Story at a glance:
- More than 55,000 commercial design professionals attended this year’s NeoCon and Fulton Market Design Days events in Chicago.
- Bold color was a major player across furniture, fabrics, and more at this year’s shows.
- Designers were excited to show off what they called human-centric designs, exhibiting influences of nature and celebrations of handicraft.
Fresh colors and creative, integrated designs stood out across this year’s NeoCon and Fulton Market Design Days in Chicago. A lot of foot traffic and excitement were seen across both three-day commercial design events, with NeoCon itself drawing 55,000 design and industry professionals to its many showrooms and exhibitor floor—a 9% YOY increase in traffic.
“NeoCon has always been a reflection of where the commercial design industry is headed, and this year there was a real sense of momentum that was felt across every floor,” says Byron Morton, vice president and co-head of leasing at The Mart.
More than 450 brands were represented at this year’s NeoCon, where burgundy, lavender, and plum tones dominated this year’s color palette. The color story continued after a quick shuttle from The Mart to Chicago’s growing Fulton Market design district for Design Days, too.
At a time when AI is dominating conversations across most industries, visitors to this year’s events saw the human element of design emphasized and celebrated across shows—from the paint strokes that inspired HBF Textiles’ new Paint By Numbers collection to the nod to historic modes of communication in Tarkett’s Transcribe collection.
NeoCon 2027 is scheduled to take place June 13 to 16, 2027, at The Mart. These are some of this year’s standout designs from both NeoCon and Fulton Market Design Days.
1. Kiaura Collection by KI
Rather than relying on static ergonomic positioning or constant manual adjustment, the the Cognetic Technology of KI’s Kiaura Collection is designed to support continuous balance, responsive motion, and dynamic engagement throughout the workday. Photo courtesy of KI
Photo courtesy of KI
“I find that when people sit in it for the first time, they’re surprised,” says Jason Lazarz, architecture and design market lead at KI, about the new chairs in the Kiaura Collection. He compares the experience to the feeling of sitting on a tire swing. “It is using your own movement, your own center of gravity to support your body.”
Designed with Cognetic Technology, the Kiaura Collection took home this year’s Best of NeoCon Gold. There’s nothing quite like it, Lazarz says, as the Kiaura chairs adjust to match the needs of the person sitting, rather than the person having to choose from a handful of rigid adjustments. “We’re still testing this out, but our initial findings show that when users sit in the chairs, they have not just ergonomic benefits, but there are physiological benefits and there are neurocognitive benefits as well.”
Cognetic Technology is a patented, gravity-responsive innovation invented by Aaron DeJule that continuously works with the body’s natural micro-movements while seated. The industrial designer had been in an accident and suffered while sitting when he came up with an idea he hoped would alleviate pain, Lazarz says.
“You’ve been told that sitting is the problem, right? But what if it’s not sitting that’s the problem? What if it’s sitting still that’s the problem?”
2. Transcribe by Tarkett
Part of the Transcribe collection, Dialect and Hieroglyph are seen here in a color called Imaginative. Photo courtesy of Tarkett
The new Transcribe collection was a favorite inside Tarkett’s Chicago showroom during Design Days, as it explores how communication transcends time, with looks like Narrative Thread and Hieroglyph. “It tells that story of being able to communicate at different times through different languages and different cultures,” says Omoleye Simmons, vice president of commercial design at Tarkett.
Simmons and the Tarkett design team spend a lot of time researching concepts before launching any new product, and recent research drew them to want to celebrate human’s consistent need for connectivity, from primitive writings to morse code, all celebrated in the patterns and colors of Transcribe, the new carpet tile and Contour 3.0 mm LVT collection. “We chose to go back to where that communication started and bring that full circle to where we are now,” Simmons says.
Designers can choose from four styles in nine colors in ethos carpet tile and Flex-Aire cushion carpet and six styles in four colors in 3.0 mm Contour luxury vinyl tile. The ethos carpet tile is Cradle to Cradle Certified Bronze v.4.0, Declare Red List–Free, and made with up to 78% recycled content. At end of life the fully circular ethos carpet tile backing can be recycled into new ethos backing through Tarkett’s ReStart take-back and recycling program.
