In a return to form, the 61st edition of the Salone del Mobile featured more than 2,000 exhibiting brands from around the world. Over the course of its 6 day period, the celebrated exhibition welcomed in excess of 300,000 attendees to the Fiera Milano’s design-filled halls.
Capturing timeless designs and future icons, this is part I of Archello’s pick of the best indoor and outdoor furnishings from Salone del Mobile 2023.
Celebrating 60 years, Italian brand Pedrali prides itself in crafting 100% of its contemporary furniture pieces in Italy. The company's functional and versatile industrial design products are made for both the contract and residential markets. The new Narì armchair by Andrea Pedrali echoes elements from the first iron garden chairs produced by Pedrali in the 1960s. Nari’s characterful fan-shaped weave is an especially charming feature. Other new designs from Pedrali include the Guinea 3695 armchair by CMP Design with its nod to the traditional director's chair, and the Frank table by Robin Rizzini with a profile inspired by architectural shapes and industrial materials.
B&B Italia, a stalwart of Italian design, has built a reputation for crafting designs that echo contemporary culture. Its myriad products, including many iconic and timeless pieces, are world-renowned for their creativity and quality. The new Tortello collection by Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby is no exception. The design of the generously proportioned, soft, and cosy sofa and armchair is akin to a beautifully stuffed tortelli: the peculiar profile is thanks to a “pinched” stitching. In crafting Tortello, Barber and Osgerby embrace circularity and recycling. Quiet Lines, a new range of bedroom furniture by Gabriel Tan, also embraces circular design principles, with parts that can be disassembled and individually reupholstered. In another new design from B&B Italia, the Eryt armchair by Piero Lissoni captures elements of Nordic design and Japanese culture.
Vondom is a vibrant Spanish brand whose designs celebrate life, transforming the simplest of spaces into places imbued with passion and glamour. The new Tulum Collection by Eugeni Quitllet is described as a “place” in itself: more than just a collection, Tulum’s elegant and contemporary furniture pieces are designed to inspire, making a place where experiences are shared. Other new designs from Vondom include the Hamptons Collection by Ramón Esteve with pieces that evoke scenes from The Great Gatsby, and the easy Milos Collection by Jean-Marie Massaud.
Miniforms is an Italian brand born from tradition. Over time, ideas morphed, the company grew in confidence, colour became a firm friend, and Miniforms developed a breezy and distinguished design language. Pinto by Skrivo is a coffee table made using a fully recyclable and reusable cement material. Designed in two shapes, one tall and one squat, this shapely table is described as “combining the gaiety of Venetian soirées with the mystery of primitive shapes.” Other new designs from Miniforms include the glass-blown Soda Square and Soda Oval coffee tables by Yiannis Ghikas.
Born in northern Italy, Magis boasts a design oeuvre that furnishes the indoor and outdoor spaces of residential abodes and commercial enterprises around the world. Magis’ timeless designs draw on the past while embracing a sustainable future. The new Twain armchair by Konstantin Grcic, made in collaboration with Hella Jongerius, is inspired by the classic safari chair typology. Conceived as a study in sustainability, the eco-friendly design incorporates a mix of natural materials. Other new designs from Magis include South by Konstantin Grcic, a series of curvy, anthropomorphic chairs and armchairs, and a new variant of the Tambour coffee table by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec with a top made in concrete.
Spanish brand GANDIABLASCO began life as a blanket manufacturer. Its creative direction changed in the 1980s under the founder’s son, José Antonio Gandía-Blasco Canales. With a clear design-led focus, the company launched a collection of rugs and then outdoor furniture. Pergolas by Gensler Product Design Consulting responds to the current need for more adaptive workplace environments, in particular a desire for collaborative outdoor spaces. Other new designs from GANDIABLASCO include R24 by Paula Valentini, a slender series of stools and tables “woven" from stainless steel rods, and the nature-inspired Lademadera collection by Francesco Meda & David Quincoces.
An Italian design story, Arflex first experimented with the use of foam rubber and elastic tape for the furniture market. This process of experimentation led to the creation of cutting-edge, modern furniture designs. With a constant quest to innovate and explore, Radia by David Dolcini for Arflex, is a design that takes the Japanese art of kirigami — the art of folding and cutting paper — as its starting point. Two decorative objects, a circular wall feature and a table/support, enliven their surroundings with moody reflections. Other new designs from Arflex include Yuzu by Claesson Koivisto Rune, a petite chair with a big personality, and the Edo sofa system, also by Claesson Koivisto Rune, with a soft yet architectural profile.
Bonaldo is an Italian company driven by a passion for design. Its capacity to understand contemporary needs and styles has resulted in solutions that meet the demands of an ever evolving world, in a manner that values harmony and empathy. The new Bonamour modular sofa by Mauro Lipparini is an expression of happiness and love, of "bonheur" and “amour”. It recalls “the harmonious atmosphere and the social appeal” of the 1970s. Other new designs from Bonaldo include the Shinto shrine-inspired Torii ST table by Marconato & Zappa and the embraceable Youpi chair by Fabrice Berrux.
Caimi Brevetti is an Italian brand that seeks to champion versatility and heterogeneity in its work, through the use of original shapes and materials, and a focus on technological innovation. Lucrezio by Caimi Lab is an innovative system of round and oval sound-absorbing panels. The intriguing hourglass shape is formed by using steel rods to create two cones that are bound by a narrow collar. Each cone houses a polyurethane sound-absorbing element. Another new sound-absorbing design from Caimi Brevetti is Integral. Conceived by Bartoli Design, Integral is a creative system of semi-spherical panels.
