Il Salone del Mobile. Milano 2017 Design: Cool outdoor lounges

Over the latest years outdoor furniture has evolved beyond recognition – from cheap and uninspiring to elegant and sophisticated. The latest trends reflect the desire to bring the indoors outside. And when it comes to erasing the line between the two spaces, Spain is home to many world-leading brands.

GANDIA BLASCO, KETTAL, EXPORMIM, POINT and VONDOM are just some of the top brands that have revolutionized the way consumers perceive the outdoor experience and the genre. Not so long ago we used to furnish our garden with dull plastic chairs or loungers; now people want sofas and armchairs in the outdoors that are every bit as elegant and comfortable as the furniture they have in their living rooms.

It’s not surprising in a country whose weather allows people to spend much more time outside than in. But what has driven the sector has been also the need to respond to a new demand from four-and-five star hotels that want to improve the guest experience and offer an immersive stay of unalloyed luxury with stylish furniture by the pools, on the terraces and on the lawns.

EXPORMIM – Hall 5 Stand M12

The Mediterranean flair. With more than 50 years of experience in the outdoor furniture industry, EXPORMIM has consolidated in the market thanks to the continuous improvement of its manufacturing processes that combine high-end technology with the expertise of skilled craftsmen. The impeccable designs of its products make them stand out for elegance, comfort and stylish contemporary aesthetic in outdoors as well as in indoor spaces.

OUT_LINE. Nieves Contreras. EXPORMIM [Photo: Fernando Alda]

LIVIT sofa by Lievore Altherr Molina. A welcoming modular piece with soft cushions supported by a slender high-resistant aluminium frame, which perfectly balances comfort and lightness, LIVIT is the quintessence of timeless Mediterranean elegance. A couch especially designed so everybody can “live it” at ease, thanks to the breadth and carefully studied slanted arms.

LIVIT sofa. Lievore Altherr Molana. EXPORMIM

Since its launch at the Salone 2016, the collection has incorporated new elements that improve its modularity and versatility. Customizable features have been improved as well through a wide choice of technical fabrics completely suitable for outdoor use. Removable upholstery cover.

TWINS loveseat by MUT Design. The TWINS family grows this year with the addition of a coquettish two-seater sofa, a loveseat to be more precise. Just like the two other original armchairs of the collection, the loveseat looks casual yet elegant, extremely contemporary and exquisitely finished. Because of its compactness and small scale, it is perfect for reduced spaces or cozy environments.

TWINS loveseat. MUT Design. EXPORMIM

With a structure made of high resistant aluminium tubes, it is offered in two different upholsteries: Batyline® Senso and the 3D Mesh OMEGA™ for outdoor use, which has been specifically developed by Danish company Gabriel for EXPORMIM.

3D OMEGA technological fabrics, durable & weather-resistant

The collection is also complemented by a fourth element: the new footstool, which is possible to combine with the armchairs and the sofa for ultimate comfort.

The TWINS stool, the last addition to the family…

GANDIA BLASCO – Hall 20 Stand B01-C06

Essentially Mediterranean. Set up in 1941 as a family business specialized in the production of blankets, in the mid-1980s, GANDIA BLASCO made a product shift towards innovative, well-designed home textiles and furniture. The current ‘An Odyssey’ catalogue represents the return home after a long journey, the return to the origins of the brand, to the pure design essence and passion for living the outdoor life which is the DNA of GANDIA BLASCO. In 2017, the voyage continues with the newly-launched catalogue ….

SALER SOFT outdoor collection. José A. Gandía Blasco. GANDIA BLASCO

BLAU collection by Fran Silvestre. Expressing a sense of harmony and timeless beauty, the BLAU collection imbues traditional outdoor furniture with a new architectonic concept that connects furniture directly with Mediterranean architecture and lifestyle.

BLAU outdoor collection. Fran Silvestre Architects. GANDIA BLASCO

This innovative outdoor furniture system, made of powder-coated aluminum and powder-coated micro-perforated aluminum sheet, employs a simple joint that makes for a seamless aesthetic. As a result, the pieces of this collection resemble nothing more than thin sheets of white paper, folded by the wind and framed by their clean lines.

