Design is in the Air: NYC Springs to Life for Design Month

As the city bursts into bloom and spring’s palette surrounds us (pollen and all), New York enters one of its most vibrant times of the year—Design Month. Anchored by two marquee events—NYCxDesign and the International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) at the Javits Center—May has become a celebration of innovation, creativity, and industry connection. The NKBA Manhattan-NYC Chapter proudly continues its tradition of spotlighting standout events throughout the month. This year’s lineup includes our chapter's Häfele event on Thursday, May 15, exploring breakthroughs in lighting design. A series of exciting ICFF and NYCxDesign programs sponsored by aspire home and design Magazine—including a unique collaboration with our sponsor Porcelanosa, begins the week of May 15th. Monogram invites professionals to a Lunch & Learn on Monday, May 19, while our newest sponsor, Houzz, is hosting an industry gathering on the ICFF show floor the same day at 4:30 PM, complete with wine, beer, and lite bites. Be sure to check our industry events calendar for full details and RSVP opportunities.

Sustainability in Full Bloom: A Look Back at April’s Green Highlights

While May bursts with design energy, we’re still savoring the meaningful momentum of April’s sustainability theme. I believe sustainability deserves year-round celebration—the planet would certainly agree! In that spirit, we’re thrilled to feature one of our cherished members, Felecitas Oefelein, who recently returned from Salone del Mobile in Milan. Her editorial coverage offers inspiration and a compelling look at how seriously the international design community embraces sustainability.

Closer to home, another of our outstanding members, Sharon L. Sherman, shares her insights from the Spring High Point Market, offering a fresh perspective on the trends and innovations shaping our industry stateside.

April also saw us come together for a very special Earth Day celebration. We kicked things off with an exclusive bus tour to the CIOT Gallery, where members and friends from our sister organizations joined us for a memorable design experience and CEU-accredited luncheon. The celebration continued into the evening with a cocktail reception at the stunning Dacor Kitchen Theater in the A&D Building—an elegant close to a month filled with purpose, learning, community, and a special 'smoking cocktail. See photo of me with Dacor showroom manager Erika Saucedo pictured above.

Celebrating Inspiration & Innovation at ICFF

As Design Month unfolds, we’re incredibly excited to celebrate our 2nd Annual ICFF NKBA Manhattan-NYC Awards, sponsored by aspire home and design Magazine. This year's theme, “What Inspires Us” (Kitchen & Bath Designers), will take center stage on Sunday, May 18, at the ICFF show. I can’t wait to recognize this year's outstanding finalists. A heartfelt thank-you to our board officer, Diana Mosher, for spearheading this exceptional collaboration with aspire home and design Magazine and assembling a thoughtful panel of judges to honor the creativity and excellence in our field.

Volunteers: The Heart of NKBA

Behind every successful initiative—whether it’s a dazzling event, meaningful program, or a single moment of connection—stand the volunteers who power our chapter forward. Last month’s “Get Involved + Grow” feature introduced you to our NKBA NYC Council Committee Chairs, the driving force behind our work. We’re highlighting them again this month to encourage you to connect directly, explore where your interests align, and take that next step toward deeper involvement.

Above, council board and committee chairs

Volunteering is more than just giving your time—it’s an opportunity to expand your network, build leadership skills, and contribute meaningfully to our vibrant design + build community. I invite you to join us in shaping the future of our chapter. Whether you choose to serve on a committee, contribute behind the scenes, or simply show up and participate, your involvement matters. To learn more, contact me directly or email us at Communications@nkbamanhattan.com.

And A Final Thought...

In all the excitement of this spring season, let’s not forget one simple but powerful reminder: 'kindness matters.' A small gesture—an encouraging word, a shared opportunity, a moment of connection—can brighten someone’s day. And in times like these, that’s more valuable than ever.

I look forward to seeing many of you this month and celebrating all the creativity, connection, and community that make NKBA Manhattan-NYC unique.

Charlé-John

President, NKBA-NYC Chapter

charle@cjcstrategists.com