Venetian glass specialist Barovier & Toso enriches its offering this year with two new collections of chandeliers, Vertigo and Metropolis, and a new palette of five colours. The new pieces will be showcased in a curated by Vandersandestudio at the brand’s refreshed and expanded Via Durini showroom.

Contrast defines the Vertigo family of chandeliers and wall sconces. The sleekness of its glass body is accentuated by its main decorative feature, a spiral motif that wraps around the arms and opens in the uppermost part, which also gives the collection its name. Completely crafted by hand, it reveals the great skill of the glassmaker to create a very complex, detailed yet perfectly regular arrangement of curves. Metal is further embedded within the glass, resulting in a unique play of delicate and hard elements.

Metropolis evokes the bold symmetry of Art Deco particularly in the chandelier version featuring opaline glass cups embraced at both ends by metal collars. These are held aloft by sinuous arms which curve and reach outward. The Art Deco inspiration is even more vividly realised in the wall model, where the stem appears with like a banded column.

Colour has always been a key factor in the company’s history and this year, the already wide range of colours of Venetian crystal now includes new hues created to respond to the latest trends in interior design. These 5 hues include sand, olive, periwinkle, cadet blue and indigo, all generating new aesthetic and emotional possibilities.

Barovier & Toso is available in Singapore at 1 Nassim Road, #01-06, barovier.com

When Japanese industrial designer Naoto Fukasawa was designing the Harbor Laidback armchair for B&B Italia, he was inspired to create a structure that would be the ultimate source of comfort and relaxation for one’s home. A massive solid polyurethane foam armchair, the Harbor Laidback contains a complex mechanism subtly hidden within the frame; this allows the armchair to smoothly swivel and tilt backward. The embracing armrests and upholstered headrest layers an additional level of comfort to the seat. The upholstery is available in leather or fabric embellished with a tailor’s tacking stitch, a new sewing technique developed by B&B Italia for the upholstery cover. The Harbor Laidback also has a sculptural quality to it that suits a variety of interior styles. 

B&B Italia is located in Singapore and Malaysia at Space Furniture, 77 Bencoolen Street, Tel: 6415 0000; spacefurniture.com.sg

Italian furniture manufacturer Nicoline Italia’s artisanal craft is realised through the Bora sofa, which delivers ultimate comfort with sleek elegance. The clean and linear silhouette in exquisite proportions celebrates a minimalist approach. The eco-friendly polyurethane foam padding adds plushness to the seat, providing the utmost comfort and support. Resting on slender legs and a wooden frame structure, the sofa creates a polished and streamlined appearance; it can be upholstered in leather or a fabric of your choice.

Nicoline Italia is located in Singapore at 23 Genting Road, Chevalier House #06-01, Tel: 8168 3354; nicoline.it

The Round D.154.5 armchair is the star of Italian manufacturer Molteni&C's Flight D.154.5 installation, presented at Supersalone. Lined with rows of the Flight D.154.5 chairs, the installation at Supersalone is designed by Ron Gilad is created in the style of an aeroplane, with lively windows that look out to blue skies to create a sense of escape, celebrating wanderlust and the allure of air travel in the 1960s.

First designed by the late Italian architect Gio Ponti in 1954, the Round D.154.5 chair has an enduring appeal thanks to its playful look. Comprising curved plywood joints, metal feet and Vipla upholstery textile—a polyester-blend material with a leather-like texture—the chair was one of Ponti’s favourite pieces and often featured in his projects.

Molteni&C is available in Singapore at P5, 3 Killiney Road, #01-01 Winsland House, Tel: 6337 0050; p5.com.sg

Slamp’s talent for offering playful yet sophisticated lighting continues unabated in a new collection designed by Adriano Rachele and Marc Sadler using the brand’s proprietary technopolymers.

Award-winning Italian lighting designer Rachele, who started his career at the Italian lighting company, created the La Vie family of ceiling lamps in mini, medium and large sizes. The light’s kaleidoscopic form was inspired by the Flower of Life’s celebrated symbology representing the endless configurations of materials, from atoms to galaxies, contained within the universe. While its hypnotic colour combinations are appealing, Rachele designed it for practicality as well with a magnetic system to make installation and maintenance a breeze.

