This Year’s Summer Design Events to Know
Get the info on top design happenings, art fairs and museum exhibitions through September 2017
Bryan Anthony
June 30, 2017
July
AIFF: Australian International Furniture Fair
What: Furniture fair
Where: Melbourne, Australia
When: July 20-23
Cost: Free
Australia’s top interior design event puts a spotlight on the hottest designs from Down Under. There’s a bevy of shops to explore in Melbourne’s design district. The Berkelouw Books shop seen here was built in 1885 and is a fine example of the neighborhood’s abundant Victorian buildings. The shop has one of the most comprehensive collections of interior design and architectural books in Melbourne.
AIFF: Australian International Furniture Fair
What: Furniture fair
Where: Melbourne, Australia
When: July 20-23
Cost: Free
Australia’s top interior design event puts a spotlight on the hottest designs from Down Under. There’s a bevy of shops to explore in Melbourne’s design district. The Berkelouw Books shop seen here was built in 1885 and is a fine example of the neighborhood’s abundant Victorian buildings. The shop has one of the most comprehensive collections of interior design and architectural books in Melbourne.
The furniture fair is held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre and features more than 250 exhibition stands showcasing furniture and decor from the country’s top designers, retail chains and independent boutiques. More info
APLD 2017 International Landscape Design Conference
What: Conference dedicated to advancing the profession of landscape design
Where: Boston
When: July 13-17
Cost: Free to the trade
Artscape
What: America’s largest free arts festival, attracting more than 350,000 attendees over three days
Where: Baltimore
When: July 21-23
Cost: Free
APLD 2017 International Landscape Design Conference
What: Conference dedicated to advancing the profession of landscape design
Where: Boston
When: July 13-17
Cost: Free to the trade
Artscape
What: America’s largest free arts festival, attracting more than 350,000 attendees over three days
Where: Baltimore
When: July 21-23
Cost: Free
August
São Paulo Design Weekend
What: Design festival
Where: São Paulo
When: Aug. 9-13
Cost: Free
In a Brazilian city known for its rich history of innovative architecture and furniture design, this four-day “weekend” includes more than 120 design-related events and installations scattered throughout. Even some streets and stairways in São Paulo have been spruced up by artists for the event.
AuCap drew inspiration from the exotic jewelry used by Brazilian natives to design the colorful console table seen here, from the 2016 event. The handmade console features a mosaic of small geometric shapes finished in a textured wood veneer.
São Paulo Design Weekend
What: Design festival
Where: São Paulo
When: Aug. 9-13
Cost: Free
In a Brazilian city known for its rich history of innovative architecture and furniture design, this four-day “weekend” includes more than 120 design-related events and installations scattered throughout. Even some streets and stairways in São Paulo have been spruced up by artists for the event.
AuCap drew inspiration from the exotic jewelry used by Brazilian natives to design the colorful console table seen here, from the 2016 event. The handmade console features a mosaic of small geometric shapes finished in a textured wood veneer.
Another standout from the 2016 São Paulo Design Weekend is this table designed by architect Humberto da Mata. The piece features traditional porcelain plates atop a minimalist metal base. More info
Seattle Art Fair
What: Display of prized pieces from more than 80 top local galleries
Where: Seattle
When: Aug. 3-6
Cost: $20
Seattle Art Fair
What: Display of prized pieces from more than 80 top local galleries
Where: Seattle
When: Aug. 3-6
Cost: $20
The Festival of Quilts 2017
What: Quilting fair and competition
Where: Birmingham, England
When: Aug. 10-13
Cost: 16.50 British pounds (about $21)
Europe’s largest quilting show displays more than 700 competition quilts. French artist Martine Apaolaza will be showcasing her collection of quilts inspired by Parisian street scenes. The quilt seen here features the exterior of a laitière (“dairy” in French).
What: Quilting fair and competition
Where: Birmingham, England
When: Aug. 10-13
Cost: 16.50 British pounds (about $21)
Europe’s largest quilting show displays more than 700 competition quilts. French artist Martine Apaolaza will be showcasing her collection of quilts inspired by Parisian street scenes. The quilt seen here features the exterior of a laitière (“dairy” in French).
