FROM WHERE I SIT
Best of Neocon 2009
Well most of us knew that it would be a sparsely attended Neocon before we few, proud and brave arrived in Chicago but many were surprised at how pleasant it all turned out. I heard more than one person say that it was one of the nicest Neocons that they had attended in a long time.
Nice because you could actually see the product and have a real conversation with people. Of course, some showroom reps got a bit antsy and were seen giving informal product presentations to their competitors. What the hell, were all friends in this biz anyway.
And yes, the David Meckley party went on at Sidetracks. It was quickly redubbed the Meck-less Birthday Bash.
Now although it wasn’t a blockbuster year for product, here are some real gems that stood out:
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Herman Miller: Setu Seating
With a respectful nod to the aesthetic of the Eames Aluminum Group, those uber-creative folks from Studio 7.5 in Berlin have done a knock-out group of lounge/pull-up/conference chairs. They look terrific but that’s half the story. Pushing chair technology where it couldn’t go before, the chair suspends the body and naturally twists and turns as you twist and turn. The kinematic spine alone is a wonder of engineering. These are not marketed as a task chair but I think that I could be very happy sitting in one all day long. more. |
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HBF: Barbara Barry 2009 Collection
If there was one collection this year where I wanted to have one of everything then this is it. This time out Madam Barry has gone way more modern than I remember and she did it to perfection. One of the pieces is called Perfect Pitch and that might as well have been the name of the whole collection. She was in the showroom all day doing an endless string of presentations and doing it with the kind of grace that made someone refer to her as the Audrey Hepburn of design. Amen. more. |
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Herman Miller: Intent
It is not so easy to take a panel system and adapt it for private office use. The results can be forced and redundant. But designer Joey Ruiter has done a great job in making Vivo take a huge step forward from open plan to private office. Many of the components and detailing are brand new and can blend beautifully with existing Vivo. It looks like Mr. Ruiter has been listening to what people are clamoring for and he has delivered. more. |
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Bernhardt: Allee Chair
Looking for that perfect wooden side chair? Then this may be it. Suzanne Trocme’ has made a sharp angled and sharp looking chair that has a great sit. This was not by accident since she told me that they did endless renditions of this to get the comfort level just right.
I also have to tip my hat to Bernhardt for doing a great and intelligent job of displaying conference table options so that you could actually figure out just what configuration of leg/data outlet and finish would be right for you. more. |
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Gunlocke: Silea
Long, low and sleek seems to be the theme in many showrooms this year. Gunlocke’s Silea collection really did one of the nicest, most well thought out renditions of this look. A step or two more sophisticated than what you expect from Gunlocke, this line has a very comprehensive range of options that would make it work in a wide variety of situations where 21st Century modern was the look. more. |
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Carnegie Textile: Bright Side Collection
This was this year’s Silver Award Winner for upholstery textiles. And not just because it is made with 100% post-consumer polyester and then finished with stain resistant Nanotex. ( but environmental responsible and tough ain’t a bad combo ). We loved this collection because it uses a bright color pallete mixed with subtle neutrals with a decidedly floral look and yet does it in a way that is completely appropriate for corporate use. Very ‘new’ looking. more. |
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Janus et Cie: `Contract Division furniture
This company has always been on the edge of our radar since we think of it mainly as a residential line but their very fun and interactive showroom in Chicago told a very different story. They are a great source of very stylish pieces, especially great looking stack chairs for which they have a huge in-stock program in LA. Even the ubiquitous but discerning Mr. Michael Vanderbyl has done a beautiful outdoor collection for them. more. |
And what did YOU see at Neocon that tickled your fancy, in or out of The Mart? Send me an email and let me know! |
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