Delving into the materials and details that shaped this year's Salone with Australian designers Adrian Preman and Amelia Wainwright from Mim Design, Jessica Gombault and Alexandra Kidd of Alexandra Kidd Interior Design, and Eva-Marie Prineas of Studio Prineas, we look at collections that created balance through diversity, and, as AK.ID's Jessica Gombault and Alexandra Kidd remark, where ‘maximalism versus minimalism’ saw loud and vibrant matched with quieter pieces.
‘We found that Biophilic designs were dominating,’ remarks Alexandra. ‘From earthy colour palettes, terracotta and green were seen everywhere, to natural finishes, including glass, stone, bamboo, metal, clay and paper, the nature-inspired and organic shapes, both figurative and abstract, were seen in both furniture and lighting. While, loud, vibrant, and playful designs are still going strong, we loved seeing the rise of a new minimalism: quiet luxury, impeccable quality and stunning understated pieces that actually make a statement.’
The mosaic CC Table by Patricia Urquiola for Glas Italia. Photo c/o Glas Italia.
At Baxter, the new collection was on show inside a space that unfolded across levels with suspension bridge and multiple openings to allow visitors to ascend and constantly change perspective, drawing on the irreverence of Pop Art, the iconic design of the 1970s (the Majorelle blue that bewitched Yves Saint Laurent), and the atmosphere of New York's now infamous club, Studio 54. Evocative, unusual and always refined, the collection was made up of colours and material finishes including electric blue, enhanced by the combination with Grand Antique d’Aubert marble and the warm reflections of brass or yellow onyx. While the use of aquamarine was designed to contrast with concrete and black-stained solid ash, as well as the reassuring effect of powder pink illuminated by the opulence of silver travertine.
Standouts include the comfort and informality inspired Christophe Delcourt's new Elli seats and the new Miami Soft sofa and Miami Soft bed by Paola Navole, with its multiple configurations and super soft fabric upholstery. While the outdoor collection has grown up with the Judd table, designed by Baxter's inhouse design house, and additional versions and finishes of the Himba and Hakuna Matata by Roberto Lazzeroni, and the Narciso sofa by Studiopepe.
Paola Navone's super comfortable Miami Soft sofa for Baxter. Photo c/o Baxter.
'I had the pleasure of reclining in the Miami Soft Sofa by Paola Navone at the Baxter Villa on Lake Como and it was an experience that felt like being enveloped in a buttery, leather cloud... This piece typifies Paola Navone's ongoing pursuit in exquisite detailing and craftsmanship.'
Eva-Marie Prineas, Director, Studio Prineas
For Adrian Preman and Amelia Wainwright of Mim Design, five of their favourite new designs include the Edra outdoor Veronica collection by Jacopo Foggini; Glass italia’s Maestrale mirror by Piero Lissoni; the Undique Mas Coffee tables by Patricia Urquiola for Kartell; the Miami Soft sofa by Paola Navone for Baxter; and the super flexible Alba wall system by Arflex that has been reconfigured with new shelving elements in brass.
‘This year there was a much larger outdoor furniture offering and an advance in technology for outdoor fabrics. The outdoor offerings across all brands will definitely fill a gap in the market,’ remarks Adrian Preman. ‘Another highlight was the Edra stand, when you entered it felt as though you were entering a hall of mirrors. It was incredibly immersive.’
Each piece in the Veronica collection is realised by hand, so each design is slightly different. Like all of Edra's collection, the magic is in the detail and research can take years to finesse. Evoking precious embroidery, the shell is extruded polycarbonate, characterised by the same values of the Gina collection where aesthetics and functionality are defined by colour and the play of solids and voids in the texture. ‘The Veronica collection is a true feat, the product of intense research,’ remarked Foggini at the launch.’
The many configurations of the Miami Soft sofa, with the Nepal chair in Mongolia leather, both by Paola Navone for Baxter. Photo c/o Baxter
Christophe Delcourt's new Jodie chairs and Kate table in brushed Grand Antique D'aubert marble, from the Northern Pyrenees, France, for Baxter. Photo c/o Baxter.
The Elli chair designed by Christophe Delcourt with the Jo sofa, Anai pouf and Dune table by Draga & Aurel for Baxter. Photo c/o Baxter.
The Miami bed designed by Paola Navone for Baxter. Photo c/o Baxter.
Colour and detail is found everywhere in the city of Milan. Photo c/o Heidi Dokulil.
The Duomo is Milan's most visible landmark. Photo c/o Space.
Pasta, design, architecture, fashion are all in perfect balance in Milan. Photo c/o Heidi Dokulil.
The Judd table designed by Baxter. Photo c/o Baxter.
The Veronica indoor/outdoor collection by Jacopo Foggini for Edra. Photos c/o Edra.
One of the week's biggest events unfolds at Edra inside the Palazzo Durini, here and following. Photo c/o Space.
The iconic yellow Milano tram. Photo c/o Heidi Dokulil.
Patricia Urquiola on the Kartell stand during Milan Design Week. Photo c/o Kartell.
The soft form of the Undique collection by Patricia Urquiola for Kartell. Photo c/o Kartell.
The K-Lim carpet designed by Rodolfo Dordoni in recycled and recyclable PET for Kartell includes a new round shape for the collection. Photo c/o Kartell.
The K-Lux floor lamp designed by Rodolfo Dordoni has a two-coloured shade that is white inside and coloured outside. Photo c/o Kartell.
Rodolfo Dordini's K-Top tables for Kartell, with high-gloss lacquered legs and tops with a variety of finishes, including a refined ceramic version: mirrored, dove grey, green, black and marble effect. Photo c/o Kartell.
The Kartell Teresa lamp with its ‘unfurling petals’ designed by Ferruccio Laviani. Photo c/o Kartell.
The Himba outdoor beach lounge in iroko black by by Roberto Lazzeroni for Baxter. Photo c/o Baxter.
The Hakuna Matata outdoor armchair in iroko black by by Roberto Lazzeroni for Baxter. Photo c/o Baxter.
The Narciso upholstered outdoor armchair by Studiopepe for Baxter. Photo c/o Baxter.
The CC mosaic glass table by Patricia Urquiola for Glas Italia. Photo c/o Glas Italia.
The shimmering optical effect of the Robotin's polka-dot surface, here and following, designed by Patricia Urquiola for Glas Italia. Photos c/o Glas Italia.
Glass italia’s Maestrale mirror by Piero Lissoni. Photo c/o Glas Italia.
‘We found that Biophilic designs were dominating. From earthy colour palettes – terracotta and green were seen everywhere – to natural finishes, including glass, stone, bamboo, metal, clay and paper. The nature-inspired and organic shapes, both figurative and abstract, were seen in both furniture and lighting.'
Alexandra Kidd, AK.ID
The soft, nubby shapes and muted colours of the Undique Mas collection by Patricia Urquiola for Kartell. Photo c/o Kartell.
At Glas Italia and Kartell, colour was central to each collection. New pieces by Patricia Urquiola for Glas Italia embraced the visual joy and colour of the op art movement. The CC table’s wooden structure is covered in a mosaic of cast glass tiles in various and random colours, shaped and positioned so that the surface appears as an axonometric projection of a parallelogram on all surfaces. That play of colour in the hands of Urquiola is mesmerising. While the designer’s tables, console and storage units for the Robotic collection, integrate a special double-sided mirrored glass and a decorative pattern of round transparent dots that are a lovely nod to the optical playfulness of work by the English artist Bridget Riley.
Stay tuned for the final in the Salone del Mobile 2023 series, as we continue our exploration of the brands and new products that stood out, and share all the insights from leading Australian designers.
