At makers fairs and pop-ups alike, October’s design industry event-goers have ample opportunity to get their hands on high-end designer decor and furnishings. Read on for BOH’s calendar highlights for the month ahead, including conferences, trade shows, showhouses and design discussions.
Archtober
New York and Virtual | October 1–31
This year’s Archtober festivities include a monthlong series of activities, programs and exhibitions exploring architecture and design in New York and beyond. Organized by the Center for Architecture in collaboration with more than 70 partners and sponsors, the programming ranges from daily building tours and lectures by design experts to architecture competitions and celebrations. Highlights include an architecture boat tour around Manhattan, a glimpse inside the lost Fifth Avenue mansions, and a guided look at the newly built Little Island. For more info, click here.
New York Tabletop Show
New York and Virtual | October 5-8
41 Madison is welcoming attendees for the return of the New York Tabletop show, which includes a slate of experiential programming, an extensive array of new tabletop products and lush lobby display courtesy of FlowerSchool New York. Those who want to join the fun remotely can tune into the 41Madison Instagram account or website, where each day a different designer or influencer will take over to showcase new tabletop products—the lineup includes lifestyle blogger Amanda Gluck and interior designers Emily Spanos, Lisa Melone Cloughen, Elizabeth Kreuger and Rozit Arditi. For more info, click here.
Multi-Family Residences: Then and Now
New York | October 6
Hosted at 1228 Madison, one of Robert A.M. Stern Architects’ latest multi-family residences in the Upper East Side, this panel will survey the history of multi-family buildings in New York and examine how apartment housing has transformed over the years. RAMSA principal and founder Bob Stern and partners Paul Whalen and Michael D. Jones will join moderator Patrice Derrington, the Holliday Associate Professor and director of the real estate development program at Columbia University, for a panel discussion followed by a cocktail reception. For more info, click here.
Teaching Green Symposium
New York and Virtual | October 8–9
The New York School of Interior Design is calling upon award-winning practitioners and higher education experts in sustainable design to promote conversations on creating spaces that are responsible, ethical and effective. The two-day event offers keynotes, case studies, speed presentations and roundtable discussions held both on-site and online—featured speakers include Metropolis editor in chief Avinash Rajagopal, Earth Institute director Andrew Revkin, Perkins&Will principal Jennifer Graham, and Eric Corey Freed, senior vice president of sustainability at CannonDesign. For more info, click here.
Field + Supply Fall Fair
Kingston, New York | October 8–10
Field + Supply’s biannual makers fair is returning to the Hudson Valley this year, marking the first major event for the series since 2019. At Hutton Brickyards on the Hudson River waterfront, visitors are encouraged to settle in for the weekend-long event by checking out the location’s private cabins, open-air restaurant and various on-site activations. The fair’s shopping component will feature more than 150 vendors offering handmade goods from a range of categories, including home furnishings and decor, apparel, jewelry and accessories. For more info, click here.
San Francisco Fall Show
Virtual | October 15–24
In collaboration with InCollect, the San Francisco Fall Show returns for its second annual virtual edition, organized by show chair Suzanne Tucker and a dedicated team of volunteers. Thanks to InCollect’s technology and platform, dealers from around the world will exhibit a range of fine and decorative arts through their own online booths with accompanying photo and video assets. The 10-day event’s unique selection includes American, English, Continental and Asian furniture, art, textiles, ceramics and decorative objects. For more info, click here.
High Point Fall Market
High Point, NC | October 16–20
High Point Market returns this season with a plethora of in-person programming that explores the best business practices and products in the home furnishings industry today. The event kicks off on October 15 with a free community concert from indie pop band Fitz and The Tantrums, followed by four days of festivities that include the biannual Style Spotters Live! panel and an ongoing event series called Sustainability Stories at Center Stage. Visitors can also tune in to this year’s keynote series—talks include a conversation with designer Breegan Jane and Cococozy and Chirpyest founder Colette Shelton about growing a business through influence and partnerships; an inside look at supermodel, business owner and furniture designer Miranda Kerr’s entrepreneurial journey, moderated by Schumacher style director Tori Mellott; and Amazon Home executive Eva Lorenz’s insights on industry data and shifting consumer needs. For more info, click here.
Luxury Home Design Summit
Chatham, Massachusetts | October 26–28
Presented by New England Home and Esteem Media, this conference and networking event caters to current and future leaders in the luxury home design industry. It will be held at the Chatham Bars Inn Restaurant and Spa, and attendees will include architects, interior designers, landscape architects and designers, builders, contractors, showroom operators and suppliers, who can expect programming geared toward developing market knowledge, improving business skills and building community. Keynote speakers include architect, poet and entrepreneur Bobby McAlpine, Los Angeles–based designer Madeline Stuart, and author, producer and marketing influencer Andrew Davis. For more info, click here.
Design Chicago
Chicago | October 27–28
The largest residential design conference in the Midwest, Design Chicago 2021 convenes this year with two days of presentations and CEUs, product features and open houses centered on kitchen, bath and home furnishings. Programming includes topics as in-depth and varied as design elements from the 1920s and ’30s to hiring and retention in a competitive market. Attendees can also expect to hear from two of BOH’s own—editor in chief Kaitlin Petersen engages designer Victoria Hagan in a chat about her book Live Now in an event sponsored by The Shade Store, while design editor and BOH contributor Sophie Donelson invites designer Kate Marker for a conversation on the modern design entrepreneur. For more info, click here.
The Design Social Pop-Up
Newport, RI | October 28
Hosted at The Island House at Belle Mer, this curated pop-up connects designers with the makers behind their favorite products and boutique brands, including Alex Conroy Textiles, CW Stockwell, Mally Skok Design and Lea Rutledge Design. During the event, Business of Home editor in chief Kaitlin Petersen and Veranda executive editor Ellen McGauley will moderate panels in a lounge designed by Lee Industries. All proceeds from ticket sales will benefit the Aquidneck Land Trust, a local nonprofit focused on preserving the island’s open spaces. For more info, click here.
Homepage image: Field + Supply returns for an in-person event this year. | Courtesy of Field + Supply
