This May, some of the industry’s best events can be attended from the comfort of your couch—and after our year in hibernation, some in-person get-togethers are cropping up, too. Before you set your schedule, be sure to check out these showhouses, panels, exhibitions and virtual gatherings.
Designing Women III: Mother
May 3–29 | New York
A curatorial collaboration between design studio Egg Collective and artist Tealia Ellis Ritter, the third installment of the Designing Women series highlights historical and contemporary works of art and design by mothers. Proceeds directly benefit the artists, designers and participating galleries, and the studio has also partnered with the organization Every Mother Counts, which seeks to make pregnancy and childbirth safer for women everywhere. For more info, click here.
French Design Days
May 4–June 4 | Virtual
French Design Days aims to connect furniture and home decor companies in France with interior design professionals based in North America. The event features 10 French designers and manufacturers of furniture, lighting, floor coverings, hardware and textiles. Interior design professionals in the U.S. and Canada can review each company’s profile and then sign up for a 30-minute video call presentation with the company of their choice. For more info, click here.
#LCDQ Strong III: Looking Forward
May 5 | Virtual
Together with Hearst’s Luxury & Design Collection, the La Cienega Design Quarter has announced a series of master classes, keynotes and design conversations for its virtual design summit. Hear from industry insiders like Elle Decor editor in chief Asad Syrkett on building your design business from the ground up; House Beautiful’s Carisha Swanson on designing for a better world; Town & Country’s Olivia Hoskin on the idea that design is everywhere; and Veranda editor in chief Steele Marcoux on how nature can save your life. Participants can also peer through the virtual store windows of the LCDQ for a glimpse of the work of 20 different top designers. For more info, click here.
IDS Conference
May 5–7 | Virtual
This year, the Interior Design Society’s multiday conference will include interactive workshops on business-building practices, along with a virtual speaker series. After kicking off with a keynote from designer Alexa Hampton on May 5, the series will continue with guest speakers LuAnn Nigara, Sophie Donelson, Patti Carpenter, Haydn Shaw and more. In addition to panels and workshops, attendees can attend virtual speed networking rounds through the Hopin platform. For more info, click here.
Better Homes & Gardens: Stylemaker
May 7 | Virtual
It’s the 10 year anniversary of Better Homes & Gardens’ annual Stylemaker issue, and they’re celebrating the decade in style at this year’s virtual event—editor in chief Stephen Orr, joined by Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin from The Home Edit, will discuss real-life clutter issues and how to fix them with organizing strategies. For more info, click here.
Interior Design Show Spring Resiliency Conference
May 10–13 | Virtual
What will the future look like for the design industry? This four-day event from Toronto’s Interior Design Show tackles that question through the lens of sustainability—via demonstrations, seminar content and audience engagement, thought leaders will discuss such topics as the future of cities, designing for social good and building a post-pandemic world. For more info, click here.
The Kaleidoscope Project Showhouse Tour
May 16–June 6 | Lenox, Massachusetts
The historic Cornell Inn in the Berkshires is getting a new look. As the new showhouse location for The Kaleidoscope Project, the organization tapped 21 designers of color to renovate sections of the property’s main house and carriage house—including 18 guest rooms and suites, as well as the lobby area, small dining room and bar. Each incorporated into their designs the theme of rest, reflection and rejuvenation. For more info, click here.
Closeup: ICFF + WantedDesign Manhattan
May 17–18 | Virtual
Modeled after a TV show format, the second iteration of this live trade event features brand presentations, product launches, virtual exhibitions and panel discussions. Tune in to the broadcast for an array of virtual studio visits and live conversations digging into topics such as “The Beauty of Making” and “Leading on Wellness.” For more info, click here.
Affordable Art Fair NYC
May 20–23 | New York
The spring edition of Affordable Art Fair will return to the Metropolitan Pavilion in Chelsea, highlighting original contemporary works from emerging and establishing artists. Artworks range in price from $100 to $10,000—with more than half under $5,000—highlighted by a selection of 45 boutique exhibitors. If shopping from home is more your style, the fair’s online sales event, which started earlier this month, continues until May 3. For more info, click here.
Want more events? Click here to view Business of Home’s full list of happenings.
Homepage image: Inside the Designing Women III: Mother exhibition from Egg Collective | Nicole Franzen
