Best in show

Staff -- Interior Design, 8/1/2002 12:00:00 AM

Knoll

Knoll: Another good thing comes to life with Life, Knoll's intuitive ergonomic task chair. Instead of relying on cumbersome knobs and controls, Life adjusts on its own to counterbalance sitters' body weights. The slim, visually light form features a perforated plastic seat and a mesh back for optimal support and breathability; a leather or fabric cover can be slipped over the back and seat for a range of styling options. Designed and manufactured with an eco-friendly credo in mind, Life is easy on the environment, too. 105 Wooster Street, New York, NY 10012; 800-445-5045; knoll.com. circle 342

Skyline Design

Skyline Design: G Glass Compendium brings a little pizzazz to architectural glass. With two collections of five patterns each—available in a range of scales, textures, translucencies, finishes, and color options—there's something for everyone. 1240 North Homan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60651; 773-278-4660; skydesign.com. circle 343

Instyle Contract Textiles

Instyle Contract Textiles: The bold, contemporary Kool collection's textiles are 85 percent wool and 15 percent nylon, available in a range of colorways for a broad variety of applications. Of the five designs, Go-Go (shown) offers exuberant patterns and a subtle tactility. 553 Pacific Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94133; 415-515-9851; instylecontracttextiles.com. circle 344

Rexite

Rexite: If you like the popular Zanzibar stool, you'll love the new Zanziplano table. Not only is Zanziplano as cheerful as its stool counterpart, but the height-adjustable table also comes with hooks for hanging bags and other items underneath. Just don't leave your umbrella there. 7 Via Edison, 20090 Cusago, Italy; 39-029-039-0013; rexite.it. circle 345

Stylex

Stylex: When it comes to stacking chairs, the hard part isn't piling them up—it's moving them afterward. Stylex's Rhythm is everything a stackable chair should be: lightweight, flexible, and stylish, with optional rear castors for wheeling your stack around. Box 5038, Delanco, NJ 08075; 800-257-5742; stylexseating.com. circle 346

Spacesaver

Spacesaver: If you thought that a mobile storage system was just a mobile storage system, think again. The Designer series looks so good that storage may no longer have to be relegated to the back room. The steel-frame unit comes with multiple panel options, including laminate and wood vinyl. 1450 Janesville Avenue, Fort Atkinson, WI 53538; 800-492-3434; spacesaver.com. circle 347

Dauphin

Dauphin: Ergonomic task chairs aren't the only seating options that can benefit from netted backing. The Turkey Trot lounge and visitor chair, featuring a netted backrest, will surely add a little spring to your seat. 300 Myrtle Avenue, Boonton, NJ 07005; 800-995-6500; dauphin.com. circle 348

HBF

HBF: Barbara Barry's Hourglass tables emphasize form as well as function. The pieces feature a curvaceous base of steel filaments and tops made from maple veneer, acrylic, or tempered glass. P.O. Box 8, Hickory, NC 28603; 828-328-2064; hbf.com. circle 349

Design Link

Design Link: Thinner is definitely better with the Chip chair, featuring a super-slim plywood seat and back. Inspired by clean-lined Scandinavian design, the light and durable Chip is also stackable. 25 Kingston Street, 5th Floor, Boston, MA 02111; 800-568-2585; deslink.com. circle 350

Martin Brattrud

Martin Brattrud: Gensler's Terry Walker and Collin Burry devised the One collection, consisting of chaise (shown), chairs, sofas, ottoman, benches, and tables. Bases are polished chrome, platforms wood or steel. 1224 West 132nd Street, Gardena, CA 90247; 323-770-4171; martinbrattrud.com. circle 351

Metro

Metro: The greatest dilemma for the modern office worker? How to keep track of all those projects. Metro has our MO down with M/o, a modular case-good system with such organizational aids as a "project wall" and "cubby-file" to keep things straight. 7220 Edgewater Drive, Oakland, CA 94621; 510-567-5200; metrofurniture.com. circle 352

Keilhauer

Keilhauer: The Turn table will have you spinning for joy. Easily moved from room to room, this cute occasional table functions as a stool, too. Available in maple, walnut, and cherry, in a natural finish or a choice of six cheery paint colors. 1450 Birchmount Road, Toronto, Ontario M1P 2E3, Canada; 800-724-5665; keilhauer.com. circle 353

