The annual Brooklyn Designs fair (see the “Happenings” section for more info) returns with a roster of fresh talent exhibiting at St. Ann’s Warehouse and venues throughout Dumbo. I was part of the jury committee and fell for so many pieces, like Evan Crane’s captain’s chair, pictured here. It’s made from white oak and upholstered in a lively pattern from Waverley Mill featuring Mexican folk creatures. “My process always starts with a vague impression of a personality, something that the chair or table will have if only I get all the forms right,” he explains. I think he got it just right. Photo: Courtesy of Evan Crane
These graceful stools by Kenji Tokuda and Jouzu Kouskusho are also part of the Brooklyn Designs show of Japanese talent. Photo: Courtesy of Brooklyn Designs
The Collective.2 Design Fair will feature 36 international exhibitors showing furniture, jewelry, art, and more. Todd Merrill will be showing there. I love this seductive free-form Enignum III low table in white oiled ash and low iron glass by Joseph Walsh, who’s repped by Merrill. Photo: Courtesy of Todd Merrill Studio
Wanted Design, the brainchild of Odile Hainaut and Claire Pijoulat, was started in 2011 as a platform for international artists, manufacturers and designers, and it keeps growing every year. This year, Wanted will be part of NYCxDESIGN, hosting workshops and events from May 9 to 20 at Sunset Park’s Industry City. New designers, manufacturers, and collectives will be on display in Manhattan from May 16 to 19 at the Tunnel (269 11th Avenue). Here, a luminous embroidered chair from Sally Azar, founder of Hilando Mexico, with embroidery from Mayan women of the village of Ichmul, Yucatán. Photo: Courtesy of Wanted Design
Another exquisite piece from Sally Azar at Wanted Design. This year’s selections, Odile says, “are beautifully crafted objects or furniture with a “plus’; what I like to define as “design with a soul.’” Photo: Courtesy of Wanted Design
Sight Unseen, founded by design trailblazers Jill Singer and Monica Khemsurov, will be presenting dazzling talent at 200 Layfayette St. The Magic Carpet by Field Experiments is just one of the many fun items to check out. Photo: Courtesy of Sight Unseen
I love this saddle bench from Knauf and Brown, a Canadian design duo, also featured at Sight Unseen. Photo: Courtesy of Sight Unseen
My fantasy is to redesign my whole apartment around this Ladies and Gentleman light from LG Studio, on view at Sight Unseen. Photo: Courtesy of Sight Unseen
I can’t resist this triangle light from LG Studio, also at Sight Unseen. So put on some comfortable shoes and get going. This here is just the tip of the iceberg. Photo: Courtesy of Sight Unseen
Craig Murphey (left) Ten Eyck Street and Union Avenue, Williamsburg. Early in the morning of October 18, 2007, Murphey was biking home from escorting his date to her South Williamsburg apartment. According to police reports, Murphey attempted to outrun a gas truck turning left on Ten Eyck Street. His pelvis shattered on impact, and he was pronounced dead at the scene. In his honor, over 40 friends have since received tattoos that read BE BETTER. Frank C. Simpson Linden Boulevard near 175th Street, St. Albans. Simpson, a janitor returning from the evening shift at a Con Edison facility, was hit by a Dodge Stratus on November 9, 2006.