One of the biggest shows that brings together the best of international furniture, lighting and kitchen brands, Salone del Mobile just completed its 56th edition early this month. The six-day fair covered it all, from exhibitions, palazzos and parties to installations. Fresh from her maiden trip to the fairgrounds, the writer zeroes in on 10 of her favourite products and displays — which include cork beds, floating lights and even a kitchen with an indoor herb garden.
The chairs that do more than offer a seat
The setup/installations by the indomitable Marcel Wanders’ Moooi are one of the most talked about exhibits by veteran visitors of the fair. This year, their setting was called A Life Extraordinary, which paired jungle inspired pieces with pure provocative furniture that Moooi is best known for. From the brand’s new collection, the Canal chairs by Luca Nichetto stood out for me. I love the nautical boat’s bow emulated in the backrest, while the options of some cheerful, some sassy upholstery just make you want to own one, as your personal throne. Details: moooi.com
The kitchen that is beyond just function
One of the biggest kitchen trends this year is the incorporation of mixed materials – natural, durable woods combine effortlessly with lacquer or metals in exquisite finishes. Italian powerhouse Arclinea’s new kitchens honour this whole-heartedly. My recommendation is the Principia, with rough-finished oak, lacquer colours and stainless steel elements; plus the bonus accommodation of an indoor herb garden. Details: arclinea.com
The bed that’s totally “corked”
The famous German maker of cork sandals has now launched its own line of spine-friendly beds. They get the ergonomics right with the natural latex and granulated-cork support layer, promising restful sleep. The compact beds make an ideal fit in tiny city apartments. Take for instance, the Iona – apart from its minimalistic look and sturdy wooden base, its functional leather tabs on the headboard is great to prop your night read or a small light. Details: birkenstock-group.com
The sofa that’s making modular cool again
The good bits of the ’80s are making a sneaky but welcome comeback. For instance, modular furniture. You think it’ll be tacky and blocky, but Natuzzi Italia gets it right with this beauty. Designed by Mauro Lipparini, the Melpot sofa comes with an attached, extended lounging seat that’s tufted, and also eliminates the side table thanks to the shelf that can be attached to the padded backrest. And it’s available in different customisations. Details: natuzzi.com
The outdoor furniture that loves the indoors, too
It’s nice to see outdoor furniture getting love from the best designers in the industry — Jean Marie Massaud and Patricia Urquiola to name a few. Brit duo Barber Osgerby has designed Tibbo — a countryside-inspired set of dining tables, coffee and side tables, benches, lounger and chairs, made from teak timber, textiles and woven fibre. It’s also German manufacturer Dedon’s first collection in teak timber. Details: dedon.de
The light that floats on air
Lighting was a strong category at Salone. While it’s hard to pick my absolute favourite illuminator, Amisol, by the young Compasso D’oro Norwegian designer Daniel Rybakken, for Luceplan, comes close purely because of its sci-fi form. It balances from the ceiling and looks like a satellite dish; but what makes it more alien is its circular sun sail framed by an aluminium ring and supported by two thin rods, diffusing the light from the LED source. Details: luceplan.com
The furniture line with the best of India and Slovenia
It’s nice to see India get the mileage it deserves. At the grand dame of Italian design, Rossana Orlandi’s gallery, Kolkata-based luxury brand, Scarlet Splendour (run by two visionaries/siblings, Ashish Bajoria and Suman Kanodia) unveiled its new collaboration with the talented Slovenian designer, Nika Zupanc. Called 88 Secrets — after the number of constellations in the universe known to man — the range has a few shining stars including this lovely mint green cabinet with a dainty tie-bow handle. Details: scarletsplendour.com
The dining table that’s a work of craftsmanship
Marble tops on tables, consoles and shelves seem to be coming back. I love the subtle inclusion of a marble insert in this clean dining table, designed by Antonio Citterio for B&B Italia’s Maxalto brand. The Astrum is unique because of the smooth rounded edges of its outer wooden top and graceful die-cast aluminium with bronze finish sawhorse base. While it’s also available in different woods and marbles (white Calacatta, black Marquinia and green Emerador), you can also ask for a custom rotating tray. Details: bebitalia.com
The cabinet that’s two faced
If Beauty & the Beast and Alice in Wonderland did a crossover movie, I’d imagine this unusual cupboard from Fratelli Boffi would make a star appearance. This modern embodiment of the 18th century trumeau, designed by the multitalented Italian Ferruccio Laviani, is part of the brand’s new range, D-Vision. Each piece is split diagonally in half; so it looks like two halves of the same species but of different colours that have been conjoined, but not to fit on purpose. Don’t miss the little details like the crimped wood, brass ferrules and, of course, the oval mirror, an obvious nod to the cabinet’s more ornate predecessor. Details: fratelliboffi.it
The installations that want you to come together
As cheeky as its products, the always forward-thinking Kartell presented its popular and new furniture in different story-like settings; each blurring the lines between styles, forms, materials and ideas. Collectively called “ContamiNation” (quite intuitively so), each setup was essentially a display of the vibrant brand’s old and new lines, representing, in the company’s own words, “a part of increasingly different and less standardised universes with projects that reflect the contemporary way of life not only in Italy, but all over the world.” I like the fact that the brand is making its own subtle statement in a world where hostility and racism are attracting more importance. Details: kartell.com
Sneha Ullal Goel is the Interim Editor, ELLE DECOR India. Follow her at @roneleagybir
