The 58th-annual Salone Del Mobile wrapped up this spring and, to be honest, it’s taken us a few weeks to digest: so many wonderful sights, so many thoughts!
Salone is much to-do with the new and amazing products that are introduced each year—but equally mesmerizing are the installations, parties, and experiences across the city of Milan. It’s a bit challenging to sum up in a few words, but, needless to say, this year’s offerings did not disappoint.
Fuorisalone is the heart of I Salone, teeming with hundreds of thousands of designers and aficionados, from nearly every country in the world. This year, the Euroluce bi-annual exhibition showcased grandiose chandeliers, beautifully-detailed sconces, and all lighting imaginable from the likes of Bocci, Roll and Hill, and Foscarini (all of whom made it to many noteworthy editorials about the show, including Dezeen’s top 10).
However, there’s room within the 24 halls for furniture, too; the overwhelming amount of standout product and alluring exhibits—the enormity of the fair itself—is what really takes your breath away (the halls at Rho are just over a 1/2 mile long).
We’ve narrowed down a few of our “mentionables” below:
Mororso was a standout, displaying many colorful outdoor pieces and showing a new sofa collection, Gogan, from the Spanish superstar designer Patricia Urquiola.
New Gogan sofa by Patricia Urquiola for Moroso - part of a modular collection inspired by Japanese stones
Moooi presented Moooi – A Life Extraordinary and, with a change of location to Via Moscova, the offering was more intimate than in other years. The interiors were covered with moody wallpaper and felt influenced by eastern styles, while featuring pops of indigo blue—a staple in Dutch history and aesthetics ( i.e. delft blue).
View of Moooi’s exhibit featuring (from top, clockwise:) Meshmatics Chandelier by Rick Tegelaar, The Party Wall Lamps by Kranen/Gille, Raimond floor lamp by Raimond Puts / Ox-ID, Obon tables by Simone Bonanni Obon, BFF Sofa by Marcel Wanders, Walking on Clouds carpet by Front for Moooi Carpets, and Uhuh and Noot Noot table lamps by Marcel Wanders
&Tradition displayed two new products with Spanish designer Jaime Hayon (including the rechargeable Setago lamp, below) at Via Giovanni Raiberti in a beautiful, raw space.
cc-tapis hosted quite an event in their showroom, debuting stunning new additions to their rug and textile collection by Patricia Urquolia, Maarten De Ceulaer, Cristina Celestino, Studiopepe., Faye Toogood, David/Marten and the likes - check out what’s new here.
Like every year at Salone, all eyes are on the coolest design duo in Milan: Emiliano Salci and Britt Moran. Through their multidisciplinary approach, pushing the boundaries of fashion, music, and design, Salci and Moran—better known as DimoreStudio—create atmosphere, space, and emotional sensations that are quintessentially their own. This year was no different and their exhibit remains one of our favorites (we’re still looking for the playlist)!
DimoreStudio stuns as always.
Stellar Works presented new products from Space Copenhagen, Neri&Hu and Yabu Pushleburg at the Galleria Teatro Manzoni, led by their creative directors Neri & Hu.
Stellarworks debuts new collections at Galleria Theatro Manzoni. Shown: Space Copenhagen’s Dawn Bed I, CREME’S Exchange Rocking Chair, Neri&Hu’s Cabinet of Curiosity - Dress.
Tom Dixon again broke new ground, designing a 100-seat restaurant in Via Alessandro Manzoni. The new eatery, The Manzoni, is everything Dixon!
No visit to Fuorisalone is complete without a walk by the Duomo - and this year, the view was certainly unforgettable: a 26-foot high sculpture of a stylized furniture icon, the UP5&6 chair from B&B Italia, contrasted starkly against the gothic spires of the cathedral. Gaetano Pesce’s Maestà Sofferente made Instagram waves and its feminist message was discussed in publications worldwide including the Washington Post.
As per usual at I Salone, Milan comes alive like no other city through the forces of design. The enormity of the fair and the ever increasing installations spread over the city makes it impossible to see everything, but we tried! Until next year….Caio!!