Linen Takes on New York
Updated September 10, 2026. This story records LinenMe's 2016 visit to NY NOW.
Quick answer: Linen Takes on New York follows LinenMe founder Inga Lukauskiene through a day in the city during the 2016 NY NOW home and lifestyle trade show—from breakfast and work to an evening view of Brooklyn Bridge.
This is an archive story rather than a report on the current edition of the event. We have retained its people, places and original atmosphere while clarifying the date and repairing its presentation.
Breakfast in New York
Breakfast in New York could mean smoked-salmon bagels, eggs, pancakes or something picked up on the way across town. Inga chose Le Pain Quotidien before a long trade-show day: bread made with care, coffee and a calm pause before the city gathered speed.
Working from the New York Public Library
Some places make ordinary work feel completely different. Inga headed to the New York Public Library to catch up on administration, surrounded by an extraordinary collection and the atmosphere of one of the city's most recognisable public buildings.
Presenting linen at NY NOW
The purpose of the trip was NY NOW, where brands, retailers and designers met to discover new home and lifestyle collections. LinenMe spoke with buyers about new products and colourways including marine blue, spa green and steel grey. The exhibition placed durable natural textiles alongside thousands of design-led products competing for attention.
The visit also illustrated the relationship between LinenBeauty and its sister brand LinenMe. LinenBeauty focuses on linen fabric by the metre, while LinenMe develops finished linen clothing and home textiles. Designers who want to develop their own palette can begin with linen fabric samples, then compare fabric for home-decor projects.
An evening by Brooklyn Bridge
After the busy exhibition floor, the day ended with the New York skyline and Brooklyn Bridge in the colours of sunset. It was a quieter conclusion to a trip centred on conversations, materials and new design ideas. The next stop in the original journey was Paris.
Why this archive story still matters
Trade shows change, but the practical work behind a textile collection remains familiar: compare materials, discuss performance, refine colour and listen to retailers and customers. For a related look at how material choices shape a room, read our guide to designing interiors with linen.
