The edit: outdoor and accessories at Milan Design Week 2019

We found ourselves pleasantly surprised by a slew of outdoor furniture and accessories releases this year, as companies presented pieces that transcended traditional design constraints to find interesting new solutions. In many cases rethinking materials, aesthetics and putting sustainability at the forefront of the design process.

Our undoubted standout was the On & On series by Barber Osgerby for Emeco. On the surface a sleek interpretation of the traditional bistro aesthetic, and in terms of materiality a real effort on the part of both Emeco and the designers to realise a product with the full lifecycle in mind. Each piece is crafted using their proprietary version of rPET a recycled plastic that can be broken down and recycled more than once.

Other interesting approaches to materiality could be found at Magis, where Gilli Kuchik & Ran Amitai designed the company's first chair made from Magnesium. At Nanimarquina a collaboration with designer Ilse Crawford showed the potential and beauty of using materials in their purest undyed, untreated form.

See our top ten new releases below:

1. On & On by Barber Osgerby for Emeco

With the On & On chair and bar stool, Barber Osgerby and Emeco are attempting to create a furniture collection that is produced in a closed loop cycle, i.e is infinitely recyclable. 

Emeco's rPET material developed with Coca Cola is a recycled plastic that can be recycled more than once, allowing these items to be broken down at the end of their useful life and remade into new products. Logistically this may prove difficult but it's definitely a step in the right direction for a company already well know for being pioneering in the industry on sustainability issues.

The design itself is not just aesthetically sleek, it allows the chairs to stack circularly minimising space. For indoor the On & On chairs and stools can also be supplied with an upholstered or wooden seat. 

2. Vela by Gilli Kuchik & Ran Amitai for Magis

Magis presented the Vela chair by Gilli Kuchik & Ran Amitai, a lightweight stackable design crafted from magnesium. The Israeli design duo say "The goal of the design was to design a chair that would be comfortable, light-weight, compact and most importantly have the ability to infinitely and tightly stack upwards". 

Designed with both indoor and outdoor situations in mind, the designers made the detailing discreet, for example using the opening in the backrest to allow water to cascade away rather than using drain holes in the seat.

3. Cuba Outdoor Chair by Carl Hansen & Son

Carl Hansen unveiled an outdoor version of their bestselling Cuba Lounge Chair. Morten Gøttler's classic first designed in 1997 is a simple and ingenious folding chair that has been updated with a teak frame and flat-weave water resistant rope seat.

4. Deck Chair Series by Børge Mogensen - Carl Hansen & Son

Also at Carl Hansen & Son, was Deck Chair, designed by Børge Mogensen for his own balcony in the 1960's because he needed functional and comfortable outdoor furniture that occupies a minimum of space. 

The Deck Chair Series comprises a deck chair with cushion and footstool, a side table, a tray, a dining table with matching chairs and a wall mount. The furniture, was lightweight and could be folded and hung on a wall mount as a decorative feature even when not in use.

Carl Hansen will be producing orders from Spring 2020 in their signature FSC certified teak finish.

5. Plato by Jasper Morrison for Magis

The Plato chair by Jasper Morrison for Magis is a fully recyclable outdoor chair. Constructed using cast aluminium with tubular aluminium legs and available in a series of colours well suited to both indoor and outdoor settings.

6. Nuez Outdoor Chair by Patricia Urquiola for Andreu World

Andreu World have extended their Nuez chair collection to include this outdoor version available with metal sled or teak base. The teak used is sustainably sourced and the metal sled base has been coated with a special treatment to make it weather resistant. Removable seat cushions are also available.

7. Patio by Pauline Deltour for Tolix

Tolix have teamed up with acclaimed French designer Pauline Deltour on 'Patio' a clever system that works well in both small and large groups. The system features a neat extendable dining table and will be available from September 2019.

8. Vases Découpage by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec for Vitra

Vitra presented this series of joyful, expressive vases by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec. Each Découpage Vase is created using a cast cylinder and cut slabs of clay; colours and layers converge and 'a new harmony emerges from contrasts'. The vases on display were handmade prototypes made by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec. A selection of the designs will be chosen for mass production and will become part of the Vitra accessories collection. 

9. Backstitch by Raw Edges for GAN

London based Raw Edges developed Backstitch for GAN. A series of rugs that turn traditional embroidery upside-down and reveal the beauty of its seemingly messy reverse. Made of 100% pure wool, they are produced on manual looms and delicately hand embroidered by the artisans of GAN's Women’s Unit.

10. Wellness Project by Ilse Crawford for Nanimarquina 

Nanimarquina's Wellness collection is designed by Ilse Crawford and includes rugs, a hammock for indoor spaces, cushions, a throw, and a wall tapestry, all made with natural and local fibres, hand-spun, no bleach and no dye.

The collection utilises hand spun Afghan wool, nettle, hemp, jute, linen, Tussar silk as well as cork, wood and raw cotton carefully sourced by Nanimarquina’s team, as close as possible to where the pieces from the collection are produced. They are made using traditional craft techniques by local artisans with whom Nanimarquina has worked for a long time.

Also on the journal - Our Milan 2019 highlights for lighting at Euroluce. our review of the best Salone 2019 new indoor furniture releases.