Covetable Objects at the Collective Design Fair

New York Design Week is here, which means we’re right in the thick of an absolute flurry of fairs. And that includes four-year-old Collective Design, an event showcasing a crazy-inspiring, often experimental and, well, collectible assortment of furniture and objects. The wares range from vintage to contemporary, with offerings from emerging to well-established galleries. It’s quite the mix, and carefully executed — just the way we like it! Needless to say, after paying the fair a visit, we’re coming away with a very long list of wants. Here we introduce a few of our newfound loves, organized by exhibitor. And if you’d like to experience Collective Design in person, you still can — it runs until this Sunday, May 8th.

Exhibitor: FAIR

Above, left: Like functional sculptures, an Allied Maker lamp rests on a Poritz & Studio credenza aside a Christopher Kurtz chair. The light features an opal glass dome and is part of Allied Maker’s brand-new “Aperture” collection. And as stunning as the Poritz & Studio Tambour Credenza looks, the real “wow”moment emerges when you glide open its doors — see it in action on the studio’s Instagram account. With its rounded, delicate lines, the Christopher Kurtz chair is both elegant and modern.

Above, right: A close-up of Joshua Vogel’s swooningly understated works includes a sweet gum vessel in front and white oak jar in back. Joshua is the creator of Blackcreek Mercantile, an EyeSwoon favorite for simple and finely-crafted home goods.

Opening image: Vessels by Joshua Vogel sit atop an Asher Israelow table. Look closely at the table — see the glimmering? The black walnut is edged with brass along the sides and also displays astronomy-style brass work on top. The stools are by Hudson River Valley-based Fern and are turned and hand-carved, with a subtly unexpected hint of metal.

Above: Crafted in solid stoneware is Michele Quan’s take on the classic design object, the chain. The flecks and variations in color echo the patina typically found on metal links.

Exhibitor: Curated by Sight Unseen

Above, left: The glass and velvet chair and reflective, multicolored mirrors are part of a collaboration between Studio Proba and Bower. The collection embraces themes of water and meditative calm — and we’re also smitten with the playful, candy-colored palette.

Exhibitor: R & Company

Above, right: These wild, part-animal, part-anatomical-looking works are by the Haas Brothers, a design studio led by artist-twins Nikolai and Simon Haas. Crafted of porcelain slip, the textured pieces are both playful and masterful.

Exhibitor: Collective Design’s Collective Influence

Above: At the entry to Collective Design, Tokyo-based Nendo debuts their sketchlike “Trace” collection of furniture and lighting. The triangular metal sconces allude to the movement of a swinging pendulum.

Exhibitor: Collective Design’s Collective Concept

Above, left and right: If you’re familiar with Fort Standard, it may be because of their popular (and so cool) cast brass bottle openers in crescent and geometric forms. There’s much more where that came from — we’re completely swooned by the experimental pieces in their new collection, “Qualities of Material”. At left, soapstone cabinets mimic the look of plastic crates. At right, an occasional chair is made entirely out of stacked and rolled leather.

Above: Apparatus has certainly made appearances on EyeSwoon before — we can never get enough of the studio’s impeccable design sensibilities. Their new series, “Circuits”, features a repetition of capsule-shaped lights within brass shades.

Above, left: More from Apparatus — so much meticulously-crafted marble beauty. In contrast to their modernity, the commanding works were inspired by relics and designed to evoke ancient rites.

Exhibitor: Rauminhalt

Above, right: A dazzling display of metal forms in copper, silver and brass by Zerunianandweisz are part of the group’s first limited edition, “7000 Blows”.

Exhibitor: Fernando Mastrangelo Studio

Above, left: Athena and Fernando Mastrangelo take a closer look at a mirror from the sculptor and designer’s newly-launched “Drift” series. The collection is inspired by glaciers and the piece is crafted from layers of sand cast in handmade molds.

Above, right: Another piece from Fernando Mastrangelo — the ombré base of the sofa is cement.