Editor's Note: June 16, 2026
The impressive Turf Design Experience, designed by Cannon Design, at the Mart in Chicago.
I'm back from a frenetic few days at NeoCon in Chicago, and I have much to share with you.
NeoCon 2026 was a fantastic show! It feels like the design industry is back. After a rough few years post-COVID, manufacturers are putting their best foot forward with product debuts that are thoughtfully designed, more health-oriented, and often simply just gorgeous.
While the only “me time” I had at NeoCon was about six hours, after managing the Best of NeoCon competition from Saturday to Monday, I deftly plotted my path across the exhibitor floors at the Mart—that ginormous beast of a building that takes up two full city blocks with floor plates EACH measuring around 150,000 to 180,000 walkable square feet. With my trusty list and map in hand, some booked appointments, and PR friends at the ready to guide me along, I visited as many showrooms as possible on borrowed time. And, man, I saw some great stuff!!
Beyond the innovative product premieres, the showrooms themselves were works of art. The singular standout showroom IMO was the Turf Experience Center, designed by Elizabeth Von Lehe of Cannon Design. The aesthetic theme "NeoRetroFutureOptimism" leaned into the past with a look to the future and an emphasis on the optimism we all so need right now. Clad in Turf Design's acoustical products with moody lighting, soulful music, and retro touches, this space made me feel far away from the chaos of the Mart. It was a welcome respite, which contrasted drastically with the Turf-sponsored freight elevator that transported NeoCon visitors between floors in a cab pulsing to the beat from a live DJ. (Save the Spotify playlist here.) It was unreal and so much fun!
To say that NeoCon 2026 was inspiring is an understatement, as you'll see from Diana Mosher's product roundup from Chicago Design Week in this issue, as well as the NeoCon product launches that we'll cover in future issues throughout the summer. Stay tuned for that.
In the meantime, dive into this week's content. Take a mental vacation to the Naples Beach Club by Champalimaud Design, which transports guests to the Florida of yesteryear. We also highlight the Jewish Youth Network's new center in Ontario, where Dvira Interiors employed vibrant colors and bold graphics to convey a sense of gathering and connection to the local community. Plus, we give you a sneak peek at the Toronto Tempo's WNBA training center, designed by HOK. Set to open in 2028, this spectacular new spot gives these elite athletes a space that's as dynamic and performance-driven as they are.
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xo...danine
