The avant-garde of color: the latest launches presented at the Salone
Zanotta at Salone del Mobile.Milano 2023, ph. Andrea Mariani
Upholstered furniture, chairs, tables and outdoor collections celebrate color to give any domestic setting expressive strength, add vibrant energy and convey the personality of the people who live in the space
Color is one of the emerging trends across the new proposals presented at the Salone del Mobile 2023. From re-edited pieces to new modular systems, and from enveloping seats to sculptural tables: the common thread is the search for bold or soft hues, capable of giving each element a distinctive expressive trait. Thus, a vast palette proves its ability in activating positivity and plays an essential role for psychophysical wellbeing, while also reflecting versatile design, suitable for different tastes and environments.
Porro at Salone del Mobile.Milano 2023, ph. courtesy
Lively new editions
Colorful patchwork and inlaid surfaces in cellulose acetate come together for the Linea containers by Porro. An accurate research in Alessandro Mendini’s archives, conducted with Fulvia and Elisa Mendini, allowed the company to bring to light three new furniture pieces ideated by the designer in 2015. There are a sideboard with open compartment and drawer, a closed version with two hinged doors, and a writing desk with drop-down top and internal partitions, raised on a dark base. The elements, available in a limited series of 50 units, invite free use, completely up to the imagination.
Color is also the star of the Botolo chair by Cini Boeri, designed in 1973 for Arflex and now re-edited and presented in a new version with green legs and yellow ocher fur padding. The legs come in different heights: the high option is suitable for seating in the dining room, the low one for a more contemporary style. The legs also have wheels to move comfortably around different environments of the home scenario.
The transformable and welcoming Zanotta Galeotta was designed in 1968 by Jonathan De Pas, Donato D’Urbino and Paolo Lomazzi – and is now available in a new edition as well. The armchair opens, extends and becomes a chaise longue or méridienne. Entirely made of multi-density polyurethane foam, it has no support structure or internal mechanisms. It consists of three geometric monochrome blocks with an irregular shape that allow for different configurations, for a sitting or semi-reclining position.
Molteni at Salone del Mobile.Milano 2023, ph. Andrea Mariani
Comfort in color
Chromatic research can also be found in the collections by Molteni&C, including the Porta Volta chair in collaboration with the international studio Herzog & de Meuron. The backrest follows the perimeter of the seat to form a U, pushing forward to create the armrests, while a finger joint, formed by three intertwining U-shaped elements, connects to the underlying frame and legs. The structure is made with high-quality solid wood: eucalyptus, black oak, Sunrise oak, Graphite oak and Canaletto walnut. The seat’s generous padding is available in four special colors: vibrant sunflower yellow, cheerful daisy pink, deep royal blue, and silver gray.
Magis celebrates upholstery and color in its new range of products. Trave is the chair designed by Alberto Brogliato and Federico Traverso, arising from the challenge of exploring solid wood. The designers’ response is a game of subtraction: a simple solid ash beam becomes the soul of the project. The steam-bent beam is the only element on which both the legs and the two fabric cushions that provide a seat and back are fixed. The structure is available in three colors – natural ash, black stained and oak finish – while the cushions come in various hues and fabrics.
Montbel at Salone del Mobile.Milano 2023, ph. Ruggiero Scardigno
Monochrome scenarios
Desalto dedicated its entire setup to the theme of color, under the title The Blue Chapter. Among its new products is the HEB table, designed by Francesco Rota. Cobalt blue and with an industrial look, the table is made up of a high-strength steel supporting beam with an iron-micaceous lacquered H-shaped profile, while its legs have a steel structure covered with hexagonal-section brass tube. The top is available in 12-mm tempered mirrored glass, or in 20-mm MDF with hand-spatulated cement finish.
Color Blast is the running theme that allows Montbel to put color and relationships at the core of its design system. The values of “Equilibrium, Intuition, Family, Color, Poise, and Playfulness” have been interpreted for different rooms, in an immersive experience that showcases the latest news and the identity of the brand. Among the new products to discover is the Maja chair, designed by Sven Dogs Studio with soft and light lines. The generous padding of the velvet backrest is enhanced by the rounded lines of the three bulges defined by the stitching. Available with four wooden legs, sled base or wheels.
Mix and match, the art of combination
The new Ralik modular system, designed by Ichiro Iwasaki for Arper, is a burst of colors. The collection includes six seating modules: ottomans, chairs with backrests and benches, capable of creating solutions of different sizes and shapes. A distinctive feature of the Ralik range are the L-shaped legs in recycled polypropylene, which give the modules a sculptural effect. The covers, available in a wide range of colors, are made of sustainable materials and completely removable.
The historical glass company Glas Italia presented the CC collection of low tables by Patricia Urquiola: a wooden structure completely covered with a mosaic of cast glass tiles in varied and irregular hues. The tiles are shaped and positioned so that the surface reproduces the axonometric projection of a parallelepiped. A sophisticated project that gives a personal touch to any home.
Playful dimensions
Finally, Roche Bobois impresses with the outdoor collection Bombom by Joana Vasconcelos. The Portuguese visual artist proposes upholstered elements and accessories designed to express her extremely free vision of indoor and outdoor living spaces. The lines of the modules evoke bold, gourmand and surprising shapes. For the coverings, the artist was inspired by the pastel façades of old houses in Lisbon, whose nuances mix with the sunset. The movable backrests freely decorate each sofa, allowing everyone to customize their own comfort, sitting up or lying down.
