A spring classic, The New York Tabletop Show will run from April 2-5. Since 1974, the bi-annual show has evolved into the premier destination for glassware, fine china, flatware and more.  Originally hosted at Forty One Madison, the show at one time featured 23 floors dedicated solely to tabletop accessories and decor. As always, this year’s show debuts new designs that are both contemporary and modern as well as classically inspired.

Attendees flock to the The New York Tabletop Show not only to shop & source a diverse array of products, but also for its special events. This year’s programming focuses on the ever-popular topic of flowers. A special breakfast seminar will be hosted on April 3rd, which will feature floral entrepreneur Calvert Crary. The seminar will offer insider tips on how floral arrangements can be used to boost business for retailers . Crary, who transitioned from an award-winning photographer to a successful florist with three flower shops in New York City, will offer an exclusive detailed presentation based on his own experiences. Learn how to fill your space with the smell of freshly trimmed roses, lavender, eucalyptus, and bay leaf.

Another anticipated guest is Margot Shaw, editor-in-chief of Flower magazine, who will share the story behind her career and sign copies of her book during the breakfast seminar. While working with floral designer Sybil Sylvester, Shaw realized her passion for flowers and recognized a hole in the industry: there were no publications devoted to just flowers. So she decided to start one! Taking the knowledge she learned from her former mentor, she quickly cultivated her own taste and design style and began a quarterly publication about flowers for enthusiasts like herself. As a leading magazine in its category, the demand quickly rose and due to its rising popularity, today, Flower magazine makes bi-monthly publications.

Lastly, what should be a given at any tableware show – the food! Learn from award winning chef Ryan Hardy about the arduous process of handpicking and sourcing his products for Legacy Records, one of his newest restaurants that opened last March in the Hudson Yards neighborhood of New York City!

Don’t miss out on the New York Tabletop Show and get a taste of what this year’s newest tabletop trends are!

Courtesy of Forty One Madison.

DIFFA’s signature event DINING BY DESIGN was held again this month at New York’s Pier 92 and was as bold as ever. DINING BY DESIGN is DIFFA’s annual 5 day showcase that invites designers to transform a space into a spectacular dining environment to raise awareness and grant funds to organizations that provide treatment, direct care services, preventive education programs and advocacy for individuals impacted by HIV/AIDS. With more than 12,000 attendees who work in the field of architecture, interior design, and luxury home retail, the signature event is one of the most anticipated in the season. Out of the many exhibitors, we wanted to spotlight a collaboration we did with Maiarelli Studio.

For the second time, we partnered with Maiarelli Studio to create an installation for DINING BY DESIGN. This year’s theme for the table was empathy: a topic that seems even more relevant in today’s more and more globally connected world. The installation aims to highlight the importance of reading in developing an important life-skill: empathy. In this quickly ever- evolving society, we sometimes overlook the importance of reading as we always set it aside for when we have more “free time” but books are in fact powerful tools that may help us develop the necessary skills to connect and interact with others and successfully navigate our way through this busy world.

The installation featured a table floating atop large stacks of books with eight books covering the topic of AIDS at each of the place settings around the table. From poetry to non-fiction, the books on the table cover topics that bring the reader closer to the issue of AIDS and the lives of those affected by it. Creative Director and Founder of Maiarelli Studio, Giona Maiarelli says, “Books allow us to see the world through the eyes of others and respond with empathy for those different from ourselves. They bring us into the shows of those who may at first seem dissimilar to us, and ultimately draw out our similarities. When information is consumed at lightning speed, and hate spreads faster than truth, we reaffirm the power of books.”

By enlightening our minds and widening our perspectives through the act of reading books, we can become part of a society that is more knowledgeable and more empathetic. According to DIFFA, “Combating misinformation, ignorance, and prejudice is a vital element in the fight against HIV/AIDS and DIFFA is committed to continuing its support for this important work. By combining talent, creative marketing strategies, and a national network, DIFFA has found a way to leverage the resources of the design community to improve the lives of thousands of people impacted by HIV/ AIDS.”

Keep reading and expanding your horizons!

TABLES, CHAIRS AND SOFAS returned from exhibitions, fairs and photo shoots.

