Cola Index - May '25
A monthly catalog of noteworthy updates in the world of Interiors & Design. We’ll release one each month rounding up Business + News, Happenings, Products + Collaborations,and Project Spotlights!
Good Morning! It’s the day before the opening of ‘Artifacts‘ the Sculpture Garden we curated with AM Collective.. and getting everything ready for the Garden Party tomorrow! Reflecting on the week and all the amazing people we’ve connected with, especially around the show..we know social media can be a dark hole, but it’s also been incredible for us in the way it lets us meet people we’d never have crossed paths with otherwise. Every time we get a message from someone introducing themselves or a note saying they enjoy our Substack, it completely makes our day.
If we can (NYC people), we’ll always grab a coffee with anyone who reaches out..this week, we met Thomas from Tomak Group, a contractor in NYC, and somehow ended up exchanging bids for each other’s projects already. Crazy how that works.
So reach out! We love it. If you enjoy interesting conversation, want to talk business, trends, design discourse, or simply need help with Interior Design.. contractors, designers, artists, marketers, realtors, brands, design enthusiasts... let’s chat.
Business + News
WE CURATED A SCULPTURE GARDEN WITH AM COLLECTIVE in conjunction with NYCXDESIGN. The Opening Garden Party is this Saturday, May 17, 2-5pm. RSVP HERE.
We’re proud members of the @tald.co platform that helps connect clients to vetted, trusted Interior Designers all over the country. They have expanded to offer direct access to professionals in architecture, interior design, build, and landscape so you can build your entire team in one place!
ChatGPT can make images now and CAD?..you hear that, Interior Designers? We tried it..and it’s definitely crude..Not good for real renderings but nice for concepting. This IG account is great for AI Tips for Interior Designers.
- (@iamfm) launched a design podcast yesterday with the aim to talk about the challenges that emerging designers face today..we’re interested to listen and hope this brings some well needed education and honest discussion about topics so many struggle with in our industry.
Lawson-Fenning sells majority stake to the parent company of Christian faith based clothing brand Altar’d State. We are a bit confused as this seems like quite the weird pairing, but need to investigate this a bit further.
let’s chat about this?We went to the opening of 50 Norman’s expansion this month which is this awesome Japanese cultural hub in Greenpoint for food, home goods and art. Worth a check out.
Furniture brand Radnor unveils a new showroom at Sutton Tower's Penthouse with an inaugural Exhibition called 'Evolution in Form'.
A Frank Lloyd Wright lamp broke auction record at Sotheby’s at $7.5 million. It is 1 of 3 ever made. Jodi Pollack, Sotheby’s chairman says “the lamp is 'one of the great icons of design by arguably the most influential architect of our generation.”
(@bddw_etc)is postponing this week’s auction due to technical issues! They will be adding this week’s lots to next week’s auction…pressures on.
Open House New York is hosting a citywide scavenger hunt this Saturday, sending teams across all five boroughs to uncover water-based clues, from rain gardens to the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Teams of up to six. $30/person, with proceeds supporting the nonprofit organization after a recent funding setback.
What’s Happening
This exhibition looks really interesting and will check it out next week. Hundō, a debut collection of furniture, lighting, and sculptural pieces by @emthurman, with collaborative additions by @studiodanielk,@atelier_falaise, and @alexis_mazin will be on display at 86 Walker Street in Lower Manhattan from May 15 to 21 during NYCxDESIGN.
Casa Valle (@studiogiancarlovalle) in NYC is hosting an exclusive exhibition showcasing the historic furnishings of Antoni Gaudí, in partnership with @bdbarcelonadesign. The installation will feature limited-edition and iconic Gaudí works. Open to the public during NYCxDesignWeek from May 15–21
‘The Family Show’ at Love House’s new Lower East Side Gallery looks amazing too! SO many great shows this year.
Sight Unseen presents a special exhibition at @hostonhoward (AvroKo’s event space), featuring designs by @sunfishnyc, @cultivationobjects, @samklemick, and @knownwork. Open today 12pm to 9pm, with the 6-9pm window coinciding with the Mercer Street Block Party!
(@visionaryprojectsnyc) is having a big STUDIO SALE at the gallery — an opportunity to grab anything from art supplies, frames, dinner party supplies and clothing. Everything must go.
SUNDAY, MAY 18TH ONLY. Doors open at 1pm.We’re really proud of our friends @gen_assembly for being featured in @archdigest this week! Also go check out their show ‘Every Shadow is a Color’ on view now through June 22 at their storefront @assemblylineshop in Brooklyn!
Products - Collabs
…and stuff that brings us joy.
@joshgreenedesign, who designed the Lawson Fenning Showroom launched a new furniture collection called The Agapanthus Collection which will be on view in the showroom. You can go to the opening tonight between 4 and 7pm. Check the link in his bio to RSVP!
@lindseyadelman has been busy since shifting production out of house last Fall. Her new work is absolutely beautiful and find the chain work different and inspiring. EXHIBITION: THE HARDWARE DIARIES will be on view today through June 16 @thefutureperfect. Book an appointment to see her new work!
@brownstoneboys have partnered with @nustoryhome to debut The Gilded Collection—an exclusive, ethically made rug line inspired by the architectural details of New York City’s iconic brownstones.
This hardware company is not only artistic and beautiful but also innovative. How amazing are these door handles? And drop flower knobs..obsessed.
Project Spotlight
Located in Paris, this 646-square-foot home was reimagined by the architectural firm Geiger & Hijlkema. What we love about this tiny home is how light, reflection, and vistas are used to enhance how you feel in the space. Typically people throw money at square footage, but this project proves that a well-designed small space can outshine a massive one.
We like that it’s not about trying to fit more in..just using tricks from the Greats to make the space feel bigger. The green terrazzo floor is as interesting as it is grounding and connects the entire space as the walls are all monochromatic. Our favorite part is the long mirror backsplash, which is a Frank Lloyd Wright trick to make a space feel expansive and bounce light around.
The careful curation of both modern and historical elements is just really beautiful and feels timeless and not trendy, although the materiality could be seen as trendy right now, as individual elements (zellige tile, plaster, steel, terrazzo).
In a city like New York, where space is really limited for most people, this home feels like a radical act of restraint and honestly, we could use more of that in design today.
Shop Where We Shop
Gridlock…
Moodboard by: Cola Studios
Shop our selections below!
The Alexandra sofa by Charles Zana is a very feminine piece, with all-rounded shapes that become a sculptural element.
The PRO-0220 area rug, designed in collaboration with Studio KO and Beni Rugs, is a relic-turned-rug inspired by the preservation of a time diary.
The Fundamenta Round Side Table 60 by NONO is a sculptural piece in solid wood, combining geometric elegance with a natural finish.
The Josef ceiling lamp by Milan-based interior and product design studio Federico Peri is crafted from fabric and brass.
The Le Club armchair by Poliform reinterprets one of the design archetypes of the last century through a contemporary lens, with a lightweight and minimal design.
The Bao Low Table, designed by Christophe Delcourt for Collection Particulière, is carved from solid Beige Roman travertine, highlighting the natural beauty of this stone.
We wanted to start this because we found it impossible to consume news and happenings in one place! You could say this is helping us as much as it is helping you :)
We get hundreds of emails for events, listen to podcasts, have access to countless design publications, and save folders and folders of content that we love to reference, and thought..why wouldn’t we share this?
So give it a read, go to events, and check out the amazing products and artists we’re inspired by. We’ll be back next month with more! - xX Sam + Olya