DANZER BLOG

We were in Milan, at the Salone Del Mobile fair. Every year this gigantic, wild, larger-than-life, loud and lovable design festival brings the global interiors community from all over the world to Milan. Effortlessly and playfully, the Salone combines volume and quality, luxury and sass, business and art, organization and chaos. It is the only furniture show we know that demands such a huge amount of energy from every single participant, yet somehow manages to give even more back.

Danzer certainly made its mark in Milan (see below). And we also took plenty of good things away with us.

Optimism and self-confidence
The positive attitude shared by everyone at Salone Del Milano is inspiring and infectious – everyone puts in a lot of hard work before the show and has high hopes. There is a sense in the air of just how powerful shared achievements can be as a source of motivation. If you offer a lot, you can ask for a lot in return. Confidence breeds confidence!

Top marks for attitude: professional and unstuffy
All of the incredible art installations and cultural events at the Salone provide a constant reminder that this event is all about business. Participants are highly focused and well-prepared. But at the same time, an open, friendly and fun atmosphere prevails. One that gives rise to the kind of ideas that would not be possible anywhere else.

Participants are contributors
Visitors to Salone Del Milano are not passive consumers – in fact, they are a key component in a total work of art. You don’t simply visit Salone, you stage an appearance. No other furniture show provides such a platform for remarkable get-ups, incredible outfits and statement spectacles. Underneath these consciously and carefully-crafted outward appearances is a serious interest in new and attractive design, as well as an unmistakable sense of enjoyment in catching up with friends and acquaintances, and being part of something.

Improvisation, not oversight
Yes, we are in Italy. And this means a certain lack of organization, a dash of chaos and mild gridlock. The best way to counter this is with equanimity, a glass of Negroni and an improvisational mindset. The kind of improvisation that is executed with élan, rather than cobbled together, we might add. Ultimately, perfection is not the be-all and end-all.

The right setting goes a long way
It is spring. So Salone visitors are enjoying the sun and fresh air in the outdoor spaces between the exhibition halls. The caterers are conjuring up the kind of food that has everyone coming back for more: fresh, full of variety and surprisingly healthy. The crew members are friendly, crack jokes and sing away to themselves. Countless voices blend into one. The melodic romance of Italian rises and falls with languages from every corner of the design world. The energy is contagious, and anyone looking for more makes a beeline for the city center.

Danzer discoveries and the impressions we left behind
One new arrival that caught our eye – and that of many of others in Milan – was the new WOODY chair family that Philippe Starck designed for Kartell. A manufacturer that had channeled all of its energy into using plastic has found a fresh source of inspiration in the world’s oldest construction material – charming, fun and lots of wood.

Design gem and star designer

MÁNI, a new moon in a firmament of chairs. Design duo Welling/Ludvik presented MÁNI wood this year as a series production piece, having debuted a prototype of the chair back in 2017. We hope that MÁNI wood – which takes its name from the Icelandic world for moon – continues to shine for a long time to come!

MÁNI wood, an Italo-Danish-Icelandic co-production with input from Kesselsdorf

Denmark’s Henrik Marstrand has brought a breath of fresh air into the furniture world with mater design. And the design for his booth was also refreshingly unorthodox. Henrik explains the process behind making his furniture through the special materials that he uses. Such as 3D-Veneer BASIC for NOVA Chair by arde.

Henrik Marstrand strikes out in a completely new direction with NOVA

At Crassevig the new BERET bar stool (designed by Samuel Wilkinson) is turning heads with a pared-down design approach. Made using 3D-Veneer, the restrained curves of the seat base add to a pleasurable seating experience.

BERET bar stool at the Crassevig booth

Italy, the third! Anyone who made it into the center of Milan and furniture institution Cassina’s showrooms will have been greeted by a familiar face: designed around 91 years ago by Gerrit Rietveld, Beugel Stoel is back making people sit up and take notice. Our congratulations on a successful comeback!

Beugel Stoel by Cassina

And once again, because it really is beautiful, a new piece from Italian manufacturer Infiniti, a partner with whom we have produced a number of remarkable developments: KRAM is evocative of an open shell.

KRAM and Carolin make a fine pair

And last of all a highlight from the frozen north: for the FRAME Chair, presented at the Norwegian presence/Zona Tortona section of the fair, Stine Aas from combines a solid wood frame with an inviting 3D seat.

Frame Chair, design Stine Aas

Now it’s time to take a seat and say: grazie mille, Milano!
We will be back, there’s no doubt about that!

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