Ciao tutti. It’s that time again when all aesthetically-trained eyes look to Milan as the city explodes in a riot of inspired new design at the Milan furniture fair. The annual Salone del Mobile, of course, is no ordinary design show. As the place that has set the design agenda for almost 60 years, attracting 2500 iconic international brands, and more than 300,000 visitors every year, there’s no overstating the impact that this annual wave of creativity has as it washes over every part of town – from the pizza parlours to the palazzos. This year, the organisers have published a manifesto calling for the design industry to promote innovation and sustainability at the fair. Here are the brands who are changing our world in exciting ways.
BAXTER
Baxter’s quirky style befits its status as one of the younger Italian brands (it was established in 1990). Known for statement sofas- many by Paola Navone, a major collaborator since 2003- a mid-century inspired lacquered furniture by Draga & Aurel, it has launched its debut outdoor range. A collaboration between Navone and artist Antonio Sciortino, it includes the ‘Girgenti’ sofa, with its on-trend metal frame. www.baxter.it
Girgenti Sofa from Baxter
BISAZZA
Glass mosaic tiles become works of art in the hands of Bisazza, which has commissioned surfaces by everyone from maverick duo Studio Job to fashion house Emilio Pucci. The brand’s output now extends way beyond tiles: it has home and bathroom ranges, decorative oak parquet, and the ‘Cementiles’ cement surfaces – including ‘Swing’ by architect David Rockwell. The 2018 ‘Marmo’ collection is Bisazza’s first range of marble flooring. www.bisazza.it
BOFFI
What do you get when you ask A-list architects and designers like Piero Lissoni, Patricia Urquiola and Claudio Silvestrin to create kitchens and bathrooms? Beauty and technological innovation, as showcased in Boffi’s showrooms in London and Milan. New launches include Lissoni’s ‘Boffi code’ washbasins, made from precious stones. www.boffi.com
B&B ITALIA
One of the biggest hitters in the furniture industry, Italia has made a major contribution to Italian design history since its inception in 1966. Key pieces including Gateano Pesce’s groundbreaking ‘UP’ armchair, one of the first armchairs to be sold vacuum-packed. For 2018, it has unveiled a new collection of outdoor furniture including the curvaceous ‘Bay’ armchairs by British design duo Doshi Levien (see gallery for B&B Italia pictures). www.bebitalia.com also available at Space Furniture www.spacefurniture.com.au
CASSINA
Lasy year, the brand celebrated its 90th year with a book- ‘This Will Be The Place’ (Rozzoli)- on the future of the home. While it continues to look forward, Cassina is also the manufacturer of some of the finest furniture of the 20th century, including pieces by Le Corbusier and Vico Magistretti. Patricia Urquiola, the company’s art director, designed the new ‘Floe Insel’ sofa. www.cassina.com also available at Space Furniture www.spacefurniture.com.au
‘Floe Insel’ Sofa from Cassina
FENDI CASA
Fendi was a pioneer of the crossover between fashion and design, launching its first hme collection back in 1987. The latest range turns its attention to powdery shades- the blue velvet ‘Delano’ bed is case in point. www.fendi.com
‘Delano’ bed by Fendi Casa, www.fendi.com
FLEXFORM
Capitalising on its heritage as a luxury brand, in 2018 Flexform brings the world ‘New Normal’: a collection of understand pieces in timeless colours and fabrics, such as cashmere, velvet and linen. Antonio Citterior has created designs that exemplify the spirit of the range, including the ‘Tosca’ armchair. www.flexform.it, www.fanuli.com.au
GIORGETTI
The Hug armchair by Rossella Pugliatti
KNOLL
One of the most important names in the 20th-century design, Knoll celebrates its 80th century this year. Founded by Hans Knoll and subsequently helmed by his wife Florence, it has commissioned work by iconic designers including Harry Bertoia, Isamu Noguchi and Eero Saarinen. The latter created the ‘Tulip’ tables in 1957, which have now been reissued in Rosso Rubino marble (coloured marbles are a key trend for 2018). This spring, a new version of the ‘Tulip’ seat with upholstery will be launched. www.knoll-int.com
The Tulip seat with upholstery, www.knoll-int.com
LIVING DIVANI
Exceptional furniture for the living room, bedroom and outdoors is the hallmark of Living Divani, which is famous for the modular sofas such as Piero Lissoni’s ‘Extrasoft’, a series of big, padded cubes. Lissoni is the brand’s art director and brings an interesting mix of new talents on board- among them Japanese- Taiwanese duo Tamaki Design Studio, creators of the new ‘Tombo’ clothes rail. www.livingdivani.it, www.
