A day of connections and inspiration led to great discoveries.
By Nicholas Tamarin
Every May, the design world descends upon Manhattan for the International Contemporary Furniture Fair. This year—with kitchen and bath at the forefront of the design industry more than ever—Geraldine Morrison, Chief Partnerships Officer, Domestic & Global Brands of NKBA |KBIS, led a contingent from the Association to engage with existing member exhibits and foster valuable partnerships.
In conjunction with Emerald, which produces both KBIS and ICFF, Morrison and the NKBA team—consisting of Jennifer Chick-Gray, Director of Brand Development; Blair Loftspring Director, Brand Partnership Programs; and Andreia Soares, Manager of Business Development—stopped by booths, noting the most impressive displays, and met with various international brands and country associations interested in the North American market.
The visit underscored the NKBA’s active engagement with industry partners and its position within the global kitchen and bath community. ICFF remains a vital platform for showcasing innovation, supporting emerging designers, connecting global design communities, driving economic growth, fostering education and thought leadership, and promoting sustainability in the design industry. It serves as a crucial meeting point for industry professionals and plays a pivotal role in shaping future design trends. In alphabetical order, here are the highlights of the NKBA | KBIS team’s visit:
Hot on the heels of a rebrand, Danver presented its sleek Ascento collection, featuring a signature outdoor kitchen and accessories, along with the IED student-designed concept, Beyond, and a new color story, Primitive, developed with Sunbrella. Ascento is expected to be available in early 2026, with related accessories available sooner, while Beyond is targeted for a 2027 release. Additionally, creative director Daniel Germani led a highly engaging panel discussion on “Rethinking the Art of Living Through Thoughtful Design.”
Award-winning sculptor and designer Lyons approaches the design of lighting and decorative objects from a sculptural point of view. She has been commissioned by top interior designers and architects worldwide and published in leading design publications and books including the New York Times, Elle Decor, Architectural Digest, and Vogue. Her sculpture has been exhibited in galleries throughout the United States, and she is a recipient of the prestigious Anonymous Was a Woman Foundation Award. Lyons’ extraordinary design collection, including her iconic Big Jars, Flora vessels, lighting, and one-of-a-kind decorative and sculptural objects, have been showcased in residential and commercial applications, fine restaurants, and leading hotels.
Fabuwood dedicated ICFF to highlighting its semi-custom capabilities, sustainability efforts, and new Trade Partner Program. Known for its quality and innovation, Fabuwood has been recognized with multiple Kitchen & Bath Business Readers’ Choice Awards, while continuing to operate a 1-million-square-foot manufacturing facility in Newark, New Jersey, along with a new state-of-the-art West Coast facility in Tijuana.
GROHE debuted the Aqua Atelier, an immersive installation showcasing the future of water innovation, at this year’s ICFF. This included a first look at the upcoming Listra collection and an interactive display of the GROHE Bluewater system. GROHE also hosted a series of panels with leading voices in architecture, design, and fashion, including with glam fashion designer Christian Siriano.
This chic purveyor of hand-crafted architectural hardware displayed its range, including the sturdy Sculpted Pulls by artist Mig Perkins in natural brass. Founded in New York City in 2001, Hamilton Sinkler has established itself as a forward-thinking boutique firm with excellent service, technical expertise, unique design vision, and state of the art manufacturing capabilities. Its elegant hardware adorns New York high rises, luxury town and country homes, boutique hotels, corporate headquarters, department stores, and more throughout North America.
A portfolio of seven luxury décor brands—Riobel, Perrin & Rowe, Shaws, Victoria + Albert, ROHL, Emtek, and Schaub—House of Rohe offers a rich blend of heritage and design. At ICFF, the group showcased recent brand additions, Emtek and Schaub, highlighting their expansion into whole home luxury design.
Natuzzi Italia, a global icon of Italian craftsmanship, presented its latest collections from designers Karim Rashid and Andrea Steidl. The Natuzzi Projects Division was also featured, offering resources and expertise to architects, designers, and developers, while its Circle of Harmony concept highlighted the balance of comfort and beauty.
