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Modern Finds at NeoCon 2017

We headed to Chicago last week to check out the latest in commercial design at this year’s NeoCon. Luckily the days of corporate cubicles are slowing fading as companies are continuing to push the idea of what an office should look like with innovative textiles, colors, materials, and designs that are finally bringing some fun back into the workspace. Take a look at some favorite things we spotted while walking the floors of the Merchandise Mart.

06.19.17 | By
Modern Finds at NeoCon 2017

3form displayed three different worlds within their showroom and one of them was made from their solid surface material, Chroma, which is made from optical grade engineered resin. They turned these panels into colorful gradients and then exhibited them with two chairs from Eric Trine.

From BuzziSpace, these sculptural fixtures designed by 13&9 are called BuzziPleat and they’re designed using BuzziFelt to help reduce sound within that space. They paired architectural folds with a light source, giving the design double function.

Coalesse displayed so many colorful options of fun rec room seating, like this custom salmon-y pink Coalesse Color on Millbrae seating.

Chilewich unveiled Shade, a really cool new option for flooring. It features a flat and tight twill weave with a rotation of signature bi-color yarns that results in an ombré effect. It’s available in floor tiles, mats, and wall-to-wall flooring – plus you can cover the walls with it!

Designed by Nao Tamura for HBF, the Kanso Bench is one of those completely customizable designs that’s perfect for growing offices and flexible spaces. The components can be moved around as needed to accommodate people and technology.

West Elm Workspace is taking an Unoffice The Office approach this year with more relaxed and comfortable options instead of every piece of furniture screaming a corporate vibe. The Billow Seating Collection can offer semi-private collaboration when two of the sofas are facing each other or as an open lounge seat for one or two.

Chair 2 was designed by Bakery Studio for Haworth to feel as if the chair was hugging you while you were sitting. The design combines wood and iron tubes that wrap around the back and continue on to create the legs.

Also from Haworth, the Telo Lounge chair, designed by Sebastian Herkner, is made to be set up in a circular or semicircular configuration. The upholstered chair was inspired by camping seats found in Afrikaans lodges.

Loved the graphic artwork by Catherine Stowell on this birch plywood for Designtex Bespoke.

Knoll displayed an array of workspace options from the Rockwell Unscripted collection. The initial collaboration debuted last year at NeoCon and has expanded with all kinds of creative additions.

And finally, Maharam displayed a multitude of new textiles, including these striped fabrics from Paul Smith from their Fall 2017 collection.

Caroline Williamson is Editor-in-Chief of Design Milk. She has a BFA in photography from SCAD and can usually be found searching for vintage wares, doing New York Times crossword puzzles in pen, or reworking playlists on Spotify.