmopolitan Glass

Judge Deborah Martin

“Large crackled glass art pieces.”

Bath – Franz Viegener

Judge Andrea Brodfuehrer

“FRANZ VIEGENER’s handcrafted products are designed with uncompromising attention for detail. Creativity, innovation, quality and customer satisfaction are at the heart of the FRANZ VIEGENER and their stunning faucet design.”

Flooring – M&M Design– “Carpeting”

Judge Maureen Klein

“Loved the beautiful crisp colors and designs and the companies dedication to help those devastated by earthquake in Nepal”

Kitchen – Tapologie

Judge Atsuko Mayachi

“Decorative faucets, hand blown glass made in England.  Beautiful and elegant.” 

The Third Annual Take A Seat Chair Charity Auction--The Chairs & Their Story, And All On Display at ICFF This Weekend As A Sneak Preview For Our May 27 Auction

Drum roll...

The debut of IFDA NY Chapter's 

26 Creative, Up-Cycled & Revamped Designer-Created Chairs 

donated to the 

Third Annual Take A Seat Auction & Gala on May 27th. 

Proceeds for this event will benefit Habitat For Humanity, NYC. 

With acclaimed interior designer Michael Tavano as our emcee, NYC&G our media sponsor and professional auctioneers Auctioneers Bryan McDaniel and Lee Laws from McDaniel Auction Center who will be calling the bids for the auction, we promise the evening to be festive! 

This year we are happy to note an added bonus--all 26 chairs are on display this weekend at the ICFF show at The Jacob Javits Center here in New York City.  Please stop by the IFDA NY chapter booth #3033 to see these chairs in person.  

Please Purchase Tickets Here 

for the Wednesday, May 27 auction & gala at 

Safavieh Home Furnishings Store at 

209 Broadway in New York City from 6:30-8:30 pm!

Safavieh Home Store

Take a look at these unique chairs and their story, all

created and donated from our generous community 

of artists and designers...

please note-all chair photography via 

Jason Hood photography

1. Lane Adeoye

Lilo means twist in Yoruba. It is inspired by abstracted forms and sculptural silhouettes from my Nigerian heritage. Interested in exploring fluid movements, the aim was to maximize the functionality of a single 

metal strip. This metal piece loops around itself to create a back rest, evolves into the frame for the actual seat, and then twists downward to form its legs.  Lilo’s sculptural aesthetic offers varying views 

from different angles. This chair was by fabricated by pinepine studio.

2. Michael Arguello
Unhinged Falls 2015 takes inspiration from French couture, Cubist, Brutalist, and contemporary art. He aimed to create a playful monochromatic sculpture using three different weaves of Italian linens to 
create depth, and texture.

3. Carly Bassen
Lipstick Lunch--Every woman marks the world in her own way.  To represent women as confident individuals she invited co‐
workers to put on lipstick and kiss the back of the chair, which was finished at the 97% female pool of decorators and seamstresses at The Fabric Mill.  Seeing everybody laughing and puckering up 
reinvented the chair more than any reupholstering job could.  The lipsticks created a belt around the chair seat.  They were donated by her closest friends and family including Grandma Marsha’s Mah Jongg group.  The variety of lipsticks shows that women with different styles can gather together as friends.  At heart we all want to flash the brightest sexiest muah smile!

 4. Allison Bassen
Curves--This chair represents her battle with breast cancer.  The channeled back has soft plump curves and each fabric represents part of her journey.  She hated losing her eyebrows and eyelashes; hence, the pink and green eyelash fabric.  The bold animal pattern represents clawing her way to fight the beast.  The bright floral print is optimism.  The black welting shows fear lurking on the edge.  The seat shows monster movie posters because surgery made her feel like a magician act gone sour. Using multiple fabrics represents the many decisions when faced with cancer.

 5. Jonathan Bressler
The Bling Seat--This ordinary, wooden dining room chair has been embellished with acrylic jewels and the seat reupholstered in velvet. The jewels are glued on in a certain configuration and then coated with a clear epoxy resin to keep them secure.

 6. Jerry Caldari
Bromley Caldari Architects is interested in solutions that resolve pertinent design, function and cost issues. They create humanistic, modern architecture -- crisp, sharp spaces defined by a 
palette of warm, natural materials.  Bromley Caldari and KNG Construction have collaborated on multiple residential and custom furniture projects since the late 1990s.

