The 2026 edition of New York’s International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) convened designers and manufacturers under the theme “Common Ground: A Global Dialogue on Design and Shared Values.” The event highlighted a convergence of furniture, lighting, textiles, and material innovation, emphasizing hand-crafted and digitally fabricated pieces derived from bio-based and recycled sources. Featured exhibits included a new material section presented by Parsons Healthy Material Lab, a display of BFA and MFA work from the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), and independent studios showcased through WantedDesign’s Launch Pad platform. The selections prioritized craftsmanship, material transparency, and the use of reclaimed resources alongside experimental production methods.
Aligning with the fair’s thematic focus, RISD presented “Intrinsic Values,” a collection of student works that reevaluate the significance of hand-crafted furniture in modern living. The exhibit explored specific values intended to shift industry standards, including interconnection at every scale and the view of craft as an origin rather than mere ornament. Additional themes included attentiveness to ethics, materials as carriers of memory, and feminine lineages serving as shared ground, illustrating how emerging designers are redefining the sector through these principles.
North Carolina-based textile brand CICIL brought a women-owned, locally-made perspective to the fair, addressing the environmental impact of rug production. The company notes that rugs are often a “dirty business” involving toxic forever chemicals and plastic fibers. To combat this, CICIL divests from carbon-intensive global supply chains, utilizing wool sourced directly from United States farms and upcycled natural fibers like jute while strictly avoiding synthetics. Their commitment to ethical production is verified by third-party certifications such as the Responsible Wool Certification and GoodWeave.
Toronto-based designer Brett Paulin exhibited bespoke commercial and residential solutions that emphasize functional hand craftsmanship, particularly in wood. His booth featured the Ekosi Chair, constructed from roasted ash slats and complemented by a textured navy cushion with hand-stitched details. Paulin’s display also included additional handcrafted objects utilizing materials such as wenge wood, as well as natural, charred, and oxidized walnut.
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Founded by Sam Acuff, Baltimore-based studio KOBA introduced a playfully modern aesthetic labeled as “funk furniture.” At Wanted, the studio presented Series 01, a collection designed to “contrast natural materials with the overtly artificial.” By inviting users to experiment with various colors, the collection aims to create funky, functional spaces that feel personalized and unique.
Nomasuno curated home goods produced in collaboration with artisans, family workshops, and independent studios across Mexico and Japan, guided by the philosophy that objects hold meaning and memory. Each piece is intended to reflect honesty and intention while carrying generations of skill and cultural heritage. A highlighted item was Gussman Studio’s La Scoba broom, a limited-edition sculptural tool crafted from natural broom fibers and solid alder wood.
Amsterdam-based studio Taiwan-Lantern marked its ICFF debut with an expansion of floor lanterns and new colorways for standing lanterns. The collection is rooted in Wu Xing, the Chinese philosophy of the five elements, with a palette reflecting wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. Comprising five pieces—two floor lanterns, two table lanterns, and one pendant lantern—the collection is handmade in collaboration with Taiwan’s last remaining lantern factory. Master artisans contributed to specific elements ranging from raw lacquer and Chinese knotting to marble and porcelain work.