NEWS FROM MILAN
Chairs
It is funny how trends evolve ! The popular baroque style which featured strongly on soft furnishings and lighting last season has migrated to furniture - chairs with perforated seat/backs were everywhere.
The most exuberant of these designs has to be the MISS LACY
chair by one of my favourite designers Philippe Starck. This is a small armchair in mirror- polished cast stainless steel. The body is perforated with floral patterns reminiscent of baroque lace. Not in production yet, but with an estimated price tag of £800, this will surely become an iconic ornament rather than a practical furniture piece !
All Kit Softline have also produced a prototype of a chair called TESS which again has a decorative lace style design and will come in silver and black.
Bonaldo have introduced a plastic chair called VIENTO designed by Dondoli e Pocci. It comes in a range of colours with a cut out design on the back. It will be around £150. They have also introduced the POLY chair designed by Karim Rashid. Another translucent plastic item which I do not think is very attractive but gets the thumbs down anyway as it was extremely uncomfortable to sit on and rather easy to slide off ! Their third chair offering and Andrew’s favourite was the LOTO, designed again by Dondoli. Andrew said it was comfortable to sit on and described it as sturdy but cute !
Magis have introduced a great new desk chair called ANNETT,
designed by Francesco Binfare. One cannot help noticing the similarity with the Aeron desk chair by Herman Miller. However, this smaller version which has no movement will probably cost a lot less !
The most exciting chair in terms of its style and one we think will be a best seller was the Pip-e designed by Philippe Starck.
It was great to see some new products from Starck who has been a little quiet recently. The chair is robust, stylish, extremely comfortable and suitable for both in and outdoors. It is made from gas moulded polypropolene, and it comes in at a very affordable price of £117. We have ordered the chair so it should available online at the end of May !
Other Offerings : -
Gallotti and Radice have introduced a stylish coffee/side table which is simple and reminiscent of 60’s style. Priced at over £1,000, it needs to be seen for the quality to be appreciated. The Fuji group of coffee/side tables with wenge stained wooden bases and mirrored glass tops are more affordable with prices from £577.
Fontana Arte and Flos have some new lights which we will be looking at within the next few weeks with a view to offering them online - We will keep you posted.
Finally B&B have some new beds – the best being Tufty, Suzy and Siena, but the main story was wardrobes. The already versatile Atlante range can be custom made now with some new door choices and mechanisms.
We are also finding more information about the cbox from Dieffebi, the coral range of lighting by Lumen Center Italia and the Twist table designed by Pearson Lloyd from Martinez Otero (MO).
We will update you as things progress, So Keep checking in to see what’s new !
Pauline Purves
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