2023 Exhibitors

Catered Comfort

This year’s show exhibited new work that offers challenges or questions about how comfort is interpreted in contemporary interiors.

This year’s exhibition once again featured a “Best in Show” award, determined by this panel of industry professionals. Congratulations to Christopher Merchant on winning and receiving an exhibition opportunity with Otras Formas gallery!

“Best In Show” Award Panelists

Lora Appleton

**Lora Appleton** is a recognized curator, designer, gallerist and womxn in design advocate. She is the founder of lauded gallery kinder MODERN, and the Female Design Council, a critical design resource and inclusive membership organization providing professional opportunities and development for ALL womxn in design, architecture and visual arts. Appleton's curatorial and design work has been exhibited at Pulse Miami, Collective Design Fair, SOFA Chicago, Dutch Design Week, Upstate Art Weekend,1stDibs, Design Within Reach, USM Modular, Carl Hansen & Son, among others. Her work has been celebrated in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Cultured, Surface, Deezen, Vogue, Elle Decor, Wallpaper*, and more. Driven by her clear vision for inclusion, equity, and tangible gender parity in design, Lora continues to create cultural programming to connect, empower, and spotlight the incredible female-identified design community.

Adrian Madlener

Adrian Madlener is a Brussels-born, New York-based writer, curator, and consultant. Over the past ten years, he’s held editorial positions at The Architect’s Newspaper, TL mag, and Frame Magazine, while also contributing to publications such as AD Pro, Architectural Record, Artnet News, Azure, Cultured, DAMn, Disegno, Domus, Dwell, Hypebeast, Galerie, Luxe, Metropolis, The Design Edit, and Untapped Journal. Madlener has also written a number of monographs and mounted exhibitions on authentic design, glass, and tools. He holds degrees from Design Academy Eindhoven and Parsons School of Design / Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum. With a particular focus on topics that exemplify the best in craft-led experimentation and sustainability, Madlener is committed to supporting talents that push the envelope in art, architecture, and design.

Bradley Bowers

Bradley L Bowers, is a graduate of the Savannah College of Art and Design. His studio explores the dynamic overlap between rapid-prototyping and artisanal craftsmanship. The studio uses contemporary digital-modeling tools in unison with traditional craft techniques to achieve objects and forms that redefine the norms.
After earning honors and advanced degrees from the Savannah College of Art and Design, the Atlanta native founded his studio to bring the worlds of art and design together. He creates site-specific new media art installations, pop-up experiences, and bespoke pieces for fashion brands, art institutions, and private clients. As well as exhibiting work in Design Miami, New York, New Orleans, Atlanta, Milan, as well as having works in a variety of permanent collections.
His work has been featured in international design publications like Abitare, Architectural Digest, The New York Times, Elle Decor, Cultured Magazine, Metropolis Magazine, and Design-Milk among others. With each of his diverse projects Bradley refines his affinity for well-made and exploratory works of the highest quality.

Alex Lithgow

Alex Lithgow is an American designer and gallerist.
From 1999 to 2006, Alex co-owned and operated Caoba colección de muebles, a furniture design/build business, which produced pieces in the South Bronx that were offered through its retail shop in TriBeCa, as well as showrooms around the U.S.
More recently, Alex served as Head of Design at Dmitriy & Co. While at Dmitriy (2015-2020), Alex is credited with having designed most of the firm's collection including such forms as the Masson, Magari, and Belgard Sofas, as well as the Bandra Ottoman which received a “Best of Year” award from Interior Design magazine.
In mid 2022 Alex launched Otras Formas (Spanish for both "other forms" as well as "other ways" and a nod to his Latin American ancestry). Located in New York's Flatiron District, the space functions as a design incubator, gallery and showroom focused on contemporary art and design and presents the work of various artists, makers and designers.

Becky Shea

Becky Shea is an accomplished interior designer and multi-hyphenate, known for her ability to seamlessly integrate the role of interior designer, floral designer and stylist into the work she produces. Together with her husband, Jake, who is the co-founder of BS/D, Becky has built a reputation for creating thoughtful, sophisticated spaces that showcase her unique design sensibilities. Her passion for details is evident in every aspect of her work, from the smallest finishing touches to the overall concept and execution of each project. She believes that quality over quantity allows for the creation of timeless projects and is a reflection of her commitment to excellence and her passion for design that endures. Rather than churning out a high volume of projects, Becky places a premium on delivering exceptional quality in each and every project she takes on. Becky values craftsmanship and sustainability, and believes that investing in high-quality, durable materials not only creates a better design outcome but also contributes to a more responsible and ethical approach to the industry. Her commitment to quality over quantity is a reflection of her unwavering dedication to creating timeless, beautiful, and meaningful spaces that enhance her clients' lives and reflect their unique personalities and lifestyles.

Photos by Yi Hsuan Lai