Decorating Guides
ICFF Booth Designs Offer Lessons on Style
Exhibitors at the 2012 International Contemporary Furniture Fair show that color and creativity aren't limited to the products on display
Because I am an architect, a visit to the International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) at the Jacob K. Javits Center in New York City means I pay more attention to the booths than the furniture. Some companies put lots of money and effort into their booths, while others take a more minimalist approach, letting their products do the work. Check out these design lessons from the more interesting booths at the 2012 ICFF.
Shipping containers are still cool. Reusing shipping containers for architecture has been a fad in recent years, but I don't see it going away soon. They are inexpensive, sustainable in their reuse and pretty cool, especially when covered with color, as with this Kohler booth highlighting Jonathan Adler's colorful sinks.
Red carpets are very effective. They aren't just for movie premieres. Interiors from Spain represents a number of companies and designers. Red connects the various booths together, also creating a strong axis of circulation.
Be creative. Carnegie could have draped its Xorel Graphic fabrics as other booths did, but it opted for a complex construction with folded pieces of the fabric. This creates a space that is striking yet keeps the focus on the fabric.
Don't be afraid of color. Molo's Softwalls have made an appearance at ICFF before. This year they look new in a striking Yves Klein–like blue.
Everybody loves balloons. Especially big red ones above pop-up shops, like this one by Kikkerland.
Walls can angle. Istanbul's Autoban uses fabric walls that angle at the corners to highlight its furniture designs. Some shading on the top and these would make great cabanas.
Walls can be porous. Westyle shows off its bathroom fixtures through clear glass and some porous, gridded walls. The latter helps the booth stand out.
Walls can wave. Amuneal's booth uses wavy aluminum bars, some spaced apart, to show off its talents and hint at the goods inside.
Tile can curve. New York's High Style Floors presents some of its tiles with undulations, reminding visitors that tiles don't need to be flat.
Don't forget about infrastructure. The aforementioned Interiors from Spain booths ran into a spot with a fire extinguisher and pipe. Technically the cutout works, but it also puts these things on display, like a commentary on art and design.
Storage can be anywhere. A similar area with a fire extinguisher and pipe is used by Urbio to highlight its modular, magnetic storage. This stood out more than its booth.
Design can work anywhere. The Javits center has lots of big concrete columns, some with notches for drain pipes. Surprisingly this Eames chair seems right at home in front of one of these columns.
Show us: Please share your photos from the ICFF below.
More from ICFF 2012:
5 Questions for Lighting Designer Lindsey Adelman
Show us: Please share your photos from the ICFF below.
More from ICFF 2012:
5 Questions for Lighting Designer Lindsey Adelman