In general, 94% of Tarkett raw materials are third-party assessed for their impact on human and environmental health based on Cradle to Cradle criteria.
3. Paint by Numbers by HBF Textiles
The four patterns in the Paint by Numbers collection, designed by Liam Lee and HBF Textiles, are each named after an aspect of Lee’s own fiber artist practice, based on the texture and feel of canvas. Photo courtesy of HBF Textiles
Paint By Numbers, designed by New York-based artist Liam Lee in collaboration with HBF Textiles, is Lee’s debut textile collection. “I don’t come from a textile background. I’m a fiber artist,” Lee says. “Color is very essential to my practice.”
Developing the colors for this collection was an exciting new venture for Lee, who says the four patterns in Paint by Numbers are each named after an aspect of his own practice, based on the texture and feel of canvas. “Pointillist, named after pointillist painting, has the bouclé, which sort of mimics the diaphanous qualities. And Impasto, named for the thick application of paint, it really changes with the light,” he says, looking over a table full of fresh fabrics.
Pointillist integrates points of color through hand-selected bouclé yarns to produce dynamic color fields that are luminous and cohesive, with 10 colorways to choose from, approved for indoor and outdoor use. Impasto is a textured velvet that adds a dynamic, light-sensitive option to the collection. “The colorways in Paint By Numbers are intended to be mixed and matched, acting as puzzle pieces for designers to explore playful, polychrome palettes in their projects,” Lee says.
As part of the collection, Gridwork and Magic Eye patterns are made using up to 95% post-consumer recycled materials. Overall the collection is certified Indoor Advantage Gold to comply with rigorous indoor air quality emissions standards in North America.
4. Land/Mark Collection by Bentley
Know By Heart, part of the Land/Mark Collection, is seen here in Cinder. Know By Heart is fluid and rhythmic, with striated patterning and an ombré-like movement of color, where brighter hues emerge and recede against darker neutrals.
Photo courtesy of Bentley
The new signature carpet tile collection by Bentley, designed in collaboration with Neutral Haus, includes three styles—Where We Met, Old Haunts, and Know By Heart—that reflect our past experiences through texture and tone.
The shared palette of 16 colorways is familiar yet fresh, with mineral grays, softened blacks, and chocolate browns bringing depth while creating a foundation that works anywhere.
“Land/Mark is stunning and sustainable, with the data to back it up. Through Bentley’s listing on Ecomedes, designers can access the full sustainability picture behind the product: the materials, the certifications, the environmental impact, without digging or guessing,” says Ines Ware, director of sustainability at Bentley Mills. “That level of transparency matters enormously to the designers who are trying to hit sustainability targets, achieve LEED credits, or simply specify a beautiful product with the confidence that it is sustainable, too. And then there’s the California ‘it’ factor. Bentley was born and built in California, and that ethos is inherent to every product we make. We adhere to the highest environmental standards in the country. No other commercial carpet manufacturer can say.”
Land/Mark products are manufactured with Bentley Premium Nylon, made from ECONYL from Aquafil, the world’s only 100% regenerated and regenerable nylon created from reclaimed materials like fishing nets, carpet, and other post-consumer waste.
Like all Bentley-made carpet, Land/Mark products are PVC-free, Red List–free, PFAS- free, and antimicrobial-free, manufactured in Bentley’s California facility—the first LEED Gold carpet mill in the US. At the end of their useful life Land/Mark products can be fully recycled through FULFILL, Bentley’s carpet reclamation program.
5. Flirtation by Anzea
Anzea debuted the Flirtation collection, with Tempest pattern seen here, at NeoCon 2026. Photo courtesy of CF Stinson
Anzea—a CF Stinson brand—debuted the new, charming Flirtation collection at this year’s NeoCon. Pinks and purples draw the eye in alongside subtle florals and delicate, woven plaid fabrics designed to evoke feeling.
Among its styles, Tempest is a swirling botanical rendered in a silk-brocade construction, evoking a garden after a storm. Poise offers restraint and control with a tightly structured, plush surface and rich color. Moody softens the palette, featuring an interplay of chenille and bouclé, creating depth through tactility. Ghost Plaid lingers subtly, its jacquard-woven surface revealing a pattern that appears and recedes. Each pattern contributes to a layered narrative, in which materiality and emotion intertwine to create interiors that feel deeply human.
