Salone del Mobile 2007

Brera – Moroso. Tokujin X Moroso is the title given to the installation by Tokujin Yoshioka in the Moroso showroom in Milan, within which he presents the Panna Chair. The artist gently leads us into the magical world for an intense and total experience of his project in which all white, light, pure and ready amaze. In the East white is the color of spirituality, representing the link with the divine and the color of space and thought. Thus on entering the Moroso space we can feel the magic coming into a surreal, sublime, spiritual, conceptual, subtle, lyrical, gentle place. Our gaze is attracted by a large wall at the entrance that takes us into the central space where another two stage sets leads us into a world where pure creative energy can be felt. The walls are inconsistent, like clouds, cotton wool or sea foam, or ice. Tokujin loves to amaze with simplicity: the set is built with more than three million, carefully arranged transparent straws.

The Chair: is called Panna Chair, designed by Tokujin Yoshioka for Moroso. Panna Chair comes to life when someone sits on it, adapting its shape to the body of the person using it. It is soft, supple, comfortable. Its lines are curved and sinuous. It embraces and surrounds us. It reassures us. It is research, sophisticated design and experimentation.

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Salone del Mobile 2007

Centro – B and B Italia. Good News was the theme at the B and B Italia store, the beautiful display was conceived by Studio Collage. Seen at B and B Italia, Luis, designed by Antonio Citterio; the concept of modular sofa, developed into several typologies, it is newly rendered with Luis, a solution that skillfully combines comfort and elegance. The system consists of sixty modular elements, enriched by a pouf and a chaise longue, which allow you to create countless numbers of combinations to form linear, corner and peninsula sofas. I want one to put in front of the TV.

A Detail: of Luis designed by Antonio Citterio for B and B Italia. The Luis system is completed by accessories designed to optimize its comfort, like these tables in different sizes with curved plywood tops.

Centro – B and B Italia. Seen at B and B Italia Moon System by Zaha Hadid. A continuous form which combines aesthetics and ergonomics, Moon System expresses the happy meeting of attitude and experimentation typical of B and B Italia and Zaha Hadid, world famous architect, whose work has been exploring the complexity of curved geometry for several years. The system is complete with footrest, whose shape perfectly integrates with the form of the sofa. It is best placed in the center of the room where its expressive curves can be admired from new viewpoints.

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Salone del Mobile 2007

Centro - Spazio Rossana Orlandi. Rosanna Orlandi is an intuitive and open minded talent scout of design. She uses her big eyes and big glasses to see beyond style and convention, to attract the best talents to her Spazio.

Dinner at Rossana Orlandi. One of the two long tables set up in the first floor store, for the dinner party hosted by Rossana Orlandi. Bread, vegetables and herbs served as center pieces all down the lengths of the tables.

Seen at Rossana Orlandi – Front Design. Put four beautiful Swedish young ladies together and you get equally interesting and special designs. Under the name Front Design, Anna Lindgreen, Katja Savstrom, Sofia Lagerkvist and Charlotte Von Der Lancken (not in the photograph), design normal but strange things. In the ordinary with unexpected details collection shown at Rosanna Orlandi you can see this painted Changing Cupboard that changes colors every time you open it or the Reflection Cupboard reclaimed from the State House where they hold the Nobel Prize Awards ceremony, it reflects the inside of the room it came from. Each piece tells a story, because each piece has been found and has been re-designed by them.

photograph courtesy Mooi

Front Design for Mooi. This striking lamp, presented last year at the Milan Furniture Fair, might be the piece you remember most by the Swedish, all girls design group, Front Design it’s called Horse Lamp and is produced by Moooi.

Piet Hein Eek at Rossana Orlandi. Introduced to Italy, two years ago by Rossana Orlandi, Piet Hein Eek enjoys a rest in her courtyard where he is showing his collection of reclaimed wood one-of-a-kind pieces. This year, inspired by the vast stores of fabrics at Spazio Rossana Orlandi, he has also re-invented the sofa pillow, combining his basic reclaimed wood with upholstery made out of precious silks.

In the Courtyard at Rossana Orlandi. Chairs made out of scrap wood look really “At Home” in Rossana Orlandi’s magical courtyard. They are designed by Dutch designer, Piet Hein Eek who only works with reclaimed wood. Since his first scrap wood cupboard from 1990, designed as a reaction against flawlessness “I wanted to show that products that aren’t perfect can appeal to our sense of aesthetics and functionality.” He explains.

Seen at the Rosanna Orlandi dinner. Ron Arad was sharing a secret and fooling around with his pal, maestro lighting designer, Ingo Maurer.

