Milan 2019 – Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec, Patricia Urquiola, Andersson & Voll and more have designed 10 exquisite sofas debuting at Milan Design Week. The new collections by leading international companies and brands such as Cassina, Moroso, Muuto, Minotti, and Vitra.
Wrapped by metal and velvet
A distinctive frame in extruded aluminium wraps the Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec’s sofa for Cassina. In contrast, the soft padding of its cushions creates a welcoming nest in an open invitation to relax.
The wide choice of upholstery includes a rich velvet collection as well as leather and fabric. The sofa comes also in a modular version, a two or three seater couch and as an armchair.
Like a pebble in a Japanese garden
Gogan ids the Japanese word for rounded pebbles used to decorare rivers and lakes in gardens, in Onsen baths and in nature.
From here Patricia Urquiola created for Moroso a solid yet smooth shaped sofa that looks it has been sculpted by wind and water. The collection is completed with an armchair and small table in various sizes, which recall organic shapes.
Mix and match modular system
Belgian designer Vincent Van Duysen has created Gregor, Molteni’s fixed or modular system that includes straight, corner and peninsular units that mix and match.
Gregor comes with a steel base and feet in painted zinc finish and is available with padded trapezoidal armrests or wing leather armrests.
Someone likes it ‘curvy’
Italian and Western design companies generally work with square geometrical forms. This year Minotti launched curvaceous collections by art director Rodolfo Dordoni – West and Lawson series – and Christophe Delcourt.
Daniels, the French designer’s new sofa system, represents the greatest deviation from the cubic forms for which Minotti is better known.
Colombian crafts go ‘interstellar’
The fashion brand Marni jumped on a space rocket to launch its second collection of furnitures and accessories developed and crafted in collaboration with Colombian artisans.
The Moon Walk collection includes also a petite sofa in colourful PVC and metal for both outdoor and indoor use.
Heavenly (and softly) landing on Earth
At Rossana Orlandi Gallery, Nigerian-American designer Ini Archibong has presented the second collection of the brand Sé which includes the Circe sofa.
Upholstered in leather and fabric with a base made from brass, the design aims to offer a “heavenly landing on earth,” says the designer. The design features interchangeable cushions which allow to play with colour combinations.
Inspired by a Milanese metro station
Italian designer Luca Nichetto took inspiration by the colour palette and the architectural features of Milan Turati metro station to create a collection of home furniture with a quirky urban imprint for Spanicsh brand Sancal.
The protagonist of the collection is Next Stop, a sofa upholstered with the new eco-friendly zero textile created by Swedish designer Marie-Louise Rosholm. TURATI comprises also the Interchange bench, the Meeting Point pouf and the Mind the Gap rug.
Shape-shifting for comfort
Ready for some splendid isolation? The new Avalanche sofa by Milan-based studio Metrica for German furniture brand Cor allows you to get comfortable with a simple gesture.
Need to sit upright during a conversation? Fold down the upper part of the backrest onto a cylindrical pillow. Need to relax? Extend it back rest and add a pillow to lean back or stretch out.
Architecturally Nordic
“With the Outline Sofa Series we developed for Muuto, we translated aspects of modern architecture into the design through juxtaposing elements.” Explain Andersson & Voll.
Slim proportions are complemented by a generous seat and slender legs. “There’s a calm serenity about the Outline Sofa Series. Overlapping forms shape a soft and deep seat, clean lines and a strong architectural presence.”
One duvet to rule them all
When creating the new Vlinder sofa, Hella Jongerius combined the archetypal form of a comfortable sofa with a precisely tailored duvet-like fabric cover.
The Dutch designer which is also art director for colours and materials at Vitra crested a rich tapestry of motifs, weaves and colour that vaguely resembles a butterfly with outspread wings. Sinuously draped over the entire structure, the cover is held in place by its own weight.
All photos: courtesy of the companies, brands or designers.
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