Thoughts From Milan Furniture Fair 2014

Designer Nick Rennie shares the products and installations that struck a chord at this year’s Milan Furniture Fair.

Having just returned from my 15th edition of the yearly Milano Salone, I am filled with energy and optimism about the future of the industry.  This year’s edition was perhaps the busiest I have ever seen, with  attendances noticeably up on last year.  The economical woes of the recent past seem to finally be on the up, and the air was filled with positivity about what the future holds. 

Though as the week was greeted by unseasonably beautiful weather, the joke was thrown around that this is why everyone was so upbeat.  Lighting made way for bathroom and kitchen, alongside the yearly offering of new furniture concepts and ideas on display  at the fair grounds, and satellite events dotted throughout Milan once again meant comfortable shoes were the fashion accessory must have.

Here are a few of my favourites from this year’s fair…

At the top of my list was Trotter, a beautiful wheelbarrow inspired chair by Rogier Martens, for the ‘Me Too’ collection for Magis.  The whimsical concept and simple construction are just so perfect, I cant wait to own one.

Rogier Martens, Trotter

Another concept, which for me was love at first sight, was the Uncino chair by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec for the Italian manufacturer Mattiazzi.

Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec, Uncino

Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec, Uncino

Patricia Urquiloa’s Husk sofa for B&B Italia was also stunning.  Almost three years in development, this new addition to the Husk range is just so comfortable.

Patricia Urquiola, Husk Sofa

Also from B&B Italia, was a new project by British designers Barber Osgerby.  Their Tobi Ishi series of tables has a new member to its family, a beautifully crafted low version made in wood.

Tobi Ishi (low), Barber Osgerby

Sou Fujimoto created the ‘floating forest’ installation for the design of the Cassina stand.  Comprising floating mirrors and trees placed throughout their stand, it was the standout space for me at the Fiera.

Sou Fujimoto, Floating Forest, Cassina

Salone Satellite, the area for young designers was quite exciting this year, with a number of really well resolved projects on offer.  My favourite was from Junpei and Iori Tamaki. Part of their “Snow Collection” their ‘snowscape’ cabinet was really clever.  Hexagonal holes in the front screens as if like magic, create different patterns of snowflakes when slid in front of each other.

Junpei & Iori Tamaki, Snowscape cabinet

On the local front, the guys from Porcelain Bear in Melbourne launched their new ION pendants with the other hemisphere exhibition in the Lambrate district.

Porcelain Bear, ION series O light

And finally away from the fairgrounds, Studio Job launched a new collection of their illustrations with their Archives wallpaper for Dutch brand NLXL.

Studio Job, Archives Wallpaer

There were a number of other projects which caught the eye, including installations and new products by Boffi, Flos, Paola Lenti, Artemide and Lapalma among them.

But without question the most important part about attending is catching up with old friends, making new ones, and experiencing the craziness that is Salone del Mobile.

By Nick Rennie
www.happyfinishdesign.com