Market

Salone Internazionale del Mobile, Milan

edited by Craig Kellogg -- Interior Design, 6/1/2006 12:00:00 AM

100 Percent Urquiola

If Milan's Salone Internazionale del Mobile had to crown a queen, this year's would have been the prolific Patricia Urquiola. Among the pieces she designed for seven companies, her showstopping Antibodi for Moroso has a frame of chromed or painted metal and a sling seat composed of padded triangular segments covered in leather. The triangles' sides are stitched with "petals"—either in felt and wool or in leather and wool. Better yet, the sling is reversible: Simply flip it over for a more sedate, monochromatic appearance. P.O. Box 20287, New York, NY 10011; 800-705-6863; morosousa.com. circle 314

Wogg

Alfredo Häberli's Wogg 37 armchair has a backrest that flexes for comfort—and is easy on the eyes, too: Both the back and seat can be upholstered in silver, orange, or yellow polyester; black leather; or a black wool blend. The base, meanwhile, is wood from ecologically managed forests in Central and South America. A coordinating table is called Wogg 38. 16 Im Grund, 5405 Dättwil, Baden, Switzerland; 41-56-483-37-00; wogg.ch. circle 315

Adnan Serbest

As this experimental designer more than proves, "contemporary" has truly gone global. His edgy chromed-steel No:7 armchair heads up an eclectic furnishings group that also includes tables, sofas, containers, and other accessories. 7/2 Asagi Dudullu, Ümraniye, Istanbul 34 773, Turkey; 90-216-612-46-46; adnanserbest.com. circle 316

Living Divani

The Pi-air chaise longue by Harry & Camila is a shell of molded fiberglass that suggests the human form in repose. For the skin, select a swath of taut leather, woven wool, or felt. 1 Strada del Cavolto, 22040 Anzano del Parco (Como), Italy; 39-031-630954; livingdivani.it. circle 317

Tre-Più

"Where's the door," you ask? A lever handle is your only clue. Antonio Citterio artfully concealed the doorjambs in his Continuum paneling system. It's made in five natural wood finishes—or choose lacquer, either earth-toned or white. 2 Via Dell, 20034 Industria Birone di Giussano (Milan), Italy; 39-0362-861120; trep-trepiu.com. circle 318

Armani Casa

Giorgio Armani's cool style usually hints at Asian influence. Turandot may be named for an opera set in China, but the three-seat sofa's curves are much more French. Think Pierre Chareau. 97 Greene Street, New York, NY 10012; 212-334-1271; armanicasa.com. circle 319

Alcantara

In 1970, a Japanese scientist patented the chemistry behind durable sueded synthetics used for contract furniture, vehicle interiors, and fashion. Today, this company leverages his groundbreaking technology with exquisite colors and decoration, from prints to perforations. 86 Via Mecenate, 20138 Milan, Italy; 212-382-1590; alcantara.com. circle 320

Jason Miller

Too bad Frasier is off the air, because here is Marty Crane's recliner recast as an armchair, with snob appeal to burn. In anticipation of hard use, the arms of the Duct Tape chair, upholstered in nubby cotton-wool, are cheekily reinforced with strips of silver leather. Future Perfect, 115 North Sixth Street, Brooklyn, NY 11211; 718-599-6278; millerstudio.us. circle 321

Porro

Sweet dreams are made of this. Jean-Marie Massaud's bold Lipla bed is back—and cooler than ever. The manufacturer now offers this classic dressed in brown leather that clings flawlessly to the dynamic form. 35-1 Via per Cantù, 22060 Montesolaro (Como), Italy; 39-031-780237; porro.com. circle 322

Cassina

This company's debt to Le Corbusier deepens with the LC3 Méridienne, a chair that looks like a newfangled spin on the iconic LC2 but is actually based on a 1928 sketch by collaborator Charlotte Perriand. During the fair this year, Cassina also assisted the Fondation Le Corbusier in reproducing his 1952 Cabanon at the Triennale di Milano—right down to the famous murals. 200 McKay Road, Huntington Station, NY 11746; 800-770-3568; cassinausa.com. circle 323

Edra

Not all large-scale seating indicates such a serious commitment to the art of the snuggle. Francesco Binfaré's Corbeille sofa is a nest of cowhide-covered cushions packed into a matching zigzag stainless-steel frame. Both come in five colors, including orange. 601 West 26th Street, Suite 1507, New York, NY 10001; 212-807-7300; edra.com. circle 324

Parri

A stacking chair for indoors and out, Marco Maran's Body to Body boasts what looks like a spine and ribs. The seat is a weather-resistant resin—meaning that the orange, red, yellow, blue, white, or black will stay that way. For the frame, choose steel or paint in one of the six colors above. 801 Via Tosco-Romagnola Est, 56020 San Miniato (Pisa), Italy; 39-0571-419872; parridesign.it. circle 325

Casamania by Frezza

The husband-wife team of Robby Cantarutti and Francesca Petriucich have designed a chair named Sue. This stacker comes in transparent amber, orange, blue, or clear ABS plastic as well as opaque light-blue, green, yellow, white, and orange polypropylene. 3 Via Sant'Elena, 31040 Treviso, Italy; 39-04-236753; casamania.it. circle 326

