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Each January, Monica Khemsurov and Jill Singer, cofounders of Sight Unseen, release a “completely subjective” list of the 20 names to know in American design. Dubbed the American Design Hot List, it highlights the makers, creators, and designers influencing the design landscape whether through standout launches, must-see exhibitions, or an entirely biased gut feeling. “We don’t really let on why a certain person made the list,” explains Singer. “In some cases, it’s more of a gut feeling that a designer is about to hit it big, but sometimes, it’s based on real-life factors.” One thing’s for sure: These two former editors—they were both previously at I.D. Magazine—have an incredible eye for scouting talent.
For the first time this year, one of the fashion world’s biggest name is giving this list some serious street cred: Lauren Santo Domingo, the cofounder of Moda Operandi, has fully endorsed the list with a limited-time trunk show on her popular online retail site. “Moda Operandi approached us about collaborating, in general, because they were looking to expand their home offerings, which is a newer vertical for them,” Singer told Domino. “But it was actually their idea to partner on the American Design Hot List because so many of our past honorees are some of Moda cofounder Lauren Santo Domingo’s favorite designers.”
This year’s list features a healthy mix of household names and eye-catching newcomers: “Ian Cochran made it onto the list this year on the basis of one table, which has never happened before,” added Singer. “Usually, we wait to suss out a designer’s other work, but it shows you how much we liked that table. Sam Stewart and Objects of Common Interest are two other personal favorites. We were also wowed by debut collections from Studio Sayso, Ood Studio, and Brett Miller, who was such a new find for us that for a while he was in our Google spreadsheet as ‘guy we’re waiting on photos from.’”
Stylistically, the selected objects in the trunk show are beautiful, elegant, and unique and blend form and function in a surprising way: marbled wall hooks, multipurpose velvet seating, feel-good mirrors encased in large geodes—all in hues ranging from deep terra-cotta to light mauve. Below, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite standout items from the collection.
This cream-colored Eny Lee Parker stool inspired by New York radiators is endlessly chicer than the heating systems found in the apartments of our former years.
Bring good juju into your life with this monolithic mirror from Another Human, crafted using semiprecious stones with metaphysical properties.
Sometimes, simplicity is best. These geometric green marble candleholders from Fort Standard are proof that good design doesn’t have to be complicated.
This clever modular chaise from Ood Studio can be repurposed as a solo lounging chair or a cozy tete-a-tete seat and it looks seriously good doing it.
Peachy glass and shiny mirror give this minimalistic piece by Farrah Sit a distinctly Millennial appeal that somehow still transcends generations.
Speckled pieces were at the forefront of kitchenware last year, but this pillow by Cope may be our favorite iteration of the trend yet.
Who wouldn’t want to lounge in this deeply cool Asa Pingree slinky chaise made from fiberglass and covered in a lush Maharam fabric?
Here we have the table lamp to end all table lamps. The beautiful marble piece by Apparatus is distilled to its simplest form and captures a sense of primitive utility.
This sculptural magazine rack from Birnam Wood Studio fuses a polished chrome rod with two navy and turquoise artificial stone wings, creating an elegant space for your favorite reads.
This standout chair by Estudio Persona features a round wooden seat with a leather-upholstered cylindrical back. The result is a beautiful monochromatic piece that marries form and function.
This Coil + Drift mirror features concentric circles carved in white oak, which is a minimalistic nod to glam 1970s decor.
This light blue bent stood from Objects of Common Interest would add color and life to any space with its matte-finished opaque acrylic in the most vibrant hue.
Take your storage to new heights with this stunning marble float hook from Trueing, which features a brass hook superimposed on top of a burgundy marble egg.
Find more great original design: It’s Time to Reconsider Decorating With Glitter 13 Benches That Double as Storage and Look Cool Doing It The Latest Decor Trend Is All About Body Positivity