The Studio Como team of twelve has returned stateside with a post-Salone glow. Following their trip to Milan for the 64th edition of the international furniture fair, Salone del Mobile—which has in recent years expanded into what is now known as Milan Design Week—the design consultants are eager to share highlights and takeaways.
“There was a lot of simplicity across the board,” design director Laura Folgoni says, sharing that throughout the fair and city the team observed softer and simpler forms, rounded silhouettes, and earthy browns emerging as the defining color trend. “Warm terracottas, cool mink browns, and dark espresso tones were everywhere,” she notes.
The team was especially struck by Minotti opening its presentation with what looked like an indoor living room, but was actually an outdoor collection. “There was a disappearance of the line between indoor and outdoor furniture, and a very clear message from Minotti that indoor and outdoor are not different to them,” Laura says. Either environment can and should be home to high-quality, durable, comfortable, and elegant furniture. Studio Como plans to bring Minotti’s indoor/outdoor crossover sofas, namely the Ruffle and Orion, to the Denver showroom this year.
At Paola Lenti, the team saw a notable reduction in color compared to previous years. “This is very unusual for Paola Lenti,” Laura explains, “but it was apparent she didn’t want to overdo it with color. It was less rich, but not less beautiful. The pieces shown were highly artistic, sculptural, and collaborative.” A similar approach to color and form was on display at Henge (cover photo), Flexform, and Cassina. “There’s a big trend in curved seating systems,” Laura says. “These might look like simple products, but they are very appealing and sellable.”
Vancouver-based lighting company Bocci offered some shimmer, shifting their apartment-style installation to a sculptural, museum-like lighting presentation. “All the furniture was removed from the space,” Laura shares. “The lighting was the protagonist.” A cascading installation comprising fixtures from several of their series—28, 14, 73, and the brand new 93—was the feature. “The installation took inspiration from planets in the solar system and the cosmos,” Laura explains. “You could both enjoy its tiny details and take in the full expression.”
At both Poliform and The Cut, the consultants were wowed by the kitchen companies’ phenomenal level of craft. “I discovered something every time I turned a corner at The Cut,” Laura says about the kitchen company’s precision detailing. Rounded edges, soft upholstery, light woods, and integrated living concepts were key takeaways from Poliform, Studio Como’s longstanding partner in cabinetry systems.
After Salone wrapped up in the city, Laura went on to visit manufacturing facilities in Tuscany and Marche, including Ceccotti and Poltrona Frau, where she was able to see traditional techniques and materials in motion. “The Poltrona Frau Chester sofa is not made of foam, but grass,” she explains. “It’s been made this way for over one hundred years. The contrast of pieces made in the original way alongside the newer contemporary pieces and processes is fascinating.”
Studio Como also plans to add new pieces from Van Rossum and Ceccotti to the catalog. “Van Rossum is one of my personal favorites,” says Laura, “it’s extremely minimal, but the atmosphere and warmth are perfect for the Rocky Mountain Region.” Aside from individual installations, debuts, and factory tours, Laura remarks that the most memorable part of this year’s Salone was the fact that the whole crew experienced it together — including a ride on the Baxter tram, a bespoke “club on rails” that winds slowly through the streets of Milan during Design Week. “You need to share the good things in life,” she says. And Salone is absolutely a good thing.