CF Stinson is a leading textile manufacturer serving the health care, education, hospitality, and workplace sectors with high-performance textile brands. The company is known for its commitment to design, performance, and sustainability, supported by ongoing investment in research, technology, and collaboration with the design community.
6. Tacet by Axis Lighting
Tacet by Axis Lighting. Photo courtesy of Axis Lighting
Tacet is a next-generation acoustic lighting system by Axis Lighting that transforms traditional grid ceilings into dynamic architectural features.
“A grid ceiling is always a little bit less interesting as a designer to use,” says Dirk Zylstra, vice president of strategic innovation and product development at Axis Lighting. And he knows; he’s been in the design world for decades.
Tacet gives architects and designers something more architectural to play with. “This mounts on any grid system and hides the grid system. It looks like a more architectural ceiling without the evidence of a grid ceiling,” Zylstra says. Designers can develop geometric layouts, flowing forms, and signature ceiling designs using Tacet.
He says the new configurable, linear system provides the ease and simplicity of a 2-by-2 system but with curves and more patterns to choose from soon.
Made from 75% recycled post-consumer acoustic felt and fully recyclable at end of life, Tacet is lightweight for easy transport and installation. Zylstra says Tacet is also easy to clean, durable, and has high acoustic values. And it’s simple to integrate sprinklers, cameras, speakers, or other elements as needed.
Tacet is currently available in 32 colors, with more on the way.
7. Script Lounge by Indiana Furniture
Script Lounge is a flexible collection that blends freestanding and modular elements. Photo courtesy of Indiana Furniture
Debuted at NeoCon 2026, Script Lounge by Indiana Furniture is a flexible, people-centric collection that blends freestanding and modular elements.
“Historically bench seating is blocky and uncomfortable,” says Danielle Crowder, senior marking specialist who oversees the showroom and tradeshow projects for Indiana Furniture. “Script is anything but. People are drawn to the soft form of the seats and the extra cushion that provides comfort and support.”
Script was shown in a soft textural fabric at NeoCon. “It was stunning by all accounts during the show,” Crowder says.
Three back heights in linear and curved configurations, as well as junior-sized models, coordinating tables, and a range of base options make it easy to move from casual to more refined applications. “Like putting pen to paper, Script allows you freedom to express your own design,” Crowder says.
Script also offers tapered legs in 35 wood finishes or three powder-coated metal finishes, or in a powder-coated sled base, available in aluminum, black, and snow.
8. Sula Wood Tables by Allermuir
Sula Wood is an evolution of the Sula table range, defined by a monolithic oak veneer base and bold tapered form. Photo courtesy of Allermuir
The Sula Wood series introduces wood finishes, a new cylindrical base profile, and coffee tables to the range for an added layer of textural depth and sophistication that enriches the collection while maintaining the architectural character of the original design.
Available as dining, meeting, and coffee tables, the Sula Wood Tables are defined by a monolithic oak veneer base and bold tapered form. The conical timber base adds warmth and pairs with veneer, stone, or laminate tops. They’re at home across hospitality, workplace, and public spaces.
Oak veneer bases are available with a clear water-based lacquer or with optional stains in Black, American Cherry, American Walnut, Dark Walnut, Wenge, and White Oak. Veneer bases can be specified with coordinating veneer tops as well as paired with a choice of natural stones, laminates, and TFL tops for a dynamic mixed-material aesthetic.
The Indoor Advantage Gold–certified tables are available for order entry beginning July 1, 2026.
9. Forest Within by Interface
Forest Within is seen here in Quiet Grove, inspired by birch trees. Photo courtesy of Interface
Three of the four styles from Interface’s 2026 launch “Forest Within” are seen here near the entry to the Interface showroom in Chicago. Photo courtesy of Interface
This year’s Interface showroom included the sounds of birds lightly chirping alongside cozy, biophilic spaces for people to find respite during three busy days of NeoCon. The renovation coincides with the global commercial flooring manufacturer’s nature-based ethos and the launch of the new Forest Within collection.
