MILAN 2014: SPANISH DESIGN
Published
Ranging from classic to cutting edge and refined through playful, Spanish designers and brands presented a marvellous variety of products at this year’s Salone del Mobile.
Above: Kettal’s outdoor collection
Kettal
On the eve of its fiftieth birthday, the Barcelona-based company is a wonderful reminder that maturity need not come at the price of innovation and energy. This combination of expertise and enthusiasm was evident in the new releases at the fair, with highlights including the expanded Pavilions, the Roll chair by Patricia Urquiola and and the Kettal Village by Jasper Morisson.
Roll chair by Patricia Urquiola
Village Chair by Jasper Morisson
Kettal is available in Australia from DeDeCe and Mobilia
BD Barcelona Design
BD Barcelona Design delivered dynamic and slightly whimsical new products this year, with stand outs being Doshi Levien’s ‘Shanty’ cabinet and Jaime Hayon’s ‘Gardenia’s Indoor’ collection.
Jaime Hayon’s Gardenia’s Indoor chair
Doshi Levien’s ‘Shanty’ cabinet
BD Barcelona Design are available in Australia from Ke-Zu
Vondom
Characteristically slick and sinuous, the Valencian company’s new releases would be perfectly suited to the home of an elegant Bond villain. Particularly striking is the ‘Wing’ collection, with its dramatic curves and fluid volumes.
‘Wing’ collection chair
Vondom are available in Australia from Ke-Zu and Mobilia
Punt Mobles
Punt make for a pleasing counterpoint to their more flamboyant compatriots, producing beautifully considered, understated timber furniture and accessories. Borja Garcia’s Ernest/Ernesta writing/dressing desks and Mario Ruiz’s Stockholm console are perfect examples of this, marrying sophistication and artisanship.
Mario Ruiz’s Stockholm console
Borja Garcia’s Ernest writing table
Punt Mobles are available in Australia from Mobilia and AJAR
Gandia Blasco
With a mediterranean expertise for all things al fresco, Gandia Blasco unveiled the Jian collection of outdoor furniture by Shanghai-based studio Neri & Hu. Light, clean and accommodating, the collection affords pared back elegance to external situations.
Jian outdoor sofa by Neri & Hu
Gandia Blasco is available in Australia from Parterre and Hub Furniture.
Nanimarquina
Taking centre-stage at Nanimarquina’s stand was the new ‘Rabari’ rug collection by Doshi Levien. Inspired by the tradition of Indian embroidery (a craft close to the heart of designer Nipa Doshi, whose aunt had an embroidery workshop in Ahmedabad), the rugs reference the unfinished embroideries like studies of different techniques in progress, as they gradually emerge over time.
Rabari by Doshi Levien
Nanimarquina is available in Australia from Ke-Zu and Mobilia
Inclass
Yonoh Studio returned to the Inclass stand with the Arc Table this year – a complement to last year’s Arc Chair. Maintaining the chair’s elegant, organic form, the Arc Table’s simple pairing of steel rod structure and moulded plywood is beautifully simple.
Arc Table by Studio Yonoh
Inclass is available in Australia from Mobilia and AJAR
For more indesignlive coverage of the 2014 Milan design fair visit: indesignlive.com/category/articles/in-review/milan-14
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