Now in its 18th year, Architectural Digest Design Show is only gaining momentum. Boasting more than 400 brands showcased in just 4 days, the AD Design show in New York City is one of the industry’s most important annual architectural and interior design events. With 40,000 attendees interacting with the industry’s key players, it is a time for creativity and discovery, allowing designers to source, shop and get acquainted with newer vendors. It is a well-curated and impeccably planned event, giving vendors the space and freedom to showcase themselves in innovative, interactive ways. In this way, independent makers and well-established manufacturers can educate designers about their brand, offering an exciting, tactile experience.
Although I am always impressed by the quality of vendors who show at AD Design, this year, I was encouraged to find alignment with core values that were prevalent across the board. sustainability, minimalism, and female empowerment sat center stage this year, making Laurence Carr Design feel right at home.
As seen on the feature image of the blog, we could not miss the unique work of Kin and Company, who presented an iridescent wallpaper. A part of Wallpaper Projects, this incredible paper offered seemingly infinite depth, playing with light in a way we rarely see in this medium.
Los Angeles native, Michael Felix was a standout for us. With deep roots in the industry, Felix is a third generation upholstery designer who got his start as a sample-maker’s assistant in his grandfather’s furniture factory. Now, Felix offers custom furniture made in the USA with classic upholsterty techniques. Felix’ exhibit featured bright, jewel-tone pieces, that are both plush and polished.
Mixing traditional lighting techniques with artistic sensibilities, Zia Priven is the brainchild of LA couple, Marcia Zia and Paul Priven. Together, the two lead a team of highly-skilled, well-trained craftsman who work with hand-blown glass, hand strung quartz, custom silk swathes and more. Their dedication to proven techniques and attention to detail make their bespoke pieces that much more desired.
Reclaimed wood is a staple of sustainable design, and designer Ethan Abramson proves that this material does not have to be rustic. To the contrary, his pieces run the gamut from sleek and minimal to modern and quirky. Each piece is finished with water based sealant, containing no vocs.
Similarly, Wud, a Brooklyn-based luxury modern woodworking company, had sleek, elegant, yet approachable pieces to share. Durable, yet elegant, Wud’s pieces last a lifetime, keeping waste at a minimum. Pushing the boundaries on sustainability, David Stine, winner of best product in sustainability for his reclaimed wood table, uses only fallen or dead trees for his chic line.
Brooklyn based artist, Sean McNanny uses responsible practices in revolutionary ways with his company Saved NY. With a steady background in textiles, McNanny uses sustainably sourced materials from Mongolia to make delicious cashmere throws, pillows and blankets with processes that do not deplete the land.
Steeped in international heritage, Chicago-based Chai Ming is a furniture and accessory company dedicated to an overall quality that is present in every piece. Their bespoke furniture and accessories embrace juxtapositions and unexpected details, all made by local makers using traditional methods. The company encourages a rare collaborative relationship between designer, craftsman, and client offering a fully-customizable experience that creates a feeling of community within each project.
Jan Kath had an exciting presence, allowing designers to interact with her absolutely stunning slow crafted rugs. Boasting vibrant color and eye-catching designs, each piece is handcrafted in workshops in Nepal, Thailand, India, Morocco, or Turkey, flushing those economies with funds. Using ancient production methods, Jan Kath proves Laurence Carr Design’s theory that sustainability does not have to mean boring.
In the same vane, India-based textile company, Tantuvi relies on ancient techniques to achieve the highest quality in their textiles. Taking things a step further, Tantuvi employs only local female weavers, working to provide education and conservation of culture. Also, steadfast in their dedication to female empowerment, ceramics masters Franca is a multi-cultural and female owned company offering bright, sunny, cheerful ceramics, a welcome alternative to more earthy pieces that have flooded the space.
One of our favorite companies to align with, Renovation Angel had a fantastic presence at AD Design Show this year, talking designers through their unique model. Encouraging the recyling of luxury kitchen items, this company is making strides in sustainability and the achievement of a circular economy. Not only does their service offer a streamlined practice for renovation, but grants purveyors thousands in savings and tax breaks for recycling.
Another favorite is Warp & Weft a company offering modern and antique rugs. This year, they present a collaboration with Workshop/APD. We love the soft fine silk lines rising above the sea of semi-worsted wool- Tidal C.
With biophilia top of mind, green mogul Opiary instantly caught our eye. The company’s use of all natural materials elevates indoor and outdoor spaces alike. Joining natural elements and modern design in new, unique ways, the company offers fully-sustainable ways to embrace greenery from cityscape to countryside. Their accent walls can include live or synthetic greenery, placing these once nearly unattainable design features within reach.
To cap off the AD Design Show, designers gathered under the stars for one of the year’s most highly anticipated events. DIFFA’s 2019 Dining by Design, produced with The Mart, was nothing short of extraordinary this year. Guests were treated to a multi-sensory dining experience, complete with invigorating installations, chilly cocktails, and a silent auction. Stonehill Taylor, IA Interior Architects, Stacy Garcia Home, and Pratt Institute, among others, added infinite color and texture to the experience. All proceeds for the event benefit AIDS relief.
Interior Design Magazine
In today’s business climate, it is easy to get stuck dashing from meeting to meeting, running to project sites, then retreating to your desk for focused time. In this, we can forget the value of concentrated meet in person interactions that often inspire and drive innovation. AD Design Show 2019 offers designers the space to slow down, visualize products in use, and make personal connections with vendors. We learn stories, interact with furnishings and accessories, and leave empowered to make choices that improve our artistic and creative vision while remaining true to our design core values.