Photograph courtesy Driade

Ron Arad for Driade. Ron Arad designed the small armchair for Driade. Called Clover, the seat evokes a four leaf clover. Organic and sensual, Ron has designed a pop creation with this white polyethylene mono bloc.

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Salone del Mobile 2007

Centro – Gaia and Gino. The Gaia and Gino exhibition of Giant Giants candle holders by Arik Levy was held in the Sportmax boutique in Via della Spiga. Sportmax designer, Grazia Malagoli chats with designer Arik Levy and Gaia and Gino’s founder, Gaye Cevikel. Gaia and Gino is an award winning Turkish home accessories brand with quirky, innovative and unusual products, designed by acclaimed international designers. Gaye Cevikel believes that “If you want to be successful, you should not forget your roots and leave something meaningful to the next generations.”

Arik Levy for Gaia and Gino. Arik Levy describes the exhibition of the Giants in Colors candle holders, designed for Gaia and Gino, “In the world of transparent Giants and monochromatic environments, a colorful geo-visual landscape creating an imaginary color mass in an endless horizontal plans. The feeling of growing endlessly, mixing the colors was a great temptation to create the Giant Giants.”

A close up: of the Giant Giants designed by Arik Levy for Gaia and Gino. The glass candle holder sculptures are made of crystal..

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Salone del Mobile 2007

The German AD magazine Party. A view of the beautiful garden of the Casa degli Atellani, in Milan’s central Corso Magenta, where the party was held.

Seen at the German AD magazine party. Three talented women chat, international PR, Karla Otto, German AD’s editor in chief, Margit Mayer and Catherine Vautrin. Karla is opening an office in New York and already has offices in Milan, London and Paris. Cathrine left her job as Emilio Pucci’s CEO to spend time with her six month old daughter, Bianca and Margit produces the best AD magazine on the market.

Seen at the German AD magazine party. Rossella Bizazza. Bizazza presented over the top extra, extra large pieces by designers, Jaime Hayon and Studio Job.

Seen at the German AD magazine party. Cristine and Michele Bonan. The international architect and interior designer, based in Florence, has just finished designing J K Place in Capri a luxury five star hotel, on the sea, over looking the Bay of Naples.

Seen at the German AD magazine party. Nilufar’s Nina Yashar and German Vogue and AD Milan correspondent, Anna Riva. Nina was showing in her Galleria Nilufar, in the ‘hot’ Via della Spiga, a selection of one-of-a-kind pieces or limited editions by seven international designers.

Seen at the German AD magazine party. Caterina Fabrizio works in the family business, Dedar who make beautiful and refined upholstery fabrics. She is in charge of the design and the marketing departments, and as you can see by the photograph she is elegant and beautiful.

A detail: one of Dedar’s trimming used as a bracelet around Caterina’s arm.

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Salone del Mobile 2007

Brera – Tubdesign. Seen on the streets of Brera, Emanuele Martera, art director of Tub Design, from La Spezia. The young group where preparing a street performance of their designs for that evening. Emanuele was standing in front of a gigantic paper bag, Spaghino designed especially for carrying bread. He is carrying on his shoulder, Spallino, a PVC very clever contraption that holds six bottles of mineral water.

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Salone del Mobile 2007

Centro – Via Durini - Santambrogio Milano. This street furniture installation is one of the most beautiful public benches I have ever seen. Designed by Ennio Aroiso for Santambrogio Milano, as part of the Simplicity project, it is made of Saint Gobain Glass. It looked so good outside the church in Via Durini. It would be wonderful to see them all over town.

A detail: of the glass bench, designed by Ennio Arosio for Santambrogio Milano in collaboration with Saint Gobain Glass.

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Salone del Mobile 2007

Centro - Cappellini. In a pop-up store, right bang on Piazza San Babila, Cappellini hosted a party for a Limited Edition of the new Fiat 500, which could be booked in advance. The party was packed with young and beautiful people all having a good time. It was impossible to move inside, let alone talk with the blasting music. That evening alone they took eighty special orders for the new Fiat Cinquecento. At the entrance to the temporary store, interested customers could customize a virtual 500 on computer and then step inside a box to see a full-size 3D projection of what their car would look like. Only 500 of the special editions will be made, and each will receive a special number plate and special badging.

Salone del Mobile Rho-Pero – Cappellini. Seen at Cappellini, Chrtistophe Pillet’s Sunset limited edition, 2007 chair. At last, a bit of glamor, which evokes the 1960s, in this mink revolving armchair. Sunset is one of the most important and long-lasting successes of the Cappellini Collection. It comes in white mink, natural mink, brown mink and lilac mink for children.

