The 10 Coolest Design Companies at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair

See who's hot in the ever-evolving furniture business.

May 21, 2013
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10. Thing Industries

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10. Thing Industries

Location: New York/New Zealand

Thing Industries just launched this year by Birdie Picott and designer Matt Smith. The company aims to bring smart, fun, and affordable design to the world.

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9. Mr. Maria

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9. Mr. Maria

Location: Amsterdam

Ok, so this is a kids' toy company, but they still have awesome designs. Founded by Jannes Hak and Lennart Bosker in Amsterdam, Mr. Maria creates playful pieces inspired by the Dutch children's cartoon icon, Miffy.

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8. Beetle and Flor

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8. Beetle and Flor

Location: Brooklyn, NY

Beetle and Flor started in 2007 with the goal of offering design assistance to under-served communities who depend on making crafts as a living. Their line of porcelain skulls helps fund the efforts.

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7. TJOKEEFE

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7. TJ O'keefe

Location: Chicago

The American design company, TJ O'keefe, founded in Chicago in 2010, focuses on furniture and product design. The designer cites philosophical inspiration from a multitude of disciplines, including architecture, industrial design, and graphic design.

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6. DFC

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6. DFC

Location: Mexico City, Mexico

Mexico City-based design firm was found in 2005. Their designs are handmade in Mexico. DFCs designs are all fair-trade produced, the company also promotes the work of the local Mexican artisans.

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5. Roll and Hill

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5. Roll and Hill

Location: New York

Launched in 2010, Roll and Hill manufactures high-end contemporary lighting. Their designs are geometric and contain a range of influences.

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4. Hinterland

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4. Hinterland

Location: Vancouver, British Columbia

Founder Riley Mcferrin is a Vancouver-based designer, artist, and builder. He designs furniture and utilitarian objects inspired by architecture, crafts, and fine art, all built from natural materials.

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3. Bierger and Funk

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3. Bierger and Funk

Location: Schwäbisch Gmünd, Germany

Bierger and Funk are the German designers and manufacturers responsible for creating the much talked about "Qlocktwo," an innovative clock that tells time with words instead of numbers.

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2. Symbol

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2. Symbol

Location: Nyack, NY

Symbol is a maker of high-end design and top quality audio pieces. Their handcrafted audio and vinyl LP storage consoles evoke a midcentury-modern feel coupled with contemporary technological features.

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1. Souda

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1. Souda

Location: Brooklyn, NY

Souda was founded in 2012 by Parsons School of Design graduates Issac Friedman-Heiman, Shaun Kasperbauer, and Luft Tanaka. The design studio manufactures furniture, lighting, and home décor pieces. They focus on experimental product methods, like spandex and leather molded pieces, capturing the organic and malleable qualities of the fabric cast in concrete and porcelain materials.

Website

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