BDNY 2025 Recap
This year’s BDNY show at the Javits Center was one of the most inspiring I have attended in a long time. The energy was contagious from the moment I walked onto the show floor. Thousands of interior designers, architects, purchasing agents, owners and developers gathered with hundreds of manufacturers and marketers, all exploring what is next in the world of hospitality interiors. What I love most about BDNY is that it brings together true makers, thoughtful materials, and brands that are pushing design forward in fresh, meaningful ways.
Whenever I set out to walk a show like this, I focus on three core values that guide my work: artistry, sustainability, and craftsmanship. I look for pieces that express a story, materials that honor the earth, and makers who value quality above all. This year, those themes appeared again and again in the most dynamic and creative ways. Below are a few of my standout discoveries from the show.
Swadoh: A Celebration of French Craft and Material Poetry
Swadoh immediately caught my eye with its serene and sculptural lighting. Their booth felt like a small gallery dedicated to material exploration. The hand made paper sconces were delicate yet architectural, and the porcelain pieces offered quiet beauty with an incredible attention to detail. Their natural woven designs added warmth and texture in a way that felt timeless.
This year, Swadoh showcased the remarkable work of several talented artists including Morgane Baroghel Crucq, Lucie Touré, Emilie Grière with MU Studio, Crosland and Emmons, and Celine Wright. Each artist brought a distinct design language, but together, the collection felt cohesive and soulful. It was a wonderful reminder of how light, material, and craft can come together to transform a space.
Wonderwall Studio: Sustainable Luxury from the Netherlands
Wonderwall Studio offered one of the most compelling stories of sustainable material use at the show. Their joyful wall paneling is created entirely from salvaged woods, and the textures are nothing short of stunning. One of the most fascinating pieces featured was the dark “bug wood” that had been recovered from the sea. Divers locate pieces of wood that have aged naturally under water, absorbing nutrients from the ocean. The result is a richly textured surface with depth, character, and a patina that simply cannot be replicated.
Seeing this work up close reminded me how powerful reclaimed materials can be, not only for sustainability but for storytelling. These panels carry history and highlight the beauty that emerges when we reuse and rethink natural resources.
SIN Lighting: American Craft Reimagined in the Brooklyn Navy Yard
As someone who values both material creativity and local craftsmanship, SIN Lighting was a major highlight. Designed and manufactured in a large warehouse in the Brooklyn Navy Yard, SIN is a fully American made brand founded by Virginia Sin. The stoneware lighting pieces were some of the most inventive forms I saw at the show.
What I loved most were the surfaces that play with visual illusion. One sconce looked exactly like patent leather. Another looked like folded felt. Yet both were crafted entirely from stoneware. The commitment to using high quality materials, paying fair wages, and supporting American craft traditions gives every piece a sense of purpose and integrity. This brand proves that modern design and heritage craftsmanship can coexist beautifully.
Gloster, Dedon, and Currey and Company: A Textural Approach to Outdoor Living
One of the strongest trends I saw at BDNY was the continued rise of texture in outdoor living, beautifully represented by three standout brands: Gloster, Dedon, and Currey and Company. Together, they showcased how layered materials and tactile surfaces can elevate exterior spaces in fresh, sophisticated ways.
Gloster’s woven substrates, Dedon’s iconic handcrafted fibers, and Currey and Company’s sculptural lighting each brought their own interpretation of texture to the forefront. Whether through intricate weaves, dimensional surfaces, or organically inspired forms, these brands proved that outdoor furniture and lighting can feel just as curated and expressive as what we bring indoors.
This textural trend is only gaining momentum, and these three companies are leading the way with craftsmanship that highlights the beauty of materiality in the outdoor environment.
Walking BDNY always reaffirms my love for design. This show is more than a sourcing opportunity. It is a place to meet makers, hear their stories, feel new materials with your own hands, and understand what drives their craft. It is a show that celebrates innovation balanced with purpose, and creativity grounded in quality.
From French artisans to Brooklyn makers to Dutch sustainability storytellers, this year’s show offered a vibrant mix of ideas that will undoubtedly influence trends in hospitality and home design. I left feeling energized, inspired, and excited to share more of the trends I am tracking for 2026.