Mohawk Group

Mohawk Group: One person's ivory is another's antique white. That's why the the color experts at Pantone have come aboard to systematize Mohawk floor coverings. Thanks to Pantone's numerical standards, designers specifying products from Karastan Contract's Fashion Venue collection or Durkan Commercial's Art House, among other lines, can now choose and coordinate hues with total certainty. 500 Town Park Lane, Suite 400, Atlanta, GA 30144; 800-554-6637; mohawkgroup.com. circle 354

Davis Furniture

Davis Furniture: The curvaceous Lipse chair and beam seating, featuring a bent-plywood seat, is offered in a variety of colors and finishes. There's an upholstered version, too. 2401 South College Drive, P.O. Box 2065, High Point, NC 27261; 877-463-2847; davisfurniture.com. circle 355

Amtico

Amtico: Feel like you've spent a century searching for an alternative to rubber flooring? Amtico's new Century collection of synthetic tiles ends your quest. The line comes in 12 colors and has a durable textured finish suitable for restaurants, hotels, and stores. Available in 12-inch or 18-inch square tiles. 6480 Roswell Road, Atlanta, GA 30328; 404-267-1900; amtico.com. circle 356

Brueton

Brueton: This company definitely means business, recently introducing three collections: Zag (table shown), Stem, and Stilt. Designed by Stanley Jay Friedman, all bring simple, sculptural lines to office furniture. 979 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10022; 212-838-1630; brueton.com. circle 357

Lees Carpet

Lees Carpet: MetaFloor II, which marries the durability of hard-surface flooring with the sound absorption and slip resistance of carpet, is the next generation of this company's popular and versatile floor-covering line. Previously, the product came only on a black background; thanks to technological advances, MetaFloor II is available in pretty much any color you might fancy. Exposed nylon backing contributes to a surprisingly sophisticated look. 3330 West Friendly Avenue, P.O. Box 26027, Greensboro, NC 27410; 800-523-5647; leescarpet.com. circle 358

Source International

Source International: New from Jorge Pensi Design of Barcelona, Spain, the elegant, stackable Pol chair features an upholstered seat and back, in either beige or black. Also available as beam seating. 545 Hartford Turnpike, Shrewsbury, MA 01545; 800-722-0474; sourceseating.com. circle 359

Izzydesign

Izzydesign: The Izzyseating collection's eight lighthearted chair styles can be ordered in innumerable finishes and sizes. For those in search of a flexible Izzydesign table, however, there's a single clear choice: Jack, a new lightweight, tilt-top, foldable version. 80 Ottawa NW, Suite 300, Grand Rapids, MI 49503; 616-458-7513; izzydesign.com. circle 360

Principal

Principal: Stressful work environment getting you down? Just let it be with Be. This endlessly adaptable modular office system is oriented around a clear-span beam that varies from 6 to 12 feet. Beams and end panels, which come in finish options including walnut and anigre, combine with tables, storage units, credenzas, and accessories to create endless design combinations. As demonstrated, the beam is also strong enough to stand on—a little support in frantic times. 105 Prospect Way, P.O. Box 698, Osceola, WI 54020; 715-294-1400; pfmi.com. circle 361

Bernhardt Design

Bernhardt Design: The smart Lido chair by Icelandic designer Erla Solveig Oskarsdottir shows that—when it comes to design—this island nation is on a par with bigger Scandinavian neighbors. 1839 Morganton Boulevard, P.O. Box 740, Lenoir, NC 28645; 828-758-9811; bernhardtdesign.com. circle 362

Designtex

Designtex: Produced in collaboration with Schober, a manufacturer of decorative parts for aircraft interiors, Lumicor is a high-performance—and high-style—solid-surface alternative to glass, plastic, metal, wood, and laminates. The translucent resin, offered in thicknesses from 1/8 to 1 inch, is available with embedded decorative elements. Lumicor can also be custom-embossed, thermoformed, and heat-bent. 200 Varick Street, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10014; 800-221-1540; dtex.com. circle 363

Brayton International

Brayton International: The sculptural 57 sofa, with its brushed stainless-steel legs, is one of two pieces by Finn Juhl (shown) that's being rereleased as part of this company's Masters series. First introduced in 1957, the sofa exhibits its Danish designer's trademark organic lines and expert craftsmanship. A range of upholstery options is available. 255 Swathmore Avenue, High Point, NC 27263; 336-434-4151; brayton.com. circle 364