March 28 – 31,  2019

Driade Outlet: via Padana Inferiore 12, Fossadello di Caorso (Pc)

A1 exit Piacenza Sud

Tel. +39 0523 818655

Mail: outlet@driade.com

The Architectural Digest Design Show, held from March 21–24 at Piers 92 & 94 in New York City, is a four-day design destination brimming with special events and extraordinary, highly-curated finds from over 400 brands in the luxury residential and hospitality worlds. Organized by sections, including FURNISH, REFRESH, MADE and SHOPS as well as special features including the AD Apartment and DIFFA’s DINING BY DESIGN, it is one of the only global design trade shows that offers designers and consumers alike access to a world where they can source, shop and see the latest the design world has to offer. 

SOURCE:

The Architectural Digest Design Show has always been a place for designers to unearth new and intriguing brands and build up a large repertoire of relationships within the luxury interiors world. The show offers exclusive brand face-time, quality craftsmanship, and customization all at designers’ fingertips. For consumers, it is a small glimpse into the world of interiors—and how designers source the unique, one-of-a-kind objects and furnishings that grace their homes.

With simply a smartphone and the Miele@mobile app, users can activate Miele’s CM7 Countertop Coffee System and start their preferred program brew from anywhere, order more beans and detergents, and check the maintenance status and available software updates all at once (Booth 255).

Miele CM7

Signature Kitchen Suite is launching its integrated column wine refrigerator series, complete with a new True Sommelier TMApp that helps wine collectors manage their personal collections. Powered by Wine Ring’s patented machine learning, this mobile app is the first smart software that learns preferences and makes wine recommendations, including food and wine pairings, based on the wines stored in the user’s cellar (Booth 293).

24-inch Wine Refrigerators by Signature Kitchen Suite

Leading the way in kitchen innovation from large-to-small appliances and all of the in between, Italian designer appliance manufacturer SMEG (Booth 347) will showcase new offerings such as their Linea Wall oven.

Linea Wall Oven by Smeg

For a pop of color in the kitchen, True Residential is launching its undercounter and full-sized refrigeration units in a vibrant Emerald hue (Booth 369).

The True Residential Glass Door “Emerald”

Brizo is unveiling the first-of-its-kind Vettis Concrete, WaterSense-labeled faucet. A single-handle faucet handcrafted by sculptor Christopher Shannon from fiber-reinforced concrete with a titrated infusion of pure charcoal will be available in a limited-edition of 500 (Booth 241).

Vettis Concrete faucet

In FURNISH, KGBL’s signature chic design tableau will include the customizable Lennox Bench this year. Designed for comfort, twin stacked cushions—one in an orange hued velvet and the other in Clementine Orange leather-are belted over walnut legs for one incredibly tailored look (Booth 101).

Lennox Bench

Peter Harrison’s Oahu is a dynamic table composed of square pieces of dyed black Sapele and industrial aluminum brackets that support a 60”-diameter tempered glass top. The most interesting aspect of the design is how it changes as one circles the piece (Booth 436).

Peter Harrison’s Elara

Woven Concepts’ UnTitledCollection, specifically the UnAssuming rug in Chianti, Peach, and Coral, recalls Japanese Shodo calligraphy and is designed by artist and founder of Design Milk, Jaime Derringer (Booth 221).

UnAssuming rug

Eidos Glass presents the new 18″ Aurum Chandelier, a hand blown deco-inspired lighting solution made with 24K Japanese Golden Foil. This chandelier like all products in the AURUM Lighting and Home Décor Collection, reflects the designers ongoing exploration of the reflective interplay between gold, light and glass.

The AURUM Chandelier

NEA Studio‘s main idea behind the Crystallized Chair was to represent an Origami. The facets of this chair catch and reflect the changing daylight like a crystal. The studio worked in collaboration with Ferra Design metal fabricators to optimize the chair’s design for efficient production processes.

Nea’s Studio Crystallized Chair

SHOP:

From custom orders to a cash-and-carry boutique of lighting, décor, gifts, tabletop accessories, objets d’art, and more, the show offers attendees opportunities to purchase the latest in design right from the show. The ever-growing SHOPS section features a wide array of items available for immediate purchase.

The Roseland Sconce from Nebraska-based lighting company Pax Lighting is inspired by the collars or discs that surround candleholders. The solid brass construction, exposed bulb with a dimmer, and the glazed terracotta offers an undeniably elegant aesthetic (M820).

