April 16, 2019

Text: Mairi Beautyman

15 Furniture Highlights from Salone del Mobile

Last week, Milan was buzzing once again with all things design for the 58th edition of Salone Internazionale del Mobile. Held April 9-14, the 2019 fair drew nearly 400,000 visitors from over 180 countries to the halls of the Fiera Milano exhibition center, which were packed with new contemporary furnishings from some 2,400 exhibitors. Likewise, these visitors descended en masse on Italy’s capital city for dozens of off-site events, many tied into new product launches. Interior Design was there, with all eyes on the new and noteworthy. Here are 15 of our favorite furnishing finds.

Photography courtesy of BuzziSpace.

1. BuzziDee by BuzziSpace

The upholstered BuzziDee from BuzziSpace is more than just a cute pouf in assorted colors—its simple lightweight, rounded foam body hides sound-absorption technology geared towards the open-plan workspace. 

Read more: 15 Young Design Talents to Watch from Salone del Mobile

Photography courtesy of Carl Hansen & Søn.

2. Embrace by EOOS for Carl Hansen & Søn

An armless upholstered solid wood dining chair with minimalistic form and linger-worthy comfort joins the Embrace collection by EOOS for Carl Hansen & Søn.

The South Pole wall hanging by Lara Bohinc for Kasthall. Photography by Emil Fagander, courtesy of Kasthall.
Photography by Emil Fagander, courtesy of Kasthall.

3. Lara Bohinc for Kasthall

Motifs from Japanese zen gardens—think a graphic take on rocks, gravel, and rippled sand —were the genesis for a collection of rugs, wall hangings, and accessories by Lara Bohinc for Kasthall. West of the Sun, shown above, is one of two hand-tufted wool rugs. 

Photography courtesy of Daniel Rybakken.

4. Vitrine by Daniel Rybakken for Panasonic and Vitra

TVs are notoriously unattractive—something designer Daniel Rybakken aims to change with the transparent Vitrine. A collaboration between Panasonic and Vitra, the OLED TV appears to be a wood-framed pane of glass, with no visible front or back. 

Photography courtesy of Vitra.

5. Vlinder sofa by Hella Jongerius for Vitra

A duvet-like fabric cover with a colorful woven textile in a multitude of weave patterns forms the carefully draped body of the Vlinder sofa by Hella Jongerius, also from Vitra. 

Band club chair by Patricia Urquiola for Kettal. Photography courtesy of Kettal.
Band dining chair by Patricia Urquiola for Kettal. Photography courtesy of Kettal.

6. Band by Patricia Urquiola

A new take on the club chair, Band by Patricia Urquiola for Kettal is available in low and dining typologies—both effusing a strong, confident presence. 

Wellbeing collection by Ilse Crawford for Nanimarquina. Photography courtesy of Nani Marquina.
Wellbeing collection by Ilse Crawford for Nanimarquina. Photography courtesy of Nani Marquina.

7. Wellbeing by Ilse Crawford for Nanimarquina

Capturing the essence of lived-in beauty, the Wellbeing collection by Ilse Crawford for Nanimarquina consists of rugs, cushions, a throw, a wall tapestry, and an indoor hammock woven from natural fibers. 

Read more: Social Media Highlights from Salone del Mobile 2019

The Meeting Point seating system by Luca Nichetto for Sancal. Photography courtesy of Luca Nichetto.
The Meeting Point seating system by Luca Nichetto for Sancal. Photography courtesy of Luca Nichetto.

8. Meeting Point by Luca Nichetto for Sancal

With Meeting Point’s round upholstered seats supported by a steel frame, public interactions are achieved with grace. Designed by Luca Nichetto for Sancal, the system is a tribute to the Turati subway station in Milan. 

JH97 lounge chair by Jaime Hayon for Fritz Hansen. Photography courtesy of Fritz Hansen.
JH97 lounge chair by Jaime Hayon for Fritz Hansen. Photography courtesy of Fritz Hansen.

9. JH97 by Jaime Hayon for Fritz Hansen

To dream up the curved frame and cushions of the JH97 lounge chair for Fritz Hansen, Jaime Hayon pondered the pelican, nature-engineered for flight. 

Photography courtesy of Pedrali.

10. Héra by Patrick Jouin for Pedrali

Fluidity of form is carefully contained within armrests of bent wood and a slim padded seat in the Héra chair by Patrick Jouin for Pedrali. 

Photography courtesy of Moroso.

Photography courtesy of Moroso.

11. Gogan by Patricia Urquiola for Moroso

For the soft curves of the Gogan sofa for Moroso—distinguished by two sculptural columns in its back—Patricia Urquiola drew inspiration from stones in Japan smoothed by water, wind, and time. 

Photography courtesy of Cypraea.

12. Naturae Bark by Francesco Maria Messina for Cypraea

Naturally-treated bark clads the solid walnut Naturae Bark sideboard and cabinet by Francesco Maria Messina for Cypraea. Underneath, legs are solid bronze—hand-cast from real branches. Part of a limited-edition collection that draws from the natural beauty of the tiny island nation of Mauritius, the pieces were shown at the Rossana Orlandi gallery. 

Photography by Andrea Ferrari, courtesy of Sé.

13. Below The Heavens by Ini Archibong for Sé

“It’s a bit like a grounded cloud,” says designer Ini Archibong of his Oshun sofa, a piece in the Below The Heavens collection for Sé, shown at Rossana Orlandi gallery. 

Photography courtesy of Flos.

14. Heco by Nendo for Flos

With a barely-there stainless-steel frame holding a blown-glass globe in place, Heco by Nendo for Flos is a table and lamp in one intended for the outdoors. 

Photography courtesy of Poltrona Frau.

15. Turner by Gianfranco Frattini for Poltrona Frau

Poltrona Frau reissued a three-shelf swivel bookcase, first introduced in 1963 as Modello 823. Designed by the late Gianfranco Frattini, the birch plywood, walnut, leather and steel Turner has adjustable dividing panels for easy customization. 

Read more: Full Coverage of Milan Design Week 2019

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