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Summer School-Mandi’s Picks

In the longer days of summer, my dog Beans and I enjoy early morning walks before the sun gets to hot for her (and me!).  I am usually listening to a podcast and often start my morning with “What a Day”, but lately I’ve been listening to “Field Trip” in which I’ve appreciated the “journey through the messy past and uncertain future of America’s national parks.”

This summer I challenged myself to a “less screen time summer” and have been learning embroidery thanks to workshops from Clever Poppy, a New Zealand based maker and a local Michigander I found on TikTok, Sherwood Forest Creations.  I’ve completed a few beginner projects already and have more in the works!  I actually love buying all the cute supplies too….

I’m a sunset, firepit and sweatshirt-after-dark kind of summer girl, and in the evenings, you will find us sitting by the flames, with something fun in our glass and a cozy throw on our laps.  These glasses were a gift and I think they look like beach glass by the water in the evening sun.  Cheers!”

-Mandi Mankvitz, Sphere Trending President of Possibilities

We have lots of summer favorites still to come! Stay tuned to see where our team is finding inspiration. Click here to connect with us and follow our Instagram and LinkedIn.

Summer School – Riann’s Picks

After a long Michigan winter, summer for me is all about being outdoors – sunshine (don’t forget the sunscreen and hat) adventure and travel as a necessity to recharge and reinspire.

Getting out of my comfort zone and experiencing new spaces and places is always my key source of inspiration and for Summer 2023, I’m looking to the French Riviera.

While for some this might conjure thoughts of turquoise waters, brightly striped beach umbrellas and towels stretching for miles and glamourous, flashy Cannes, I instead find myself drawn to the sun-faded old towns, imperfect cobblestone narrow lanes growing wild with bougainvillea and hikes alongside rugged coastlines.”

-Riann Henkel, Sphere Trending Trend Futurist, Director of Interior Home

Stay tuned to see where else our team is gathering inspiration – click here to connect with us and follow our Instagram and LinkedIn.

Mixtape Moments: NeoCon 2023 – Pump Up The Volume

By Emily Siwek, Sphere Trending Trend Futurist, Director of Architectural Design

We just returned from NeoCon, the leading US commercial furnishings fair held annually in Chicago and the change from previous seasons was audible. While the last few years have been somewhat muted, this year we saw the volume starting to creep back up with playful color and pattern, and an emphasis on embracing the noise and volume of life in commercial spaces.

Finding Their Voice

NeoCon debuted a working podcast studio along with the fair this year. The first floor studio was broadcasting studio added a new element to the mix of the event.

Hosts including design personality Amy Devers, recorded live during the show.

NeoCon Podcast Studio

Dialed Up Design

Within the products displayed, acoustical wall solutions have become high design, but they were not focusing on completely dampening the noise, rather they were celebrating it, creating strategic design compliments to the increasing complexity of life and design in public spaces. Turf Design also had a sense of fun with their ‘dial a decade’ installation where rotary phones played music from recent eras.

Turf Design Showroom at NeoCon

Need For Noise

Carpet manufacturers were inspired by audio elements as well. At Mannington a sound bath inspired pixilated patterns titled “the need for sound” and at the Shaw Contract showroom, Mike Ford shared rhythmic patterns inspired by hip hop.

Mannington and Shaw Contract at NeoCon
Shaw Contract collaboration with Mike Ford at NeoCon
Mike Ford’s Hip Hop Playlist

Ready for something to listen to? Check out Mike Ford’s Top 15 Hip Hop tracks as shared by Shaw Contract and stay tuned in with us to see what’s trending – click here to connect with us and follow our Instagram and LinkedIn.

Poetry in Motion

For the Month of May we’re reflecting on the return of movement in our lives with the theme of ‘Poetry in Motion’ – focusing on how active movement can be beautiful, purposeful and engaging.

Integrated movement was a new sensory element throughout the most recent High Point Furniture Market, a bi-annual tradeshow featuring 11,500,000 sq. ft. of showroom space.

Furniture with motion and often hidden controls was seen across many vendors at the show. Universal Furniture debuted a new line of motion upholstered pieces meant to look like traditional furnishings as did Four Hands where comfort and design merged. Baker introduced a line of customizable home theater seating with motion.

The swivel chair also re-emerged, gaining new life as a key style statement. Design has responded to our ever shrinking attention spans with intentional movement that surprised and delighted us.

A stylish swivel chair at Vanguard Furniture – High Point Market

In casegoods, furniture manufacturer BDI (known as an office and entertainment outfitter) expanded into bedroom furnishings, bringing the convenience of tech and sliding components into a new space.

Stay tuned this month as we explore the topic of intentional movement in our lives. Don’t miss the latest on ‘Poetry in Motion’ – click here to connect with us and follow our Instagram and LinkedIn.