Roseland by Pax Lighting

Franca, a multicultural design studio based in Brooklyn, will be offering a part of their gorgeous collection of bottles, planters, dinnerware and more (S103).

Costa Bottle by Franca

Snowe, a home shop that believes in thoughtful design will offer luxurious dinnerware—including Limoges Porcelain sets—gorgeous, user-friendly glassware, and soft-to-the-touch linens made in  Italy and Portugal (S105).

Snowe Linen Sheets

SAVED will offer throws, pillows, and blankets all handcrafted in Mongolia from fine, sustainably sourced Mongolian Yak Down, cashmere, and camel hair from Brooklyn-based designer and founder, Sean McNanney (S305).

SAVED Pillows

Nate Cotterman’s Aquila Series of lighting is designed as a modular unit that can grow into larger installations featuring multiple fixtures to create one incredible illuminating experience (M702).

Nate Cotterman

SEE:

This year’s show includes inspiring installations, special features, exhibitor events, culinary demonstrations, and more happening every day throughout the show floor. Highlights include:

EXHIBITOR EVENTS

Offering visitors a chance to interact and engage directly with leading designers, artists and brands, theshow is full of in-booth hospitality moments and special events. Designer Alexa Hampton will be on hand at The Shade Store (Booth 801) to celebrate the launch of their collaborative new collection (Thursday,11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m).

Famed British designer and artist David Harber (Booth 404) will host a series of talks throughout the show including Royal Commissions: Heritage Unveiled at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday.

James Briscione, executive chef, two-time Chopped champion, and author of The Flavor Matrix cookbook will be offering live cooking demos on the new Luxury HEARTH pizza oven from GE Monogram (Thursday & Friday, 12:00 p.m. and 3:15 p.m. at Booth 263).

Textile Designer Stevie Howell and Dada Daily will collaborate to host a special tasting of healthy snacks and superfoods (Saturday, 4:00–6:00 p.m. at Booth 137).

THE AD APARTMENT

The now iconic AD Apartment will be transformed by New York-based interior designer Sasha Bikoff to the theme of an “uptown girl living in a downtown world” spirit. Highlights include a host of visionary décor meant to spark every sense. In the kitchen, you’ll find professional-grade home appliances by Gaggenau ,state-of-the-art surfaces from Dekton by Cosentino, and Art Deco-inspired cabinetry by Danish design company Reform. Throughout the apartment, you’ll also see a stellar lineup of products and brands, including Brizo®, Calligaris, Clementine Studio, Dyson, Emtek, Lenox, Livex Lighting, Lumber Liquidators, Mayflower Wallpaper, ShimmerScreen®, Supreme Furniture Services, and Tuft & Needle. The AD Apartment is home to exciting events, including Champagne toasts with Bikoff, AD editors and AD Editor in Chief Amy Astley; baking demos from Gaggenau; a designer book signing with Jeffrey Bilhuber; and a Colavita® Olive Oil Dessert Tasting. Visit addesignshow.com for a complete schedule.

AT HOME WITH AD

An ultra-comfortable lounge located at the back of REFRESH, At Home with AD is a collaboration between The Home Depot and AD editors, inspired by the latest design trends from the Home Decorators Collection. Designed to offer attendees a serene reprieve, the space is also home to Butterfield Market and B Bar for food and beverage offerings. The space will also featurea series of special events for attendees including complimentary coffee (Friday, 10:00–11:00 a.m.); cocktails and mocktails with lifestyle influencers Christina and Robert of New Darlings (Saturday, 3:30–4:30 p.m.); and decadent treats with lifestyle blogger WillTaylor of Bright Bazaar (Sunday, 2:00–3:00 p.m.).

AD PRO

Celebrate the soon-to-be-launched, AD PRO, Architectural Digest’s members-only platform featuring exclusive news, trade tools, services and special events created specifically for design industry professionals. A subscription-based platform, AD PRO’s private members will have unlimited access to daily,real-time content created by AD editors, industry insiders, and next-gen design stars. Dacor, a leading American luxury home appliance brand, will be the founding sponsor and early sign-up is available to AD Design Show attendees. Click here for a complete schedule of events.

