New developments in softness
Patterns, colours, textures and coverings from the soft world of upholstery
The world of upholstered furniture is one of the most magical areas of design, with the most extravagant shapes and brightest colours combining to form delicate clouds to cradle our well-deserved moments of relaxation and more. Contemporary living is a place for sharing, entertainment, play and sometimes even work. The sofa remains the undisputed star of our rooms, a visual centrepiece of this space, a catalyst for all mingling, whether it’s spending an evening with family, friends or just kicking back in peaceful solitude. A whole constellation of smaller satellite furnishings has developed around the sofa, transforming and adapting the living room to every moment of the day, spanning a plethora of needs: ottomans, armchairs, modular systems and chaise longues are all just waiting to be discovered.
The most innovative project Baxter (Pav 02, C 27) brings to the Fair this year is designed by Christophe Delcourt: the Clara modular sofa, made from organic elements that may be combined to create customized compositions. The seating emerges from the coming together of solids and hollows, in assemblages spawned by concave and convex curves. Alongside Clara, Delcourt also designed Beki, a line of ottomans that recalls the shape of pebbles, rendering these “decomposed compositions” even more fun, informal and infused with the personality of whoever brings them into their home environment.
Baxter, Clara sofa, design by Christophe Delcourt
Designed by David/Nicolas and made by Tacchini (Pav 02, L 19), the Victoria modular system is a collection of armchairs, corner pieces, chaise longues and ottomans whose hallmark is regal comfort. A tubular metal supporting structure – available in polished chrome, matte black chrome and black paint – forms the base of the product, making it look like it’s floating, with a sort of crown at the rear. The line is rounded off by a series of coffee tables with mirrored tops, which combine with the other elements to create infinite furnishing compositions. Thanks to its modular nature, Victoria can be combined and reconfigured at will for the space in which it is located, making it particularly well-suited for use in the contract sector.
Tacchini, Victoria sofas and armchairs, design by David/Nicolas
Ghost goes green is a new installation by Gervasoni (Pav 04, E 01), which in an ironic way presents the latest version of the Ghost collection of upholstered furniture designed by Paola Navone. In its earlier version, the removable cover made it possible to change the sofa by switching covers. Now, the collection is entirely made out of certified materials from renewable sources that are both recycled and recyclable. Gervasoni has focused on the product’s engineering: each object may easily be disassembled for more effective and efficient recycling of its constituent parts; they may also be repaired or replaced with great ease. A collection of photographic images at the Fair shows just how Ghost has evolved, from its mechanical springs to feet made out of recycled material, wood from certified forests, and zippers that, used instead of staples, facilitate disassembly. As if in a declaration of intent, each element is presented in deconstructed form to showcase Gervasoni’s more product-aware approach.
Gervasoni, Ghost Goes Green sofa, design by Paola Navone
Campeggi (Pav 04, N 07), the poster-company of customization and flexible space, brings its Matali Crasset-designed Dynamic Life sofa to “supersalone” 2021. Configurable to cater to its owner’s desires, this shape-shifting sofa is a paean to the active enjoyment of comfort. Its dynamic form – hence the name – is a far cry from the complicated mechanisms that usually turn a sofa into a bed; instead, this item uses a simple gesture to transform the item at a touch of a button into a seat, a chaise longue or double bed.
