September 2009: Volume 6, Issue 1
The Accent on Design® Awards
These awards recognized standout creativity and ingenuity in product design. Criteria included innovation, function, originality and design. Judges were: Miguel Calvo, Design & Research; David Alhadeff, The Future Perfect; David Reid and James Klein, KleinReid; Jamie Gray, Matter; and Ilene Shaw, Shaw + Co! Productions.
Pendulum Door Knocker by DESU DESIGN™
Winner – Excellence in Product Design
Showing traditional knockers to the door, this striking version blends minimalist sculpture with utility. Brooklyn-based designer David Scott created this modern piece with a living finish bronze which will gracefully patina over time. www.desudesign.com
Family Chairs by Design House Stockholm
Winner – Excellence in Product Design
Just like our own families are comprised by individuals with different personalities, so too is this family of traditional Swedish stickback chairs in four different designs. Lina Nordqvist designed each to work on its own, or as a set. Made from beech wood, they’re available in natural wood and in a black-lacquered version. www.designhousestockholm.com
ANYTHING Collection by neo-utility
Winner – Best Overall Collection
Brooklyn-based neo-utility promotes products which are inherently useful, but also approach design in a new and dynamic way. Owner Kip Kotzen represents modern designers and products such as Artek, Seletti, Very Good & Proper and the Boskke Sky Planter. The company’s curatorial choices are utilitarian, with an uplifting approach. www.neo-utility.com
The Accent on Design "Bloggers' Choice" Awards
Leading design bloggers each selected one Accent on Design product deemed most “urgent, odd and delightfully designed” with potential to be the “next big thing.”
Ceramic Speakers by Joey Roth
Emerging designer Joey Roth uses uncomplicated materials to create attractive everyday products. These ceramic stereo speakers, for example, apply an inventive design to a ubiquitous home audio product. The 4" full-range drivers and T-class amplifier, encased in porcelain and cork, create a simple path from source to ear. Selected by Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan of Apartment Therapy. www.joeyroth.com
Aqua Infant by esque studio
Inspired by an infomercial, designer and glassblower Andi Kovel took the function of a plant watering globe and married it with a creepily beautiful aesthetic. The result is a handcrafted accessory with a modern look and a useful purpose. Selected by Ami Kealoha & Tim Yu of Coolhunting. www.esque-studio.com
Candle Cube and Bird Feeder Chocolate Box by Vanishing Creatures Chocolates
These organic artisanal chocolates take the shape of an endangered animal – polar bear, koala, elephant, hippo and gorilla – and the packaging repurposes into either a candle holder or bird feeder. A present in itself, the packaging is a sterling example of creative reuse. Selected by Jasmin Malik Chua of Treehugger and Heather Clawson of Habitually Chic. www.vanishingcreatureschocolate.com
Boskke Sky Planter by neo-utility
Gravity-defying gardening comes to earth with this planter, which is suspended from a ceiling or wall-mount. The ceramic planter locks the plant and soil into place, and waters via a hidden reservoir. Everyday houseplants are transformed into striking design elements in a decorative container ideal for small living spaces and modern décor schemes. Selected by Stephanie Murg of Unbeige. www.neo-utility.com
EX•TRACTS® Best New Product Awards
Criteria fror these awards include: innovative design; creative use of materials/construction; and use of new materials/technology. Judges were: Marianne Dougherty, Editor in Chief, American Salon; Ashley Trent, Associate Editor, Giftware News; Caroline Kennedy, Editor in Chief, Gifts & Decorative Accessories; Patricia Norins, CEO/Publisher, GIFT SHOP; and Nancy Jeffries, Contributing Editor, HAPPI.
