The Bloggers' Choice Awards are presented semi-annually to exhibitors in Accent on Design, one of 10 divisions of the New York International Gift Fair. "Design bloggers have a unique aesthetic sensibility, as well as an inherent knack for identifying emerging talents," said Dorothy Belshaw, NYIGF director and GLM senior vice president.
"Accent on Design offers an excellent platform for sourcing and rewarding design innovation." Each blogger selected one product from among the thousands featured by 200 Accent on Design exhibitors.
The bloggers - and their choices for the "next big thing" - are:
Jennifer Lockwood of DailyGrommet.com:Cast Iron Skillets by Borough Furnace (Murfreesboro, Tenn.)
"It is all about the story behind the product. From humble beginnings as scraped, upcycled iron to a cool, hip, useful cast-iron skillet that will last forever. Old made new."
Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan of ApartmentTherapy.com:Sundara Rug Collection by Donna Wilson & SCP (London, England)
"One of the best new debuts I found at the NYIGF was the Sundara Rug Collection by Donna Wilson and distributed by SCP. All rugs are hand-made in India, using three different techniques: flat-weaving, hand-looming and hand-tufting. Like Donna's other designs for SCP - Frank, Henry & Ernest pouffes and Nos Das pillows, throws and bags - color and texture are at the fore-front for these new rug designs."
Kristin Coleman of Design-Calendar.com:Umbrellas by Brelli (New York)"I've been thinking for years now that the umbrella was due for a redesign. I was pleasantly surprised to discover the Brelli, which delivers a stylish, versatile and sustainable solution."
Rain Noe of Core77.com:Chop, Patrick Jouin's bamboo chopping board, by Alessi (New York)"This caught my eye because the indented, curved edges, in addition to making you want to touch the object, allow you to cut and swipe vegetables directly onto a plate. I think that simple, subtle human factors and details like this are what makes for great design."
Heather Clawson of HabituallyChic.com:Michelle Parker Table Lamps by Stray Dog Designs (Chattanooga, Tenn.) for its lamps with shades made from vintage topographical maps and pages from old dictionaries
"It's such a cleaver and original idea and they look great. The company employs artisans in Haiti in Mexico so you know you are buying products that benefit those in need as well."
Marisa Marcantonio of stylebeat.blogspot.com:Nasca Collection of globally-inspired textiles by Suki Cheema Studio (Brooklyn, NY)"Merges the traditional craft of handmade Indian textiles with saturated colors and creative pattern play. The 100% cotton Taquile pillow is made using an ancient embroidery technique out of several fabrics, so the pieces add history and tradition to a home. The collection is very current with its playful graphic designs and cheery colors."
Jaime Derringer of design-milk.com:Piggy by Materious (Chicago)
"A refreshingly new concept that shows us good design is more than just form and function - it's human too!"
Stephanie Murg of UnBeige (mediabistro.com):Husque bowls by Designs Abroad (Lawrenceville, Ga.)
"I'm nuts for Husque products! Handmade in Australia, these colorful bowls and platters are not only inspired by the smooth curves of Macadamia nuts, they're also made from waste shells of the locally-farmed nuts. Queensland-based designer Marc Harrison developed the novel composite material, which is then colored and hand-polished (with Macadamia nut oil) to a beautiful luster. The resulting objects look good enough to eat - or at least eat off of."
