Gift Wrap I: Modish Alloys

Thoroughly modern metals dominate the summer edition of the New York International Gift Fair.

Mark McMenamin -- Interior Design, 9/17/2007 12:00:00 AM

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There was another standoff on the Hudson last month, but this one didn't involve rail yards or redevelopment. It was unapologetic ultramodern sparring with avant-naturalism, as the summer edition of the biannual New York International Gift Fair commandeered the Javits Center and Passenger Ship Terminals 88 and 94. The tussle was most conspicuous at Accent on Design, the juried division of all things cutting edge, where the gleaming abstractions of Arik Levy shared the floor with the forward-thinking forestry of Angela Adams. Overall, smaller-scale goods stole focus from furniture and statement accessories, and eco-centricity was ubiquitous.

In the first of our two-part report from the show floor—Modish Alloys—we focus on the plethora of exhibitors proffering thoroughly modern metals. White metal finishes dominate here, gleaming against other media or glittering on their own. For a glimpse of what we found, click the slide show above to begin the tour.

Gift Wrap I Sources

mmckenna, 611 Broadway, No. 605, New York, NY 10012; 212-677-3481; mmckenna.com.

Ego, Postbox 1804, Michael Drewsensvej 7, DK-8270 Højbjerg
Denmark; 45-7020-0760; egolive.dk.

Blomus, 2412 E. Main, Olney, IL 62450; 618-395-2400; blomus.com.

Umbra, 1705 Broadway, Buffalo, NY 14212; 800-387-5122; umbra.com.

Alessi, 155 Spring Street, New York, NY 10012; 212-431-1310; alessi.com.

Gaia & Gino, Abdi Ipekci Cad. 44/4; Nisantasi, 34368; Istanbul, Turkey; 90-212-234-4472; gaiaandgino.com.

Kevin Patrick McCarthy, 14 Church Street, Beacon, NY 12508; 917-532-5606; kevinpatrickmccarthy.com.

Michael Aram, 136 West 18th Street, New York, NY 10011; 212-461-6903; michaelaram.com