Green is the new black

Text by

Cesar - Photo Andrea Ferrari

Green erupted into design, bringing with it that feeling of reassurance that we’ve all yearned for, and a symbol of our desire of connection with health, nature and other people.

With all due respect to the Pantone Color Institute, this year the role of protagonist – not just in furnishing and design but in a number of different contexts, from technology to politics – is being taken up by green. First of all, it’s the most common colour in nature, which is why the human eye literally perceives green more than any other colour. Right in the middle of the colour spectrum, between the poise of blue and the energy of yellow, it’s fair to say that green is the great harmoniser. Often described as a relaxing colour, it has a physiological effect on the nervous system, making us breathe slowly and helping the heart to relax and recharge, channelling that feeling of equilibrium, serenity and positive energy that we feel when we are surrounded by it. It also boosts reflection and creativity and puts us in a good mood.

In all cultures, green symbolises the desire to start again, to change direction, stay strong – it represents life that goes on, grows and is renewed; it expresses power, tenacity, perseverance and stability. It is the colour of those who believe in themselves and in their own potential.

It’s hardly surprising, therefore, that furnishing producers have channelled it for all their latest collections. None of its thirty-six shades seem to have been neglected – from the brightest, such as Lime and Spring Green, to more delicate ones such as Celadon and Moss Green; the boldest ones, such as British Racing Green and Myrtle to burnt colours such as Olive Green and the more mineral ones such as Verdigris and Alpine Green.

This colour is an excellent choice for walls and floors, because it brightens up spaces, making them look bigger and refreshed. Laminam has taken this on board, with a bold and unconventional surface covering: Verderame from the Ossido collection reproduces the oxidising process in brass and metal sheets, making for a strong, rich colour that simulates the effects of atmospheric agents on the material. In this case, interior lighting has a fundamental role to play by setting up intriguing and constantly-changing reflections.

Verderame, Laminam — *Verderame*, Laminam - Photo by ModoFotografia

Golran, on the other hand, has extended a metaphorical invitation to walk barefoot in the garden with its Garden of Eden rugs by India Mahdavi. March, with its pattern of regular leaves gradually overlapping towards the centre, seems to move with the wind, showing off all the Springtime shades: Grass Green, British Racing Green, Olive Green, Jade Green and Moss Green.

March, Golran — *March*, design India Mahdavi, Golran - Photo by Daniele De Carolis

Yuri Himuro has gone for Forest Green in Cultivate for cc-tapis. It is a totally customisable rug crafted from wool, made in India and created using the new jacquard Snip Snap textile weaving technique, its design only becoming apparent when the woven threads are snipped, revealing a double structure within the fabric.

Cultivate, cc-tapis — *Cultivate*, design Yuri Himuro, cc-tapis - ©Dario Salamone

The fact that green instils trust and serenity, puts people at their ease, and encourages them to open up to each other, makes it the ideal shade for living rooms. Roche Bobois along with Joana Vasconcelos has chosen the boldest, freshest and most acidic tones for one of the sofas in the Bombom collection, created to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the brand - upholstered pieces in fluid, organic shapes that can be put together as desired, rounding each other off, for a shot of optimism and a burst of energy that is hard to miss.

Bombom, Roche Bobois — *Bombom*, design Joana Vasconcelos, Roche Bobois

Draga&Aurel’s nubuck leather Brigitte sofa for Baxter achieves a different result, despite its rounded and harmonious shapes. Lagoon, a borderline shade of green and blue, serves to bring out its contemporary, beguiling comfort.

Brigitte, Baxter — *Brigitte*, design Draga&Aurel, Baxter - Photo by Andrea Ferrari

Bright Emerald Green marks out the “feathers” of the Pavone capsule collection, born of the collaboration between artist and designer Marc Ange and Visionnaire, and inspired by the ancient bestiaries and the fragile, seductive beauty of the peacock, from which it takes its name. The Pavone throne is a stand-alone piece, a ceremonial chair that explores the concept of seduction without compromise, while the armchairs represent a “ready-made” version.

Pavone, Visionnaire — *Pavone*, design Marc Ange, Visionnaire

Blurring the lines between past, present and future, the Pacha Lounge Chair from Gubi marries a classical spirit with an extremely contemporary design. Ergonomic and comfortable, it was created in 1975 by the designer Pierre Paulin and has now been revisited by Gubi. The Olive Green velvet fabric is an evocative dark yellowy-green shade that bestows liveliness and cheer on any space.

