Hula to orbit a bar top near you
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Andreu World’s latest stool offering takes inspiration from the hoop it is named after. Hula’s footrest rotates much like a Hula hoop in motion. Clean and understated, its core material is made up of aluminum with a wood or upholstered seat. Designed by Benjamin Hubert of Layer, sustainability was a major focus. The stool is made to hold up in contract environments, be long lasting and is able to be broken down easily for recycling at end of life… but not before lasting through many rotations around the sun! For more information, check out this this video and contact me.

Mary Blanchard
MUTO Acoustical Print Panels offer print perfection

MUTO Acoustical Print Panels provide soft tactile texture with bold graphic patterns. Whether used for walls, ceilings, dividers or components, soft-patterned sound absorption is the solution for large noisy spaces with hard surfaces. Choose from 3 patterns in three different core colors. And, with the option to select from small, medium or large scale, designing for the size of your space just got easier. MUTO Acoustical Print Panels create high impact design in a thoughtfully functional way.

Contact me for more information.

Mary Blanchard
Commonality of design... yet, anything but common

With twenty years of NeoCon trade fairs behind me, it is fair to say I take comfort in the familiar: product training, cocktail parties, seeing friends from near and far, and sharing the experience with clients new and old.  And yet, it seems, I see and experience NeoCon differently every time.  It's always exciting for me to see what is new from all my manufacturers and, of course, the awards and accolades are nice too! Each of my manufacturers had their fair share.  But this year I was able to connect the dots of innovation, inspiration and common design themes that I haven't always been aware of before.

For instance, Integra and Watson introduced the Pax Collection and Cloud9 desk, respectively, each with slim pencil leg details and shown in a conservative, yet international material and color palette.  Both Skyline Design and Watson talked about changing landscapes.  The layering of color and light play together with intersecting lines on glass as shown in the Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec Collection, while Cloud9 rail system showed us how it bends space to people with unlimited ways to change the landscape of workspaces.  Yellow had a strong presence all over the Merchandise Mart and Andreu World and Integra incorporated the color throughout their showrooms, shown below on the Gala chair and Pax Pouf, creating Instagram worthy vignettes for all to snap and share.

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It's quite remarkable to see the connections between manufacturers and feel proud to represent each with their unique attributes, yet all speaking a universal design language.  Learn more about the NeoCon 2019 introductions by contacting me for a showroom tour or product update appointment.

Mary Blanchard
NeoCon spotlight: Angles, crisscrosses and translucency, oh my!
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Design brothers, Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec were tapped by Skyline Design to create their latest glass design patterns: Oblique and Chevron. Here’s a teaser pic of a few of their freshly angled offerings that play with lines and transparency. Of the designs, The brothers state that "We believe that light is a matter of variation, of multiple pieces of information that your eyes build into a unique panorama." Vive la Français design! Check it out in person at NeoCon showroom 1040 and/or contactez-moi pour plus d’informations.

Mary Blanchard
Let’s go eat well then fiesta, Andreu World style!

Andreu World has not one, but two events that will have you jota-ing to their locations at TheMART on Monday, June 10th.

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First up, a delectable event featuring the release of the book Andreu World Book: Eat Well Seated, Gastronomy and Design by Alvaro Castro. You definitely don't want to miss this panel discussion and book presentation happening on June 10 at 10am-1pm in 1871 space of TheMART (11th Floor - suite 1212). RSVP is needed, so please emailrsvp@andreuworld.com to reserve your spot.

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But that's not all! There will be no time for siesta on June 10th between 4:30 to 8pm! Join Andreu World in NeoCon showroom 10-132 for a live musical performance, Spanish tapas and wine. Be there or be cuadrado--no RSVP necessary. Contact me for more information.

Mary Blanchard
Heading to NeoCon this June? So is The Material Collective!
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Several of The Material Collective's lines will be featuring their latest and greatest at NeoCon and we can’t wait for you to check them out! Following is a list of all things TMC at NeoCon

Find us here: 

Events, Happy Hours and Parties: 

Sunday, June 9, 5-7pm: Camira Happy Hour @ Public House, 400 North State Street, Chicago, IL 60654. RSVP to Bobby Hejna by May 13, 2019.

