'Salone del Mobile looks to green'

Sustainability was one of the main trends at the Salone del Mobile last week in Milan, as designers presented pieces culled mostly from recyclable and eco-friendly materials.

The largest furniture fair in the world, an event for furniture and fashion fanatics alike, drew a crowd of 350,000 and generated 250 million euros ($337) during the six-day fair period.

Attendees have their pick of the 2,542 exhibitors, in addition to the open-door events often put together by leading Italian fashion houses hoping to fuel sales.

Lamps by David Trubridge of New Zealand

Among the exhibitors, Swedish companies like Sodra and Wastberg created paper lamps and Munich-based designers Saskia and Stefan Diez created an overnight bag from a paper that is waterproof, tearproof and recyclable.

From a mix of cardboard boxes and plywood, the German-based Formentwicklung showed tables. Another German brand named Plicio presented foldable chairs inspired by a ladybug’s wings and crafted of wood and rubber. The origami-like chair when lain flat can be folded into different shapes.

Ecomat bricks

Alasdhair Willis, husband of eco-friendly fashion designer Stella McCartney and head of a British design and manufacturing company told WWD that, “You can’t be a citizen of the world without being aware of the environment.”

A colorful conglomeration of recycled pet bottle pieces, a chandelier (below) designed by South African Heath Nash was one of the many eco-friendly pieces on display. A hand wire structure was attached to the rescued bottles.

One of my favorite designs was a set of foldable lamps in an innovative fauna shape. New Zealand designer David Trubridge created the lamps (above top), which he sought to use as an example of reducing CO2 emissions by using energy efficient LED bulbs.

Heath Nash designed this chandelier made from recycled pet bottles

Lego lovers eat your heart out. Ecomat (above middle) showcased a collection of colorful bricks that not only resemble the plastic Lego blocks, but can be actually used to build permanent and temporary structures. The bricks are made of recycled materials and its low weight reportedly reduces CO2 emissions as well.

Exhibiting students also took a shot at designing sustainable furniture, this time looking to food for inspiration. Chairs sculpted by University of San Marino students were actually composed of flour, yeast, malt, banana fiber, brown rice, malt and liquorice root.

At the Salone del Mobile, it was another year in showcasing the finest from established and emerging talent and in driving sales. For the eco-minded, the growing number of sustainable designs was further proof that the environment is just as important inside the home as it is out.

*Photos courtesy of http://agreenliving.org and http://inhabit.com

'Fashion, furniture and the future'

Italy’s most sought after fashion designers transformed their vitrines and store spaces into cutting edge exhibits showcasing the newest in furniture and lighting for the Salone Internazionale del Mobile last week in Milan.

The streets, it seemed, caught trade show fever too – with Via Montenapoleone the site of large lanterns decorated with the word “Emozione” looming over visitors’ heads.

Open to the entire public, the 48th annual Salone Internazionale del Mobile is the largest of its kind. Please note: Victorian lamps and neoclassic chairs you won’t find here. The Salone prides itself on “innovation and creativity,” in addition to discovering young, fresh talent.

The event attracted more than 500,000 to high-end stores like Giorgio Armani, Moschino, Versace and Blumarine. Designers like Roberto Cavalli teamed up with the German-based Windfall to spice up their store space with tinkling chandeliers.

Participants all reported the highest spike in both furniture and clothing sales of all year.

It may have been all business and receptions for designers at the six-day show, which ended yesterday. But for enthusiasts with a penchant for innovation and style, the event serves as a springboard for future fashion and design trends.

My personal favorites first:

For a burst of color, Blumarine(above left) chose plastic fuschia chairs by design firm Kartell to accompany its own floral-laced table linens and dishwares. Missoni (below right) presented a backdrop of cacti in acid green and purple with bean-shaped chaises and side tables in similar colors. Striped curtains in complimentary colors were the finishing Missoni touch, a brand which is known for its funky knitwear.

Unlike the Versace fashion label, the Versace home line is flourishing – up 9.3 percent in sales from last year, according to WWD. A look at its mobile display explains why. Resembling a dentist’s chair of the future, Versace constructed the chaise out of crystal and then upholstered it in silk and leather. The CEO told the publication that the Versace house is always experimenting. It is in fact the first such label, said the CEO, to use titanium and ceramic for its designs.

No other label than the urban cool Diesel could have printed its linen lamps with amp switches for its design. The rock-infused collection also starred vintage treated chairs and tables, studded linens and furniture made to look like a musician’s traveling instrument case.

What to expect:

With the thrust of the Salone on new contemporary design, there may be a few things in store for us next season.

Think proportion and shape as Normann Copenhagen and Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec manipulated foam, stitching and tufting foam material to create the “Memory Chair” and “Quilt” chair (below right), respectively.

Don’t be surprised to find the latest tables and kitchen accessories crafted from such materials as stone, enamel, veneer and crystal. I personally liked Tom Dixon’s spinning plate tables and a Francesca Madera chair pieced from leather and newsprinted hemp.

It’s enough to make anyone think outside of the box.

- S. Gonzalez

*Photos courtesy of WWD and http://trends.voyce.com