A trio of i.d.o. associates (Jill, Amanda, and Lee) attended NeoCon 2010, and we’d like to take this opportunity to share with you some of our favorite new innovations! Amid our tightly-packed schedule of tours and educational seminars, here’s what we discovered in the world of new products:

Designtex WriteUp h2o: a water-based writeable surface paint that can be applied to any prepared surface—for example, conference room walls. It’s a clear coat that will show paint color through, so no limitations to color and your overall design! This product contains low VOCs too, only 45 grams per liter. It works with any dry erase markers and can contribute toward LEED points!

Steelcase Node chair: This is a chair-desk-backpack holder all in one. The chair makes classroom arrangement and rearrangement easy. The desk portion is in the form of a tablet arm, and is comfortable for right-handed people and “lefties” too! The basket below the seat is a great place to store backpacks and books, leaving aisle ways clear.

Durkan Hospitality Synthesis: a new technology from Durkan that features customizable choices for pairing pattern and texture together, with the option to do a custom pattern. This product is a great alternative to woven carpets, being that it’s at a better price point and has better stain and soil protection.

Bernhardt Curio table: an occasional table, introduced to us by the designer himself! The table is available in many wood finishes and some fun color finishes as well. The top allows for inserts made of glass, leather, or COM materials such as solid surface or stone. The table is available in three different sizes.

Davis SITE table: a new approach to conferencing. The SITE table is a beautiful piece of furniture as well as a technologically-smart product. It allows for collaboration—its 20” height lends itself to a more casual conferencing environment.

Tandus Powerbond technology: Tandus has introduced a new product—not necessarily a carpet, but a VCTT (Variable Cushion Tufted Textile). The product has a layer of resilient sheet goods fused to a nylon wear layer. It’s been used in various market segments.

Falcon Lucky chair: The Lucky chair features a single-body shell with two-color finish on the front and back and a non-slip texture on the seat. The chair is available in regular height and stool height. It comes with or without arms and is available with glides or a leg base. The backside is available in six colors.

Coalesse Power Pod: The Power Pod is a clever solution for covering technology access and storage. The technology piece offers six outlets. The cover piece offers storage for pens, pencils, a small notepad, etc. and conceals the outlets when they’re not being used. The Power Pod is portable and can be used on any work surface or table.

Among other favorites, the aforementioned were some of the most memorable ones.

If you attended NeoCon 2010, what products/innovations sparked your interest? Do you have any other information to add to the above products? Thank you very much for your interest and feedback!

Submitted by: Lee Boyland

Images at top:
Bernhardt Curio table
Steelcase Node chair
Coalesse Power Pod
Durkan Hospitality Synthesis
Falcon Lucky Chair
Designtex WriteUp

Every year i.d.o. Associates look forward to two key industry events. One event is called “NeoCon® and the other “Greenbuild”. Neocon is the World’s Trade Fair for the Interior Design where one can discover thousands of innovative products and resources for corporate hospitality, healthcare, retail, government, institutional and residential interiors from more than 1,200 showrooms and exhibitors. Greenbuild on the other hand is the U.S. Green Building Council’s Greenbuild International Conference and Expo. Buildings play a critical role in protecting and improving our environment and the health of the people who occupy them. USGBC’s Greenbuild Conference and Expo provides professionals an unparalleled opportunity to connect with other green building peers, industry experts, and influential leaders as they share innovations in the green building movement.

It is with the launch of our updated website that i.d.o. is pleased to announce our latest “Top Picks,” from 2008. “Top Picks” showcases industry-related products which we think display true simplicity, innovation, economic savvy and smart out-of-the-box and innovative “Eco” thinking, giving you a closer look into our industry’s latest trends…Explore and Enjoy!

Z-Bar High Power LED Desk Lamp by KONCEPT
Smart design brings together form and function in starlings ways The new High Power LED lamps combine high performance LEDs with fully articulating bodies in stunning slim profiles. Graceful form and energy efficient LEDs impact your senses instead of the environment. Effortless poses available dimming, and your choice of warm and cool white light give you control over every aspect of your light! This next generation of High Power LEDs. – no mercury making it very environmentally friendly, energy efficient only 8.8 watts consumption and a very long lifespan of at least 40,000 operating hours all with a built in dimmer!
See more at http://www.konceptech.com

Sideways by HAG
Our new dynamic meeting culture demands more from the chairs that we sit in. Communication takes place back and forth in all directions so your focus is constantly changing. The Sideways chair was developed specifically for open and active communication. This chair stimulates movement and varied sitting positions. There is a simple philosophy behind the design of each chair: “the movement the chair promotes while you sit, makes the blood flow more freely through your body, leaving you more energized. Your freedom of movement can be increased to 180 degrees in an instant- which promotes communication and concentration.” 360degrees of communication, 180 degrees of freedom of movement and 180 degree seat. The seat is shaped so you can sit on it in several directions. Another great aspect of this chair is that a total of 98 percent of the chair can be recycled at the end of its life!
Learn more at http://www.izzydesign.com

Idea Paint by MDC Wallcoverings
Idea Paint transforms any smooth surface into a high performance dry-erase writing system. This patented paint is so special you can create a seamless dry erase surface anywhere. If the surface is smooth it simply requires one coat. Prep., Prime and roll on to install. This product is good for the environment is it formaldehyde-free.
Paint the town at http://www.mdcwall.com

“Architectural Wind ™” by AV AeroVironment, Inc.

AV’s small, modular wind turbine solution is designed to provide an attractive, kinetic, clean energy generating solution that integrates easily into new and existing commercial buildings. Whereas solar thermal and solar photovoltaic systems are typically located on top of roofs, out of sight, Architectural Wind™ provides a visible, compelling and architecturally enhancing statement of the building’s commitment to renewable energy.

Unlike other small wind turbine designs, Architectural Wind™ combines the functional with the aesthetic to create the first modular and architecturally enhancing small wind turbine system. AV’s patented design and innovative positioning method takes advantage of the natural acceleration in wind speed resulting from the building’s aerodynamic properties. This accelerated wind speed can increase the turbines’ electrical power generation by more than 50% compared to the power generation that would result from systems situated outside of the acceleration zone. The sleek and modular units also operate with less noise and vibration compared to conventional wind turbine designs. http://www.avinc.com/wind

“American Clay Natural Earth Plasters”

American Clay Natural Earth Plasters bring the appealing finishes of Nature to your Home, Office, School, Business, anywhere you want to add healthful beauty to your interior walls and ceilings. Manufactured in and using materials from the United States, American Clay uses natural clays, recycled and reclaimed aggregates, and vibrant natural pigments in each of our three beautiful finishes: LOMA, PORCELINA, and MARITTIMO.
American Clay Earth Plasters surround your family or workplace with the warm beauty of soothing texture and rich color – far exceeding the interior surfaces produced by traditional paint, stucco, or other finishes. Earth Plasters are non-dusting, mold and fade resistant, repairable and moisture controlling.
Natural Earth Plasters from American Clay are easily adapted to Do-It-Yourself projects. The Traditional and Classic method of creating American Clay surfaces is non-toxic, easy to repair, easily reworked, and exciting to learn. Learn more at “
http://www.americanclay.com