INTERNATIONAL CONTEMPORARY FURNITURE FAIR, ICFF 2024, NYC

A few weeks ago I had the chance to attend one of the largest trade shows in North America, the International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) in the one and only NYC! To say I was excited is a major understatement. I’ve wanted to attend the trade show for ages, but the trip to cross the pond just never worked timing-wise. Until now, of course! I had pretty high expectations for the event. I didn’t know how it would compare to some of the major European ones I’ve been to (Maison et Objet, iSalone etc). My goal for this year is to attend as many new international design fairs as possible. I think it’s really important to push yourself out of your comfort zone, and acknowledge and embrace new cultures through the world of interiors.

Although ICFF is a global event, with brands present from over 32 countries, I do think it felt a little different to its European counterparts. I’m so used to seeing brands from the Nordics, Britain, mainland Europe etc that being able to chat with furniture makers from Canada, Brazil and Mexico opened a whole new world of interiors for me. It made me realise just how big this world is and how little I’ve seen of it so far.

Here are my top picks..

SUSTAINABLE  LIGHTING DESIGNS

Lamps are looking very creative at the moment. From lighting made of mushroom roots to knitted wool lamp shades, these trends will certainly shine bright in 2024.

Mushlume Lighting challenges conventional materials by making lighting grown from mushroom mycelium. Yes, that’s right.  The Brooklyn-based lighting brand makes lamps using mushroom mycelium with local hemp to create natural, sustainable, and biodegradable lampshades. I’ve got to say the aesthetics are as appealing as their environmentally conscious ethos. I love the minimalist look, which allows the texture of the lamps to stand out.

WakaNine, a North American distributor for international lighting designs, is another incredible brand worth mentioning. Their goal is to bring environmentally conscious design from the corners of the globe to North America. They use recycled bottles to make exquisite glass chandeliers in various colours. The Fire + Ice range, designed by Stephen Pikus, looks even better in person. The lighting pendants can be customised in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colours to suit even the most demanding interior projects. These lamps truly are a piece of art. And isn’t it astonishing how beautifully the tiny pieces of recycled, smoothed opaque glass are strung together to create a stunning lighting pendant?

GRADIENT-EFFECT UPHOLSTERY

I am so happy to see that modern brands are using traditional artisan skills and sustainable methods in their furniture-making process.

This large sectional and armchair by St. Etienne Design Studio stood out from the crowd. Their gradient-effect signature look is effortlessly cool and inviting. The upholstery fabric is entirely hand-woven on an ancient Mayan pedal loom from Guatemala, a method that ensures both durability and unique texture. I love how they have blended the colours as the threads are spun, creating an exquisite gradient using the previous tie-dye yarns using a traditional method. The fabric feels soft, but not too delicate for everyday wear and tear. I also adore their colour choices. No wonder, earthy upholstery colours are a big trend in 2024. Greens, blues and browns are the ideal choices when connecting the indoors and outdoors seamlessly.

DARK WOOD

We are seeing more dark woods in 2024 which is quite refreshing. I love the exotic and luxurious look that they evoke. And of course, there is no better way to bring the outdoors in than dark root furniture. Curves and organic shapes have been making a comeback for quite some time and the root-shaped coffee table by Brazilian House & Garden will certainly make a wonderful heirloom piece.

And course, I love all things quirky, like this Beaded Coffee Table by Steph Throwbridge. Steph is a super-talented woodworker and ceramist based in Philadelphia. Her unique style combines functional items with intrinsic detailing, turning even the most ordinary household items into a piece of art.

TRIBAL TREND

The tribal trend is back, and I couldn’t be happier about it. There were lots of raw, rustic materials and intricate patterns at the fair incorporating bright African or Latin colours and patterns. I particularly love this trend in a contemporary setting. And let’s be honest, there’s no better way to add some bohemian flair to your home than with some patterned rugs or hand-made ceramics in colourful terracotta colours.

FLORAL MOTIFS

Forget about foliage, it’s all about florals now! Incorporating nature into your home has been a huge trend for a few years now. And I am happy to see a shift from leaf motifs to florals this year, especially in furniture design. New York-based, Rumma, has a passion for creating enduring, inspiring, and inheritable pieces. The immaculate wood carving and carpentry artists originate from a small artisan town in Indonesia with a centuries-long passion for artistry. The design studio has combined traditional and contemporary styles in a truly unique and romantic way, helping you add some softness and organic textures to interior schemes.

MIXING TEXTURES

And finally, the 2024 contemporary furniture trends appear more experimental than ever, allowing you to break free from the rules. Fine wood combined with cement or plaster is certainly not your average off- the-shelf furniture. 9 and 19, founded by maker and designer Daniel Lefkowitz, is the perfect example where creativity has no limits. The design studio makes playful and customisable fine furniture for fun people (their words, not mine!) using PaperCrete. A material made from recycled newspaper, wood shavings and Portland cement. Pretty cool, right?

I hope you enjoyed reading this blogpost! If you have a minute, let me know your favourite piece of furniture in the comments below.