Our Fair City
The city’s epic annual designer trade show, International Contemporary Furniture Fair, opens to the public on Tuesday, taking up 145,000 square feet with what’s to come in the world of design. Hundreds of designers, architects, and vendors from around the world, including the likes of Karim Rashi, Chilewich, Donna Karan’s Urban Zen, and Norway’s Angell Wyller Aarseth, will be touting their latest collections of contemporary furniture and other housewares before they hit shelves (655 W. 34th St., at Eleventh Ave.; 212-204-1060; 5/17; $50)
Come In. Sit Down. Think of the Himalayas.
Kids of Kathmandu, a Brooklyn-based nonprofit that supports orphans in Nepal, is getting a little fund-raising help from local artisans this week. A collection of designers have created their own one-of-a-kind desks to be auctioned online and displayed at the organization’s inaugural gala this Thursday, with all proceeds going toward education, food, shelter, and immunizations for children in need (Ramscale Loft, 463 West Side Hwy., nr. Bethune St.; kidsofkathmandu.org; 5/12, 6–9 p.m.; $75)
Sunday, Party, Sunday
Save this Sunday night for some pre-ICFF party-hopping in Soho. Local retailers are throwing a few home-oriented festivities, like Flos’ “Get Lit, Get Ink’d” event, where hotshot Dutch designer Marcel Wanders will be signing copies of his latest book, Interiors, while a tattoo artist inks Wanders’s designs directly onto a few daring guests (152 Greene St., at Houston; 5/15, 6–8 p.m.; RSVP at 212-353-1383). When you’re done there, the party will still be going at Phaidon’s A Taxonomy of Office Chairs book launch, showcasing the evolution of the cubicle staple. Author Jonathan Olivares will be present, as will real-life examples from his pages, including a deconstructed version of an Eames Alluminum Group Management chair (83 Wooster St., at Spring St.; 212-925-1900; 5/15, 6–9 p.m.; RSVP with subject line “Taxonomy” at [email protected]).
Scandinavian Showoffs
“New Finnish Design Scenarios—A Story About What Happened in the Future” is an exhibition by several Scandinavian cultural agencies popping up in the meatpacking district this week. The show will feature sustainable and technologically innovative breakthroughs in architecture and furniture, as only the Finnish can do it (72 Gansevoort St., nr. Washington St.; no phone; 5/12–5/17). And right down the street, Rafael de Cardenas, one of the hot up-and-comers of the design world, is showing his first furniture collection at the Johnson Trading Gallery. His geometric cabinets, table, and benches suggest Frank Lloyd Wright with a splash more color (490 Greenwich St., nr. Canal St.; 212-925-1110; 5/13–6/25).
Call Her Markdown Madeline
Artist Madeline Weinrib, who inherited her design know-how from grandfather and ABC Carpet & Home founder Max Weinrib, is having a sample sale on her woven and upholstered goods. Her colorfully lush artisanal carpets, pillows, and other home accessories will be reduced up to 70 percent (ABC Carpet & Home, 888 Broadway, at 18th St., lower level; 212-473-3000 ext. 3780; 5/12–5/16).