General Admission tickets Friday through Sunday are available for $32 online or $45 at the door. VIP Consumer tickets on Thursday are available for $95. Admission is complimentary to the design trade with two forms of business credentials via online pre-registration. To purchase tickets, visit ADDesignShow.com. A portion of the proceeds from all ticket sales benefits Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS (DIFFA). To learn more about DIFFA, visit DIFFA.org.

New Yorkers pay nearly $35 billion annually for electricity and heating fuels, and buildings account for 59% of the state’s greenhouse gas emissions. Every year, approximately 100 million square footage of construction is built in New York State and once the construction of a building is complete, it becomes difficult and costly to implement energy and carbon-reducing measures. To advance the design, construction and operation of low-or-zero carbon emitting buildings, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo launched the $30 million “Buildings of Excellence” Competition. The competition, administered by NYSERDA (New York State Energy Research & Development Authority) is part of Governor Cuomo’s goal to transform New York’s entire building stock as part of his nation-leading Green New Deal, a clean energy and jobs agenda that puts New York State on a path to a carbon-free economy. It also supports the State’s goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030.

“The time for addressing climate change is now and today we are doubling down on our commitment to lead the way with a revolutionary path toward carbon-free buildings,” Governor Cuomo said. “The development of low- to zero-carbon buildings will create healthier living spaces and communities for all New Yorkers, while driving down harmful emissions from one of our highest contributing sectors – our building stock – and pushing us forward on our path to carbon neutrality.”

“We have established aggressive clean energy goals in New York State, and this competition will continue our efforts to advance carbon neutrality,” said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul. “This significant investment will support the construction of carbon-free buildings that are affordable for all New Yorkers. The initiative complements the Green New Deal, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and combatting climate change for a cleaner and greener environment for future generations.”

The Competition will recognize and offer selected projects with financial incentives that demonstrate cost-effectiveness as well as low-carbon emissions and provide healthy affordable spaces for New Yorkers. The Competition will also demonstrate how low-carbon buildings can be profitable, attractive and affordable and how eventually, advanced building design can be implemented into the New York State Energy Conservation and Construction Code.

Alicia Barton, President and CEO, NYSERDA said, “New York’s transition to a carbon-free economy under Governor Cuomo’s Green New Deal means taking bold steps today that will provide great rewards tomorrow for all New Yorkers. Launching the Buildings of Excellence competition is setting a new bar for buildings throughout the state, and providing the support needed to recognize and advance solutions that will help building owners achieve a low- or net-zero status that delivers environmental and health benefits, reduces energy costs, and provides safe, comfortable spaces for all residents and users.”

The competition will include three rounds in which each round will provide up to $10 million, with up to $1 million per project. The first round is focused on multi-family buildings and applications are being accepted through June 4, 2019. Projects must be located in one of the six electric investor-owned New York State utility company territories. Projects can be for new construction or renewal projects. And the buildings can be mixed use as long as at least 50% of the building is for housing. Projects must use design and construction methods that are easily replicable by other professionals for future projects.

Buildings of Excellence Launch on March 6, 2019 at the Building Energy Exchange in New York City. Courtesy of Philip Kamrass/ New York Power Authority.

ASID has partnered with Herman Miller and NeoCon to bring to you the very first Outcome of Design Conference, to complement the Society’s new Outcome of Design Awards. The Outcome of Design Awards is a new initiative that aims to identify and applaud projects that go beyond just the aspect of design and aesthetics, but extend into how the outcome impacts the lives of its occupants through data-driven results.

The Conference will be held at theMart in Chicago on March 21-22, 2019. Over the course of two days, the Conference will offer curated programming, resources, and networking opportunities to help those in the field take on a new lens and to be able to see the profession and realize how it impacts the human experience.

Randy Fiser, CEO of ASID comments, “Projects that measure the outcome of design on the human experience through sustainable, humancentric, and socially responsible design solutions represent the core values of our profession. We’re thrilled to celebrate the designers and clients that exemplify this philosophy and explore a range of programming that helps spread the word. We’re confident that the Outcome of Design Conference will become a key event for designers everywhere looking to make a difference and an impact with their work.”

