Lauren Brant
Staff writer Lauren Brant shares her takeaways from ICFF 2026.
Standout moments, materials, and product ideas I kept coming back to during my time at ICFF in New York.
Courtesy of Mokum
Papeete is an abstract foliage pattern, part of the Soleil Voyage collection.
Courtesy of Whitney Brothers
outdoorED Big and Wide Table with rocks and toys inside.
Courtesy of Flos
The Bellhop Unplugged is a rechargeable LED table lamp now designed for indoor and outdoor use.
Courtesy of Robert Deitchler | Gensler
Worker in glass-walled office that shows the continuity of Dreamwall displays in the corridor
I Hear Design
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Learning Resources

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Unlock the future of commercial real estate with our eBook, "Smart Buildings: The Future of Connectivity in CRE." Discover how cutting-edge technology can transform your facilities...
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This digital resource offers expert advice on design approaches and amenities that are reshaping the workplace.
Courtesy of Ghent
Outdoor meeting spaces are becoming more popular because of the many benefits they provide for occupants.
The science behind the positive impacts of outdoor work and meeting spaces.
Courtesy of Colliers Capital Markets
SGA conceptualized creative and unique solutions for a residential conversion of a 1972 office tower in Manhattan.
With a surplus of vacant office space, conversions seem to be the logical next step. But do they work and are they viable? This white paper aims to answer those questions and ...

Podcast

Videos

Walking the Floor at ICFF 2026
Get a snapshot of the 2026 ICFF at the Javits Center, highlighting the dynamic displays, innovative products, and industry trends that defined this year's showcase.
May 26, 2026
A Look at the New Walmart Home Office
Gensler led the design and execution of this next-generation campus, blending sustainable architecture with functional spaces that attract talent and demonstrate Walmart's dedication...
Feb. 20, 2026

Design Innovation

427957518 © BiancoBlue | Dreamstime.com
Interior design materials samples, sketches, and models under review
ASID Student Portfolio Review jurors explain why standout portfolios need to show process, material strategy, technical thinking, and professional readiness.
May 27, 2026
Image courtesy of Shaw Contract
Woman wearing orange framed glasses lays on her stomach on patterned carpeting, while working on a vintage typewriter
interiors+sources previews NeoCon, Fulton Market, and showroom launches that connect materiality, performance, wellness, and flexibility.
May 27, 2026
Adobe stock image via Adobe Express
Female interior designer studies schematics and renderings on a computer
The most important discoveries during Chicago Design Week may not be the newest products, but the questions designers ask about what those products are made of.
May 26, 2026
Photography by Zack Benson
Sleek table lamps on the bar counter and standing floral-shaped lamps that arch over booth seating create intimate layers of light while enhancing the sophisticated design narrative.
Through Fleurette, Studio UNLTD shows how light, sound, sequencing, materiality and service flow can support a restaurant’s brand story and shape the guest experience.
May 26, 2026

Sustainable Practices

Photography by Gillian Fry | © Gensler
Main floor view of Reverb multi-purpose zone for co-working and performances
Inside the adaptive reuse of a historic Morton Salt building, Reverb’s new Salt Shed headquarters turns music, workplace, and local identity into one connected design story.
May 26, 2026
Courtesy of ASID | © Eric Laignel
Woman standing in front of material samples shelving in ASID materials library.
I Hear Design
Kenn Busch and Jon Strassner preview Destination NeoCon and the ReWritten pop-up, exploring why materiality, circularity, embodied carbon and better sustainability storytelling...
May 11, 2026
Image courtesy of Fantoni
An open workspace has wood-look laminate shelves acting as dividers between long worktables with a window to interior courtyard
At Salone del Mobile, Kenn Busch finds a deeper sustainability story in Fantoni’s recycled wood systems, vertical integration, and long-running material recovery model.
May 5, 2026
Courtesy of Giorgio Pasini | Getty Images
Hand holding a glass orb with tall building covered in green plants.
I Hear Design
In this Earth Month episode of I Hear Design, host Robert Nieminen examines the widening gap between sustainability rhetoric and building performance—exploring why resilience,...
April 27, 2026

Holistic Interior Design

Image courtesy of ArtLifting
Top graphic contains a gallery wall image of vibrant artworks
ArtLifting connects artists with disabilities to workplaces and public-facing spaces, expanding visibility, income, and dignity through design.
May 26, 2026
Katie Brinker Photography | Courtesy of Hendrick
Open cafe and lounge area with Synovus red branding and accents grounded by neutral wood and stone look surfaces
Hendrick’s design for Synovus’ downtown Columbus headquarters shows how workplace change, branded storytelling, and employee-centered planning can realize a more connected office...
April 22, 2026
Image courtesy of Construction Specialties
Treatment center lounge area for visitors and staffs with lounge seating and wood wall paneling.
I Hear Design
Based on the latest insights from interiors+sources, this episode examines how designers can align facility type, therapy models, social space planning, and privacy considerations...
April 6, 2026
Courtesy of Carrie Meadows
The author's family gathered for a wedding photo, 2003
Through a personal account of caring for a sick parent, Carrie Meadows underscores resilience, the value of support networks, and appreciation for colleagues who extended patience...
March 25, 2026

People + Projects

Courtesy of Luoman | Getty Images
Busy retail district at night.
I Hear Design
Greg Lyon of Nadel Architecture explains why the future of retail and mixed-use design is less about transactions and more about experience, dining, authenticity, and the creation...
May 25, 2026
Courtesy of Chris Force
Paved States x Haworth DesignLab takes over the lobby of The Mart with an edited take on what living looks like now.
A smart, day-by-day guide to navigating NeoCon, Fulton Market, and everything in between
May 19, 2026
Photo by Par Bengtsson, Par Creatives
Open pavilion constructed of steel, wood, and stone with seated visitors, with gardens and greenery in the background.
I Hear Design
In this episode, SHM Architects’ Nicholas McWhirter explores how pavilions and community spaces can translate architectural precedent, respond to landscape and support resilience...
May 18, 2026
Courtesy of Fernando Gomes
Outdoor courtyard with a variety of seating and tables.
I Hear Design
This ICYMI episode explores how Swan Dive Design Studio transformed an 88,000-square-foot big-box shell into Relish Food Hall + Pickleball, a lively adaptive reuse project that...
May 4, 2026

Materials + Products

Courtesy of Bernhardt Design
The Crews Sofa by Terry Crews for Bernhardt Design, showing the front and back.
Designed for hospitality, executive offices, and residential settings, the Crews Sofa emphasizes craftsmanship, performance, and sophisticated style in a statement-making piece...
May 27, 2026
Courtesy of Cosentino
ÉCLOS is engineered with zero crystalline silica and contains at least 50% recycled materials.
The new ÉCLOS surface collection combines innovative design features like natural veining and 3D depth with eco-friendly materials, providing durable, heat-resistant solutions...
May 27, 2026
Courtesy of Submaterial
The Echo Wall Covering is made from cactus leather, offering a tactile finish made from organically harvested Nopal cactus leather.
This wall covering integrates recycled acoustic backing, making it an eco-conscious choice for architects and interior designers seeking modern, sustainable design options.
May 27, 2026
Courtesy of Ethnicraft
Ethnicraft's Roan Lounge Chair shown in wild brown teak.
Blending vintage inspiration with modern sustainability, the Ethnicraft Roan Chair boasts a compact design, structured arms, and plush cushioning. Its eco-conscious materials ...
May 27, 2026