HTC recently unveiled New York as the latest city in its series of Global Design Tours, a free android app optimized for the HTC One handset that allows users to browse industry-led recommendations of design hotspots around the world. Developed in collaboration with Wallpaper magazine, the New York design locations focus on uncommon experiences, from eating lunch in a classroom (MoMA PS1 M. Wells Dinette) to sipping cocktails in a library (NoMad Hotel - one of my favorite places).
On May 20th, I was able to experience the HTC Design Tour, as HTC took media guests through the 25th annual International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) as well as the best of pop-up exhibitions picked by the curators of the New York app, Wallpaper New York Editor Pei-Ru Keh, One &Co (HTC) Principal Irina Kozlovskaya and British-born/New York-based fashion designer Andrew Wren. The design tour also included Wanted Design, Neri and Hu - Future Perfect, American Design Club and Peels Restaurant.
The HTC Design Tour was a great way to get to know the HTC One, by utilizing the Global Design Tours app, getting to know the camera features and posting social media updates to Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. It was fun to be in the company of tech, travel and fashion media and explore design destinations I wouldn't normally go to.
I love all the camera editing features on the HTC One, especially selecting images to easily create a video. It's a great way to share my HTC Design Tour experience. Our first stop on the tour was Wanted Design, with some of my favorites including a dress from Neon by Dudu Bertollini / Yassin Lahmar, blown glass by Adriano Seguso, Metylos felt bags, Annie Evelyn 'Squishy Sticks' chair, the 13&9 collection and upcycled shipping pallets from Lady J by Jess Brown.
The next stop on the tour was to Future Perfect, to meet with designers Neri & Hu
At the American Design Club, we viewed 'Trophy Awards We Live With', followed by lunch at Peels Restaurant. I'm usually not crazy about grits but the shrimp & grits with fried egg, house-made tasso bacon and jalapeno grits were amazing. I also loved the beer battered fish tacos with cabbage-poblano slaw, radish & chili aioli, I'll definitely be dining there again!
The last stop of the tour was to the ICFF at the Jacob Javits Center, where we had free time to explore on our own to preview the latest in furniture, rugs, lighting and houseware. This clip includes IKEA furniture in bold colors and prints, NOGA, an artful cluster of suspended glass cubes at the Shakuff exotic glass lighting & decor booth, a vanity desk with 7 coats of automotive paint, designed by Itsy Bitsy Ritsy Shop, furniture designed for small spaces, Nanimarquina 'Shakespeare in Africa' rug, Designer Rugs, Nolen Niu and the Red threads.
Furniture by Richard Watson, James De Wulf, Sentient and Moooi Lighting
Abby Modell contemporary art glass, Nameek's and Fab collaborations - Gus x Fab, Warhol x Q&M x Fab, and Blu Dot x Fab. I'm obsessed with the wall of life-size Lego blocks and Tom Dixon rose gold candles.
Jonathan Adler and 'hand-holding' iPhone/ipad accessories.
I want to thank the HTC team for inviting me on the HTC Design Tour. I had a blast exploring with and getting to know the HTC One. To learn more about the features, check out my coverage from the HTC One press conference here.
- Kim Weling
