Allow me to exemplify the word “cliché,” but I look forward to the end of a year, and not only because it signals the “new” that is to come. This opportunity for reflection on the past twelve months’ experiences, learning opportunities, professional relationships established, what was done—and what could be done better… Yes, I embrace it. Especially with regard to the transition from exploring lighting-centric topics in my previous post to considering a broader view of the ways in which architects and designers map out, equip, and engage occupants in spaces mindfully built for a purpose. Others can have their New Year’s resolutions; I’ll take a pause and raise a toast in gratitude for it all.
For instance, across both lighting-only and interior FFE, I’ve observed with interest the increasing shifts to eco-conscious design practices and circular approaches in the supply chain. One that was a commonly avoided practice for some time was refurbishment of used products. As contributor Barbara Horwitz-Bennett discovered while developing this month’s feature on furniture re-use, longstanding manufacturers’ warranties, as well as services devoted to repair and reselling, have resulted in positive experiences and increased demand for used furnishings, keeping them out of the waste stream (page 32).
Still, there were plenty of new product introductions to catch our attention in 2024. Having joined the i+s team in the high point of summer, I missed the hustle of NeoCon. But I was fortunate to have the chance to attend Boutique Design New York (BDNY) in early November, and what a fantastic introduction to the interior design community it was. I met many enthusiastic creatives from both manufacturing and design backgrounds, and it was my pleasure to learn something from each and every one of them. You’ll find a photo gallery on page 16 displaying some of the beautiful and functional products that caught my eye.
On a related note, this final issue of the year highlights our inaugural Product Innovation Awards (PIAs) winners (page 36). We were pleased to find that vendors had an excellent response to our first call for submissions, and we received some insightful feedback from our panel of judges on what they found most impressive among the winners. From wall surfaces to acoustics management, furnishings, flooring, and more, 36 interior products were recognized for a range of features including sustainability, accessibility, biophilic or nature-inspired design, flexibility of use, and, of course, their contribution to the aesthetic vision of the built environment.
In terms of vision made reality, the i+s team also took stock of the breadth of projects we’ve covered this year. It’s hard to pick favorites, but there are several interior design projects that stood out for their inspiring locations, their mission-oriented design, and their associations with brand identity. See page 18 for five exceptional projects that made their mark in our end-of-year retrospective, and keep tabs on iands.design for additional end-of-the-year exclusives, including most-read stories, most-downloaded podcasts, and fun gift ideas.
Finally, I want to acknowledge the excellent work by all the i+s industry contributors and association partners, writers, and staff this year. You’ve provided a robust foundation to build on in 2025. Now I’m ready to look ahead, with gratitude and gusto!
