We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs.
From the massive International Contemporary Furniture Fair to countless designer showcases, May in New York is a whirlwind of artful exhibitions, exciting new launches, and inspiring interiors—basically, it’s a design lover’s favorite time of year. Team Domino canvased the city to hit as many NYCxDesign events as possible to spot the latest trends and get some serious inspiration for the year ahead. Here’s what we can’t stop thinking about. (Spoiler:
is here to stay, and fat forms are oh so in.)
Sight Unseen Offsite always stuns, and this year was no exception. Several of our favorite pieces came from the show, where cross-disciplinary collaboration was the focus—designers were paired with a brand outside of the industry. One standout showcase? The desert-hued display featuring new rugs by Cold Picnic and funky totem-esque lamps by Giselle Hicks and Moving Mountains for Levi’s Made and Crafted.
I would happily live in this space (it’s also the only thing I Instagrammed during design week), and digital photo editor Lahaina Alcantara is equally smitten. “The rust-creme-blush combo is really striking a chord with my deep Southwestern roots.”
Colony’s exhibition, called Balance / Unbalance, featured some standout textiles, including this stunner of a rug by Grain. Handmade with undyed Canadian wool, the natural colors pull from that same desert-inspired palette that we’re currently loving.
Style editor Elaina Sullivan also loved the new rug collection from perennial favorite CC Tapis. Designed by by Bethan Laura Wood, the designs were first released at Salone del Mobile in Milan.
At ICFF, which brings more than 700 brands and designers together, statement lighting caught the attention of contributing writer Jenny Nguyen.
“Rosie Li, the Brooklyn-based Chinese-American designer launched her new Inez collection of lights inspired by the forests of Yucatán,” says Nguyen of one of her favorite pieces, “which you can see in its structural folds of the fan palm.” Alcantara, digging the desert vibes, also loved this design.
“Melbourne-based design studio Articolo upped the ante in their sophomore year at ICFF,” says Nguyen. “They released a host of new collections from luxe table lamps to mouth-blown glass pendants and sconces. My favorite was this new Trilogy Pendant in in brass and effervescent glass balls.”
“Brooklyn design duo AlexAllen Studio knew they were onto a good thing with their Chord collection of lights,” notes Nguyen. “This year they extended the collection to include Chord Cluster, the chandelier for minimalists.”
Another lighting feature that caught Nguyen’s eye? Australian designer Ross Gardam‘s collection of Nebulae lights that diffuse LED light through textured glass discs.
Elegant is the only way to describe the Otéro hanging lighting fixture by Montreal-based studio Larose Guyon. Nguyen notes that it’s “reminiscent of a pair of beautiful earrings” and “brings romance into any room.”
Editor-in-chief Jessica Romm loved the pop-up installation at Anthom created by Jenny Kaplan in collaboration with loungewear brand Dim Sum. Up through the end of the month, it features a variety tables from Kaplan’s line Pieces Home, against a perfectly Instagrammable pink-and-white background.
The designer-led showcase Next Level—curated by Asher Israelow Studio, Patrick Weder Design, Hart textiles, Here Projects, and Eskayel—brought together a new works from a variety of creatives, but there was one piece in particular that stood out. I was instantly drawn to Kin and Company’s thin steel stools. The sparkly purple and iridescent pearly blue is an irresistible combination. Plus, I love that you could use it as a seat, table, or display piece.
Sight Unseen co-founder Monica Khemsurov called oversized forms as one of the top trends this year, and style editor Elaina Sullivan is here for it. Her favorite pieces were the chubby lamps and Neotectnic Lounge chair by Jumbo NYC, on display at Offsite.
Style director Kate Berry’s favorite collaboration came in the form of children’s furniture at ICFF: Kinder Modern took Mexa’s classic outdoor furniture line and made it miniature. The playful line features four pieces: a play tent, rocking planters in multiple sizes and colors, a sculptural outdoor chaise bench, and individual rockers.
Executive editor Alex Redgrave’s top pick was the rope lighting by Luke Lamp Co. “I would install just like rope: hanging from ceiling and coiled on the floor,” she says.
See more inspiring new trends:
We’re Calling It: This Is the Color of Summer The Runway Color Trend Your Home Will Be Craving This Summer 5 Home Design Trends You Need to Know