We Italians retain a taste, that permeates every creative area, very close to tradition and an heritage so dear to us. But times change, and the economic crisis in addition to the obvious issues, brought with it some plusses: first of all an openness to the essential, a new taste in design where decor and ostentation are outdated concepts, in favour of effective usability, functionality and a look where the form is not contaminated by useless accessories. For this reason, we have seen it well at Salone del Mobile this year, we fell in love of of our Northern European colleagues’ design. A new aesthetic proposed by young designers, all under 30, which has little to do with minimalism, because it has nothing to do with removing everything at any cost. What you need is indeed there, as well as that personal touch that reminds us that you have to live and interact, and therefore create an emotional relationship, with furnitures. So a bench with the slightest structure, thanks to simple moving of the pillows, stackable in different configurations, takes on different looks and uses, in a mutual exchange with the user. The material of choice is of course wood, which in addition to its aesthetic qualities also brings with it the fundamental aspect of tactile interaction: this way are built apparently simple chairs, but where the detail conceal a meticulous angular study, for a harmonic but discreet final effect. There is also the interpretation of archetypal forms, which thanks to a simple curvature, as in a ladder rungs, retain their function but radically change the perception that we have of them. Everyday objects on which reflect, imagining unexpected uses: spherical mirrors are plated with copper, chrome and nickel, turning them from simple surfaces to reflective object. And for those who still think that the Nordic design is all white, color plays a starring role: it changes with the light setting, adjustable thanks to the infinite possibilities of movement of a clip-on lamp, adaptable to any surface, or even becomes object of study, in a container of notes which becomes, turning the lid, a chromatic scale.