Sadler’s poetic touch is evident in the La Fleur series, a range of lights shaped like blossoms. The renowned designer manually sculpted the flower from Slamp’s unbreakable technopolymer, Lentiflex, at a controlled temperature to create its delicate petals. The bloom is balanced on a braided copper stem that can be bent to a desired angle and equipped with a replaceable and dimmable LED G4 bulb. A lyrical light that is perfect alone or in multiples, it can be wall-mounted or wireless in its battery-enabled version.

slamp.com

Porro introduces a new evolution to Storage, the Italian furniture manufacturer’s system of wardrobes and walk-in closets. First designed in 2000 by Porro’s art director Pierro Lissoni, Storage has received a structural refresh: the original shelves have been replaced with larger and glass compartments that are transparent. The glass backdrop creates a larger perception of space, transforming wardrobes into a stage for clothes and accessories. Technology has also been infused into the piece. A new wireless lighting system transmits light within the shelves, creating a visual statement whilst gently illuminating the clothes on display. 

Maria Porro, Porro's former head of marketing and communications and great-granddaughter of the brand’s founder Giulio Porro, also made the headlines with her recent appointment as president of Salone del Mobile; a role previously held by Kartell CEO Claudio Luti. She is the youngest-ever president in the fair's history and the first woman to hold the role.

Porro is located in Singapore at Proof Living, 2 Orchard Turn, #04-16, Tel: 6509 0555; proof.com.sg

See also: Milan Design Week 2021: Supermama and More Singapore brands to Show New Collections at Design Variations

Amp up the drama with A:Live, Czech-based lighting manufacturer Lasvit’s new glass kinetic sculpture created by Serbian designer Stefan Mihailovič. The lighting concept can be customised with different components and motors to suit a variety of settings, including private residences, hospitality spaces, and even luxury yachts. Fireborn, Lasvit’s other lighting concept crafted by design director Jana Růžičková, is inspired by Bohemian glassworks. The lighting sculpture features high-quality optical glass where their edges have been meticulously hand-sanded, dulled and then polished. 

Lasvit is located in Singapore at W. Atelier, 201 Henderson Road #03-01, Tel: 6270 8828; watelier.com

Taking inspiration from mid-century classics, the 2021 collection from Italian manufacturer Minotti combines a contemporary spirit with elegant forms. Curated by Italian architect Rodolfo Dordoni, the Minotti installation at Supersalone features architectural elements inspired by rationalist and brutalist movements while showcasing indoor and outdoor furniture collections designed by an international mix of designers including Marcio Kogan of São Paulo-based Studio Mk27, Japanese designer Nendo and Italian-Danish duo GamFratesi.

Highlights include the Minotti Roger collection by Rodolfo Dordoni, a modular sofa system with trapezoidal armrests, and distinctive linear stitching on the sofa seats and complementary benches. The range also includes angular coffee tables with compartments clad in an aluminium lining and a brandy-hued satin varnished finish, balanced on slim aluminium legs.

Minotti is located in Singapore at 328 North Bridge Road, #02-10 Raffles Arcade; minotti.com

Luxurious comfort is at the core of Italian furniture manufacturer Frigerio’s new designs. The Horizon sofa created by French designer Christophe Pillet is a stellar example of the rest of the collection. The modern modular piece exudes a sense of sophisticated elegance whilst remaining extremely functional; you can easily personalise the sofa to fit a variety of lifestyles and spatial requirements. Opt between linear and corner pieces as well as curved and asymmetrical elements to create multifunctional compositions to suit your living room.

Frigerio is located in Singapore at Da Vinci Lifestyle, 100 Orchard Road, #01-01 Concorde Hotel, Tel: 6468 6333; davincilifestyle.com

Celebrations are underway at Flos, where the Italian lighting manufacturer is honouring the 50th anniversary of the iconic Parentesi lamp designed by Italian designers Achille Castiglioni and Pio Manzù. The debut of two new colourways—turquoise and Signal Orange—will mark the special occasion; the two complementary colours pay homage to the renowned designers and were chosen after a study of their work as well as in consultation with the two maestros’ children.

