Cover Feature
www.thedesignermagazine.com
23
Above: Screened Daylight by Daniel Rybakken
Above: Cloud Stool by Dutch-based Joon&Jung
“WE ARE WITNESSING A LONG-TERM TREND IN WHICH OUR PERCEPTIONS OF LUXURY ARE CHANGING”
Qualities such as volume and materiality
are more important than ever, giving a calming and grounded feel to our living environments. We were particularly inspired by two
exhibitions crafted by visionary Li Edelkoort that aimed to promote the role of textiles in our homes; one showcasing established designers using innovative technologies, the other championing young talent in the field of textiles. It became apparent that textiles can capture our senses in many ways. While textiles can capture our senses in
Above: The impressive and idea-packed Moroso stand Below: Matiéres by Enzo Mari for Hermés
a visual and tactile way they also have the ability to transform the sound of a space. The ‘Cloud Stool’ by Joon&Jung takes
inspiration from the flexibility and softness of the cloudscape and gives the illusion of being alive by using irregularity in texture and tone. Prestigious design house Moroso also
echoed this trend for tactility with a fantastic new collection. We enjoyed the relaxed and welcoming vibe of their show, which had a very feminine feel to it. For example, the pieces by Patricia Urquiola invited visitors to touch and stroke, and we noticed many people were doing exactly that. Her ‘BiKnit’ chair features a blown-up knitted weave that becomes both surface and structure. The chunky wooden base gives the piece a grounded yet upbeat presence. The urge for wellbeing and sensorial
nurturing are also part of this trend and designers are exploring new ways to make our homes more connected to nature, imitating natural cycles of daylight and season. ‘Screened Daylight’ by up and coming
Norwegian designer Daniel Rybakken simulates the ambient light that enters a room through drawn blinds and curtains.
Above: The BiKnit chair by Patricia Urquiola for Moroso
The piece functions primarily as a light, but it also expands the room through the suggestion of that which is obscured.
“People really feel that the room feels larger, because you get a hint of something outside”, he said. His ‘Daylight’ pieces have a positive impact on people’s mood, very much like natural light. Moooi’s ‘Mistral’ lamp is combining
the functionality of a fan with a lampshade, featuring different settings for summer and winter, depending on the temperature in the room. As the product description says: “Get rid of the heat and flies, welcome fresh air and light”, it’s a simple idea to stimulate our senses. As these sensorial experiences are
entering the range of our aspirations, we see textiles playing an increasingly important role in the future, creating environments that are mood enhancing and nurturing.
RESTRAINED LUXURY In the wake of the economic downturn, people’s values have shifted. We are witnessing a long-term trend in which our perceptions of luxury are changing. Many people have rejected ‘bling culture’ and its overt displays of wealth and are instead embracing experiences and demanding products that have a more timeless aesthetic. A natural home to luxury, the Milan
furniture fair has over recent years offered us a fantastic insight into this trend. So we were once again keen to find out how the new luxury aesthetic is developing. An obvious first stop was Hermés’ show
‘La Maison’ which was the French brand’s first ever appearance at the fair. In a house made of cardboard by Shigeru Ban we found their two new furniture collections Matiéres by Enzo Mari and Métiérs by Antonio Citterio both of which display beautifully refined expressions of ‘Restrained Luxury’. They achieved this by focussing on
Hermés heritage of artisan craftsmanship. Cittero said: “What interested me about working with Hermés was the chance to work at timeless products for a company renowned for craftsmanship quality that
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