Inside the International Contemporary Furniture Fair

Fuzzy, cuddly, illuminated pillows. A new-age bean bag chair that zips into an ottoman. The International Contemporary Furniture Fair hit New York City for its 20th annual design showcase last month and so did the design-minded, from all corners and cultures. The four-day May fair featured goodies like the Diana Lin Design Huggable Light and the Lojo Ball. ICFF began in 1989 as a nod to furnishings that challenged the Modernism design culture with creative flare. Twenty years later, the fair has morphed into a more diverse global sampling of cutting-edge furniture and accessories. 2008’s furniture trends include sustainable design (like the part-seat, part-magazine rack Newspaper Chair crafted by a California College of the Arts student) and lots and lots of wallpaper. Here’s a peek at the industry’s bests – the ICFF Editors Awards recipients.

Body of Work: Herman Miller Inc.’s The Lifework Portfolio
New Designer: Todd Bracher
Craftsmanship: Mabeo Furniture
Furniture: HBF’s C Collection by Yves Béhar
Seating: Magis spa
Carpet and Flooring: Amy Helfand
Lighting: PABLO
Outdoor Furniture: Samoa
Materials: Greg Lynn for Panelite
Wall Coverings: Trove
Accessories: Czech Center of New York’s Krehky
Textiles: Carnegie’s Xorel Collection
Kitchen and Bath: Valcucine
Multiple Production: Plank’s Myto chair by Konstantin Grcic Design School: Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD)
Booth: School of Visual Arts (SVA)