2025 Design Days Recap

NeoCon and Design Days were a beautiful whirlwind of burgundy and innovation!

Danielle Isla, Frank Bucher, and I took on the Windy City in early June to explore what’s new and upcoming in the world of contract furniture—and we came back inspired.

One of the most eagerly awaited releases was Knoll Dividends Skyline—a sleek, modern refresh of a time-tested product line from Knoll. Highlights include mitered panel connections, 3/8” gallery panels with mitered corners, breezy panel stacking shelving, and a line of perfectly proportioned banquette seating. Two new finishes are set to launch with the line this November, and we couldn’t be more excited!

MillerKnoll showcased several highlights across their 15-brand portfolio—from NaughtOne embracing a low profile in the FIN and MIMO collections to the introduction of the new GEMMA patient chair by Herman Miller. The showrooms were awash in oxblood, burgundy, seafoam, and ultramarine—a color palette echoed throughout the event. A special treat for classics lovers: the Eames Molded Dining Chair is now available with a poly seat!

Across the street, OFS launched Adler—a credenza with a stunning cantilevered base. A rotating guest bench slides seamlessly over the surface to maximize functionality and space.

Halcon introduced Astoria, an elegant, agile Parsons table. Offered in a wide range of finishes and configurations, it features hidden casters for a flexible and elevated workspace solution.

Arcadia delighted with their new MINI versions of fan-favorite seating options—perfect for pediatric and library environments. The highlights? Achellita, Smallsorts, and Flipside—all thoughtfully scaled down with big impact.

At Kimball International, a luxurious lavender and mauve palette tied together all five of their product lines. National's Fringe 2.0 offered a fresh, healthcare-focused update to a classic line, while Interwoven's Z Lockers presented a smart solution for dense floorplates with hanging storage needs.

Over the course of 2.5 days, we walked over 45,000 steps and tested countless lounge pieces! This is just a brief summary of the many highlights we experienced. We feel incredibly lucky to have spent time with so many of our favorite manufacturers—more than we can count or share here!