New York has always been an exciting destination for city travelers. The city's unique myth, its breathtaking sights, and exciting neighborhoods simply captivate everyone. People from all over the world are drawn to New York, where different cultures influence and enrich one another. No wonder, then, that artists and designers in particular are drawn to this freedom-loving metropolis.
For lovers of fine and beautiful things, this means a whole range of worthwhile excursion destinations centered around the enchanting world of design.
Design Museums in New York
At the top of the list of New York design destinations are the Museum of Arts and Design (2 Columbus Circle) and the Cooper Hewitt National Design Museum (5th Avenue, 91st Street). The former presents unusual and original creations in changing exhibitions, with the transition between the modern design of our world of goods and contemporary art being fluid.
The Cooper Hewitt Museum is currently closed for renovation work, but continues to organize interesting exhibitions and events at other locations that introduce curious visitors to American home culture while also taking side glances at contemporary graphic and product design.
Design Events in New York City
An annual highlight in the field of interior design is the International Contemporary Furniture Fair in New York, where the trends of tomorrow are showcased. Whether designer furniture and designer lamps from around the world, home textiles, or accessories—there is no shortage of fresh ideas here. However, only on the last day of the fair are private visitors allowed to take a look at the latest creations; the preceding days are reserved exclusively for trade visitors.
The ICFF, taking place from May 19 to 22, 2012 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, is accompanied by New York Design Week, during which numerous exhibitions, workshops, markets, and of course plenty of parties await your visit. Another top-class design event is the New York Design Festival, which already featured the Architectural Digest Home Design Show and other highlights in March.
Design Stores and Flea Markets in New York
Anyone who also wants to discover New York as a shopping paradise can look forward to some wonderful showrooms and design stores where they can spend the entire day. Whether extravagant gifts for loved ones or for your own four walls—with the huge selection, your eyes will be wide with amazement.
A must on every to-do list in this regard are, for example, the MoMA Design Store of the Museum of Modern Art (11 W 53rd St between Fifth and Sixth Aves), ABC Carpet & Home (888 Broadway), Moss (146 Greene Street), BoConcept (69 Greene Street), and many others. Everything the international design world has to offer in terms of furniture, tables, chairs, lamps and lighting, vases, bowls, carpets, and many other things can be found gathered here.
Finally, you can also discover unique items and precious treasures from long bygone times at the countless flea markets in New York, among which the Hell’s Kitchen Flea Market, the West 25th Street Market, and the Brooklyn Flea (176 Lafayette Ave., Fort Greene) are the most famous.