Photograph by Momoko-Japan

Jasper Morrison photographed by Momoko for Established and Sons. Jasper Morrison has been coming and exhibiting at the Milan Furniture Fair for over twenty five years. He was discovered by Giulio Cappellini and Cappellini was the first major company to produce his designs commercially.

photograph courtesy Cappellini

Jasper Morrison for Cappellini. Jasper Morrison also expands the Lotus project for Cappellini. The armchair comes in new versions, becoming even more subtle and is ideal both for the home and the office. There are three new heights for the back support; Low, medium and high. I loved the colors.

Centro - Jasper Morrison for Established and Sons. Evolving directly from Jasper Morrison’s initial collaboration with Established and Sons The Crate, these highly practical storage boxes are made from yellow pine with brightly colored fabric hinges. The Crate Series consists of five units that can be used as tables, cabinets and a spare bed. “I wanted The Crate Series to give the impression they were home made, as if someone had the idea and then made it for themselves. So although it’s very well made it has an exaggerated visible construction.” Jasper explains.

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Salone del Mobile 2007

Salone del Mobile Rho-Pero – Gufram. Cactus Bianco is a limited edition of the re-interpretation of Gufram's 1972 project. The Cactus Bianco has become an icon of the 1960’s, and, to play on words, the evergreen, throws off its primary color and puts on a shiny white suit, without rejecting it’s nature. It evokes The Beatles White Album, for its all-white cover with the band’s name starkly printer in the lower right. It looks fresh and new.

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Salone del Mobile 2007

Seen at the Elle Décor International Design Awards party. Patrizia and Patricia. That is Patrizia Moroso and Patricia Urquiola. Urquirola was there to accept two Elle Decor International Awards in the categories for Seating; Antibodi for Moroso and Floor Covering; Crochet with Eliana Gerotto for Paola Lenti.

Salone del Mobile Pero-Rho - Moroso. Here is the lounge chair Antibodi, designed by Patricia Urquiola for Moroso that won the best seating category at the Elle Decor international Awards. The non-upholstered chaise longue with seating covered in felt and cloth petals makes for a unique design in its genre.

Patricia Urquiola for Moroso. This year, Patricia Urquiola’s main project for Moroso is the Volant Range. In the Volant Range it is the fabric that defines and creates the product, in which she furthers her investigation into the skin of objects. “Poised between a Balenciaga dress and a Shogun costume, it uses the body as a base to be transformed. Lined for even greater comfort and attractiveness, it is an extremely elegant 'evening dress'.

A Detail: of the Volant chair and it’s “dress”, which bares the legs and reveals the contours of the body.

Seen at Moroso. This is the first project by Nipa Doshi and Jonathan Levien for Moroso. They bring together two different and complementary approaches to their work: Levien represents Europe while Doshi’s work is strongly influenced by her Indian roots. The couple work on the concept of the “unity of opposites”, combining unique handcrafting with industrially produced work, and are particularly interested in the design of non-western cultures.

Nipa Doshi and Jonathan Levien for Moroso. This Indian inspired daybed is called Charpoy which means “four legs”. It has a handmade cotton and silk mattress embellished by precious crafted embroidery. The decoration is a facsimile of a game, similar to drafts, which in India is reminiscent of the time of wars when kingdoms and wives were won as bets. All the women who worked on the project in Gururat in India have embroidered their names in Hindi on the edge of the mattress, which thus tells the story and origins.

The Cushion. Nipa Doshi and Jonathan Levein have also designed a set of cushions embroidered with objects from their studio.

Seen at the Swarvoski Party. Ross Lovegrove was seen having a great time at the Swarovski party. This year he won the Elle Décor International Design Award in the Bath and Material category for his Istanbul collection for Vitra. Sadly, he was too busy to go and pick up his award at the Elle party.

Ross Lovegrove for Moroso. An addition to the Supernatural armchair and Supernatural table, we now have the Supernatural stackable chair designed by Ross Lovegrove for Moroso. “This new stackable chair has a structure that is the result of an evolution, more than a design process.” He explains. “It represents a new vision of form, generated by digital data, resulting in a chair to be used every day, slender, lively, healthy.”

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Salone del Mobile 2007

Salone del Mobile Rho-Pero - Poltrona Frau. American, Vogue Living, editor in chief, Hamish Bowles gets a very private showing by Charme Investments (who owns Poltrona Frau), managing director, Matteo Cordero di Montezemolo of the new Poltrona Frau designs. They are really happy to be photographed on the new Linea A two seater sofa designed by American award winning architect, Peter Marino.

