The annual Architectural Digest Design Show returns to Piers 92 and 94 in New York City this March to showcase its curated presentation of interior design elements from more than 400 brands. This year’s event, which takes place March 21-24, will include eight featured areas such as the MADE section, a juried exhibit displaying more than 160 artists and designers, from local and emerging artisans to international studios. The section highlights original art, furniture, sculpture, textiles and lighting, and over 70 new makers will be involved this year – including Eric Trine, owner and founder of Amigo Modern.
Trine founded Amigo Modern in 2018 after studying craft design in graduate school. His Southern California-based furniture company often exemplifies the fundamentals of what design has come to recognize as California Modernism, with a playful edge. From geometric plant stands in powder-coated finishes and peace sign-shaped coat hooks, to furniture in pastels and ash woods that recall the colors of Palm Springs, these fun and flirty designs are each handmade by Trine.
Trine’s products, which can be found on his website, in West Elm stores and select independent boutiques across the country, will be showcased and available for purchase in the MADE area during the AD Design Show. Learn more about Trine’s work and what to expect from him at the show in the Q&A below.
interiors+sources: What is your most memorable product or collection you’ve worked on and why?
Eric Trine: The Rod+Weave chair developed out of an experiment during my time in graduate school – to this day it continues to be the cornerstone of the Amigo Modern universe.
i+s: What challenges you most during your creative process?
ET: We are committed to manufacturing domestically – all of our pieces are made within a 30-mile radius of our Long Beach, CA studio. We are constantly bumping up against the desire to make things as affordable as possible, while embracing the realities of manufacturing locally. But that challenge is what keeps it exciting and engaging for us in this industry.
ET: Russel Wright, my favorite industrial designer.
i+s: What is your favorite thing in your working environment?
ET: Our studio is part warehouse, part fabrication shop, part showroom, part office, part photo studio – we like having all those elements under the same roof, so we can accomplish everything in house.
i+s: What’s your favorite color?
ET: Pink.
i+s: What’s the last photo you took?
ET: A mannequin with a cactus head.
i+s: What’s your favorite city and why?
ET: Guadalajara, Mexico. We went there last year to work with a brand called Mexa Design. The town had such a great feel, but much more mellow than Mexico City. Guadalajara had great food, great design and a rich architectural history.
i+s: What do you think is next for the interior design industry?
ET: Continuing to make strides towards sustainability on all levels of the supply chain.
i+s: What’s next for you?
ET: We develop new products through our commercial projects. We design specific pieces for specific spaces, and then put them into production. At the AD Design Show in March, we’ll be showcasing all of these new pieces that we used in projects last year, such as the Snack Series and Park Series.
The AD Design Show is now in its 18th year and will draw approximately 40,000 design professionals from March 21-24. Visit here for more information on the show and how to attend.
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