The intent of a building is to keep out the elements, but often that also keeps out many things we love, like the mountains and beaches, says Jay Lanier, global head of market sustainability at Interface. The carpet tile collection designed by David Oakey for Interface was inspired by alpine forests and shifting seasons, with each of the four styles reflecting nature’s untamed energy.
Lanier says good design includes engaging in larger conversations about sustainability, with more people, and sooner. That’s part of their “Good Design Never Ends” campaign. “Good Design Never Ends is really built around driving the message around circularity. If it’s circular, you can get on at any point in the cycle,” he says. “There’s this perception that circularity begins at end of life. For us it’s about being able to empower our design customers to be in a position to specify circularity with the parts that they control actively on every project and realize that, yes, we’re going to be in a great position to help with end of life solutions, but there are so many different ways for them to engage in that as well. This is about bringing together design, materials, and renewal.”
Smarter design means modular solutions that use fewer materials that last longer, too. And planning for what’s next keeps more flooring in use and out of the waste stream.
10. Giverny Collection from Pallas
The Giverny Collection was inspired by Monet paintings. Photo courtesy of Pallas
Textile designer Geraldine Blanchot grew up immersed in the landscapes and natural rhythms of France that inspired Monet’s work. The Giverny Collection feels personal, as Blanchot recalls sketching with her grandmother when she was young. “When she decided to tackle this particular collection, she really thought about what inspired her as a child,” says Shay Nothstine, director of sales and distribution at Pallas. “It’s all about light and reflection.”
Giverny translates painterly techniques and impressions into textiles that feel both artistic and highly relevant for contemporary commercial interiors. Designed to balance beauty with performance, Giverny delivers expressive aesthetics without compromising durability. The collection incorporates innovative materials, including Tekloom Air Bio, a USDA-Certified Biobased Product, alongside sustainable material technologies like HYPHYN biodegradable vinyl and SEAQUAL YARN, supporting designers’ growing demand for products that combine artistry, performance, and environmental responsibility. Giverny combines the art of textile with technical performance, Nothstine says.
11. TEMPLOK Energy Saving Ceilings by Armstrong
rmstrong’s TEMPLOK ceiling tiles can save up to 15% on energy cost and usage while also offering superior sound blocking, sound absorption, and temperature regulation. Photo courtesy of AWI
When Armstrong reached out to building professionals to find out about their pain points, they learned many were struggling with operational costs, especially given the increase in energy costs.
Armstrong’s TEMPLOK ceiling tiles can save up to 15% on energy cost and usage while also offering superior sound blocking, sound absorption, and temperature regulation. “It’s acting basically like an ice cube,” says Deb Pickens about the TEMPLOK sample in her hand. She oversees Energy Saving Ceilings at Armstrong. “It’s absorbing the heat in the space and then releasing it at night.”
TEMPLOK is in high demand in many schools, where thermal comfort can be tricky to manage. “I know in New York in some areas if it gets hotter than 88 degrees, they shut down the schools and send the teachers home. This product helps keep it tuned to 72 degrees.” She says another advantage is enhanced acoustics with a higher CAC because of the product’s packet on the back.
TEMPLOK is Red List–free, DECLARE labeled, nontoxic, and took home a Best of NeoCon Award this year.
12. FARI Lounge Chair by Vestre
The FARI Lounge is a contemporary take on the safari chair, designed by Norwegian design studio Studio Føy for Vestre. Photo courtesy of Vestre
Vestre unveiled its new outdoor lounge collection, FARI, at Fulton Market Design Days. The contemporary take on the safari chair was designed by Norwegian design studio Studio Føy. Vestre works with external designers, including those who don’t typically design furniture, to achieve some of their creative output. “We have an in-house product development team that does research and studies, but for product design we work exclusively with independent designers who come up with these ideas, and we love that,” Kristoffer Vestre, chairman at Vestre, previously told gb&d. “By not doing design in-house we believe we can draw from a much wider pool. We get ideas we would never have come up with ourselves.”
The studio is known for its playful, story-driven approach to design and its commitment to creating products that stand the test of time, both aesthetically and functionally. “Vestre has always been driven by design. We continuously collaborate with leading designers to develop new collections while expanding our existing product families. Last year, we introduced UNITY and JUNE, and this year we are proud to launch FARI in the United States, an important and growing market for us,” says Bjørn Fjellstad, CEO of Vestre.