Peter Marino for Poltrona Frau. New York’s architect to socialites and eclectic designer Peter Marino, designed this sofa called Linea A for Poltrona Frau. Marino is not new to the world of luxury, his client list is impressive; Fiat’s Gianni Agnelli, Giorgio Armani, Chanel, Fendi, Valentino, Dior, Andy Warhol etc. His style is, as you can see by the photograph, considered minimal. This is his first design for Poltrona Frau and the first time he exhibits at the Salone in Milan. A two or three seater sofas and an armchair make up the range of the Linea A. The sizes are perfectly proportioned and are welcoming and comfortable to sit on, besides being extremely chic. “I have always wanted to design a chair as classic and perfectly proportioned as the Mies Van der Rohe armchair.” Marino explains.

Seen at Poltrona Frau. This very elegant pleated leather bowl, called Lulu, from the L-collection. Could be described as "in house" design? Because, it was designed by the beautiful, Donna Lavinia Borromeo, who is married to Fiat’s vice-chairman Jaki Elkann. Fiat’s chairman, Luca Cordero di Montezemolo also has an interest in Charme Investments, which owns Poltrona Frau and is run by his son, Matteo Cordero di Montezemolo.

Seen at Poltrona Frau. Daniela Puppa stands in front of her bed Alta Fedelta. The padded headboard is attached to the leather headboard with hand-made leather buttons. The discreet and elegant design was conceived for the American market and in particular loft living. The bed looks equally as good from the back; therefore it can be placed in the center of a big space.

photograph courtesy Poltrona Frau

Daniela Puppa for Poltrona Frau. The Alta Fedelta bed designed by Daniela Puppa for Poltrona Frau flirts with decorative elements and comfort. It is padded and covers the leather headboard to which it is attached. A spacious drawer is housed in the front foot board. Designed for loft-living, it looks just as good from the back.

A detail: of the Alta Fedelta bed designed by Daniela Puppa for Poltrona Frau. By this “haute couture” detail you can tell that Daniela has been designing fashion accessories for Gianfranco Ferre and for Dior for years.

Seen at the Elle Décor International Design Awards party. French doyenne designer, Andree Putman with Italian Elle Décor’s editor in Chief, Livia Peraldo.

photograph courtesy Poltrona Frau

Andree Putman for Poltrona Frau. Andree Putman’s Oceano trunk evokes the spirit of cruises of the1920s and 1930s aboard transatlantic ships. The bedroom trunk is for storing objects, clothing and accessories. The interior houses a mosaic of drawers in all sizes. Hidden away inside, there is also a folding mini-desk with a removable padded pouf.

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Salone del Mobile 2007

Zona Tortona – at Mooi. Marcel Wanders was all over the place. How does he do it? The first time I saw him, he was being interviewed on the Moooi stand. He is art director, as well as, designer for the company. He is sitting on a Mooi Boutique (Diary fabric) seater, designed by him. The naked sofa can be covered with a series of creative, detailed and stylish “dresses”. And, you can also choose the legs for your sofa from an assortment of modern or antique looking ones. With the covers and legs you can create up to sixty different variations. The Bamboo Lamp is designed by Committee and has unique pull switch handles that dangle like earrings beneath the bold gathered shade. The two Clip-Chairs in the foreground are designed by Blasius Osko and Oliver Deichmann. They are foldable lounge chairs. This simple design not only makes the chair highly practical, but also creates a sculptural object, whether folded or open.

At Marcel Wanders – personal editions Milan 2007. This solo Marcel Wanders exhibition exemplified Marcel’s personal views on his humanistic approach to design. He explains his concept, “In this installation, I wanted to go beyond the sentiments and needs of daily life to create a sense of wonder and find a new space for design. I wanted to create intimate personal objects, close to my heart, close to my hands; from my studio, straight to you. Design is a tool that allows us to reach out and inspire, to touch others and help make lives magic and wonderful.” The extra, extra large, Big Ben bell are like “Girls in fancy dresses floating through a room dressed up as silent bells absorbing the music in their dance of lightness.” On the little table, two One Minute Delft Blue porcelain vases.

photograph courtesy Kartell

At Kartell. Marcel Wanders designed these glamorous Stone stools for Kartell. The low stool reminds us of an hourglass. The surface has a multitude of reflecting geometrical cuts which create outstanding light effects and an exceptional play on color, similar to that of a cut diamond.

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