June 12-14, 2023:
- Stephanie Ebeyer
- Jun 23, 2023
- 3 min read
Updated: Jun 24, 2023
recap & trends
Merchandise Mart, Chicago
Fulton Market District, Chicago
While I've attended NeoCon for over 20 years, this year my approach was a bit different. Since more manufacturers now have showrooms in Fulton Market District, I split my time and spent my first day attending DesignDays, and then the following two days at NeoCon in The Merchandise Mart exploring permanent showrooms and temporary exhibits on the 7th floor. Both DesignDays and NeoCon were bustling, with a strong energy and vibe.
The recap below organizes photos by category (Furniture, Fabrics & Wallcoverings, Acoustic Products, Carpet & Flooring) and just scratches the surface for introductions based on showrooms I was able to visit. Since there are more showrooms than time in Chicago, I will continue to learn about new products by engaging with my local representatives in New York. Each category also addresses some trends.
Websites with new product introductions are hyperlinked to each manufacturer, so please click on to learn more.
Interior Design Magazine's Best of NeoCon awards and Show Daily publications highlight and summarize many of the introductions as well.
This year the messaging with regards to sustainability including carbon neutrality, social impact and human health was overarching and prevailed.
The Metropolis Sustainability Lab also served as a resource to highlight several manufacturers, while hosting events and presentations.
Since this overview is more inspirational, please contact a manufacturer prior to considering any products to confirm project compliance.
I look forward to recommending many of these new introductions and feel free to contact me at info@resourceplusdesign.com if you would like details about a particular image.
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In Good Design,
Stephanie
FURNITURE:
This year we were curious to see how the commercial furnishings market would address a hybrid workplace. Agility and flexibility remained of utmost importance to address multiple ways of working, being able to scale office furnishings as the needs of an organization change and providing personal storage amenities for an agile workplace to contribute to the office of the future.
Furniture mobility was key, and some manufacturers now offer mobile battery powered units, allowing desking systems and presentation monitors to be untethered. Furniture systems continue to be a blend of hybrid products to allow for flexibility for both collaborative as well as individual work.
Materials and color evoked a richness, and a return to a maker culture bridging a level of craft and comfort for commercial spaces. Wood details including fluting and eased rounded shapes and waterfall edges, added to this level of craft as well. The integration of greenery and plants continues to trend, to address well being in the workplace.
MillerKnoll
Herman Miller, Geiger & Datesweiser
HNI Group & Partner Brands
MOLO
Nucraft
OFS
Sandler Seating | Inspec - TheMART Showroom
InSpec | Sandler Seating | Lammhults - Fulton Market District Showroom
FABRICS | WALLCOVERINGS:
Textiles highlighting sustainability and circularity, and the elimination of PFAS chemicals dominated as well.
Ease of cleaning impacted introductions with many incorporating fibers inherently stain resistant, to eliminate using PFAS chemicals which can impact human health.
Circularity in textile development was highlighted for Cradle to Cradle status, using recycled fibers that will break down in a landfill at the end of life cycle.
Relevant third-party certifications as they apply to different rating systems, continue to be discussed as well.
ACOUSTIC PRODUCTS:
The number of manufacturers offering acoustic products continues to evolve, and many were located on the 7th floor in TheMART, as temporary exhibitors.
Impact Acoustic was a pop-up in Fulton Market District, using shipping containers to highlight installations focused on sustainability.
Differentiating factors amongst manufacturers included customization, NRC ratings and sustainability platforms.
Tech Panel
CARPET & FLOORING:
Carpet and flooring introductions highlighted each company's commitment to sustainability, social impact and human health. Carbon neutrality was a focus regarding sustainability, and social impact influenced an array of collections and related events.
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