Studio Como Design Team Goes to Italy

When it comes to the fabrics and colors covering these simple, organic forms, Gabriela notes the “chunky, textured fabrics that will be great for our Rocky Mountain clientele,” hued in natural tones—amber, chartreuse, dark navy—as well as playful pastels. All four consultants picked up on the increased use of bouclé, with Will noticing how corduroy is being reintroduced as a 1970s throw-back vibe.

“Every manufacturer is focused on using extremely high-end materials but also using technology to advance recycled materials so they feel just as high-end as a down-filled sofa. This stuff is built to last,” says Will. “The emphasis continues to be on sustainability and indoor-outdoor living.” One reason so much innovation is being put into outdoor furniture, Laura thinks, is because of the pandemic. “A lot has changed in people’s minds during the past two years, and I wonder if this new ‘culture’ will keep on going or change again,” she says. “I’m excited for beautiful outdoor furniture that mimics interior designs in looks and comfort.”

The team was affected by the experience of being in Milan, a history-drenched city that has nonetheless always been on the leading edge of innovation. A visit to B&B Italia’s in-house factory revealed the nuances of fine furnishings, wowing the team with its cold injection foam molds. “B&B Italia has been forward-thinking from the get-go,” says Emily. “Since the late 1960s, they’ve embraced new concepts through product design and production, marketing concepts, and creating pieces that uphold a timeless and unique environment.”

And of course, nothing beats showroom visits where human connections are forged and fortified. “Getting to see the life behind the product—factories, workers, corporate showrooms, the network of people involved in the whole process—is the real deal for me,” says Laura. “Even after having experienced it over and over, it is always the best part. You get to the core of what everything is and why. A sense of enchantment is hard to come by as an adult, but it comes up when I’m in front of a lounge chair or a foam injection mold…go figure!”

Gabriela says the trip provided her with specific know-how that will enhance her ability to serve the Studio Como clientele—knowledge that, like the furniture it speaks to, is Made in Italy. “Technical information backed by personal experience is the most important tidbit to have in your back pocket,” she shares. “In our market specifically, I’ve noticed an embrace of quality, subtleness, and function that comes above what is popular or trending. There’s an emotional approach to what clients are selecting, and we hope to foster that by providing a perspective of what makes us, as design consultants, swoon over a piece of furniture.”

To that end, here are the Studio Como design team’s favorite pieces seen in Milan: