NeoCon got its buzz back.
Since the events of 2001, this mega-trade show for the contract furniture industry (held annually in June at The Merchandise Mart) has been noticeably quiet — or at least quieter — in terms of products, people and, even, the festivities that normally surround this event.
But not this year. The lines for the elevators at The Mart rivaled those at Disney World. Chicago’s Holly Hunt staged one of her big bashes again. Grand innovations were unveiled, including an “anti-cubicle” office furniture system from Herman Miller.
And for those of us at home, there were all kind of products, particularly from fabric-makers this year, that work beautifully in a residential setting. We went looking for things that would be at home in yours. Here are some of our favorite finds:
— Karen Klages, kklages@tribune.com
The sidelines
There is a nice, graphic quality to this wood side chair created by New York architects/designers Shelton, Mindel & Associates for Knoll. Note how the seat seems to float.
Approximately $700 (available in the fall) at Luminaire, 301 W. Superior St. 312-664-9582. Or at Home Office Solutions Group, 1498 Waukegan Rd., Glenview. 847-724-1498. www.homeofficesolutions.com (or call 888-677-1600).
Stand-up lounger
Meant for the executive (with a sense of fun) or for folks with small living rooms (and a deep desire to recline), the Ercolina chaise from TopdeQ (one of Europe’s largest office furniture catalogs) is both comfy lounge chair and soft sculpture. Swing down the end and Ercolina is chaise. Get up off the chaise and guide the piece into a vertical position, and you have yourself a tall piece of artwork — and freed-up floor space. 82 inches long/tall, faux leather cover.
$1,498. 866-876-3300. www.topdeq.com
Let the sun shine in
Carnegie unveiled several lines of drapery fabric that work beautifully in both office and home settings — including the Ornato pattern. Flower motifs are laser cut in the Trevira polyester fabric and play beautifully with light flowing in from behind. $84 a yard (59 inches wide). 800-727-6770. www.carnegiefabrics.com
Light fantastic
Chicago furniture designer Deirdre Jordan delivered one of the most lovely pieces seen at NeoCon. Her Kyoto Table Lamp for Boyd Lighting is both light fixture and art work. Shade, base or both illuminate for the right amount of light — and mood. The materials are serious stuff: solid brass base (shown with a satin nickel finish); Italian cased glass diffuser; snow-white silk shade. The price is equally rarefied:
Approximately $3,795 through architects and designers at Boyd Lighting, The Merchandise Mart, Suite 1040A, Kinzie and Wells Streets. 312-644-4300. www.boydlighting.com
Holly, no ivy
Holly Hunt introduced The Great Outdoors, an outdoor fabric collection that’s sophisticated enough to come indoors and into/onto places where durability is key (for example, a kitchen banquette, dining room chairs). Yarns are twisted, giving the fabric a depth not normally seen in outdoor textiles. Find lots of Hunt’s signature neutrals (white, taupe, chocolate) and a range of colors in solids, stripes, chenille and a few good checks — no cabbage roses here.
$54 to $62 a yard through Holly Hunt, The Merchandise Mart, Suite 1728, Kinzie and Wells Streets. 312-661-1900. www.hollyhunt.com
Little big chair
Getting our vote for NeoCon’s most comfortable armchair: the John Mark, from Chicago designer Douglas Levine for Bright Chair Co. The angled back forces your posture into lounge mode. We also liked the duality of this chair — visually, it’s a strong piece, but in essence, it’s small. The chair measures just 30 1/2 inches wide by 28 inches high and 35 inches deep.
$3,475 through Bright Chair Co., The Merchandise Mart, Suite 6-166, Kinzie and Wells Streets. 312-527-0557. www.brightchair.com