Other new collections to note include Oplight, a sustainable lamp designed by English designer Jasper Morrison; 265 Chromatica, a new edition of the original 265 lamp designed by Paolo Rizzatto in 1973 for Flos; and new colour finishes for String Lights and Coordinates, two lighting collections designed by minimalist Cypriot designer Michael Anastassiades for Flos.   

Flos is available in Singapore at Space Furniture, 77 Bencoolen Street, Tel: 6415 0000; spacefurniture.com.sg

A transforming cabinet is among the highlights of the novelties presented by Italian manufacturer Giorgetti—aptly named after the famed American illusionist Harry Houdini, the Houdini cabinet designed by Roberto Lazzeroni combines incredibly versatile functions with the cabinetry-making expertise that the brand is known for. Conceived as a sculptural treasure chest, Houdini can be used as a bar cabinet or a stylish display of precious watches, jewellery, and other fashion accessories.

“The aim was to create a cabinet that with a fluid function in the home: from the living room to the sleeping area,” says Italian designer Roberto Lazzeroni. “It is a piece that defies all classification. It is not a sideboard, it is not a storage unit, it is not a bar cabinet: it is a bit of all those things... It is a sort of magic, it becomes a 'house of things', a box of wonders. The shape is inspired by the silos found in Lombardy's rural areas, an element often found in Aldo Rossi's architecture.” 

Giorgetti is available in Singapore and Malaysia at Space Furniture, 77 Bencoolen Street, Tel: 6415 0000; spacefurniture.com.sg

The sight of vibrant flocks of sheep in the British countryside provided an unexpected starting point for UK artist and designer Peter Saville’s Technicolour upholstery collection for Danish textile company Kvadrat. These textiles are loosely inspired by the bold markings sprayed onto the sheep are used by shepherds to differentiate between the herds; an almost incongruous sight in the pastoral setting. Highlights from the collection include Flux, a rainbow-hued curtain fabric made using the iridescent Trevira CS (a flame-retardant polyester textile), the gradient-hued Field bamboo viscose tufted rug as well as the Flock and Fleece rugs, which are handwoven with a combination of pure new wool from New Zealand and organic cotton.

Kvadrat is located in Singapore at 23 Duxton Hill, Tel: 6221 2069; kvadrat.dk

Make a style statement with this textile collaboration between Cyprus rug and wallpaper brand Yo2, and Singapore-Italian design studio Lanzavecchia + Wai. Entitled Biophilic Futures, the wallpaper collection features vibrant flora and fauna motifs teeming with life. This visual exuberance is visually extended to the rug collection, Biophilic Portals, which exudes cosy comfort by adding a tactile layer to any space. The futuristic forest-themed collections are crafted with the intention of bringing the beneficial effects of nature into interiors, whilst fostering a deeper connection between human beings and nature. 

yoyo-designs.com

See also: Mood Board: Singapore Designer Hunn Wai Hand-Picks a Toaster and More Inspiring Pieces

Settle into the welcoming embrace of the new Beaulieu chair, designed by French designer Philippe Nigro for Austrian furniture manufacturer Gebrüder Thonet Vienna (GTV). The bent beechwood chair champions a contemporary spirit with its sleek curves that outline the backrests and armrests (for the armchair version). The chair takes its name from Beaulieu-sur-Mer, a seaside village on the French Riviera, where Nigro drew inspiration from on the concept of "living light-heartedly".

Other chair designs that will be showcased at Supersalone include the Sugiloo by Michael Anastassiades, the Bodystuhl by Nigel Coates and the Postmundus designed by Martino Gamper—which will all be displayed in intense and vibrant hues.

