Hottest items from NeoCon furniture show
BY RACHEL RICE Staff Reporter June 15, 2011 9:43PM
Min Chen shows one way to sit in the Shun chair by Asis at Neocon at the Merchandise Mart Monday, June 13, 2011. | Rich Hein~Sun-Times
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Updated: October 16, 2011 12:17AM
The 2011 NeoCon — the nation’s largest commercial interior design show — drew 700 furniture design exhibitors and 40,000 designers and other interested visitors to the Merchandise Mart this week.
We walked the show to find the most innovative — and the comfiest — furniture. Here are four of the coolest items seen at the show (which stands for National Exposition of Contract Furnishings).
Funkiest
It seems like around every corner at NeoCon are curious-looking chairs that make you want to stop and sit in them, but Asis, a Chinese design company, has outdone the rest with its creation of the “shun.” Because of its funny and airy shape, loungers can sit comfortably forward or backward. And it’s surprisingly comfortable.
Most hypnotizing
Bluworld of Water’s stare-worthy bubble fountain features LED lights in the base that change color, lighting the little bubbles trailing up the length of the mirrored fountain. The Orlando, Fla.-based maker of wall fountains showed off its talents by encasing a TV screen — that flashed facts about the company — in a fountain.
Most Zen office chair
The Chakra chair by New York-based Karim Rashid looks undeniably like a butterfly. Despite its graceful, winged appearance, however, it was meant for the common cubicle workspace. The seat, even, has been split down the middle, and looks almost unusable — but is surprisingly easy to sit in. Eco-friendly beauty
If you’re the type of person who gets easily distracted by shiny objects, then steer clear of 3Form’s collection of recycled glass material. The material — displayed in shimmering, multicolored tiles — is highly versatile, and can be used to create semi clear walls or sliding glass doors, lighting fixtures and tables.
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