CHICAGO — Commercial design show NeoCon kicked off at The Mart in Chicago on Monday, offering a glimpse into what’s coming in the built environment, including several new sustainable options in fabric and wallcoverings.
Bernhardt returned to NeoCon this year with a big outdoor furniture launch from longtime collaborator Cory Grosser. After a successful preview at ICFF, the Sunset Collection moves to Chicago. Drawing on the retro glamour of California’s Sunset Strip, the modular seating series blends vintage cues with a modern sensibility.
Blu Dot is back in Chicago with its signature “Showboat”— a floating showroom on the Chicago River. Part exhibit, part experience and part celebration, the Showboat featured Blu Dot’s latest contract-grade furniture and lighting, including best-sellers, new launches, and expanded upholstery options through its made-to-order program.
Hyphen is introducing what it claims is the first biodegradable performance vinyl. It is engineered with a patented enzyme system and proprietary resin formulation that has commercial-grade durability and can biodegrade over 90% within two years in landfill conditions, according to the company.
First-time exhibitor The Good Plastic Company is showcasing Growth, its newest Polygood surface collection created in collaboration with Gensler. Mimicking nature’s artistry and regenerative cycle, this fully circular, water-resistant, lightweight material made from 100% recycled and recyclable plastic is now Declare Label certified.
Momentum Textiles & Wallcovering‘s designed its showroom as an immersive, multisensory experience centered around wellness, and is launching the Renaturation collection, a biophilic wallcovering line the company says is scientifically proven to reduce stress, through fractal design motifs, for example. It also has a sustainability-focused collection of textiles and wallcoverings and is offering a sneak peek of an acoustic collection made from natural cork that officially launches this fall.
Behr unveiled its commercial color forecast at the show, 50 forward-looking hues aimed at designers working on hospitality, workplace, healthcare and other commercial projects. The collection focuses on what it calls “elemental harmony,” balancing nature, nostalgia and technology for spaces that are grounded yet innovative.
The sub-palettes are:
- EVOLVEDNeutrals: Foundational neutrals that exude balance and harmony
- SOULScape: Soulful vibrations with moody appeal
- MYSTICWave: Soothing tones for well-being and comfort
- METROChic: Classic elegance with a refined, modern flair
- FUSIONDream: A striking blend of edgy allure
Behr also assembled its first-ever Designer Council, a mix of commercial and residential designers from across the country, “selected for their distinct perspectives and influence across the industry,” according to Behr. Throughout the year, council members will share insights that support Behr’s growing role in the commercial design space.
The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) will host a number of presentations during the show, which runs through Wednesday:
- Presented by ASID, Design as an Attitude, the keynote presentation featuring Alice Rawsthorn, author of Design as an Attitude and cofounder of the Design Emergency podcast, outlines her vision of design as an eclectic, open-ended agent of change.
- Brain Works in the Workplace: Decoding Neurodiversity presented in partnership with BIFMA, and moderated by Dr. Tracy Brower, VP of Workplace Insights, Steelcase, will delve into neurodiversity’s role within office environments.
- Co-Creating Spaces of Inclusivity and Connectivity with ASIDx10 Collective, a panel discussion between interior designers and industry partners, highlights relevant topics within the A&D community.
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