In this time of the year, on my blog, I usually write about Salone del Mobile. Milano. After Salone del Mobile. Milano, I usually returned home tired but full of impressions. 

I adore April in Milan. I am looking forward to visiting this design event, the whole year-round. The atmosphere in Milan during the Fair is something you must experience yourself because it is hard to describe. In this period the spirit of Design gathers around different events so many people: professionals, architects, designers, design lovers…from different countries…under Rho Fiera, in Milan downtown or different Milan’s suburbs. This atmosphere happens in front of your eyes contribute to the awareness that you are in the center of the international capital of design. The whole of Milan becomes the best showcase for the Fair and on the other side, the Fair becomes the best Milanese brand. It is simply a must to be in Milan in April. 

Unfortunately, this year there is no Salone del Mobile. Milan, no Fuorisalone no SaloneSatellite. Without these events, this year is completely different.

I keep my memories of the Salone del Mobile and writing this post about new products in the furniture sector. It is without comments on new collections of the important brands, presentation of the latest trends, the prototypes of the yang, unanimous designers. This post is just my choice of some new products designed in 2020 which I assume would have been exhibited at Salone del Mobile 2020 if it had been held.

While I feel the deep absence of such an important event for the design community as Salone del Mobile, I hope that design future will be brighter, stronger and more innovative.

The structure defines aesthetic values

Konstantin Grcic designed the Citizen armchair for Vitra. This armchair is with tubular steel frame mounted on the base with four supports. The frame is in a cantilever position relative to the swivel base. The construction elements are not hidden. On the contrary, the whole metal frame is deliberately left visible. Shaped this way, the structure defines and underline the shape of the whole chair. The seat is suspended on three cables, enabling a pleasant swinging movement while the backrest is firmly attached to the steel frame. It looks like as if the seat cushion float above the base. 

The armchair Citizen offers the user the comfort but also dynamic sitting as an additional value. The different colour of the neck pillow, from seat and back pillows, emphasize its function.

Furniture adapted to the user’s need 

Alfredo Häberli designed a family of upholstered furniture Taba for Moroso. The collection consists of eight pieces: a sofa, two swivel armchairs, a bench and four poufs. The elements with organic, asymmetrical lines provide a wide range of mutual combinations. The compositions offer a number of opportunities linked to everyday living like sit, talk, work, relax.

The overlapping of different organic lines, together with a softness characterized by symmetric forms provide multi-functionality and adaptation to the user needs. Horizontal surfaces were deliberately created, as they are well suited as storage space or can be used for working. 

Taba offers a wide range of possible uses in both public and private areas. 

 The optical illusion 

Luca Nichetto  created Pyrite bookshelf for La Manufacture.Pyrite is with unexpected distribution between empty and full spaces. The library is with an unusual combination of thicknesses of the items: the thin lines of the frame are almost invisible while the contrast is the thicker dividers.

Playing with the thickness of structural elements it seems that horizontal and vertical are reversed. The different size and shapes of the sections combine to give a sense of movement, while drawers in leather or wood can be added to the bookshelf. Pyrite possesses a variety of uses as a standing alone piece or as a large bookshelf system with dimensions to cover the length of entire walls. 

Contemporary classic    

Luca Nichetto designed lounge chair Melitea for La Manufacture. It is made of classical materials. The linear metal structure, running from the legs up to support the back, stands as a distinctive element of the design. Two enveloping shells for the seat and the backrest look nice and elegant. Their pattern made by circular holes adds modernity, functioning also as a grid where to attach additional paddings. Melitea Longue chair is suitable both for indoor and outdoor environments.

Through the juxtaposition of industrial materials and attention to comfort, Melitea lounge chair aims to present itself as a new classic. 

Traditional craftsmanship brings the value

unPIZZO studio designed Tramae, for B&B Italia Outdoor collection.

This new ottoman is with the frame made of polyethene and interlacing from polypropylenefibrebraid. The ordinary hexagonal shape is ‘softened’ with slightly rounded edges. Tramaeis a simple product but even so attracts attention. The reason is an exclusive weave technique used for the realization of the cover. 

 This polypropylene fibre wave represents contemporary reinterpretation the tradition of wicker basket making. The specific play with colours used (3 on each product) gives the dynamism to the surface. The cover poses an interesting texture thanks to the characteristic of the fibre. Tramae can be dismantled completely so that each component can be separated and disposed of in the best way for each material.  This small object will bring a cheerful atmosphere in the space. 

In harmony with Nature

Philippe Starck designed Fenc-e Nature for Cassina as an elegant collection for outdoor relaxation. The collection is the modern reinterpretation of the classic sofa, with high-quality materials that respect the environment. The sofa has organic forms - like the die-castaluminium base and textural elements like the natural-looking solid teak armrest with a sanded finish. Each backrest is with frame in painted stainless steel is available in hand-woven rope with an exclusive design or in natural untreated willow, used here for the first time. The comfort of the sofa is achieved by the seat and backrest cushions with padding in SoloSoff©, blown polyester fibre and memory foam-based product, and the reclining backrest that can be set in two different positions thanks to a manual mechanism. A supporting rod is in solid teak, processed to look like a branch, held in place by two wooden nails.

Materials that respect the environment

Patricia Urquiola designed The  Bowyside tables for Cassina. Bowy tables have an aluminium sheet structurecurved as follow the lines of the top. The mud textured or ivory texturedfinishes and a recycled RFM® glass-reinforced plastic are on the top. The connection detail of the structure and top is simple and elegant. The availablecolours (white and red or white and grey) enable different visualcombinations. The tables can be stacked or arranged perpendicular to each otherto furnish open-air living areas. 

Chair or Silhouettes? 

Ronan &ErwanBouroullec have designed the Rope Chair for Artek. The material used suits with the purpose of the chair as it is made for marine use. Rope Chair has a steel tubing frame and a seat made of form-pressed beech plywood and ash veneer. 

The rope, made of black polyester or natural flax, is a characteristic of this chair that attracts attention. The chair was designed so that the rope is part of the construction. Connection details of the elements (structural and flexible) are simple but sophisticated, combining art and technology. The stiff tubes enable stability while pliable rope enables adaptability and comfort to the user.

 In this case, the rope translates the silhouette of the chair into the real chair. 

Lamp for the mood

Naoto Fukasawa  designed Half Dome Lamp for Kettal. The aluminium floor lamp is with a granite base and elegant structure. This outdoor light, suspended over the structure, possess numerous variations of lighting. In the outdoor space, it never creates the same light or the same mood.

Cheerful outdoor colours

It was Woodnotes intention to present their collection in Milan this April. 

The Woodnotes new In/out carpets are suited, in addition to the normal use, for all moist and humid conditions both outdoor and indoor. The material provides high performance in indoor/outdoor environments. 

The material, 100% polypropylene fibre, is ideal for terraces, balconies and pool areas as well as for entrances, bathrooms and sauna areas. The Woodnotes In/out carpets have a soft feel and are transpiring therefore ideal for leisure living. The material is dyed in the manufacturing process and the colours are permanent. In addition to resistance to abrasion, the Woodnotes In/out carpet offers high colour fastness against sunlight and are also resistant to sea and swimming pool water. The material is washable and 100% recyclable. There are finishing options for carpets: you can choose between fringes or narrow edging, with or without backing. Maximum width is 300 cm and the maximum length 1000 cm.