29th June, 2022
Like many, Melbourne-based furniture maker Nick Rennie from Oku Space recently reunited with industry friends and colleagues from around the globe at two of the years most influential international design events – Salone del Mobile and 3daysofdesign.
Amidst the long-awaited social connections that have been benched for the past few years, Nick soaked up the celebratory ambience and stockpiled valuable inspiration and insight about creative innovation and trends informing the future of design. Here are a few of his top takeaways;
MILAN
“My favourite for the show was the new chair by Swedish designs Claesson Koivisto Rune for Ton. It’s a really beautiful collection.
Claesson Koivisto Rune collection for Ton.
Image of Bouroullec collection for Koyori. Image courtesy of Koyori.
Riace Sofa by the Bouroullec brothers for Magis.
Nanimarquina had a lovely new collection showing new rugs made from twine offcuts, one of many examples of sustainability taking centre stage in this years exhibited works.
Kensaku Oshiro, launched a new chair family with Kristalia which was really interesting.
And finally, Italian company Cantarutti launched two new collections with Australian designs Adam Cornish and Adam Goodrum which was really fantastic to see out at the fair.
Kensaku Oshiro in his Tonbo Chair for Kritalia. Image courtesy of Kristalia.
I was also lucky enough to be surprised to find out that a new family of three and four legged coffee tables was being launched with the Italian company Bontempi casa.
Running a close second to catching up with distant friends from around the world, was an exhibition at the Triennale di Milano on ‘Italian design Through the 20th Century,’ and an exhibition on Memphis design featuring the works of such vanguards as Ettore Sottsass which were highlights of the week in Milan. Really beautiful selection of objects.
COPENHAGEN
Copenhagen was much more low key than Milan, with much smaller crowds of course and this led it to be a much more intimate week catching up again with friends.
Showrooms around the city opened up with new products and again welcomed those from around the world for the first time in a few years.
The slower pace meant an opportunity to catch up on things that might have missed in Milan, or more importantly friends you might have missed. So like Milan, this social part was the highlight for all during the week.
Mater exhibition at 3daysofdesign.
The best installation for me was with by Mater. In their showroom they had a great display of their chairs made from waste product including coffee grinds, recycled rope and recycled plastic parts. It was really inspiring to see such beautifully resolved and manufactured objects being made like this.
My favourite design for the two weeks would have to be the new Paserelle table from HAY designed (again) by the Bouroullecs which for me, is just perfection….
Paserelle table from HAY designed by the Bouroullec brothers. Image courtesy of HAY.
Finally, Fritz Hansen designed an amazing pavilion for the week which stood in the design museum grounds and welcomed everyone from everywhere.
Fritz Hansen Pavilion. Image by Laura Stamer via fritzhansen.com
Images | By Nick Rennie unless otherwise noted.
