Market

Design is in full bloom this spring in New York as it hosts both the debut of I Saloni Worldwide, a mini version of Milan's Salone Internazionale del Mobile, and the International Contemporary Furniture Fair.

edited by Craig Kellogg -- Interior Design, 4/1/2005 12:00:00 AM

Edra

Dutch-born Peter Traag was a newly minted graduate of London's Royal College of Art when he invented the Sponge armchair. The design begins with an oversize upholstery chair cover, lined in specially finished polyester. Then, polyurethane foam is pumped into the cover, filling the shape. The signature wrinkles form as the foam cures, producing a distinctive pucker that's unique to each chair. P.O. Box 28, 56030 Perignano, Italy; 39-05876-16660; edra.com. circle 318

SCIC

The Murano island features a stainless-steel countertop, integrated under-cabinet lighting, espresso-colored wood accents, and ribbed metal doors. It appears to float above the floor on a pair of aluminum legs. 135A Via Cremonese, 43010 Viarolo Parma, Italy; 39-052-16655; scic.it. circle 319

Rapsel

The work of noted designer Marco Piva, the Mylos basin consists of a resin bowl mounted on a back-painted, tempered-glass shelf. A gooseneck faucet enfolds among its sensuous curves. 13 Via Volta, 20019 Settimo Milanese, Italy; 39-02-3355981; rapsel.it. circle 320

Annibale Colombo

This traditional manufacturer gets modern with the refreshingly crisp Sospesa collection. Only 15 inches deep, the 39-inch-high exotic-wood chest of drawers coordinates with a complete line of dining and bedroom pieces in cherry wood and Macassar ebony. 3 Via Delle Betulle, 22060 Novedrate, Italy; 39-031-790-494; annibalecolombo.it. circle 323

Moroso

German furniture wiz Konstantin Grcic stretches the envelope with his experimental Osorom pouf. The ottoman's hollow, lacy surface has a 4-foot diameter and is made of a multilayered techno-polymer composite. 60 Via Nazionale, 33010 Udine, Italy; 39-0432-577-111; moroso.it. circle 321

Porro

A strong but invisible joint fixes the cold-drawn steel legs of the Ram table to its corresponding horizontal steel crossbars. Though quite lightweight, the ram-tough structure is sturdy enough to hold tops of laminate, wood, or glass. 35 Via Per Cantú, 22060 Montesolaro, Italy; 39-031-780-237; porro.com. circle 322

Glas Italia

Two interlocking bent-glass tables by Piero Lissoni's design team bring new meaning to the term "bridge and tunnel." The Bridge is U-shape, while the Tunnel table is a continuous loop. Both are available in a painted or patterned laminated glass. 29 Via Cavour, 20050 Macherio, Italy; 39-039-2323-202; glasitalia.com. circle 324

Misura Emme

The Evolution shelves and storage system is less than 8 feet tall but a monumental 15 feet long. Designed for multipurpose living rooms, Evolution's sliding doors have a zebrano grey finish and open with just a nudge. Through the Carolyn DiCarlo Group, 32 West 20th Street, New York, NY 10011; 212-929-7600; misuraemme.it. circle 325

Horm

Japanese architect Toyo Ito's Ripples 2004 bench employs five layers of laminated wood. The undulating topography and concentric-circles motif of the 78-inch-long piece results from carving subtle dishlike depressions that expose all the layers. 25 Via San Giuseppe, 33082 Pordenone, Italy; 39-0434-640-733; horm.it. circle 328

Arketipo

The low-slung, high-back Fly armchair by Manzoni and Tapinassi swivels on its sleek metal base, which has an optional satin-aluminum finish. It's offered fully upholstered in fabric or leather. 72 Via Garibaldi, 50041 Calenzano, Italy; 39-055-88-77-137; arketipo.com. circle 327

Matteograssi

What Mauro Lipparini describes as the "huge bulk" of his reclining Strato sofa hovers like a cloud over slender "beetle-like" legs of chromed, polished, or varnished metal. A matching armchair is also available, and both are offered in 100 leather colors. 2 Via Padre Rovgnati, 22066 Mariano Comense, Italy; 39-31-757711; matteograssi.it. circle 326

Living Divani

The boxy, upholstered-foam modules of Piero Lissoni's Extra Wall seating system simply clip together from below. The mix-and-match components range in height from 12 to 23 inches and from approximately 3 to 5 feet long, and they come in custom colors and fabrics. Strada del Cavolto, 22040 Anzano Parco, Italy; 39-031 630954; livingdivani.it. circle 330