 7. Cliff Young Intern Team
Lady Vivi--The chair is bright, brilliant and colorful.  It was inspired by Lady Chiquita, First Lady of Fruit.  The team bring her richness of color and flamboyant style to a piece of furniture, an everyday essential.  Furniture doesn’t have to just be stylish and comfortable.  Great furniture can and should infuse us with well-being, enthusiasm and an improved lifestyle.  Let’s make our life happy and fruitful!

 8. Gregory Cramer
Defining Line--This Berhardt chair was primed in Benjamin Moore White and then hand-painted using artist spray paints from the Germany company Montana transforming the ordinary into a colorful and bold piece of art.  Cramer's inspiration is bold color.  Life is too short to be boring and why not liven up a space up with a healthy shot of bold, vibrant color.  The chair now stands on its own as a powerful work of art.

 9. Iris Dankner & Christopher Hyland
The Chair's Chair is an opulent Vallois chair from Artistic Frame and features a clean boxed seamed seat and a distinctive horizontal channeled back set within a delicate frame.  The chair evokes an Art Deco feel with a bold and contemporary Parisian twist. Iris and Christopher have 
upholstered the classic chair in Christopher Hyland’s Mohair Velvet in Teal. The Chairs’ Chair is the perfect blend of traditional style and modern sophistication. 

10. Vanessa DeLeon
Viva Cuba! DeLeon's Cuban roots constantly inspire her designs. Given the recent enthusiasm and interest in Cuba she felt this was the perfect theme for her chair design. The chair is reminiscent of all things Cuban. She added some bling to the frame using an eye-catching gold paint. The 
look comes together with Cuban inspired upholstery fabrics, an authentic cigar box, and a cane to hang up your hat. Sit back and relax in this unique tribute to Cuban culture.

 11. Nancy Fire
Blurred Vision is about taking something antique and melding it with something contemporary such as the fabric designed by Design Works International and printed digitally in our NYC studio by 
First2print. The main sensibility of Blurred Vision is to break the barrier between old and new to create a blend of beauty that is updated yet tasteful. The fabric we chose to print on is recycled sateen from 90% 
recycled poly yarns. I love the idea of recycling the chair frame and using a recycled fabric to print on. Connection is the key!

12. Patricia Fox
Fox offers 6 mini chairs, and then inspired by the chairs please see below she created 6 festive hats to boot!

13. Stacy Garcia
Grade school meets Art school. Starting with the prototype of her PS26 chair for Bernhardt Hospitality as a canvas, Stacy Garcia channels her roots in surface pattern design to create a one of a kind painterly plaid.  The palette combines neon pink, Pantone’s 2015 Color of the Year 
Marsala and indigo blue with highlights of white and golden sepia.

 14. Jan Girard
Hassock Indochine was constructed to resemble a stack of Turkish cornered cushions.  The variety of Vlisco Indigo Batik fabrics transcends the ages.  The inspiration was to make something exotic and 
comfortable for the home.  This hassock was conceived and produced by Jan Girard & Corey Mansueto of Contract Workroom.

 15. Barry Goralnick
Magic Carpet 
original chair by Oswaldo Bersani, circa 1988

The firm’s motto “Blended Modern” takes the best of the past and integrates it with influence from the past history of design and the visual arts. This groovy chair that Howard suggested from High Style Deco, is ultra-modern and makes a big statement, but it’s also very comfortable. Taking cues from a critic who thought the slouchy shape was like a “Magic Carpet”, Goralnick found the fabric called Interpretation in Plum, at Kravet, which has a Moorish influence. The design is filtered through a modern sensibility.  They chose “Ultra Cool” for the under section of the chair, which is a shiny modern polyurethane, and provides a striking contrast to the silk.  They lined the cushion with Bengal Silk in bright orange for an unexpected peek-a-boo pop of our signature orange color, which is like the sole of a Louboutin shoe.

16a.  Lorraine Gordon with Safavieh
Started to work for Safavieh at the age of 19, Gordon has been with the company for 12 years.  She has worked her way up the ladder to become one of Safavieh's most sought after designers.  Working with clients in Paramus and Livingston NJ, She is now in their Broadway location in New York City.

 16b. Lorraine Gordon

17. Jason Oliver Nixon & John Loecke, Madcap Cottage
The Petal Pusher--floral fever takes flight in the fabulous Petal Pusher chair. The Madcap Cottage gents took Robert Allen’s Keegan armchair and re-interpreted it with fabulous floral fabrics from Robert Allen that will whisk you away to an English meadow. Note the exuberant Wild Oasis pattern in the color Spring Grass for the upholstery on the front, the Pelham House stripe also in Spring Grass on the back, the feisty Nesting 
Zigzag in Sunray on the arms and Silky Slub contrast welting in Leaf color.  The wood is a Swedish grey finish. A natural-hued nail trim brings this bodacious bouquet to life. Settle into the sublime.