Tella

Tella: The stackable Stratius chair's sophistication comes in the form of a one-piece molded-beech back and seat supported by a chrome-finished tubular-steel frame. Choose between a natural finish and one of five aniline stains—with armrests to match—or the rigid white leather version shown. An optional retractable writing tablet is also available. 200 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10016; 212-252-9804; tellainc.com. circle 365

Nucraft

Nucraft: With the Origin executive workstations, you can have a contemporary look without that contemporary mess of wires and cables. Providing hidden but easily accessible wire management, the system is available in U- or L-shape configurations or as a combined freestanding desk and task wall. Finish options include maple, anigre, and cherry. 5151 West River Drive, P.O. Box 429, Comstock Park, MI 49321; 616-784-6016; nucraft.com. circle 366

Allermuir

Allermuir: The British manufacturer makes a stateside splash with Form, an oak-veneer bench with curves to spare. Branch Road, Lower Darwen, Lancashire BB3 0PR, U.K.; 44-1254-682421; allermuir.co.uk. circle 367

Joel Berman Glass Studios

Joel Berman Glass Studios: This glass impresario's optical achievements wow us again. His new kiln-cast glass panels, corrugated and otherwise, are available in custom colors—bringing translucent sparkle to any interior or exterior. 1-1244 Cartwright Street, Vancouver, British Columbia V6H 3R8, Canada; 888-505-4527; jbermanglass.com. circle 368

Luna Textiles

Luna Textiles: Obek by graphic designer Jean Orlebecke brings a bit of punch to upholstery fabrics. In rich wool, cotton, and polyester, the collection is inspired by mid-century design but interprets it in an unmistakably 21st-century way. 2415 Third Street, Suite 280, San Francisco, CA 94107; 415-252-7125. circle 369

Tuohy

Tuohy: Drop-down, retractable AV screens and video-conferencing tables are just the beginning with the Salone collection. This comprehensive case-goods, conferencing, and tabling system embodies everything a conference room could possibly need. Finishes include aluminum, glass, and a wide palette of woods. 42 Saint Albans Place, Chatfield, MN 55923; 800-533-1696; tuohyfurniture.com. circle 370

HBF Textiles

HBF Textiles: Stardust, textile designer Glenn Peckman's debut collection for HBF Textiles, is truly out of this world. The line consists of eight woven upholstery patterns with names such as Atom and Venus—all inspired by outer space. Available in 51 colorways. P.O. Box 8, Hickory, NC 28603; 828-328-2064; hbftextiles.com. circle 371

David Edward

David Edward: Take a comfy chair, an upholstered bench, a sleek table, and a few accessories, and what do you get? Elan. With these components—and extras including a writing tablet and a small storage unit—the Elan collection comprises an elegant selection of stand-alone seats and seating systems. 1407 Parker Road, Baltimore, MD 21227; 410-242-2222; davidedward.com. circle 372

Patrician

Patrician: The tables of the Dana collection suit multiple settings. Choose between dining, bar, training, and multipurpose configurations. Tops are available with a laminated center and a choice of a PVC, vinyl, or wood-band edge; bases come in chrome or brushed-sterling finishes. 1107 West Market Center Drive, P.O. Box 2353, Highpoint, NC 27261; 800-334-9309; patrician.com. circle 373

AGI

AGI: The Three seating collection brings mod, stylish comfort to health-care design. Available in a range of upholstery options, Three also comes in two- or three-seat configurations and three sizes. 1330 Bellevue Street, Green Bay, WI 54302; 800-424-2432; agi-inc.com. circle 374

Innovations in Wallcoverings

Innovations in Wallcoverings: This company's first fabric collection has it all covered. Innovations Textiles includes everything from the plush, sueded Luxe Suede to the antique velvet look of Belgique and the 100 percent straw construction of Tropics. 979 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10022; 800-334-7891; innovationsusa.com. circle 375

Dar-Ran

Dar-Ran: The Makore wood veneer may sound exotic, but the new Bellezza desk collection (occasional table shown) is all about function. With wire management, direct and indirect task lighting, laminated frosted-glass sliding doors, and a wide range of elegant desktop choices, Bellezza takes work to a whole new level. P.O. Box 7614, High Point, NC 27264; 336-861-2400; darran.com. circle 376

Anzea

Anzea: As part of the Getting Green collection, Tree Hugger uniquely combines wool and rayon to make an environmentally sound product certified by the Greenpeace-initiated Environmental Institute. 2810 White Settlement Road, Fort Worth, TX 76107; 877-862-6932; anzea.com. circle 377