10. Lusto by Lapalma
Lapalma started out making furniture in a garage. Things are a little different today, but the love for technology, a knowledge of materials and research, and the dogged determination to succeed, remain the same. The new Lusto stool by Karri Monni was designed as a tribute to trees, described by Monni as “nature's most complex and meaningful structure.” The circle on the Lusto stool’s legs is a marker of a tree's annual growth rings. Another new stool design from Lapalma is Kami by Mario Ferrarini, a small and characterful seat inspired by the ancient art of origami.
The new Meli 90 Hide for Italian brand Bencore is a translucent panel that works well with a walk-in closet. Another door and wall system from Bencore is the double-glazed Crystal partition.
GlassCode by Maurizio Lai for Lualdi was a vivid installation during Milan Design Week that transformed the Italian brand’s showroom into an abstract space. Visitors to GlassCode were encouraged to explore the infinite possibilities of glass.
Belgian-based Extremis launched Panigiri, a versatile and adaptable table: users can add benches and extend the table’s length with additional center tops.
Young Italian brand MEMEDESIGN takes its name from “memetic” — every product incorporates a number of design-based memes. The new Bric & Brac coat hanger by Enrico Cesana comes from the old French expression “bric à brac,” used to refer to various objets d'art. Another new design from MEMEDESIGN is the bijou Drop pouf and bench.
15. Patio by Leolux
Producing its furniture in Venlo in southeastern Netherlands, designs from Leolux have been inspired through the years by Danish and Italian design. The graphic Patio rug by Studiopepe creates the illusion of several rugs piled on top of one another. In Valleys, a rug design by Studio Truly Truly, the pile is subtly cut in a step pattern.
16. Robot by Alias
Robot was conceived in 1989 by Swiss architect Mario Botta. Returning to the catalogue of Italian brand Alias, this futuristic design, with its overlapping drawers and metallic column, has the appearance of a very 1980s robot. Another design returning the Alias catalogue is Botta’s Prima chair.
Designed by Soo Chan, the new Soori day lounge for Italian brand Poliform is a plush, round daybed: a veritable island of relaxation. The new Monolith table by Emmanuel Gallina for Poliform recalls the configuration of a dolmen.
18. Guapi Cactos Vases by Ames
The characterful and colorful Guapi Cactos Vases by Mae Engelgeer for German-based Ames, are handwoven in Bogota using a recycled PVC. Another Ames accessory made using a PVC weave is the new Lazo Wall Shelf.
19. Pols by ALF UNO
The carefully composed Pols dining table by Gordon Guillaumier for Italian brand ALF UNO pairs wooden legs with a blown glass tabletop. Echoing the design language of Pols, the new Rods Bookcase, also by Guillaumier, offers versatility in its composition.
French company Atmosphera’s Suite bed, designed by Boatto Martino Studio, has a certain timeless repose. In Atmosphera’s new Essence collection, every conceivable outdoor lounging need is met.
21. Manhattan wine cellar by Arcahorn
The new Manhattan wine cellar by Arcahorn owes its allure to its elegant profile and tempting contents.
22. Marsalis collection by Milano Bedding
The Marsalis collection by Milano Bedding is a minimal and cozy fabric or leather upholstery.
23. Bibendum by Molinari Design
Bibendum is a modular sofa with an inviting 1960s expression (and a nod to the famous Michelin Man). It marks the third collaboration between British designer Lucy Kurrein and Molinari Design.
24. Lewood table by Sovet Italia
With more than 50 new models, the Lewood table by Sovet Italia offers over 200 style and size possibilities. With Lewood, Sovet has focused on tabletops made using artisanal and technological processes in glass manufacturing.
In the new Shells Outdoor collection by Martin Ballendat for Tonon & C, the shell-like frame is braided with nautical rope.
Elegant and practical, the Push table by MYYOUR invites al fresco dining on sun-filled days.
In the revival of a classical style, the Ottocento Up table by Paola Navone OTTO Studio for Slide harks back to neoclassicism.
Designed by G & O Buratti for Porada, the Bayus Tondo 44 bedside table is resplendent in its canaletta walnut, marble, bronze, and brass finish.
Designer Vincent Van Duysen adds a pop of color and a sprinkle of character to the dining room with the new Mateo table for Molteni&C.
30. Venus by Twils
In the Venus bed by Twils, the headboard acts as a frame that holds one or more differently upholstered panels, allowing users to mix and match over time.
31. AIR-LIB0173 by Arteinmotion
The AIR-LIB0173 by Arteinmotion features a removable “cowling” with a mirror-polished finish — underneath is a grid-like tubular steel bookcase. Most notably, the AIR-LIB0173 is made using an original airplane engine part.
Making his debut for Punt Mobles, Rodolfo Dordoni designed Toscana, a collection of two sideboards called "Lucca" and "Firenze" (named after Tuscany's two artistic cities). Firenze (pictured) has an unusual obtuse angular shape, projecting the unit into the space.
33. XYZ by Unifor
XYZ is an office system by Foster + Partners for Unifor. Designed with a human-centric approach, it ensures people can tailor their working environments to suit their individual needs.
Discover Archello’s best of Euroluce 2023 part I and best of Euroluce 2023 part II.
For a complete overview of Archello's best of Euroluce and Salone del Mobile, please visit our Salone del Mobile 2023 event page.