Doreen Lorenzo, M.A., assistant dean of the School of Design and Creative Technologies will offer the keynote, “Preparing Future Generations to Influence Corporate Culture”. Then the Conference will dive into sessions about technology, professional practice, and design education. And finally the finalists for the Outcome of Design Award will be announced. The award-winning projects, which have been carefully chosen based on the criteria of detail to design, occupant experience, and measurable evidence on research-based outcomes, will each be closely discussed to examine their individual successes and the unique processes that led to each success.

The speakers for the Conference include:

Doreen Lorenzo is a successful leader in the field. Not only is she the clinical professor of Design and Future and the director of the Center for Integrated Design at the University of Texas-Austin, but she is also constantly active in the field as she is the co-founder of mobile video company Vidlet, a board member and advisor to several startups, and even a columnist for Fast Company and Medium. Lorenzo has also advised many Fortune 100 companies for decades on design and innovation ideas. And she is well-recognized for her particular leadership style which she often speaks publicly about: the power of empathy to drive business. Speaking through her own experience, she motivates people to understand the power of oftentimes overlooked skills and she motivates people as a successful leader in a mostly male-dominated industry.

Kate Lister is the president of Global Workplace Analytics, a firm that helps businesses, organizations, and communities measure and communicate the business case for workplace change. Lister is a highly-sought after speaker and has co-authored  three business books, contributed two chapters to two others, and written a number of articles for major media outlets. Her firm’s research has also been cited in hundreds of noteworthy publications including the Harvard Business Review, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Washington Post.

Sandra Leigh Lester is the founder and CEO of Affecting Change. She is also is a visionary and award-winning consultant who speaks about high-performance building design. For decades, Lester studied how building and investing in better buildings helps organizations in the long run to achieve more profit and better operations. Today, she leads lectors on her findings and inspires businesses to take on these initiatives.

Fred Marks is currently a visiting scholar and research collaborator at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in California. He is also the President of the Academy of Neuroscience for Architecture. In the past, he worked as a legislative assistant to the U.S. House of Representatives Environment Committee under Congressman Morris K. Udall. He holds degrees in architecture and business administration with a major in real estate and urban and economics, and has been a licensed architect for over 25 years and has speciality in planning and designing healthcare and laboratory facilities.

Avinash Rajagopal is the editor-in-chief of Metropolis magazine. As an expert on product and interior design in the new digital age, he frequently speaks at major industry events. He is the author of Hacking Design and has contributed to many volumes on architecture and design including Adhocracy, Making Africa, and Atlas of Furniture Design. Rajagopal also gives lectures on the history of design and writing at many institutions like the School of Visual Arts, New York, the University of Texas-Austin, and the National Institute of Design, India.

Joseph White is the Director of Workplace Strategy, Design, and Management at Herman Miller. He has certifications in NCIDQ, IDEX California, and LEED, and has worked as a certified interior designer in New York City and San Francisco. White has worked with a large range of clients on planning strategies for the future of work.

Byron Morton is the Vice President of Leasing and is responsible for the NeoCon and Casual Market showrooms at theMart. He works closely with marketing teams and furnishings industries. He brings with him expertise in many fields as he has a diverse portfolio including sales, product development, product management, marketing communications, trade show management, and sales training.

Randy Fiser is the CEO of the American Society of Interior Designers. In his role, he oversees the Society’s strategic planning, financial management, and national operations for the organization’s more than 26,000 members. He leads the network of 46 ASID chapters throughout the United States and Canada.

Today is Valentine’s Day, so we would like to give a V-Day shoutout to our favorite design eye candy: the Vandal Gummy Bear, an extraordinary 14-foot gummy bear sculpture designed by design-build firm D. Flatt and street prodigy WhIsBe. Go big and bold this Valentine’s day with this over-the-top sculpture that is sure to satisfy your sugar cravings for the entire month of February. D.Flatt and WhIsBe partnered on an exquisitely unique art installation for the “I-Robot” themed Burning Man Festival that occurred last August. WhIsBe is known for his experimental and contemporary art pieces that spark deliberative dialogue and provide a sense of refined socio-awareness. His Vandal Gummy sculptures are one of his more notorious creations that evokes a certain juxtaposition between an innocent candy staple and an image of a prisoner that forces the viewer to question the very institutions that surround them. D.Flatt believed that this was a message that deserved to be blown up into a massive and expressionary piece of artwork.