 18.  Jennifer Mack & Lindsey Smith
Queen of Hearts was repurposed from an old chair found at a local Goodwill Industries thrift store.  They designed it to have an elegant look with a hint of edgy.  They thought Alice in Wonderland was a perfect example of these two concepts and embraced the theme of Queen 
of Hearts in the design. The duo used red and black velvet as the fabric, and embellished the arms with black velvet and the silver upholstery braids. To make the design come alive they embellished the back with flowers and playing cards, inspired by the Queen of Hearts from 
Alice in Wonderland.

19. Karim Rashid
the Pura Chair was designed in 1998 for Pure Design in Canada is a classic Karim Rashid design. Made from powder-coated steel and accented with Ikon perforations, the Pura collection was available in a range of bright, fluorescent hues. Fun and colorful, yet strong and sturdy, this stacking chair is the vintage embodiment of Karim’s “democratic design” ethos.  This chair has been signed by the designer and is being donated from his personal archive.

20. Esther Sadowsky
Charm & Whimsy’s interpretation of a reading chair is literally meant to be read. The seat and back are decoupage with printed content ranging from literary to weather, finance and sex. Pull up another chair 
and enjoy reading this chair.  Adjust the lamp and relax.  As Sadowsky began to pack up her apartment for a move she was inspired by a floor lamp sitting next to a folding chair. A box of books sat beside the chair and an idea was born. Why not cover the chair in reading material and attach the lamp to the chair? This makes a compact, traveling, reading chair.

21. Tamara Stephenson & Susan Young 
Runway Ready--This design duo's brand new home collection Root Cellar Designs debuted this spring after the two decorated and donated for five different philanthropic design industry events.  The design duo hails from both the interior and fashion industries and came together to make fabric, wallpaper, pillows, table linens and tea towels all inspired by the past but with modern, fresh perspectives patterns and palettes.  Many designs were originally from Susan’s dress collections and others they digitally custom created.  This chair is donned with fabric from their Fashion Forward collection and inspired by 18th century fashion illustrations.  The chair was transformed from a tired, but sturdy, classic wood chair into a sleek fashion plate with golden legs.

22. Team Habitat for Humanity
Primarily Modern B34--A Marcel Breuer B34 chair replica rescued from a W. 28th Street dumpster gets a second 
chance. Damage and missing parts left us with an iconic tubular steel frame that was asking for a remodel. Inspired by Habitat for Humanity New York City the team chose to use materials that would normally be found on a construction site. The primary colors and utilitarian nature of  plywood complement the modern spirit of the original.

23. Sara & Moncef Touijer
Charlotte's Chaise --was inspired by their love of animals and their 
importance in their own lives.  Pets become so integrated in our lives that they seem to take on human qualities. The duo wanted to play off of that idea and give them priority by making a chair of 
their own. They transformed the chair by scaling it down to pet size, painting it a fun color and adding a playful plaid fabric. Thanks go out to Robert and Helen Theilhelm for donating the 
chair and to Marco Govea for painting the chair.

24. KathArine Wood
After Midnight is created by this fine glass, enamel and tile artist.  It is a plain, no frills wooden black chair, bought in a thrift shop transformed it into a dazzling and magical chair, inspired by the night and nighttime activities.

25.  James Rixner & Caterine Wright
Recycling Chic! This stool was being 
discarded by a client because it had a broken back. The duo managed to dissemble the broken back and reupholster the seat in a fabulous fabric, giving new life to the piece.  Of particularly note is the base which is made of Acrylic Plexiglas, which lends an air of Mid Century Mystique.
This reimagined Stool will certainly add the perfect touch of glamour to your setting. A thank you to Beacon Hill for the Cheetah Velvet.  In addition, you will be able to have an element of James Rixner’s signature style to your home!

26. Sara Yengle
Grace & Chaos--This chair is the representation of grace and chaos. "Grace" is represented by the iridescent fabric on the back with large scale angel wings attached.   "Chaos" is in the graffiti -inspired 
custom designed printed fabric on the seat of the chair. This is the perfect combination to represent the balance of grace and chaos found in life.  Every design needs a little of both!

*an added bonus & thanks to designer Patricia Fox 

for these 6 creative hats inspired by 

her chair designs...