Botanika Collection by DayNa Decker
Winner – Best of Show
This buzz-worthy luxury collection of candles, diffusers, parfum and bath and body products is new to NYIGF. DayNa Decker utilizes patented technologies, a mastery of perfumery and ingredients derived from nature to create five lines of unique scent blends – Indigo, Leila, Sierra, Viva, and Yasmin. www.daynadecker.com
Bath Truffles by Earthworks Products
Winner – Bath & Body Cataegory
Bath time becomes more indulgent with these luxurious handmade truffles, packaged in boxes of six, in 12 intriguing scents, from African Jasmine to Seringa Blossom. The slow-melting truffles are infused with natural oils, shea and cocoa butters to moisturize the skin. www.earthworksproducts.com
Green Walnut Masque by Warren Tricomi Haircare
Winner – Beauty Accessory Category
Healthier hair is only 10-minutes away. This masque transports the therapeutic properties of green walnut and hydrolyzed protein polymer to the hair via nano-technology. It works on all hair types and complements the rest of Tricomi’s “Repair” line. www.warrentricomi.com
Cette Nuit La by Fragonard Parfumeur
Winner – Cosmetic & Fragrance Category
This rich, complex scent reflects a level of sophistication in perfume making which comes naturally to Fragonard, a fourth-generation family business based in the French Riviera. Cette Nuit La is a warm, oriental fragrance combining notes from both the amber and leather perfume families. The packaging is an opulent, yet organic, drawstring pouch. www.fragonard.com
Ylang Noir Dry Oil Mist by Compagnie de Provence
Winner – Natural/Organic Category
Inspired by the sumptuous gardens of Borneo and Darjeeling, the newest all-natural "Noir" product line from Compagnie de Provence is exclusively composed of exotic ingredients like black orchid extract and black sesame oil. This moisturizing oil mist for the body dries to leave a satin glow and delicate scent on the skin. www.lcdpmarseille-usa.com
Garden + Forest Infusions Candles by Tatine
Winner – Packaging Category
This artisanal candle studio is building a reputation for its fine handmade soy candles, hand-poured by owner Margo Breznik. The Garden + Forest Infusions line features 12 unique scents (Green tea + Rhubarb, Bitter Orange + Lavender), and each candle comes in a flea market lab glass made from 40% recycled materials, and an FSC-certified woodgrain box with vintage letterpress printing. www.tatinecandles.com
Home Textiles Market Week® Best New Product Awards
These awards were based on several criteria, including: innovation in design; creative use of materials/construction; and new fiber, material or technology. Judges were: Jennifer Marks, Editor-in-Chief, Home Textiles Today; Wanda Jankowski, Editor-in-Chief, LDB; David Gill, Senior Editor, HFN; Jenny Heinzen York, Editor-in-Chief, Home Accents Today; Pamela Graves, Editor-in-Chief, Home Fashion & Furniture Trends; and Katherine Nelson, Senior Market Editor, Metropolitan Home.
Green Bamboo Outdoor Pillow by V Rugs & Home
Winner – Best of Market
A touch of tropical keeps it casual on this ample-yet-portable outdoor cushion made of 91% linen and 9% poly from flax. The bamboo print represents the sustainable use of green materials, including real bamboo handles. V Rugs & Home creates home accessories reflecting the fresh, modern vibe of the owners’ Miami home. For information, contact admin@vrugsandhome.com.
Cartouche Quilt by Plover Organic
Winner – Bed Category
The style-conscious home can also be earth-conscious, with the addition of this 100% organic cotton quilt in a funky block-print. Hand crafted with high-quality cotton free of pesticides, herbicides or other cytotoxins, Plover’s quilts mix and match with other bedding in four coordinating color stories. www.ploverorganic.com
Alexa Kimono by Libeco-Lagae
Winner – Bath Category
With its 150-year history of weaving flax into fine 100% Belgian linen, Libeco-Lagae continues to present new uses for this ecological yet comfortable textile. Alexa, the most recent addition to its loungewear line, is offered in a range of earth tones. www.libeco.com
Golden Jubilee Tablecloth and Napkin by Lintex
Winner – Dining Category
Lintex, a 40+ year veteran of table linens, has introduced this vivid pattern of floral and swirls in four different, muted colors on a white background. With thoughtful details like hemmed edges and mitred corners, the pattern is available in a range of standard sizes. www.espalma.com
Zipper Rug by Dash & Albert
Winner – Home Accessories Category
With its eye-catching zipper pattern, this rug is made from a refined wool-and-jute fiber blend using a hand loomed flat weave, resulting in a durable and practical under-foot accessory. It’s available in a range of dimensions, from 2.5’x8’ to 5’x8’, in colors like slate, terracotta, pink, sable and chocolate. www.dashandalbert.com
The New York International Gift Fair is owned and managed by GLM®.
Register to attend, or apply to exhibit, at www.nyigf.com.