D.Flatt’s knowledge and experience in retail, custom exhibits, trade show productions and displays, along with their 10,000 sq ft. workshop, made them the perfect and only collaborator who could transform WhIsBe’s vision into a reality. As a team, they were able to produce a 14-foot, larger-than-life Vandal Gummy sculpture that was flown across the country from New York to Nevada to be constructed into the free standing art installation that it came to be. D.Flatt knew that it had to be manufactured in a more efficient manner that would allow the artwork to be lighter. Thus, they engineered the bear with less exterior plywood and other heavy-weight materials making the Burning Man endeavor achievable. Ask your loved one, “Wood you be my Valentine?” And together, watch the entire journey of the specialty Vandal Gummy documented in a visionary video, Vandal Gummy + Burning Man as you and your loved one enjoy a beary special Valentine.

As the new year begins, many of us find ourselves with new resolutions. Whether they’re to better yourself or to help others, there’s one thing that most people can agree on: we want to do something new. If that desire for new brings you abroad, then we hope your feet are firmly planted in Germany right now for the 2019 edition of IMM Cologne. The first trade show of the calendar year, IMM Cologne is home to countless new designers, trends and ideas, and has recently become a hub for new ideas and inspired ways of approaching and thinking about interior design. Opening today for curious visitors and running through January 20th at Koelnmesse Hall in Cologne, Germany, the design fair hosts more than 1,200 exhibitors from approximately 50 different countries, all guaranteed to impress. The show itself is split into six “worlds”: comfort, sleep, smart, pure, prime, and global lifestyles. Each of the worlds has a specific list of products that will be on display in the area, making the show easy to navigate and approachable to everyone, no matter your level of expertise.

Photo courtesy of IMM Cologne.

One of the most well known and exciting areas of IMM Cologne is the annual “Das Haus — Interiors on Stage” installation. Each year during the show, a section of the exhibition hall is created by a selected designer or architect to look like a residential house, made to reflect their personal idea of an ideal living space. This year, Australian design team Truly Truly, made up of husband and wife Joel and Kate Booy, was selected to curate the eighth version of Das Haus. Rejecting the idea of the typical functions of certain rooms, Truly Truly created a space that feels completely organic. 2019’s Das Haus is undoubtedly on the forefront of upcoming trends; both designers have said that they want the space to be open to interpretation, even ambiguous. IMM Cologne creative director Dick Spierenburg has called it a “must see”. The installation itself can be found in the Pure Editions area of the show, and is already attracting a huge amount of attention during the show.

Image courtesy of IMM Cologne.

IMM Cologne is also offering countless other experiences, including guided tours of the exhibition hall highlighting the newest interior design trends, as well as numerous presentations by designers, architects and journalists. Also being presented is the 16th annual Pure Talents Contest, a well known and highly exclusive competition for promising young designers. As one of the most well known design contests for recent college graduates, each one of the designers selected is tasked with presenting a product that will be exhibited and later assessed. Judged by a panel of design experts, this competition allows young designers to get a foot in the door of the international interior design world, as well as allowing visitors a glimpse of new and exciting trends.

Image courtesy of IMM Cologne.

Consistently on the cusp of new trends and exciting innovations, IMM Cologne 2019 will surely not disappoint those looking for something new and exciting out of the design community!

While we often find ourselves daydreaming about Paris, this time we have an actual excuse as Maison et Objet opens its doors in just a few days. Running January 18 through January 22 at the Paris Nord Villepinte Exhibition Centre, Maison et Objet is one of the leading design trade shows worldwide. Showcasing 3,000 unique exhibitors, 600 of which are new brands, and their work, it covers all aspects of the living space, from furniture to fragrance. With this year’s theme, “Excuse My French!”, Maison et Objet Paris allows attendees to, once again, “discover the unexpected”.

Trade Shows are never easy to navigate – especially ones with so much to see. This year, the show will split up into sectors for the first time (categorized by “Maison” and “Objet”) to help ease the traffic of the 90,000 annual visitors.  “Maison” will display decoration and home interiors, while “Objet” will more act as a retail space, showing individual objects and accessories for sale. These separate divisions will allow for a more organized, easy to navigate show, while providing attendees with an “Á La Carte” approach to the exhibitors and displays.