FARI was designed to make public spaces more inviting and comfortable. The lounge chair features a low seat height, a relaxed recline, and softly rounded armrests, creating a comfortable and welcoming seating experience. The lounge chair is delivered in three components that can be assembled quickly and easily, combining durability, comfort, and efficient transportation.
“FARI reflects Vestre’s philosophy of creating products with long lifespans, efficient production methods, and enduring design. The collection also supports our ambition to create public spaces where people can meet, connect, and thrive,” Fjellstad says.
13. Gradus by Framery
Gradus Huddle is a smart and soundproof meeting pod for up to four people for spontaneous collaboration and confidential discussions. Photo courtesy of Framery
Gradus is an adaptive line of smart pods made for the US and Canada and assembled in the US, designed to meet the needs of any space.
Gradus Focus is a smart, soundproof phone booth for one person, designed for calls and focus work. Gradus Work is a smart and soundproof workstation for one person and includes a full-size adjustable desk with spacious interior. Gradus Huddle is a smart and soundproof meeting pod for up to four people for spontaneous collaboration and confidential discussions.
Gradus’ clean lines and minimalist silhouette allow it to blend in or stand out, depending on a space’s needs, according to Joonas Vartola, CDO of Framery. A modular snap-on system allows the exterior to be covered in a range of wall panels where textures or finishes can be specified, including warm wood veneers, soft fabrics, or acoustic panels.
The pods instantly sense the user, illuminate with natural daylight, and adjust airflow based on occupancy, humidity, and temperature. Once the door closes office noise disappears behind Class A soundproofing.
These solutions are designed to stand the test of time. “Framery pods are built for heavy use; we have units in the field with tens of thousands of sessions,” Vartola says. “We need our workspace assets to last for decades, not just the length of a lease.”
The pods feature a fully modular build where every component is replaceable, allowing them to be repaired, refurbished, and updated over time. Durable materials extend the functional lifespan of each pod.
14. Zen Garden by J+J Flooring
The Zen Garden collection from J+J Flooring launches in late June 2026 with four new products, including Shoji Screen, seen here. Photo courtesy of J+J Flooring
The Zen Garden collection from J+J Flooring launches in late June with four new products—Shoji Screen, Lotus Blossoms (a large-scale pattern), Koi Pond (a smaller, all-over pattern), and Curate. The collection is inspired by beautiful, calming moments from Japanese culture, according to Laura Holzer, director of design at J+J Flooring.
“As everything gets busier and busier, I know that any time designers can make a space feel more comfortable and more inviting, it really helps. We’re giving them the tools to do that,” Holzer says.
All J+J Flooring products are available in a PVC-free option, and EPDs and HPDs are available on the company’s website. “We are very transparent,” Holzer says, adding that their Green Smart program takes a commonsense approach to sustainability.
For Zen, customers have the option to order Advance Modular Carpet Backing that’s PVC-free and engineered to provide the outstanding performance, protection, and stability required of modular carpet systems, says Rita Faulkner, marketing manager at J+J Flooring.
A fiber option is also available for the Zen collection. Customers can order these products manufactured with J+J’s Encore 100 Nylon. Encore 100 contains 100% post-industrial (pre-consumer) recycled content and has lifetime warranties for wear, stain removal, and colorfastness to light and atmospheric contaminants.
15. Wanderwood LVT by Patcraft
Wanderwood LVT was inspired by wood and terrazzo. Photo courtesy of Patcraft
Wanderwood was among several new collections unveiled by Patcraft at this year’s NeoCon. Recognized with a Best of Neocon Silver Award, Wanderwood opens up design possibilities with a unique, wood-inspired terrazzo visual available in 24-by-24-inch tiles.
Wanderwood LVT is durably designed and manufactured in the US alongside other Patcraft high-performance LVT products in North Georgia. All products are fully recyclable through Patcraft’s re[TURN] reclamation program, designed to reduce impact over time.
Wanderwood is constructed with ExoGuard+ technology for high appearance retention that withstands scratching and staining.