Arper

Start anew with the Leaf chaise longue. Its lithe 5-foot-long body is painted in weather-resistant green, white, or mocha. An optional cushion can be covered in leather or synthetic fabric. 16 Via Lombardia, 31050 Monastier (Treviso), Italy; 39-04-227918; arper.it. circle 327

Magis

Marc Newson's Nimrod chair was originally made of rotation-molded plastic. Then this manufacturer experimented for years to blow-mold a plastic frame. Why? The brochure says, "We do things the hard way, if that's how a product will become special." 15 Via Magnadola, 31045 Motta di Livenza (Treviso), Italy; 39-0422-862600; magisdesign.com. circle 328

Club Ambulent

Rarely does student work rise to the level of the Kiila chair, one of several projects from the University of Art and Design Helsinki. This one, by Johan Samuli Pöllänen, has a leather-covered plastic-laminate seat supported by a frame of chromed square-section steel pipe. 135C Hämeentie, 00560 Helsinki, Finland; 358-44-575-5755; uiah.fi. circle 329

Paola Lenti

For outdoor use, Francesco Rota's aluminum Frame chair can be topped with cushions upholstered in Aquatech, a durable new yarn that this company developed to substitute for straw. Coordinating chaise longue, armchair, and ottoman also available. 311 Fourth Avenue, 215, San Diego, CA 92101; 619-230-1083; paolalenti.it. circle 330

B&B Italia

Chris Howker's Dip bench series has joined the Project collection. Made of sandblasted, frosted stainless steel, both the single Dip and the Double Dip measure 71/2 feet long by 11/2 high. Suitable indoors or out. 32 Strada Provinciale, 22060 Novedrate (Como), Italy; 39-031-795213; bebitalia.com. circle 331

Tom Dixon

Habitat's creative director, Tom Dixon, knows how to piece together a room—and a sofa. His Soft System's components, made of multi-density foam over wood, combine in countless formations. The wool upholstery comes in 10 colors. Accessorize with his Copper Shade pendant fixtures. 4 Northington Street, London WC1N 2JG, U.K.; 44-20-7400-0500; tomdixon.net. circle 332

Ingo Maurer

A chandelier is not a toy—though apparently no one ever told this designer before he was commissioned to produce a one-off for the Atomium, a futuristic structure built for the 1958 World's Fair in Brussels and reopened this past February. His Monster United features action figures attached to a globe. 89 Grand Street, New York, NY 10013; 212-965-8817; ingo-maurer.com. circle 333

Desalto

A scissor action allows Denis Santachiara's Booxx storage unit to expand or contract as needed. The steel frame and shelves are offered in finishes of galvanized zinc or matte lacquer in white or black. 1 Via per Montesolaro, 22063 Cantù (Como), Italy; 39-0317-832211; desalto.it. circle 334

Moooi

Bertjan Pot's Balls table stands on turned wooden legs that, shapely as they are, still fold flat for storage and transport. The top is a plasticized rectangle. 7003 Minervum, 4817 ZL Breda, Netherlands; 31-76-578-44-44; moooi.nl. circle 335

Seven Salotti

Mauro Lipparini Studio's Tongue speaks volumes on style. The polished plastic shell cradles the sitter, while a sophisticated hinge at the stem allows a range of reclined positions. 17 Viale Monza, 20034 Giussano (Milan), Italy; 39-0362-853283; sevensalotti.it. circle 336

Kenneth Cobonpue

Starting at the top of the Yoda chair, individual rattan reeds bend and flow down to the seat, continue along the floor, and return back to the top. The rattan comes in natural and whitewashed finishes or can be dyed red, lime, black, yellow, or chocolate. The steel frame is painted to match. 1831 14th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009; 888-889-9005; kennethcobonpue.com. circle 338

Ceccotti Collezioni

First came sculptor and furniture designer Noé Duchaufour-Lawrance's mid-1990's Manta desk, its slim, sinuous profile made possible by carbon fiber. The same properties inspired his Manta Scrivania desk, one of three introductions in a growing suite of furniture in leather and American walnut. 4/A Viale Sicilia, 56021 Cascina (Pisa), Italy; 39-050-701955; ceccotti.it. circle 337

Källemo

Architect and engineer Johan Linton's Mme. Tati chair owes its inspiration to a bicycle-riding mailman in a comedy by filmmaker Jacques Tati. A backless version is called Tati 1/2. Box 605, 331 26 Värnamo, Sweden; 46-3-701-50-00; kallemo.se. circle 339

Vittorio Bonacina

Founded in 1889, this manufacturer made its mark globally in the mid-20th century with Franco Albini's handmade rattan chairs. His 1951 Gala, which measures about 43 inches tall, is now being reproduced, courtesy of the Vitra Design Museum in Germany. 12 Via Madonnina, 22040 Lurago d'Erba (Como), Italy; 39-031-699800; bonacinavittorio.it. circle 340

Kaichiro Yamada

Aurora was a standout at Salone Satellite, the showcase for young designers. Beneath the cocktail table's glass top, a base pole is pierced by removable spokes held in place by gravity. The pole is maple. The spokes can be maple, too—unless you prefer walnut, mahogany, cherry, or beech. There's also a coordinating bookcase. 3-10-13, Taira, Miyamae-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa 216-0022, Japan; 81-90-9383-3138; kaichidesign.com. circle 341