Jessica Smarsch, Senior Manager of Design for Robert Allen Contract, attended the NeoCon Exposition at the Chicago Merchandise Mart, June 13-15. Below, Jessica shares what inspired her while exploring the furniture showrooms.
Jessica Smarsch
Our Robert Allen team is back from an exciting week in Chicago where we participated again in NeoCon at the Chicago Merchandise Mart. See pictures of our booth here.
Part of what I love about NeoCon is seeing how the furniture showrooms all come together and what goes inside each one to make it exciting and new every year. And so, as I look through the designs that have inspired me this time, why not present them as my own coordinating room schemes? Here are my favorite aspects of this year's NeoCon show that I've compiled to create six different vignettes.
The first grouping includes a mural composed of multi-colored leather strips, seen at Keilhauer, an elegant modular bench at Lowenstein, and these refined lounge chairs with embellished stitching seen at Janus et Cie. Here we combine texture, form and detail to create a compelling reception area.
The next grouping is color-inspired and seen at Herman Miller. Beyond color, this area is styled to also incorporate pattern, both in the fabric selections and in the furniture forms. Balancing solid color blocks with accented bold pattern, this atmosphere is great for inspiring ideas and becoming the "think tank" area of the office.
The next grouping could be great for office breaks such as lunch or an impromptu tea or coffee. Enjoy lunch in these great new chairs from KI and take a minute to enjoy that tea, surrounded by nature-incased elements and soft colors, seen at Nucraft and these corrugated cardboard space dividers, seen at Stylex.
When it's time to get-down-to-business, Herman Miller shows this refined sofa in a new Hella Jongerius design as well as new options for cubicle systems. These system walls create an open-air enviornment with allowance for enhanced privacy. Steelcase exhibits a wire-framed "cage" chair in sophisticated muted tones.
And for a little more "fun in the workplace" these abstract textures, forms and patterns truly bring a playful theme to the standard office enviornment. Seen at Nucraft, this rug is made of a bowtie-like mix of fun patterns and this abstract lounge chair exhibits modern architectural inspiration. The panel fabric references the digital age in which we live while Segis reminds us of the tangible with these fun-spirited patterned chairs. Vitra brings a bit of "love" to the workplace with this fun accent pillow and Flos lighting.
This last group brings a little bit more drama to the office, great for after hours entertainment and events. This Moooi light is paired with this modern coat rack, seen at the Davis showroom. And the elegant forms of these sleek lounge chairs bring a great lounge-like atmosphere to the room and are offered by Haworth through their new alliance with Poltrona Frau Group composed of Italian furniture manufacturers Poltrona Frau, Cassina and Cappellini.
Now that I've composed my ideal office enviornment, I guess it's time to get back to work! And I return inspired, not only by the designs but also by the buzz of busy designers and confidence that this is the year to take back, to create unique signature enviornments, and embrace what great design brings to the quality and enjoyment of life.
Jessica Smarsch
Senior Design Manager, Contract
Jessica is a designer and design enthusiast who has worked with the Robert Allen Group for six years developing textile collections for both the Residential and Contract markets. In addition to design, she loves travel and photography and enjoys incorporating those experiences into her professional work.