Styles are easy to coordinate, with a wide color range and variation for flexible design. Wanderwood officially launches in fall 2026.
16. Trapeze by PureEdge
The Trapeze Wave Oval is a flexible, architectural lighting system that blends form and function to create continuous, 360-degree illumination without pixelation. Photo courtesy of Pure Edge Lighting
PureEdge is known for offering the lighting parts and pieces designers need to make something magical, and Trapeze is the latest offering in its Pipeline 360 series. “We’re a toolbox for designers,” says Drew Goldman, vice president of sales and one of the founders of the company.
PureEdge’s linear, low voltage technology evolved from industrial products into beautiful, aesthetic designs that are popular in hospitality, among other spaces.
PureEdge is able to meet the strictest energy and conservation code requirements in California. The reason they focus on low voltage, though, is largely for creative purposes, Goldman says. “It allows you to have smaller parts and pieces, more precise fixtures, and it allows you to do things creatively in fixture design and fixture installation that you would normally not be able to. It would be too restrictive with normal electrical code.”
The Trapeze Wave Oval, pictured, is a flexible, architectural lighting system that blends form and function to create continuous, 360-degree illumination without pixelation. Its sculptural, minimal design provides a striking visual element while delivering exceptional color rendering for a clean, uninterrupted glow.
While a lot of other companies have plastered-in linear products, PureEdge’s patent is the ability to have curved plastered-in linear channels that fit inside the thickness of five-eighths drywall. “That’s a really important criteria,” Goldman says. “If you think about how construction works, how the studs and the joists that frame out the wall are two-by-fours, any linear product you recess at the wall has to fit perfectly. If you want to make a curve or a circle, you have to do a lot of preframing, preconstruction.” Not so with PureEdge solutions, he says. “The drywall becomes your canvas. Curves, arches, circles. The LED technology that’s inside of here, we are really on the forefront of this technology when it comes to efficiency and sustainability.”
17. Sutton by Three H
The Sutton Collection flexible zoning solution was born out of a need for space division without making people feel disconnected. Rendering courtesy of Three H Furniture
Three H Furniture’s new modular zoning system, Sutton, launched to meet the needs of the evolving workplace, giving designers a more flexible toolkit to create environments that feel intuitive while maintaining openness and flow.
Designed by Lee Fletcher, vice president of design at Sutton, alongside the Three H product development team, Sutton brings purpose, clarity, and connection to the open plan without relying on permanent walls. The collection includes benches, shelving, alcoves, planters, pergolas, and curtains.
“We’re creating the backdrop for great workplaces to happen in,” Fletcher previously told gb&d. “A lot of our dealers will have a soft seating line as well as us, so we’re creating environments where soft seating collections can be integrated with what we’re doing. We’re creating environments that are sympathetic to other kinds of spaces. That’s what Sutton is about. It’s the kind of thing you don’t necessarily immediately recognize as a discrete product, but it’s creating a space for things to happen in.”
Sutton allows people to move more freely, too, as they work in different ways and move between collaboration, focus, and pause throughout the day. Three H believes their environments should move with them.
Sutton pairs seamlessly with Harris, Three H’s comprehensive locker system, creating a workplace ecosystem that supports the full rhythm of the workday.
18. Expanded Frontier Styles by Autex Acoustics
The Frontier Acoustic Fins system now includes the Glide style, seen here. Photo courtesy of Autex Acoustics
Autex Acoustics recently expanded its popular Frontier Acoustic Fins system with new nature-inspired styles like Ripple, Wave, and Glide.
Exclusively distributed in North America by Momentum, these additions expand the modular ceiling system’s growing portfolio to nine distinct styles, deepening its offer of high-performance acoustic solutions that double as architectural statements.
Frontier Acoustic Fins is a modular system of linear elements that assemble into sculptural, slatted ceiling designs with a rhythmic visual flow. Its adjustable channel-and-clip mechanism gives designers precise control over fin height, spacing, and placement, while fins can be flush-mounted via rails or extension rods for a seamless finish.
Glide introduces a subtle rhythm inspired by the elegance of continuous motion. Its smooth, repeated contours gently lift and shape the ceiling plane, adding variation to otherwise flat surfaces.
