The International Contemporary Furniture Fair opened at the Javits Center on Saturday, giving interior designers, architects, retailers, distributors, and journalists a look at the latest offerings from a mix of big companies, individual designers, and students from around the world. Each spring, the show provides a chance to take the pulse of the design world and scout for ideas. Here are nine exhibits that caught our attention—some because of their direct usefulness for events, others for their likelihood to serve as a jumping-off point for event pros. The show is open to the public on Tuesday, its final day, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The cylindrical Apulia Italian Excellence booth
Photo: BizBash
Hiyoshiya, a Kyoto-based maker of traditional Japanese umbrellas, showed its line of lampshades, which fold like umbrellas to change their shape or close, making for extra design mileage and easy storage.
Photo: BizBash
The Apulia Italian Excellence booth had an inviting cylindrical shape.
Photo: BizBash
Lighting company Viso debuted a new line of metalized polycarbonate lamps that are semitransparent to show patterned shades inside.
Photo: BizBash
Sywawa's new Frou Frou parasol is meant to be used outside, where a breeze can rustle the skinny strips of treated nylon.
Photo: BizBash
The Afrique Authentique–Authentic Africa display included pillows, blankets, and yarn on the floor.
Photo: BizBash
London-based Min Hoo Park's "Unified Dining Table" incorporates a removable tray with a set of attached tableware.
Photo: BizBash
Silversmith Miranda Meilleur's tableware is designed more to be displayed than used; these spoons appeared to be the most likely to find their way to a dining table.
Photo: BizBash
This acrylic chair displayed by the School of Architecture & Design at Virginia Tech was designed as part of a student research project.
Photo: BizBash
