Chairs and sofas with contemporary lines covered in rich floral brocades and silks were found throughout shows at this year’s NYCxDesign, pointing to a trend informed by maximalism.
Along with trends including lighting encased in cages and cast metal furniture, decadent fabrics covered in organic motifs of animals and plants were found throughout the week’s exhibitions.
According to Sight Unseen co-founder Monica Khemsurov, who commissioned floral-covered pieces from designers Sam Klemick and Known Work, the use of the fabrics are part of “the return of a baroque or maximalist style”.
“Floral upholstery is definitely a developing trend, within that larger trend of the return of a baroque or maximalist style — dark woods, brocades, cast bronze and iron, pattern layering, florals, etc — but I would say that not every floral fabric is appealing now!” Khemsurov told Dezeen.
“It’s the florals that have a more modern sensibility in terms of color or form that feel relevant to us now.”
Read on for six floral chairs spotted during NYCxDesign:
Bell Chair by Sam Klemick
Los Angeles designer Sam Klemick upholstered her Bell Chair in a Pierre Frey mustard yellow brocade with bright florals and butterflies for the Petra Hardware x Sight Unseen Collection exhibition, which took place at the Host on Howard showroom in SoHo.
According to curator Khemsurov, she requested that designers cover the furniture in richer fabrics to complement the “elevated, decorative feel” of the exhibition’s setting.
Linden Sofa by Parc
New York-based studio Parc displayed the Linden Sofa at ICFF. The elongated, flat Maharam boucle couch has a hardwood maple frame, solid natural oak feet and a backrest covered with a floral Dedar Milano textile.
“We grew up skateboarding and are inspired by streetwear and fashion,” Parc designer John Records told Dezeen.
“The material and fabric selection was based on picking outfits to wear skateboarding. The Dedar fabric is inspired by a floral button-up shirt, the Hearth Maharam boucle is similar to a pair of khakis, and the natural oak base is like a pair of brown suede shoes.”
Palace Intrigue chair by BG Robinson
Designer BG Robinson presented a collection of metallic-framed furniture at the Upper East Side townhouse salon of curator Ashlee Harrison.
For the collection’s dining chairs, Robinson covered a sleek, minimalist frame in a light blue silk with floral patterning to “reckon with the failure of democratized design”.
The Bukowski Chair by Steven Bukowski
Brooklyn-based designer Steven Bukowski displayed his eponymous wooden chair at the ICFF fair with a “bold and punchy” Dedar Milano jacquard velvet covered in Tiger motifs.
“The smooth, yet decisive, shift between slim and solid, which creates the chair’s curvaceous legs, is played out like a lively dance with the material,” said the team.
Libramente Daybed by Soft Witness
New York and Florence-based studio Soft Witness covered its Libramente Daybed with a midnight blue wool and cotton fabric from New York-based fabric designer Zak and Fox.
Contrasted with thin, Dedar Milano pillows on either end, the daybed is awash in the fabric’s fig and twining branches motif, and also splits open into two separate chairs.
Perceptions Chair by Known Work
New York-based studio and Parts and Labor Design offshoot Known Work covered a boxy, burl frame with a baby blue silk velvet fabric from Schuamacher for the Petra Hardware x Sight Unseen show.
Covered in motifs of rabbits, foxes and deer, the studio called the iteration a “sprint edit” of its Perceptions chair.
NYCxDesign took place from 15 to 21 May throughout New York City. For more events and showcases during NYCxDesign visit our dedicated guide on Dezeen Events Guide.
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