Maison et Objet is also embracing new exhibitors and designers throughout the show. New and featured exhibitor Livingthings looks to create modernized versions of typical home staples that evoke emotion in the people using them. Using just ceramic, wood and cork, Livingthings creates small items, like flower pots, with the intention of standing out. Other new exhibitors range from Mybeewrap, an eco friendly alternative to plastic wrap, to Paulina Okurowska, an artist specializing in sculpture made from slate.

Photo courtesy of Livingthings

Photo courtesy of Mybeewrap

Photo courtesy of Paulina Okurowska

This year, Maison et Objet is also presenting 60 new speakers, all coming to the table with varied experience and expertise. Several sessions will explore the social media for business such as “To win over and build customer loyalty on Instagram” and “How to optimize publicity on Facebook and Google in 2019”, while others focus on topics like the marketing of perfume and floral design. One panel, made up of young Chinese designers will consider the impact of technological development and the rise of artificial intelligence on the world of design in the panel “Rising Talents China: a new generation of designers”. Highlighting six designers from China, all relatively early in their career, the panel will show how each speaker expresses themself in a rapidly changing design environment.

One of the most highly anticipated parts of the show is the presentation of the Designer of the Year Award. This year, the honor has been bestowed upon Sebastian Herkner. Described as having “innovative yet traditional” work, the German designer has been the recipient of numerous awards over his career. Herkner will be presenting, as well as unveiling a collection of his most recent creations at Maison et Objet, giving us even more to look forward to. Another major award is the Rising Talent award, which this year is presented to six Chinese designers.  This award follows past editions, featuring designers from the United Kingdom, Italy, and Lebanon, and the Maison et Objet will showcase work by the Rising Talents in the Exhibition center.

Photo courtesy of Maison et Objet

With the new layout of the trade show, as well as the introduction of new exhibitors and speakers, we’re excited to see what Maison et Objet January 2019 has to offer!

What’s happening at the most influential technological event of the year? A New Year translates to new ideas at CES which breaks planetary boundaries on what consumers thought was possible. With over 180,000 guests representing over 150 countries business is at the center of this event with over 4,500 companies launching products on the global market. Innovation meets opportunity with manufacturers, developers, and suppliers building strong relationships amongst each other. This combination is a recipe for success for any product launch like Black Box VR which increased its following by almost 50% after CES. This year product categories range from AR/VR and gaming, sleep tech, smart cities, and design & source showcase.

Photo by Chris Welch / The Verge

TV’s stole the show during the pre-show announcements with TVs you can roll up, talk to, and TVs bigger than the modern home wall. Apple was included as part of TV launches as most of these modern TVs will now include airplay as Apple transitions to becoming more accessible in the living room with the pending launch of their video streaming service. Las Vegas is known for its extravagance, and this show does not fall short of technological indulgence. An exciting upgrade on AR/VR technology includes mixing both technological medians to create XR which can capture 180-degree stereo image as well as 360-degree video. Other hot new items for the year include solar charging watches, monitor arms, and shoes that alert you against falls.

Photo courtesy of Wired

Photo courtesy of Wired

Furry friends aren’t left behind with the latest device allowing consumers to track their location and environmental conditions which makes moments like flying much less frightening for owners and their pets.

Photo courtesy of Wired

Cars made a splash on day 1 like BMW  with its self-riding motorcycle that left looked like something out of a fictional movie. Ford also took the spotlight with with cars that communicate with traffic, pedestrians, and road signs. Google also played with cars by building an interactive ride to mirror the message that life can take twists and turns but with google assistant is always there for your everyday needs whether it be in the kitchen, living room or on the road #HeyGoogle

Photo courtesy of Ford

There are also products that strive to build a sustainable tomorrow like smart gardens that use LED lights, wifi, and an app to facilitate any environmental enthusiast to grow super plants anywhere they go.

Photo courtesy of EDN Tech

The other S word on everyone’s mind, security is one of the highlights of CES with a range of products that track everything from video doorbells to baby video monitors with breath detection. The number 1 camera robot company Amaryllo International B.V. is releasing atom AR4 and AR5 which will be a step up to their already captivating security systems.

Business just got smarter with Prevision.io  which uses AI to create powerful predictive models for smart applications within minutes. Companies like Continental, Chanel, and netseengery are already using their services.

And that’s a wrap! Only time will tell how these breakthrough technologies change the reality we experience.