Along With Some Darn Good Lamps, Dwell’s Marketing Associate Saw the Future at ICFF

To say that there’s a lot to see at ICFF is an understatement. North America’s largest furniture fair nearly fills the Jacob Javits Convention Center floor, packing in hundreds of designers and their newest and most enticing objects. It’s a sight to see, and somewhat of a pain to navigate, so I did it for you. If you’re ready, let’s get into it.

Let’s start at the beginning—historically. Even if you don’t know it, you’ve probably seen Rarify’s work. The online retailer of rare vintage furniture and contemporary designs has gained traction through their digestible, brief-history-of-an-object videos. This year, they brought that expertise to ICFF with a collection of furniture that follows how metal—particularly chrome—has permeated design from the early 20th century until now. It’s the perfect starting point for a furniture fair all about cutting-edge design, providing a sense of history that contextualizes the rest of the exhibitors.

Rarify wasn’t alone in highlighting historical icons and novel iterations of them. Sawyer Made has whittled down a name for itself by perfecting the Windsor style. A traditional English craft, Windsor furniture follows a simple formula: a solid wood seat with dowels that create the legs and back support. What isn’t so simple is what Sawyer Made is doing with the form, modernizing it with subtle interventions, like an arm rest that becomes a shared table between two benches—an energizing take on a traditional conversation chair. The woodwork is impeccable, but it’s the innovation that’s really impressive.