MAXALTO
With focus no fine craftsmanship- the name Maxalto is derived from ‘massa alto’, meaning ‘the highest’ in Venetian dialect- the sister brand to B&B Italia was founded in 1975 with wooden furniture designs by husband-and-wife architects Afra and Tobia Scarpa. Antonio Citterio is now chief designer- his ‘Otium’ sofa is an instant classic. www.bebitalia.com, spacefurniture.com.au
MOLTENI
There are many big plans at the Milan furniture fair for the iconic Italian brand founded in Italy’s furniture region, Brianza which now has man big strands including the kitchen brand Dada, office supplies UniFor and Citteiro. It will be unveiling a series by Ron Gillard, a new storage system by Vincent Van Duysen and a table by Gio Ponti plus a chair by young Italian design Francesco Meda who’s father is Industrial design Alberto Meda. molteni.it
Gliss Master by Molteni&C, www.molteni.it/ap/
POLIFORM
This brand’s slick output is intended to address the needs of a ‘poliform’ house, along with sister brand Poliform Kitchens (formerly Vareena). The ‘Chloe’ bed by Carlo Colombo is a classic. www.poliformuk.com
The ‘Chloe’ bed by Carlo Colombo, www.poliformuk.com
POLTRONA FRAU
Expertise in leather has been this brands USP ever since it was founded in Turin in 1912. Today, its heritage is represented by designs, such as the ‘Archibald’ chair by Jean-Marie Massaus (2009). Its latest launch in another Massaud piece, the ‘Byron’ chaise longue, with lines inspired by the precision of goldsmithing. www.poltronafrau.com
RIVA 1920
Since its beginnings in 1920s Lombardy, this brand has always had hand-crafted wooden furniture at its heart. It has an ethical focus, using natural glues, waxes and oils and sustainable timbers. This year, the brand is introducing two new black wood finishes, ‘Total Black’ and ‘Mystic Black’, as well as the stylish ‘Cambusa Glass’ bar cabinet by Giuliano and Gabriele Cappelletti. www.rival1920.it
SALVATORI
For the finest marble furniture, bathroom fittings and accessories, look no further than Salvatori, which has been operating out of Tuscany (home to Carrara marble) since 1946. Among its star products are the monumental ‘Love Me, Love Me Not’ tables by Michael Anastassiades, while recent launches include ‘Adda’ a bathroom collection by Spanish designer David Lopez Quincoces that combines ribbed walnut with statement marble. www.salvatori.it
SICIS
Known for its incredible Murano glass and marble mosaics, which come in a huge range of styles- from romantic florals to geometric patterns- this brand also creates luxurious furniture. Its artistic flair comes through clearly in its new ‘Jakuchu’ collection, based on the work of 18th-century Japanese artist Ito Jakuchu. ‘Springtime’ is an exquisite scene of peach blossom and birds rendered in Venetian glass. www.sicis.com
SOCIETY LIMONTA
Dress your home with the same flair you would yourself that’s the idea behind this brand, which makes exquisite textiles for the bedroom, dining room and the bathroom. Natural linen is a focus, presented in an ever-changing palette. The new collection is based on 1950s colours and prints- think pink and pistachio green. www.societylimonta.com, ondene.com.au
WALL & DECO
Christian Benini, this brand’s founder, was previously an advertising photographer- hence the graphic quality of its wallpapers. The theme for 2018 is diversity: the ‘News Planet’ wallpaper (above) is a map made up of a newsprint. Also look out for the ‘Essential’ 3D textures, featuring designs by Studiopepe and Andre Fu. www.wallanddeco.com