Pacha Lounge Chair, Gubi — *Pacha Lounge* *Chair*, design Pierre Paulin, Gubi

Minotti’s Daiki chairs, born of the passion of Marcio Kogan and his studio, mk27 design for the Japanese culture, are clad in Mint Green and are suitable for outdoor use in spaces conceived and treated as extensions of indoor living rooms. Their design explores and reinterprets the Mid-Century American atmospheres, giving new life to contemporary outdoor furnishing style, with their bold, clean lines, the sophisticated crafting of the teak and their balanced proportions.

Daiki Outdoor Armchairs, Minotti — *Daiki Outdoor* Armchairs, design Marcio Kogan/studio mk27 design, Minotti

Tavoli e tavolini sono anch’essi protagonisti della zona living e delle sale da pranzo: optare per una sfumatura di verde, qui, significa risvegliare la voglia di stare insieme ma anche l’appetito! Forse per questo Michael Anastassiades sceglie il marmo verde Alpi per la sua prima collezione di tavoli realizzata per Molteni&C? Half a Square è un progetto fortemente minimalista nel disegno ma ricco nei materiali utilizzati, dove la formazione ingegneristica del designer prende quasi il sopravvento per regalarci un oggetto unico e intrigante.

Half a square, Molteni&C — *Half a square*, design Michael Anastassiades, Molteni&C

Sceglie lo stesso marmo anche Massimo Castagna per il nuovo Zen Black di Gallotti&Radice, tavolo rigorosamente tondo, frutto di una ricerca stilistica che coinvolge forme e materiali e la cui particolarità del design rende l’effetto finale di forte impatto visivo.

Zen Black, Gallotti&Radice — *Zen Black,* design Massimo Castagna, Gallotti&Radice

In casa Fendi, la cromia naturale per eccellenza rappresenta un tocco di modernità intensa e di glamour. Di lei si vestono i Boogie Coffee e Side Tables con vetro retro verniciato nella tonalità tea green − la stessa della linea di coffee table e side table Prisme Color − e l’onnipresente marmo verde alpi che ritroviamo anche nei coffee table Anya Lite che si arricchiscono della sfumatura forest green. Insomma, un tripudio di verdi in blocchi di colore puro e dominante.

Margaret, Prisme Color, Anya Lite, Fendi Casa — Poltrona *Margaret*, tavolini *Prisme Color,* tavolino Anya Lite, Fendi Casa

Il verde appare versatile e sofisticato anche nei sistemi giorno di contenitori. Ne è un esempio Modern di Piero Lissoni per Porro: una ricerca che si concentra sul concetto del “tutto pieno” per dare vita a intere pareti attrezzate in melamminico black sugi che, all’occorrenza, si aprono svelando nicchie segrete verniciate nella delicata colorazione verde salvia e si abbinano a pedane in marmo verde rameggiato.

Modern, Porro — *Modern*, design Piero Lissoni, Porro

Anche la rigorosa purezza geometrica della madia Florens, disegnata da Oscar e Gabriele Buratti per Lema, sceglie una sfumatura naturale, quella dell’aneto, per i suoi generosi volumi compatti. La forma monolitica del solido puro e l’assoluta pulizia grafica svelano la forte personalità dell’arredo mitigata solo dalla delicata nuance vegetale.

Florens, Lema — *Florens*, design Oscar e Gabriele Buratti, Lema

Nella sala da bagno, il verde dà vita ad ambienti rilassanti e cocoon. Lo intuisce bene Agape, che propone la vasca free-standing In-Out di Benedini Associati, dalla suggestiva forma rotonda, in marmo verde alpi: un design in equilibrio tra bellezza e funzione, con una forte componente emotiva.

In-Out, Agape — *In-Out*, design Benedini Associati, Agape

Infine, chi volesse inserire in casa questa nuance, che restituisce un senso di bellezza e riconnette alla natura, non deve per forza cambiare l’arredo: può, semplicemente, puntare sul complemento. JCP Universe propone, ad esempio, Glacoja, vaso e centrotavola che sembrano scavati direttamente nel cuore di un ghiacciaio. Si tratta di pezzi unici scolpiti in blocchi di plexiglass, tra tecnologia e artigianato.‎

Glacoja, JCP Universe — *Glacoja*, JCP Universe

FOS Ceramiche presenta, invece, la collezione Porifera: vasi, ciotole ed elementi modulari da appoggio e da parete, la cui texture, ispirata ai coralli, celebra il fondale oceanico, sorprendente per le forme esotiche delle sue creature. Le superfici irregolari e l’uso di ossidi metallici creano combinazioni cromatiche di verdi lievi ed evanescenti sempre nuove, rendendo ogni oggetto un pezzo unico.