Over the years, the Fulton Market area in Chicago's Near West Side has thrived, welcoming restaurants, shops, and hotels . Some of the world’s leading architecture and design brands have also landed in the neighborhood.
The first Fulton Market Design Days—a three-day event of open design showrooms and pop-ups—features more than 35 brands eager to share product launches, exhibits, and presentations.
“Chicago is a top destination for great design,” says Armando Chacon, president of the West Central Chamber of Commerce, in a statement on the event's website. “We welcome the architecture and design community and fans of design to experience the vibrant culture of Chicago. The Fulton Market District is a must-see destination.”
Attendees can see a listing of showroom addresses and plan travel around a complimentary shuttle that runs between Fulton Market and the 2023 NeoCon trade show in the MART. Below, explore some of the collections and pieces on view during the inaugural Design Days.
1. Impeccable design characterizes Models 31 and 33, a lounge chair and a small chair that Florence Knoll designed in 1954. These archival designs, which have been reissued at Knoll, are as relevant today as ever. knoll.com
2. Connolly is a new collection of seating and tables from Kimball. Available in a variety of configurations of freestanding and modular units, the collection can be specified with contrasting upholstory and with wood or metal legs. kimball.com
3. Simple geometry inspired the Bao collection for HBF. Designed by the female-owned and operated firm Alda Ly Architecture, the collection of poufs features looped back handles aimed to encourage movement. Each Bao pouf is upholstered in a performance-coated and bleach-cleanable fabric; a full-grain leather option is also available. hbf.com
4. Infused with Bauhaus inspiration, the Chromeo chair and ottoman are Australian designer Sarah Ellison's first forays into working with metal. Curved chromed tubing is paired with bolster cushions, and the pieces are available in ivory corduroy or piccolo velvet. dwr.com
5. The Super Natural collection by textile designer Suzanne Tick for Luum comes in five environmentally-conscious styles made from recycled and biodegradable fibers. Each style is available in a range of colorways developed to harmonize natural and man-made colors. luumtextiles.com
6. Designed by the Austrian firm EOOS, Crosshatch is the first outdoor seating collection for Geiger. Featured on the fourth floor terrace at Fulton Market, the chair and settee comprise a curving teak frame wrapped in a lattice of parachute cords. The outdoor lounge and settee can be paired with a coffee or side table and are available in a variety of upholstery options. geigerfurniture.com
7. For Mary Jo Miller, vice president of design and creative direction at HBF Textiles, Reunion is a personal collection. A Lawn Chair, a textile inspired by fond childhood memories of her mother’s 1960s coffee socials, serves as an anchor for the collection, which encompasses four additional patterns. Each style is PFAS-free and some can be cleaned with bleach. hbf.com
8. Coverings manufacturer Tarkett is lettings its softer side take center stage through Powerbond RS, the first certified asthma- and allergy-friendly floor covering. The carpet hybrid is made with ultra-low VOCs and offers a wall-to-wall moisture barrier, according to the company. tarkett.com
9. Inspired by comforting outerwear, the Smooth Felt Hoodie Screen from Teknion provides a softly curved enclave for a desk. Made from felt, the screen also offers acoustical privacy. teknion.com
10. With the Haiku panel series, Brentano dips its toe into digitally printed murals. Inspired by landscape painting and available in four color variations, the bleach-cleanable panels comprise 26 layers of phthalate-free vinyl with Osnabur backing. brentanofabrics.com
11. Aiming to highlight its ever-classic designs, Knoll Textiles is showcasing floor-to-ceiling lengths of neutral fabric. Some of these neutrals, and an accompanying red collection, are recent launches while others date back to 1961. knoll.com
12. Envisioned by industrial designer Sylvain WIllenz, a durable stone ceramic material tops a wooden frame on the Couple coffee table from Muuto. The design is available in three sizes and two tabletop tile options. muuto.com
13. A trio of woven fabrics—Metered Stripe, Concord Stripe, and Ribbed Weave—from British fashion designer Paul Smith celebrates his 20-year collaboration with Maharam. Each style is available in a range of colorways. maharam.com
14. Pippin enters the market as a versatile lounge chair from NaughtOne. The compact yet solid chair aims toprovidescomfort while remaining easy to move around a user's space thanks to a convenient strap handle. The chair is set on casters and can be specified in six standard colors. The chair also boasts a zippered slip cover for easy removal and a glue-free inner casing that allows the piece to reenter the circular economy when the time comes. naughtone.com
15. Developed by the team at New York's Architectural Research Office, the ARO Shingle collection for FilzFelt brings design professionals overlapping patterns for acoustic shingles made from wool felt and 60% recycled-content acoustic substrate. Inspired by building façades, the modular acoustic wall system dampens sound and is available in four styles and more than 90 colorways. filzfelt.com
16. Designed for HAY by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec, the compact Balcony Dining Chair is well-suited for small spaces. The seating option's rounded back softens the overall square design, and the chair ismade from powder-coated steel topped with a durable outdoor primer. hay.com
17. Danish fabric brand Gabriel is embracing a circular philosophy with Renewed Loop, a textile designed to eliminate waste. Available in colorways inspired by natural hues, the Renewed Loop scale spans 47 shades made from 100% post-consumer or post-industrial recycled polyester. gabriel.dk
18. The Bantam Lounge chair from Gus has a Midcentury Modern sensibility thanks to delicate steel legs supporting its ergonomic plywood seat. gusmodern.com
19. Maximum support is part of the design of Pli task seating from Allsteel. Courtesy of a four-point seat suspension system and an engineered backseat, the chair adjusts to the movements and contours of each user. allsteeloffice.com
20. Inspired by prisms, the geometric Clark Street faucet and soap dispenser (available in battery-operated or hardwired options) from Sloan are faceted to refract light. The touch-free collection stands out due to its bent planes and chamfered edges. sloan.com
Looking for more products coverage? Scroll some of the innovations on view at NeoCon's 2023 show.
This post has been updated.