Fontana Arte

Charles Williams's oversize Amax pendant fixture is a 43-inch-diameter, milky white, polyethylene lamp shade suspended at the end of a nearly invisible stainless-steel aircraft cable. The chromed socket accommodates three 150-watt bulbs. 64 North Moore Street, New York, NY 10013; 212-334-1050; fontanaarte.com. circle 329

Futura

Both cushions of Luigi Recalcati's 1985 Le Vele Video sofa can swivel 360 degrees and recline to form two single beds or one double, or one chaise lounge or two. The mesh fabric covers are removable; the base comes in wengé or natural oak. 24 Via Piave, 20036 Meda, Italy; 39-0362-338-030; futura-italy.it. circle 331

Zucchetti Rubinetteria

When designers Matteo Thun and Antonio Rodriguez reinterpreted a classic art deco faucet for use on porcelain lavatories with three holes, the pair responded with Bellagio, a deck-mounted mixer offered in chrome, satin, brushed-nickel, and platinum finishes. 29 Via Molini de Resiga, 28024 Gozzano, Italy; 39-0322-954-742; zucchettirub.it. circle 333

Desalto

Arik Levy's 4 to 8 table is right on target. The 3-foot-diameter top in medium-density fiberboard is available in a rainbow of lacquers. A detachable extension ring, shown here in black, increases the diameter to 55 inches. Via per Montesolaro, 22060 Cantù, Italy; 39-031-7832211 desalto.it. circle 332

Mobileffe

Ennio Arosio's Eric three-drawer chest is 4 feet wide and comes in wengé or 24 matte lacquer colors; pulls are offered in gloss or wengé. Matching beds and headboards are also part of the Eric bedroom suite. 4 Via Ozanam, 20031 Cesano Maderno, Italy; 39-0362-52941; mobileffe.com. circle 334

Baxter

The polished black Desdemona beech armchair ships in a rainbow of leathers or in pairs of contrasting skins. A crackled-effect black Masai seat upholstery compliments the hair-on-hide zebra print in classic blanc-et-noir for the back. 9 Via degli Artigiani, 22040 Lurago d'Erba, Italy; 39-31-359-9008; baxter.it. circle 335

Meridiani

With a 55-inch-diameter, Andrea Parisio's Sumo table is wide enough to wrestle on. The 11-inch-high piece can be finished in mocha, grey, or oak veneers as well as in brown or white lacquer. 16 Via Birago, 20020 Misinto, Italy; 39-029669161; meridianicollections.it. circle 338

Scavolini

Marco Pareschi & Partners'Glam kitchen pairs dark oak with solid-wood inserts or lacquer in a range of complimentary gloss or matte colors. Doors can also be etched white glass or louvers, though open shelves are also possible. 60/70-74/78 Via Risara, 61025 Montelabbate, Italy; 39-07214431; scavolini.com. circle 336

Molteni & C

The curved solid-oak back of the Clipper chair extends down through its chunky padded-polyurethane seat to form a wide back leg. The frame is available in two wood finishes and the slipcovers can be specified in fabric or leather. Through Unifor, 149 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010; 212-673-7106; molteni.it. circle 337

Fratelli Longhi

More modern than shojis, but no less useful, the 360 Shadow doors consist of frosted glass framed in oak. The doors glide on ceiling or wall tracks and come in white, grey, or wengé finishes. 143 Via Indipendenza, 20036 Meda, Italy; 39-0362-341-074; longhi.it. circle 339

Lema

The Walk-in closet unit offers adjustable, hanging, chrome-finished iron rods, benches, and shelves. The melamine system comes in 44 subtle and bright colors, including Zucca. 2 Strada Statale Briantea, 22040 Alzate Brianza, Italy; 39-031-630-990; lemamobili.com. circle 343

Rexite

Raul Barbieri's Zanziplano table has a colorful plastic-laminate top and chrome-plated steel base. Its height ranges from 29 to 42 inches, and small hooks can be affixed under the top for hanging handbags. 7 Via Edison, 20090 Cusago, Italy; 39-0290-390-013; rexite.it. circle 340

Poliform USA

Milan's Studio Kairos created the pared-down Sweet side chair from polyurethane foam, upholstered in leather or slipcovered in fabric or synthetic suede. The steel legs are finished in chrome. 150 East 58th Street, 9th floor, New York, NY 10155; 888-765-4367; poliformusa.com. circle 342

Flou

Carlo Colombo's chrome-accented Sailor double bed is available with an optional storage component and either an orthopedic mattress support or adjustable slats. The curved-iron, foam-coated headboard comes fixed or reclining. 12 Via Cadorna, 20036 Meda, Italy; 888-356-8233; flou.it. circle 341