Wednesday, June 12, 4:30-8pm : Andreu World Fiesta @ 10-132  

Showroom Tour scheduling:

Contact me to schedule a showroom tour for any of the manufacturers listed above and get ahead of the crowds!

NeoCon Itinerary, Tips and Tricks: 

  1. ️ ✈️ ➡️ to 💨🏙️

  2. Plan it 📅 + 🗺️

  3. Come 😴 + ☕️ + 🥛🥛🥛

  4. Comfort over Fashion 👞 > 👠

  5. Work your way through the 🏢 🔝 ⬇️

  6. Follow the 🥇 🥈 🥉 via Contract Design 

  7. Bring the essentials: Business ♠️s + 📱 + 🔋 (in other words, 🚕➡️ 💡🏋️)

  8. NeoCon 🌃 = 🎉 + 🍸️ + 🍽️

  9. ↪️ to 🏨 and 😴

  10. 🔁 steps 2-8 x  2

  11. ↪️ ✈️ to 🏜️ 🏠️ ️

  12. 🗣️ 🔎 with👥

Travel safe in June and see you at theMart!

Mary Blanchard
Sound off with MUTO Acoustical Slabs
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MUTO Slab Panels are your solution for sound absorption while designing with the rich soft texture of PET material. Ideal for large open concept spaces filled with hard surfaces, MUTO Slab Panels mute the noise level creating quiet and productive environments. With a variety of color options to choose from, select the perfect shade while improving conversation and communication.

Contact me for more information.

Mary Blanchard
Add acoustical absorption with MUTO Acoustical Divider Panels

When it comes to large open-concept spaces, diffusion of sound has become more than just a fundamental concern. Silence is everything. MUTO products offer the ability to turn function into high-design. PET core absorbs and diffuses sound. MUTO Acoustical Divider Panels offer graphic and textural aesthetic with high functioning noise control. NRC value and rating for MUTO Acoustical Divider Panels can be increased with the addition of a 1/2″ MUTO Acoustical Slab Panels backer sold separately. Select from up to 12 different color ways for tone-on-tone or two-tone panel compositions. Create unique and thoughtfully curated color combinations for your next project. And, enjoy the silence.

Contact me for more information.


Mary Blanchard
Turn up the silence with MUTO Acoustical Texture Panels
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MUTO Acoustical Texture Panels provide depth, drama, dimension and diffusion of sound. Whether used for walls, ceilings, dividers or artwork, the texture you have come to know and love is available in acoustical core to take your designs to new functional levels. With a variety of colorways to choose from and two core thicknesses to accommodate scale, MUTO Acoustical Texture Panels give you high-impact design in a thoughtfully functional way.

Contact me for more information.

Mary Blanchard
Inspired by paper folds, Nuez Stools offer variety and visual warmth.
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Designed by Patricia Urquiola for Andreu World, Nuez Stools were inspired by paper and the way it folds. These stools embrace the user by folding plastic much like paper around an object as a gift, in this case, a seated person. The stools come in 4 different base options that give each a distinct look to fit the aesthetics and function of a space. Even though the seats are made of thermoplastics, the design has a warm and soft aura, like a quilted textile. Available upholstered for an even softer output.

Contáctame para más información.

Mary Blanchard
Reserva... Andreu World NeoCon Fiesta!

NeoCon celebrates 50 years!  In my opinion, this is THE exhibition to spend some time at...  There will be plenty of new introductions to see from ALL my manufacturers, stay tuned here for more NeoCon updates.  One thing NOT to miss is the Andreu World Fiesta, fast becoming a client favorite...so, please save the date! Contáctame para más información.

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Mary Blanchard
BOLON... Introduces Elements

Creating balance between people, objects and their surroundings, Elements is a discreet collection, characterized by warm tonality, natural balance and sustainable values.  "Scandinasian" Design, Elements is a fusion of Nordic functionality with Asian simplicity - reflecting the minimalist ideas that often express themselves in both Scandinavian and Asian Aesthetics.  Available in rolls, tiles, Studio shapes, and acoustical tiles, Elements is a great value - starting at $3.50/SF.  Contact me for more information.

Mary Blanchard