The elaborate quilts designed by Anne Maundrell will also be on display. This quilt features a lush landscape inspired by the jungles of Borneo. More info
The Jazz Age: American Style in the 1920s
What: Museum exhibition
Where: Cooper Hewitt, New York City
When: Through Aug. 20
Cost: $16
This exhibit features more than 400 pieces of furniture, art, jewelry and fashion from the 1920s, including this Skyscraper bookcase desk designed by Paul T. Frankl in 1928. It’s made of California redwood and black lacquer.
What: Museum exhibition
Where: Cooper Hewitt, New York City
When: Through Aug. 20
Cost: $16
This exhibit features more than 400 pieces of furniture, art, jewelry and fashion from the 1920s, including this Skyscraper bookcase desk designed by Paul T. Frankl in 1928. It’s made of California redwood and black lacquer.
Another piece on display is this intricate metal and lacquer vase designed by Jean Dunand. More info
September
Quest for Beauty: The Architecture, Landscapes, and Collections of John Yeon
What: Museum exhibition
Where: Portland Art Museum, Oregon
When: Through Sept. 3
Cost: $19.99
This is a retrospective exhibit of work by one of the Pacific Northwest’s most influential architects, John Yeon. His designs drew an international spotlight to the region’s emerging modernism movement. Yeon’s 1937 Aubrey Watzek House, seen here, is considered his most iconic design.
Quest for Beauty: The Architecture, Landscapes, and Collections of John Yeon
What: Museum exhibition
Where: Portland Art Museum, Oregon
When: Through Sept. 3
Cost: $19.99
This is a retrospective exhibit of work by one of the Pacific Northwest’s most influential architects, John Yeon. His designs drew an international spotlight to the region’s emerging modernism movement. Yeon’s 1937 Aubrey Watzek House, seen here, is considered his most iconic design.
Yeon was also an avid collector of Asian decorative arts. Pieces such as this pair of six-panel screens from 17th-century Japan were often displayed in his residential interiors, bringing together East and West influences in stunning combinations. More info
Paris Design Week
What: A citywide design fair showcasing the best in contemporary home design, fashion, art and food
Where: Paris
When: Sept. 8-16
Cost: Free
Helsinki Design Week
What: The largest design festival in the Nordic countries, presenting the latest trends in fashion, architecture and urban culture
Where: Helsinki
When: Sept. 7-17
Cost: Free
Paris Design Week
What: A citywide design fair showcasing the best in contemporary home design, fashion, art and food
Where: Paris
When: Sept. 8-16
Cost: Free
Helsinki Design Week
What: The largest design festival in the Nordic countries, presenting the latest trends in fashion, architecture and urban culture
Where: Helsinki
When: Sept. 7-17
Cost: Free
London Design Festival
What: Museum exhibition
Where: London
When: Sept. 16-24
Cost: Varies
This annual design event is made up of more than 400 events and exhibitions staged by firms, designers and architects from across the design spectrum. A highlight from last year’s festival was architect Alison Brooks’ Smile, pictured here. This 110-foot-long and 10-foot-high upside-down arc served as a visitor pavilion in the heart of London’s design district.
What: Museum exhibition
Where: London
When: Sept. 16-24
Cost: Varies
This annual design event is made up of more than 400 events and exhibitions staged by firms, designers and architects from across the design spectrum. A highlight from last year’s festival was architect Alison Brooks’ Smile, pictured here. This 110-foot-long and 10-foot-high upside-down arc served as a visitor pavilion in the heart of London’s design district.
A view from inside the visitor pavilion shows the sloping floor with its two strips of LEDs lighting the way for guests. More info
More
Design Calendar 2017: Where to Go and What to See This Year
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More
Design Calendar 2017: Where to Go and What to See This Year
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This issa TERRIFFFIC feature. Maybe do it in three month blocks. Encourage contributors. Many thanks.