Our Top 12 Picks from NeoCon 2026 & Design Days
When you think of commercial interior design, American DJ Diplo probably does not immediately come to mind. But at the 57th edition of NeoCon earlier this month, that connection materialized thanks to a brand activation—and dance party—hosted by SitOnIt Seating at the House of Blues, where the famed producer and performer held court as part of the event’s off-site programming.
Beyond the DJ sets, this year’s NeoCon calendar featured a wealth of compelling activations, exciting partnerships, and must-see events and exhibitions. On the 7th floor of The MART’s Exhibit Hall, NeoCon Talks by Design Milk dove into design-forward discussions on inclusivity, sustainability, and more. On the 11th floor, attendees looking for a moment of calm could take a breather beneath the mood lighting of the Designer Wellness Lounge by Design Milk. And step into the wrong elevator, and you could find yourself in the middle of a rave, protected by yellow-padded walls courtesy of Turf.
Still more showrooms and installations could be found across town at Fulton Market’s Design Days, from giant gum-ball machines to furniture crafted from recycled plastic containers.
Below, explore our top picks from NeoCon 2026 and Design Days.
Kettal Workplace.
1. Eames Office x Kettal
First seen at the Triennale Milano during Milan Design Week, Kettal Workplace transforms the iconic Eames Pavilion System into a complete office environment, incorporating acoustics, lighting, furniture, and architecture within an integrated kit of parts. Both a celebration of Kettal’s 60th anniversary, an exploration of the evolution of the modern workplace, and a homage to the lasting impact of Charles and Ray Eames, the modular system offers a fluid office environment designed for flexibility and long-term evolution.
Also on display at NeoCon were a new collaboration with Foster + Partners, dubbed Area; U-Type, a new chair by Barber Osgerby; and Shogun, a colorful armchair reintroduced in collaboration with Verner Panton.
HÅG Capisco chair with Recouture’s åkle.
2. HÅG x Recouture
In a recent reimagining of the HÅG Capisco, ergonomic form meets heritage craft. Unveiled at NeoCon 2026, the collaboration between HÅG, part of Flokk, and Norwegian fashion studio Recouture resulted in beautifully crafted, one-of-a-kind versions of the HÅG Capisco chair upholstered in traditional handwoven Norwegian åkle tapestry textiles. Drawing on Recouture’s expertise with the beloved vintage material, each chair was carefully fitted with restored åkle and paired with a selected metal finish, creating a new iconography that speaks to both the chair’s enduring silhouette and Norwegian cultural history.
Ample by RBW.
Sequencer by RBW.
Triple Glazed by RBW.
3. RBW
At this year’s NeoCon, the Illuminate lighting show was the new kid on the block — and those who trekked to the far corner of the 7th Floor Exhibit Hall were in for a treat. At RBW’s booth, the New York-based lighting design and manufacturing company showed up and showed off with three new collections: Sequencer, Triple Glazed, and Ample. A Best of NeoCon Award winner designed by Toronto-based MSDS Studio, Sequencer’s geometric silhouette offers modular compositions and an atmospheric glow. Triple Glazed brings a compact, colorful presence, while Ample combines layered silicone and glass to create a distinct texture and soft shine.
4. Softbrick by Stylex
rom within a curtain of hanging threads dyed in a bright gradient—Salon Tactile by Erika Hock—Stylex’s NeoCon 2026 offerings felt light and expressive. With creative direction by Carole Baijings, the showroom was divided into functional zones, from the work lounge and social café to the huddle area. In the foundational lounge, a striking new lilac modular seating system stole the show. Dubbed Softbrick, the dual-height soft seating, available in multiple powder-coat colors, proved just as comfortable as it looks.
Limousine by DARRAN.
5. Limousine by Darran
Designed for the open-concept modern office, Darran’s new Limousine collection does double duty as soft seating and a distraction-free focus zone. Launched at NeoCon, the newest offering features an integrated lift that seamlessly transitions the piece into high-back seating in seconds, obstructing sightlines and blocking unwanted noise. By growing vertically rather than outward, Limousine gives users greater privacy without compromising on style—or space.
Ground Control by Juniper.
6. Juniper
Making its NeoCon debut this year, Connecticut-based lighting technology brand Juniper wowed attendees with three standout offerings in the inaugural Illuminate section. On display were the Multiverse System, a modular architectural lighting platform built from ribbon-like tracks; the Thin System, aptly named for its ultra-thin silhouette that still packs a punch; and Ground Control, a power-access solution designed for both in-wall and plug-in use across hospitality and commercial spaces.
Fine Line by Stinson.
Flirtation by Anzea.
Perfectly Imperfect by Arc-Com.
7. CF Stinson
Debuting a new showroom on the third floor of The MART, CF Stinson brings together its three brands—Stinson, Arc-Com, and Anzea—each of which launched a new collection at NeoCon this year. From blooming botanical patterns to grid-like geometries, the textiles demonstrate both a shared creative sensibility and distinct brand identities. On view were Fine Line by Stinson, Flirtation by Anzea, and Perfectly Imperfect by Arc-Com.
Tiago by Davis Furniture.
8. Tiago Collection by Davis Furniture
At Davis Furniture, chic chairs and sophisticated seating are the name of the game—and this year’s offerings were no different. The brand showcased several new collections, including Tiago, a standout sculptural wood seating series by German design studio KASCHKASCH. The collection comprises stacking side chairs and barstools crafted from precision-milled solid oak and molded plywood.
Ringo by Marset.
9. Ringo by Marset
At Marset’s Illuminate booth, eye-catching luminaires were in no short supply, from the expressive, mushroom-like silhouette of Gambosa by Mathias Hahn to the oh-so-delicate Fragile table lamp by Jaume Ramírez — now expanded into chandelier and wall-sconce configurations — and more. Still, the fan favorite was Ringo by Joan Gaspar, a commanding ceiling light that resembles a block of melting ice. What might at first glance appear to be solid glass is, in fact, transparent polycarbonate: distinctly mobile and light to the touch, yet capable of delivering a solid, weightless presence.
10. Coalesse’s Co.Lab
Across the city at Fulton Market Design Days, Coalesse created a group pop-up to spark conversation around the future of collaborative design. Dubbed Co.Lab, the interactive installation brought together an impressive assemblage of brand partners — Moooi, Viccarbe, Tom Dixon, Flos, and Extremis — for designer panels, mingling, and more. Clad in a chic wood façade, the pop-up felt light and airy, while cutouts in the walls offered passersby glimpses of soft lighting and bold seating within.
Land/Mark by Bentley Mills.
11. Land/Mark by Bentley Mills
Mere steps from The MART, the Bentley Mills Chicago showroom was abuzz during NeoCon 2026, hosting Design Milk founder Jaime Derringer for a conversation with Todd van der Kruik, former Vice President of Design at Bentley Mills and founder and creative director of Neutral Haus. The event served a dual purpose: to honor Design Milk’s 20th anniversary and celebrate the launch of Bentley Mills’ new Land/Mark textile collection. Inspired by liminal spaces that bear the patina of time, the collection’s carpet names evoke a sense of both nostalgia and optimism — from “Where We Met” to “Old Haunts.”
12. Maharam
At Design Days in Fulton Market, New York-based textile brand Maharam showcased a range of colorful, patterned offerings from both Maharam and Knoll Textiles, including indoor-outdoor options and reissued upholstery textiles. Displayed on Stick Frame—a modular system constructed from stainless steel beams by American industrial designer Leon Ransmeier—the configuration offered a fresh vantage point on the collections. Additional textiles were upholstered onto a series of sculptural objects by designer Robert Stadler.
Photography courtesy of each respective brand.
