The 55th edition of the Salone del Mobile, together with the more glamourous Milan Design Week, turned the city into a dynamic hub of creativity and innovation, underlining its worldwide core in terms of style and design
THE SALONE DEL MOBILE, WITH A RECORD 372,151 VISITORS, has confirmed its position not just as the premier trade fair event in Italy, but also as an important window to the world for products which are Made in Italy, and an unmissable occasion on the international calendar for design and new trends. Figures for the event show that it involved 2,500 exhibitors, a majority of which came from abroad, from over 160 countries. The 2016 edition took place in an improving economic climate for the furniture sector, which grew a total of 3.4% and turned over approximately 25 thousand billion Euros in 2015. Classic, modern, contemporary, minimalist, Russian-style or zen inspired, the Salone del Mobile served up a comprehensive view of every kind of living solution, of furniture and accessories, materials and woods, technology, home automation and lighting. Increasingly focusing on experience and fusion, the Milano Design Week also involved the automotive industry with the Lexus Design Award, Audi City and Jaguar/IED events. The nautical sector was the centre of attention on two special occasions. Larusmiani in Via Montenapoleone hosted the presentation of the new AM37 model by Aston Martin, made together with Quintessence Yachts, while just a short walk away, in Piazza della Scala, a hand-picked audience of guests gathered at Palazzo Trussardi for the presentation of the exclusive partnership between the prestigious fashion house and Dynamiq Yachts.
Pininfarina
Pininfarina Home Design is like a journey to explore unknown backgrounds. A journey inside the home, where for the first time the Pininfarina furniture design heritage joins with an innovative architectural yet interior style. Pininfarina Home Design is a project in partnership with Casalgrande Padana, Reflex and Snaidero with the aim to imagine and realize interior solutions with a unique, essential and distinctive style.
Pangea
Thanks to the prestigious designer label of Michele De Lucchi, this table symbolizes the need for a return to our original condition, free from state borders, prejudice, differences between one people and another and without racial discrimination. Designed for Riva1920, this table is a symbol of the unity of all land and represents the dialogue and the encounter between different cultures. Its surface of 10 smq is made up of 19 moulded pieces. The oak or walnut top stands on the conic legs made of Briccola wood.
Liam
The sectional and innovative sofa by Trussardi Home is a contemporary linear and harmonious solution with sectional parts able to allow a complete project without giving up the comfort. The link with the Trussardi Maison is the back roll, which in addition to being used as a support of the backs, is a characterizing yet decorative element.
Winston
By capitalising on its experience in working with traditional upholstery, Minotti manages to create technologically-advanced products. The seat and the back of the Winston armchair skilfully combines aesthetics and ergonomics. The tufted padding is made entirely by hand, and is reminiscent of old school upholstery. Comfortable and elegant, it is designed to live in harmony with all seating systems in any environment.
Hi-Line VDV
The designer Vincent Van Duysen, working on kitchens for the first time, has reinterpreted Dada’s best-seller (Molteni Group) with a play of contrasts between full and empty spaces, thicknesses and materials, which give life to a dynamic – but at the same time sophisticated – kitchen. The elegant hanging units and the narrow sideboards in clear glass give the kitchen a new architectural look.
Sirenetta
With the Circu brand the Portuguese company continues to demonstrate its ability to create tiny must-have items for children. Fairy-tile images and magical atmospheres, furniture items that delight both big and small. A bewitching, magic shell-shaped bed will keep your little pearls safe at night, protecting them from all of mother nature’s dangers, while a sofa-hot-air-balloon is ready to fly off to discover new worlds.
Softwing
The new Flou double bed bears the signature of Carlo Colombo and, following the brand’s tradition, fabric is its real strong point. Sewn on top of the structure like a high-fashion dress, the fabric completely encloses the bed’s sober lines. The overall effect is of an extraordinarily comfortable softness, an elegance that is both simple and sophisticated, for perfectly-tailored product.
Mesedia
This small aluminium armchair, with its contemporary design and the iconic and emblematic shape of Medusa, is the first made with climate-proof finishings and is available in five different colours (haze, storm, cloud, purple sunset and sunrise). Mesedia is part of the Versace Home collection, created by Donatella Versace, the artistic director.
Hemingway
The new Hemingway sofa by Visionnaire has the feel of American Deco about it. Designed by Samuele Mazza, with an aristocratic finish, it is covered in leather or fabric, with added decorative zips and a shaped wooden shell. The polyurethane, memory foam and feather cushions are wonderfully detailed and modern.
Vogue
The new Vogue by Turri collection brings together beautiful elements from the top of the range bag collection. Sophisticated and refined details emphasise the individuality and exclusivity of the shapes, making every object original and unique, with a clean design and modern feel. All the pieces are enriched with a melting pot of the most fashionable materials, padlocks, hinges and warm-coloured gold and bronze metal inserts, and unusual hexagonal or diamond-shaped stitching.
Tropical Fish
A collection for exteriors which is full of marine references, with a wide range of colours and textures which create a fascinating, high summer jigsaw puzzle. The new outdoor series of fabrics from Missoni draws its inspiration from the very bright colours of the tropics: colonies of colourful exotic fish swim immersed in intense blue. Large and small bold stripes recall a maze of rigging and hawsers and suggest a marine atmosphere. All the fabrics are made for the outdoors and 100% waterproof.
Chest Recliner Seat
This is new from Vismara Design, and is especially designed for high-level private cinemas. It comes equipped with an electric mechanism to lower the back and the footrest and a minibar which comes out of the armrest.
(The 55th Salone del Mobile, Cult Event – Barchemagazine.com – June 2016)
