Chicago’s West Loop has always buzzed with creative energy – post-industrial warehouses turned restaurants, hidden galleries, and a distinct pulse that makes it one of the country’s most forward-thinking, up-and-coming design districts. But for three days in June, it transforms into something even more electric. From June 9–11, Fulton Market DesignDays turns the area into a dynamic, walkable playground of immersive installations, spirited activations, and rigorous dialogue that blur the line between showroom and street festival. This year’s lineup is as thoughtful as it is playful; here’s just a smattering of the many things to enjoy.
Morning Rituals with a Design Twist
Fulton Market welcomes its guests with coffee, pastries, and conversation. OFS will be hosting “Coffee + Firecakes, proving that donuts can be design-forward too – or at least best enjoyed while surrounded by beautiful furnishings. Allseating’s “Barista + Bites” activation keeps things equally stylish with strong coffee and soft landings. And Interface is getting nostalgic with its “Retro Roast” breakfast – think diner-inspired bites, reimagined.
Kvadrat has our full attention with their “textile forest” – a moody, immersive space filled with new works by design heavyweights Giulio Ridolfo and Peter Saville. This isn’t just fabric on display; it’s an atmosphere, a sensorial reset. If you’re someone who needs to touch to understand, this one’s for you. Across the neighborhood, expect moments of quiet awe and loud celebration.
The Soundtrack of Design
What’s better than a curated space? One with a soundtrack. At Allermuir, DJ Eliana takes up residence each afternoon, spinning soulful sets inside their Fulton Market space. Paired with craft cocktails and bite-sized snacks, it’s the kind of activation that makes you want to linger – and maybe even dance on the showroom floor.
The Brentano x esPattio installation is one of the most intriguing collaborations to debut this year. Hosted inside Boqueria, it’s an elevated – and at moments, edible – showroom moment showcasing Brentano’s nature-inspired textiles wrapped around esPattio’s sculptural forms. It’s tactile, intentional, and very inviting.
Meanwhile, brands like Milliken, Bentley, and Friant are turning their showrooms into after-hours lounges. Expect happy hour energy with cocktails and a side of innovation: discussions on color, dialogues on sustainability, and conversation surrounding the future of commercial interiors.
The Design World, Walking Together
Perhaps what makes Fulton Market DesignDays so exciting is the way it encourages movement through its walkable, urban ecosystem where each block offers a new perspective. The district becomes the connective thread between brands, creatives, and curious minds. And for those planning to see it all: a free shuttle loop between The Mart and the Emily Hotel makes navigating it both effortless and enjoyable.
Whether you’re a design insider or just someone who appreciates a well-poured cortado with a side of good lighting, this is the week to experience the best of design in Chicago.
With professional degrees in architecture and journalism, New York-based writer Joseph has a desire to make living beautifully accessible. His work seeks to enrich the lives of others with visual communication and storytelling through design. When not writing, he teaches visual communication, theory, and design.
How to build a website with WordPress and what are the best plugins to use: Building a website with WordPress is an excellent choice due to its versatility, ease of use, and a vast array of plugins that enhance functionality. Here’s a comprehensive guide to building a WordPress website, along with recommendations for the best plugins.
What does this property buzzword mean and how does it actually work? Gearing simply means borrowing money to buy an asset. Negative gearing can be a tax strategy used by investors and describes when the income (ie, the rent) made from an investment is less than the expenses it incurs, meaning it’s making a loss.
How to Sell Your Ecommerce Business for the Best Value: Selling an ecommerce business can be a very profitable move. You can use the proceeds to invest in other projects, launch new ecommerce business websites, or even retire. For some startups, selling the business is the end goal. Whether you have a dropshipping website, sell with Amazon FBA, or own a large-scale ecommerce business, there’s an opportunity for you to sell.
Comprehensive Guide to WordPress Website Development: Developing a WordPress website is a sequential process that requires careful planning, thoughtful execution, and consistent maintenance to ensure it meets the needs of users and achieves its intended goals. This involves a series of clearly defined stages, including planning, designing, content creation, optimisation, and ongoing maintenance.
Top 10 High-Paying Jobs AI Won’t Replace in 2025: Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing industries, automating repetitive tasks, and reshaping the global workforce. Despite its remarkable advancements, certain professions remain beyond AI’s capabilities due to their reliance on uniquely human traits like creativity, empathy, and critical thinking. This case study explores the 10 highest-paying, fastest-growing jobs in 2025 that AI won’t replace, delving into why these roles are indispensable and how they are evolving in an AI-driven world.
Spill Your Guts: What To Wear To Olivia Rodrigo’s Australian Tour: Never afraid of screaming out all the dark, embarrassing things we’ve all thought before, Rodrigo sings about comparing herself to her boyfriend’s ex-girlfriend. If you want an edgy outfit that mimics the music…
Top Social Media Plugins for WordPress to Increase Your Sites Reach and Engagement: If you are seeking to enhance your website’s reach and engagement on social media, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will delve into the premier social media plugins tailored for WordPress users. From Social Warfare to Jetpack, these plugins can facilitate seamless sharing of your content across diverse social platforms.Furthermore, we will provide recommendations to optimize your website’s visibility on social media. Keep an eye out for valuable insights!
How to Change PuTTY’s Appearance: PuTTY is a widely-used SSH and telnet client for Windows and Linux hosting. While its default appearance is functional, you can customise it to improve aesthetics and usability. Below are the steps to modify PuTTY’s appearance, including changing the font, window size, colours, and cursor options.
What programming languages does vBulletin use?: vBulletin was orginally written in perl and used a flat file database system. However, as sites grew they notice that sites could not cope with a large amounts of traffic. This problem has now been fully rectified when vBulletin was converted to php and a mysql database system.
Design practice firm JK-AR has shared photos of a riverside pavilion in Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea, which they recently completed that aims to reinvent East Asian timber architecture.