GTV is available in Singapore and Malaysia at Space Furniture, 77 Bencoolen Street, Tel: 6415 0000; spacefurniture.com.sg

Italian furniture brand Living Divani displays their trademark refined elegance with their new Sumo collection, which was expanded this year to include a mixture of low tables and benches as well as new sofas and armchairs.

Designed by the renowned Italian architect and creative director Piero Lissoni, the Sumo collection of furnishings are characterised by their minimalist structures and slender silhouettes—a hallmark of the brand’s chic sophistication. The furnishings will also display the brand’s extensive material and upholstery options, which include soft leathers, refined fabrics, and a varied mix of different wood and marbles. Besides the new collection, the original Sumo lenticular sofa designed by Lissoni in 2020 will be showcased at the Supersalone fair. 

Living Divani is located in Singapore and Malaysia at Space Furniture, 77 Bencoolen Street, Tel: 6415 0000; spacefurniture.com.sg

See also: Living Divani CEO Carola Bestetti on Building a Successful Italian Furniture Brand

Add warmth and style to your abode with the latest collections by Italian furniture manufacturer Lema, designed by Italian architects Gabriele and Oscar Buratti. The MyNight bed is a contemporary addition to any bedroom with its sleek floating structure that supports a plush mattress. The Buratti brothers have also married form and function with Florens, a group of furniture with extensive storage capacity that encompasses drawers, floor-standing bedside tables, and drawer dressers. Another elegant piece is the Buratti brothers’ Ortis collection of tables, which are distinguished by the refined structure of metal tubes anchored to semi-circular plates at the base, combined with an oval top. The collection is available for viewing at Fuorisalone during Milan Design Week. 

Lema is available at W. Atelier in Singapore; watelier.com

For this year’s Supersalone fair, Lema has also created a special edition of the Ombra chair and armchair. Originally designed by Piero Lissoni, who has also served as the art director of Lema since 1994, the contemporary refresh materialises in the form of a bold, red-painted frame as well as a leather shell in the same colour. Another Lissoni design, the classically elegant Sesto table which features a rectangular top and double trestle base, will be displayed alongside the special Ombra chairs as part of a wall-mounted installation.

Lema is located in Singapore at W. Atelier, 201 Henderson Road #03-01, Tel: 6270 8828; watelier.com

Made up of poufs and accent tables, the new Quattro collection by Italian manufacturer Frag is equal parts playful and sophisticated. Designed by Italian-Japanese studio Mist-o, the range of furnishings are all represented by curved metal tubing at the base. Highlighting Frag’s ability to mix and work with different materials and coverings, the Quattro poufs feature an inviting padded multi-layer seat that can be upholstered in leather or fabric. The soft padded seats are designed to appear as if they are floating atop the curving tubular base. To complement the poufs, the design studio also created the Quattro accent tables; the slender structures feature the metal base supporting a simple and elegant top that’s crafted from either marble or metal.

Frag is located in Singapore at P5 Studio, 213 Henderson Road #01-08 Henderson Industrial Park, Tel: 6771 9500; p5studio.com.sg

This striking kitchen concept is certainly not for the minimalist. Go bold and bright with this vibrant collaboration between Italian kitchen brand Officine Gullo and shoe label Aquazzura. Both proudly made in Florence, Italy, this stylish team-up sees hand-painted wallpaper with floral motifs from the Aquazzura Casa collection paired with the striking turquoise Officine Gullo kitchen appliances. A full set in turquoise has been installed at Aquazzura founder Edgardo Osorio’s Venetian apartment pictured above; the professional range cookers in other sprightly colours will also make their debut at the Supersalone fair.

officinegullo.com

Brighten your abode and infuse a warm glow to your interiors with Japanese lighting brand Ambientec’s new reissue of the Samba-M lamp. Originally designed by Shiro Kuramata, a Memphis Group designer who's widely recognised as one of Japan's most important designers of the 20th century, the goblet-like lamp has been given a new lease of life with integrated LED technology. Ambientec, drawing on their expertise in creating stylish portable lamps with advanced technological skill, has crafted the lamp out of thin, double-layered glass that lights up in shades of red at the softest touch.

ambientec.co.jp