Salone del Mobile.Milano 2024: marble furnishings and accessories
Newform, Ionika
As the featured material in the latest edition of the event, marble acquires a versatile and contemporary allure with innovative technological solutions
Having abandoned a rather retro classicism and ostentatious elegance, marble today appears in a completely new guise. Thanks to processes drawing on the most innovative techniques and original combinations, marble made a fine show at the Salone del Mobile.Milano 2024, achieving a new image, rich in the ancestral charm of a material that comes from the Earth, but which finds new contemporary, eclectic and sometimes surprising solutions through the creativity of designers.
Essential functionality, a minimalist aesthetic and a precise graphic identity are the outstanding features of the Card bookcase from Molteni&C, designed by Michael Anastassiades. Available in black oak, a self-supporting structure holds up a technological envelope with satin brass joints and Sahara noir marble shelving that contrasts with natural wood with a striking effect.
The combination of satin-finish stainless steel, polished stainless steel and RAL painted metal shelves identify the set of Basilet low tables and poufs presented in the Nomad Collection designed by Alessandro La Spada for Visionnaire. The structure comprises three elements of different heights, apparently independent but actually connected by the marble top belonging to the same slab.
The square volumes of celebrated buildings resting on slender pilotis are reinterpreted to characterize the storage units, benches, coffee tables, consoles and tables in the Superquadra odi Minotti family, designed by the Brazilian architect Marcio Kogan / studio mk27. They recall the pilot urban project by Lùcio Costa and Oscar Niemeyer devised in 1956 for a residential district of Brasilia presented in basic housing modules. The restrained design is enlivened by a combination of quality materials - marble, wood, fabric and leather - used for the tops and seats, with enhancing the tactile qualities of the materials.
Molteni, Card, designed by Michael Anastassiades
Visionnaire, Basilet, Nomad collection, designed by Alessandro La Spada
Minotti, Superquadra, designed by Marcio Kogan / studio mk27
Lago, Alberoni, Venezia collection, designed by Monica Armani
Laurameroni, Rialto
Laurameroni, Rialto
Désireé, Dorvan, Outdoor collection, designed by Matteo Thun & Antonio Rodriguez
Antoniolupi, Cartesio
Newform, Ionika
MOMA Design, Excellent
Devon&Devon, Liberty Vanity Unit
A different but equally fascinating appeal appears in the Alberoni family of tables – named after the Venetian beach of the same name – in the Venezia collection by Monica Armani for Lago. The archetype of the round table resting on a central support is revisited in the volumes; the cylindrical bases are enlivened by sculpting a pattern in hollow relief. Finally, Lago colour enhances these objects together with the many materials used for the tops, ranging from marble and wood to ceramics and lacquered glass.
Surprisingly, travertine comes into play in the upholstered armchairs and sofas in the Rialto collection from Laurameroni, with decidedly generous seats resting on three sturdy legs. Even before the body, the gaze perceives the contrast between the welcoming softness of the curves and the stand-out feature of the legs, making these an eye-catching feature of any interior.
The Dorvan coffee table designed by Matteo Thun & Antonio Rodriguez for Désirée was created with an outdoor soul, but is also perfect for interiors. Starting from the soft and rounded lines typical of Dorvan, they come in three sizes, suitable for both indoor and outdoor sheltered spaces. The curved base is in solid natural or charcoal-stained iroko, while the top is available in three matt marble variants: Carrara white, Marquina black or Silver Roots grey.
Cartesio is the new modular system of furnishings (seats and backrests) from Antoniolupi, to be combined in different positions and sizes to create personalized compositions in the bathroom space. The system enables the washbasin to be mounted on the countertop, adding a distinctive design feature, creating a contemporary and sophisticated atmosphere. With its elevated position and elegant form, the washbasin becomes the focus of the bathroom, adding a touch of character and personality to the room.
The strong identity of marble’s past meets the refined luxury of the present in the skilful intuition of the architect Alessandra Bertini, the mind and an active part of the Ionika project from Newform. Handles, diverters and decorations are dressed in the new material, marble, which now emerges in the Newform materials library in Ionika Allure, while Ionika Supreme is presented as the dark-suited version of the collection, the dark character of a bespoke furnishing with an extraordinary visual impact.
The Excellent bathroom furnishings from MOMA Design consist of a marble supporting structure with wooden or glass storage elements, and can be combined with marble or glass countertop washbasins.
Finally, Devon&Devon presents the Liberty Washbasin Unit with a lacquered wooden body in Deep Black, Pure White, Cream and Warm Grey, supporting top, front and backsplash in marble or Absolute Black granite, with two white ceramic washbasins built into it.
