A statement-making point of entry for the acclaimed design fair

If an entryway can act as a metaphor for a design fair’s thesis statement, then the welcoming halls of the Park Avenue Armory set exceedingly high expectations for what follows at this year’s Salon Art + Design. In the south hall, the Female Design Council‘s members presentation introduced the eye-catching works of six women-led studios. In the north hall, and flanking the passage into the fair’s main floor, Thornton Projects founder Brad Thornton stunned with a spectacle of flower, light and stone. Beyond these first steps, of course, was one of the most compelling iterations of Salon Art + Design, now overseen by executive director Nicky Dessources, which spotlighted exciting presentations ranging from Milan’s legendary Nilufar Gallery to London and New York-based jewelry designer Fernando Jorge.

“I was selected this year by the team to curate the front of house,” Thornton tells COOL HUNTING, “everything from the florals to the various installations, including these beautiful illuminated alabaster pillars by Marcus De Paula from Love House.” Two other pieces mirrored this glowing beacon. Thornton introduced an amorphous table lamp by Marcelo Suro for Superhouse—and designer Mary Wallis, who also happens to be a Female Design Council member and is represented by The Future Perfect, was commissioned for the engaging chandelier upfront. As for the abundance of otherworldly, artful florals, Thornton worked with NYC and LA-based design studio Audrey in the Garden.

The name of the installation is “Saluto,” derived from the Latin word to greet. In addition to it being an enveloping point of entry, “we wanted to nod to the fact that it’s an autumnal celebration,” he adds. “We also had the idea of nature reclaiming this beautiful, historic space.” For many fairgoers, the confluence of thoughtfully imagined lighting design and sprawling natural arrangements were reason to pause and reflect with wonder and awe.

This is the Female Design Council’s first presentation at Salon Art + Design, and it demonstrates the professional network and advocacy organization’s categoric depth. “We have furniture, sculpture, artwork and lighting,” founder Lora Appleton tells COOL HUNTING of their visual vignette. “We have INDO-, with the premiere of the Purdah Mirror. We have MATERIA, and this is the first showing of the floor lamp from their PLATEAU collection. We have Konekt, with their Silo Console Table. We have Tina Scepanovic showing the ‘Gobstoppers No. 24 Artwork.’ Her study is all about hand-finishes and this is all 24k gold leaf. Then we have Lisa Sacco, this fierce up-and-comer. For her glasswork pieces, she takes old reclaimed objects and blows glass around them. This is the first time she is showing ‘Vital Friction, Calescent II Sculpture.’ It just came out of the studio. Finally, we have Kristi Bender and Wendy Schwartz of Cuff Studio showing their fun Fraggle Block Stool.”

Though the Female Design Council selected these six members to spotlight, many others could be found on the floor throughout Salon Art + Design—including a solo booth from Little Wing Lee, the founder of Blacks Folks in Design and Studio & Projects. For anyone unfamiliar, however, their south hall presentation was both an introduction and an exclamation point. “It’s a real opportunity for us to show the strength of women in design and what we’re all about. We see this in flecks and specks through the industry but this is a real focus. For us, it’s about being able to speak to the whole community. We are the most powerful network for women in design and we feel proud about that,” Appleton concludes.