July 26th, 2013

Upcycling, Natural and Minimal at Milan Furniture Fair

Marble, brass and black stood out at the recent 52nd annual Milan Furniture Fair.

A major hit from among the displayed marble creations was the 3 Signs nested table series carved from a single block of marble by Australia’s Jim Hannon-Tan.

The popular style Upcycling made an appearance in the work of Spanish designer Patricia Urquiola, whose Earthquake 5.9 range was salvaged from the rubble after an earthquake at a marble warehouse in northern Italy. The designed transformed 40 different pieces and styles of marble into offbeat furniture, shelving, and floor and wall coverings.

Brass appeared in lights, tea sets, and in a brutalist wall shelf and coat stand by Tom Dixon.

Natural fibres were very much in evidence, such as cork seating, bamboo, rattan and silk chandeliers, as well as a banana fibre dining table and wardrobe.

Lines were minimalist, and black was in abundance.

In keeping with the need for financial restraint, many designers have re-interpreted some of their old lines. For example, the Finnish company Artek re-released its Lukki spider-like range of seats.

The fair was not without relief. Humorous moments included a plastic children’s desk in the shape of a dog, an outdoor bench-cum-light in the shape of a dove, and some slightly disturbing pouffés in the shape of headless livestock.

Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/lifestyle/10001378/The-Milan-Furniture-Fair-review.html