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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Salone del Mobile 2007

Zona Tortona. This was one of the most interesting spaces I saw. It was fascinating. And, it was real. In the laboratory, amongst all the machines and pieces of metal, Carlo Traviganti di Riccardo, displayed their designs during the Furniture Fair. They specialize in over the top custom orders for the Russian and Arab markets, like this gigantic samovar and trolley. Just press in the lid and tea sprouts from the teapot beak.

The craftsman. Riccardo Traviganti has been making beautiful metalwork in his laboratory in since 1956. He has passed his craftsmanship on to his son Carlo and his daughters also work in the company. It’s an Italian family business. Renowned for its creativity, as well as, quality Traviganti creates trays, coffee pots, teapots, tables using antique techniques of which the filigree is the most fascinating.

Cocktail cabinet. This unique gigantic green enamel egg called Oblo is inspired by Faberge and made for the Russian market. It is entirely worked by hand, has a plush red velvet interior and is 190 cm tall.

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Salone del Mobile 2007

Zona Tortona. Seen at the Ex Ansaldo factory space - the Casa Vogue and Sebach, portable chemical loos. These toilets printed with pages from Casa Vogue magazine where so beautiful to look at that they where mistaken for a design installation and hardly used.

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Salone del Mobile 2007

Zona Tortona. Seen at Viteo, this amusing outdoor shower designed by Danny Venlet, gives you a sensual experience. When you stand on the round disk the water spurts up all around you. Viteo was created by Austrian architect, Wolfgang Pichler when he couldn’t find any outdoor furniture he liked enough for his own garden. The company produces beautiful high quality products which incorporate ergonomics, durability and variable functionality. In New York, Viteo is imported by Canova Inc.

photograph courtesy Viteo

A detail: the outdoor shower is perfect for garden, pool or patio.

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Salone del Mobile 2007

Zona Tortona. Tom Dixon’s Copper Shade lamps. Tom explains about his use with metals in his review “It’s the modern-day equivalent of frontier fever. Metal is the material of choice not only for fashion, interiors and design denizens, but with the ethically minded too - not to mention stock market traders. Covering yourself, and your home, in the latest glistening metallic hue is fashionable, investing in metal and debating the return of gold standard is current, metal is at the foremost of topics concerning sustainable power and housing……”

Seen at Tom Dixon. Tom Dixon poses next to his Copper Shade lamps.

Here are some events from Tom’s 2007 diary:

May 2007 – ICFF, New York, 19-22nd - and Tom Dixon exhibition at Moss, New york

June 2007 – exhibiting in Design Miami/Basel and exhibitons at: Twentieth, L.A. 26^th – Limn San Francisco, 28^th and Limn Seattle, 30^th

September 2007 – Tom will take over Trafalgar Square for a week in conjunction with London Design Festival 100% Design, 20-24th

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Salone del Mobile 2007

Zona Tortona. Underconstruction was the name of the exhibition space in this stunning designer pre-fab modular structure designed by Milan based firm, Bestetti Associati for Pircher. It is here that Paola Lenti was showing her collection, together with a handful of other companies.

photograph courtesy Pircher

The model. Planit is a designer pre-fab module produced by Pircher and designed by Bestetti Associati. The innovative, versatile and eco-friendly modular structure is based on a 21 sq. unit. It is perfect for a private house, a bar, an office or a shop, at the seaside in the country or in town. This much admired structure was the talk of the Salone, we all wanted to order one straight away.

Contessanally tip: to get a better view, click on the image.

Seen at Underconstruction. A long rectangular pouff called Play from the Paola Lenti Felt Tricot collection is placed by the window of the Planit pre-fab modular structure. I loved the knitted effect on the sides, mixed with the felt effect on top, it’s rather chic and it looks so soft and welcoming, so let’s forget about the Salone and just take a nap for a while in this idyllic setting.

A detail: from the Paola Lenti Felt Tricot collection. The company is known for its textile innovations in the design world. Natural and man made materials undergo a sophisticated process to become yarns that are exclusive, precious and durable.

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Salone del Mobile 2007

Zona Tortona. This piano was especially designed by Yamaha for the Japanese, multi-talented, musician, composer, pianist, producer and actor, Ryuichi Sakamoto. There are only three piano’s like this one in the world. It is called the Opera Piano and it’s very beautiful.

Seen at Yamaha. Yasuhiro Kira, Yamaha’s product design executive officer, explains the design of the Opera Piano “This the fruits of a minimalist approach to design in which unnecessary features have been eliminated to the maximum degree possible and in which full advantage has been taken of the beauty possessed by each individual material utilized.”

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Milano

Milan - Via della Spiga. The quintessential chic holiday resorts of the Isle of Capri – Queen of the Med. – and Sankt Moritz – Queen of the Alps – in a unique joint-venture have given birth to a new brand name, a symbol of the values they stand for: Le Due Regine. Le Due Regine, inspired Salernitano pasta maker, Antonio Amato to “Create a new line of exquisite foods, using ancient recipes, set down by generations of my family, to ensure that these products would reflect our love and commitment towards the traditions of pasta-making.”

The Poster. The exhibition for Le Due Regine gourmet pasta launch was entitled Fashion Plays with Pasta. Twelve illustrations by talented, English graphic designer, Richard Gray graced the windows of twelve boutiques in Via della Spiga. Each illustration depicted a particular shape from the pasta + design collection. The gigantic drawings were styled by Anna Piaggi using cult objects from the boutiques participating in the project, which she glamorously brought to life with, tongue in cheek, references to Capri and Sankt Mortiz.

Seen at the Four Seasons Hotel. Legendary, Doppie Pagine Italian Vogue editor, Anna Piaggi was the visual mastermind behind the campaign launch of Le Due Regine gourmet pasta brand in Via della Spiga. She is wearing a Stephen Jones straw hat, note the Fusili pasta shapes in the band, a green marabu stole by Chrisitan Dior and a coat by Rifat Ozbek for Pollini.

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MILANO

Milano - The Duomo. For work, I arrived a few days early in Milan for the Furniture Fair. This billboard, on the front of The Duomo caught my eye, I thought it was a very elegant to way to cover up, the never ending works, on the front of the cathedral. It is a reproduction of an anonymous color print from the 1800’s, which shows the inside of the Duomo.

Contessanally tip: remember, to get a better view, click on the photographs.

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