Desk Jobs
Mention the term "reception desk," and most exhibitors immediately envision a laminate-covered box with four support legs. But for the most part, boxes don't make attendees stop and stare. Unique shapes, inventive color combinations, and seemingly odd adornments draw the eye, and often the feet, to your space. So here are six reception desks that go beyond the box and deliver a little something extra. By Linda Armstrong
Rainbow Bright
Exhibitor: Lucio International B.V.
Show: EuroShop
Design: Lucio International B.V., 's-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands, 31-73-623-5732, www.lucio-international.com
Along with a white-laminate countertop, this desk for lighting manufacturing Lucio International B.V. features 396 mini product catalogs including 64 variations in the shade of the cover. Each color-coded catalog represents a unique light "mood" created by the company's fixtures.
PHOTO: Padgett and Co inc.
Seeing Red
Exhibitor: Ortho Clinical Diagnostics
Show: American Association for Clinical Chemistry
Design: Mirror Show Management, Webster, NY, 585-232-4020, www.mirrorshow.com
Paired with the exhibit's overhead elements, this oval beauty demands attention. In addition to the powerful red-and-white color palette, recessed lighting in the toe kick and upper edge add even more drama. Comprising five laminate-covered sections, the desk is reconfigurable.
No Cane, No Gain
Exhibitor: Tree-Free Greetings Inc.
Show: National Stationery Show
Design: Tree-Free Greetings Inc., Swanzey, NH, 866-873-3373, www.tree-free.com
With a company name like Tree-Free Greetings, your exhibit needs to scream "Green!" Comprising Plyboo, Dominican sugar canes, and Cubitec panels, this reception desk fits the bill. What's more, the desk is lightweight, reconfigurable, and eco-friendly to boot.
Beautiful Bean
Exhibitor: Mobilla-Artica Kft.
Show: EuroShop
Design: Mobilla-Artica Kft., Budapest, Hungary, 36-70-778-7324, www.articashop.com
This reception desk for Mobilla-Artica Kft., which designs retail environments, is a study in texture, light, and form. While seamless, reflective, black bands wrap the kidney-bean-shaped desk, inverted "dents" on the front catch the eye and further reflect the overhead light.
DIY Design
Exhibitor: 9SpotMonk Design Co.
Show: National Stationery Show
Design: 9SpotMonk Design Co., Glen Rock, NJ, 201-795-1668, www.9spotmonk.com
"Simple" is the name of the game for this eco-friendly letterpress-printing firm, which uses wind energy to power its presses. The exhibitor purchased the round tabletop at Ikea and built the base using medium-density fiberboard (MDF). Dressed with lilies, it's the epitome of simplicity.
Shape Shifter
Exhibitor: Freeman
Show: EXHIBITOR Show
Design: Freeman, Dallas, 888-508-5054, www.freemanco.com
Rather than crafting yet another rhomboid reception desk, Freeman opted for this curvy half-round rendition. Positioned near the center of its booth space, the white-laminate-covered desk is a welcome relief for attendees, who no doubt appreciate the fact that they can access booth staffers from practically any angle.
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