Whether through choice of forms, materials or process, it felt as though reinterpretation was everywhere in Milan this year /
The sheer scale of the Milan Furniture Fair makes it almost impossible to sum up in one blog post, so we decided not to try! Instead we thought we would make several posts, each showing a different aspect of what Milan 2011 offered, whilst selecting some of our favourite new products to share with you all.
This first post focuses on reinterpretation of form. A trend especially apparent at the main fair and among the more established companies. Some chose to draw on their heritage by reissuing designs or extending existing product ranges. Others used their iconic pieces as a departure point for developing new products often using technological advances to push the boundaries of the originals. Elsewhere we saw references to the organic designs of the 1950's and 1960's, whilst others took traditional product architypes and redefined their purpose, finding new functionality in old forms.
Jill by Alfredo Haberli for Vitra / When designing the Jill chair Haberli revisited Charles & Ray Eames' early experiments with moulded plywood and also their ubiquitous DSR chair. Using new technology to push the boundaries of the process, laminate sheets are twisted like ribbon to form the seat shell, whilst the powder coated metal frame cheekily references the chair's ancestry.
Aim by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec for Flos / A hanging light capable of almost infinite adjustments, directing light exactly as required within a space. Aim takes inspiration from plants that adapt to their environment, and redefines the lighting cluster as functional as well as aesthetic.
Teresa by Mauriio Peregalli for Zeus / Teresa gently nods to the minimalist greats of the early 1960s such as the Fronzoni Chair. Zeus have also softened their trademark angular style by providing finishes such the soft rust above and also matt white.
Ghiaccio by Piero Lissoni for Porro / Ghiaccio has an air of 1950s vintage about it, it also has a low seat height and the frame gently curved to envelop the sitter.
Calabash by Komplot Design for Lightyears / Komplot were inspired by the shape of the Calabash pumpkin and also the metallic finish of Anish Kapoor's Cloudgate Sculpture. They combined the two to create this light which manages to look simultaneously familiar and fresh .
Nub Easy Chair by Patricia Urquiola for Andreu World / The first of many windsor back chairs on view this year. This one drew our particular attention for it's slightly augmented wood dowelling and bright colourways. The standard version of the chair is available with a metal sled base giving a distinctly modern take on an old classic.
Sunray by William Warren for Case Furniture / Sunray is manufactured using traditional techniques and is the result of an experiment by Warren whilst participating in "Bodging Milano" where he had to create a chair using only handtools, tradional steam benders and pole lathes.
Edward by Niels Bendtsen for Bensen / This sofa references mid century design not just in appearance but in name also. Inspired by the archetype established by Edward Wormley in the 1950's, it's buttoned seat cushion celebrates the past but its proportions and materials are decidedly contemporary.
Superleggera by Gio Ponti for Cassina / The original Superleggera, so light it can be lifted wih one finger, instantly became a design classic. Cassina have returned to their past reissuing this classic chair in new finishes and upholstery.
Oiseau by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec for Vitra / Vitra are revisiting their canon with this simple object, a reference no doubt to the Eames' Housebird (pictured in the backgroung of the above image) but there is a simplicity and minimalism to Oiseau that somehow makes you think back to an imagined simpler time long ago.
No.210 by Bernard-Albin Gras for Lampe Gras / Designed in the 1920's this lamp was used by Le Corbusier and Eileen Grey in their homes and studios. The classic industrial style is still as relevant today as it was then. A truly timeless design.
Pour by Est.d for Established & Sons / Two intersecting cones make up the body of these pewter jugs that were inspired by old fashioned oil cans with in-built funnels.
Sospesa by Omar Carraglia for Davide Groppi / "A sheet of paper of light". Sospesa is a two dimensional diffuse light using led bulbs in a casing only 10mm thick.
SM05 by Cees Braakman for Pastoe / A reissue of a 1958 design, it was originally one of the first ever steel wire chairs to be produced.
Caravaggio Matt by Cecilie Manz for Lightyears / The new matt version of the Caravaggio is part of a wider trend to soften existing products through finishes, this is also shown below, in the new colourways for the Houdini Chair.
Houdini Armchair with Armrests by Stefan Diez for e15 / e15 have developed variants on the Houdini theme that complement the existing chairs whilst offering new solutions. These muted neutral and pastel shades completely transform the visual language of Houdini, crisp lines are softened and now exude a subtle warmth.
Gher by Lievore Altherr Molina for Arper / This set of tables may look very mid century with its tapered legs and teak finishes but it can compete with the verstaility of any contemporary range. Legs and tops are interchangeable, and there is a variety of sizes and finishes so any effect can be easily created.
Roundish by Naoto Fukasawa for Maruni / With Roundish Fukasawa has taken the traditional language of the chair and applied roundness to the contour edges of the pieces, removing any sense of hardness from the chair - it gently wraps around your body for increased comfort.
Folding Bench by Krystian Kowalski at RCA Intent / "a simple, lightweight solution to the problem of foldable multi-person seating. The bench is easy to fold and store over winter, or overnight for commercial use."
Boxes by Studio Pastoe for Pastoe / Boxes can be used not just in isolation but can be incorporated into other existing product ranges such as Vision. This allows customers to breathe new life into existing storage, or devise something completely new.
Post by Claire Gittins and Jonathan Barrie.