It's that time of year again and to wet your appetite before we have finished doing the rounds of the stands at Salone del Mobile in Rho and the all the 'fuorisalone' in the city centre areas of Brera, Tortona, Lambrate & 5vie (and a few others), Design daily has complied a few tasty previews. It's just the tip of the iceberg - there is a huge amount more to come in the next few weeks - so take it slowly and enjoy.
Carl Hansen CH22 chair by Hans Wegner. Reissued along with the matching CH26 dining chair never previously released. The brand also opens a new showroom.
I had to open with this beautiful image. While Hans Wegner's CH22 chair has been slated for some years it is finally in full scale production but more relevant to Milan Design Week perhaps is that Carl Hansen is opening its first stand alone showroom in Italy, off Foro Buonaparte at Via Arco 4 near Sforzesco castle.
Nendo's marble candle holder for Marsotto.
Marble specialist Marsotto are presenting a new collection which includes a candle holder and iphone rest called ‘Sphere & Cone’ designed by Nendo. Oki Sato will also be presenting 50 Manga chairs during the fair continuing his interest in furniture and objects formed from connected lines. Another marble specialist Citco will be launching new designs by Ferruccio Laviani and Arik Levy to join their other pieces design by the likes of Zaha Hadid and Foster & Partners.
'Totem' lights by Ferrucio Laviani for Citco.
Nicholas Schuybroek is a Belgian architect who is know for his simple minimal architecture and interiors and love of vintage Jean Prouve pieces. Like fellow Belgian architect and long-term When Objects Work designer, Vincent Van Duysen, Schuybroek's work is generally fairly monochromatic but softened by timber and other textured materials. He will be launching his first products for the Belgian accessories label, When Objects Work at this year’s fuorisalone.
Nicholas Schuybroek bowl for When Objects Work.
French designer Alain Gilles is launching his 'Mass' table plus 'Frame' sideboard and 'New Perspectives' mirror - all for Bonaldo. He also is showing 'Mirror Mirror' for Belgian medical foundation Fonds Erasme (proceeds of the sale of the limited edition mirrors - 2 large 2 small - will go to the foundation).
Skrivo Design is a Milan based studio I first came across 3 years ago through their pieces for Italian brand Miniforms. This year they have designed an interesting sofa /seating system called 'Pinch' for Italian label La Cividina. The ‘Pinch’ collection comes in four widths and are all available with a choice of three wall heights. The metal leg frames capture the upholstery in a strange but appealing way. Integrated tables are an option too.
'Pinch' by Skrivo Design for La Cividina.
As part of the A Matter & Perception show at Palazzo Litta, Formafantasma and Anton Alvarez will be showcasing the Alcantara range in the installation Touching Tales (previously shown at IMM Cologne). Shown here is an example a range of Alcantara fabrics sandwiched between blocks of stone Formafantasma call ‘Strata’. Other items of interest at this show include Daniel Rybakken’s sculptural chandelier / light, ‘Pulley’ for Irish contemporary cut crystal brand J.HILL’S Standard.
Behind Surfaces is a study undertaken by Federico Delrosso Architects into what lies behind a surface to the material and architecture itself. The research culminated in a new rug for cc-tapis. The Milan based rug brand is also launching nine rugs and five wall hangings by Studiopepe.
Behind Surfaces exhibition by Frederico Delrosso Architects for cc-tapis.
Studiopepe's collection is called The Soft Poetry of Randomness. Studiopepe are popping up in numerous places across the week with sculptures, artworks, retail design and styling for brands as diverse as Timberland and Spotti. No images yet - just an intriguing sketch.
A sketch of new hanging pieces by Studiopepe for cc-tapis.
Karimoku New Standard’s creative director David Glaettli has invited Italian-based Korean artist Chung Eun-Mo to create an extensive installation that creates a dialogue between furniture and her soft geometric artworks. Prolific German designer Sebastian Herkner is launching his 'Terrace' table for Dutch brand Linteloo among other new designs for Bosa, Cappellini, Dedon, Ex.t, Linteloo, Sancal and Verreum.
The 'Voyage'chair by GamFratesi for Porro is an extension of last years daybed by the same name.
Just to prove there are some more affordable objects on show at Salone, Ikea is back - this time in Tortona at Via Stendhal with a show called Welcome Home, showcasing the 'Viktigt' collection which was made in collaboration with Ingegerd Råman. The limited edition collection (available for a limited amount of time) consists of a range of bamboo lights, ceramic and glass vessels, woven furniture and accessories designed by Ingegerd Råman, Nike Karlsson and Wiebke Braasch.
The 'Viktigt' collection by Ingegerd Råman with Nike Karlsson and Wiebke Braasch for Ikea.
Lisotne Giordano will be launching a new patterned timber floor that combines the raw appeal of timber with knocked back pattern. Lisotne Giordano is a Perugia based hardwood flooring company that works with leading designers such as Patricia Urquiola to create interesting new takes on timber flooring.
Lisotne Giordano patterned timber floor.
French Architect Sophie Dries collaborated with ceramicist Thomas Vivant and Parisian metal artist Mickael Moore to create the 'Traces' range of pipe-like sections of metal and rough ceramic surfaces marked by the maker with scratching and hammering. Each vase is totally handmade and numbered. The table pictured below is also by Dries.
A very different style of ceramic will be launched by BItossi. The work of British designer Bethan Laura Wood, the vase/bottle forms are the result of research into the Bitossi archive and use of some of the brands past techniques. Unmarked vases combine with heavily incised ones and create a family of contrasting forms.
Bethan Laura Wood for Bitossi.
Bethan Laura Wood will also be showing her glass and brass 'CrissCross' lights at Nilufar Gallery.
Bethan Laura Wood's 'CrissCross Hula' light.
Spanish lighting brand Parachilna will launch a new light by Jordi Veciana. The 'B15' is in a very different style to past offerings from this interesting brand. Launched two years ago to critical acclaim with designs by Jaime Hayon, they more recently collaborated with Shanghai based designers Neri & Hu.
A pair of 'B15' light by Jordi Veciana for Parachilna.
Speaking of Neri & Hu, the two designers have a number of items launching at the fair - for Offecct, Kvadrat Nanimarquina and more.
Neri & Hu's 'Hanger' clothes stand for Swedish brand Offecct.
Analogia Project are well known for their incredible installations using threads of black wool to create 3D room sets, but in the last few years have designed a number of installations in very different materials and even the odd limited edition product. For Fratelli Boffi this year they have designed a highly sculptural collection called ‘Rebus’ which includes this intricate console table in brass and carved timber.
Analogia Project ‘Rebus’ console table for Fratelli Boffi.
That's it for now. Keep informed by following the Design daily instagram feed @designdaily Another Milan installment will be posted next Monday, the 18th April.