BLAU, for dining & lounging in the outdoors

BLAU includes armchairs, sofas, chairs, loungers, stools, foot-rests, tables and a light fixture shaped like a minimalist leafless tree.

SALER SOFT by José Gandía-Blasco. A new version of the iconic SALER collection, designed back in 2008 by José Gandía-Blasco, SALER SOFT offers greater comfort and a more natural appeal thanks to the introduction of the hard-wearing teak finish.

SALER SOFT outdoor collection. José A. Gandía Blasco. GANDIA BLASCO

The mattresses and the cushions are filled with a polyurethane foam rubber and upholstered using a resistant marine-grade fabric which has been softened for greater comfort. The curved forms of the finishes also help soften the rectilinear lines of the anodized or powder-coated aluminium structure lending the collection a more laid-back feel.

SALER SOFT daybed. José A. Gandía Blasco. GANDIA BLASCO

SALER SOFT is made up of several pieces which can be mixed and matched to configure individual exterior spaces: lounger and side table, sofa, easy chairs, pouf, modular sofa, low table, auxiliary table, high table, bench, stool and bar table.

Among the new products for 2017 is also included the outdoor DNA collection designed by José A. Gandía-Blasco, that is now expanded to include stools, bar tables and plant holders.

KETTAL – Hall 20 Stand E24

The luxury outdoor experience. A family-owned furniture manufacturer based in Spain, KETTAL produces high-end outdoor furniture which is timeless, elegant, environment-friendly and looks great in indoors too. Designed by some of the biggest names of the international design scene, KETTAL’s furniture represents the contemporary culture and provides solutions to the emerging needs of modern life. Their outdoor range is made from natural materials that are weather resistant and that are incredibly stylish too.

KETTAL CALA chairs, KETTAL BOMA sofa & KETTAL MESH table

KETTAL CALA by Doshi Levien. With its stenographic presence, CALA is a high-backed chair inspired by the iconic Emanuelle. It features a powder-coated aluminum frame knitted with rope. The open wave provides the chair with visual privacy while allowing a firm connection with the surroundings.

KETTAL CALA chair & KETTAL CALA side table. Doshi Levien

The wide selection of metal coatings, rope colours and cushion fabrics offers many possibilities to tailor it for different interior projects. Legs come in two options: teak legs or aluminium pedestal. CALA can be used both for outdoor dining and as a lounge chair.

A new side table with lacquered aluminium based and a rounded top made of A-grade teak or marble is also available to complement outdoor lounges and bring colour and style.

KETTAL MESH sun lounger by Patricia Urquiola. The KETTAL MESH collection, which includes sofas, armchairs and small tables for outdoor lounges, has been extended to include a new deck chair made of teak with adjustable backrests.

KETTAL MESH sun-lounger. Patricia Urquiola

The cushion fabrics are from the TERRAIN outdoor fabrics collection by Doshi Levien, and the decorative cushions from the GEOMETRICS range.

KETTAL ROLL by Patricia Urquiola. Main elements of this chair: the cushions. Patricia Urquiola does away with the typical design of upholstered chairs and converts a conventional backrest into two independent roll cushions fastened to the structure by colourful fabric straps.

KETTAL ROLL chair & KETTAL MESH outdoor sofa and coffee table. Patricia URQUIOLA

A powered-coated aluminum frame supports the seat and back cushions, which are available in a range of bright colours that can contrast with the straps.

KETTAL GEOMETRICS FABRICS by Doshi Levien. The collection consists of a range of jacquard fabrics with five geometric patterns in bold colours designed to match the materials, textures and discreet shades of all Kettal collections.

POINT – Hall 6 Stand A27

Paying homage to outdoor life. Led by the 3^rd generation and with nearly 100 years of experience, the Valencia-based company has become a world leader in the manufacture of outdoor furniture and a pioneer in the use of braided fibre materials. The main key to their success lies in the perfect combination of design, tradition and innovation.

ROUND outdoor furniture collection. Francesc Rifé. POINT

PAL outdoor collection by Francesc Rifé. A modular system made of a solid teak platform that supports upholstered modular elements. This collection allows for endless compositions that make it possible to configure the most relaxing spots in the outdoors.

PAL outdoor furniture collection. Francesc Rifé. POINT

WEAVE outdoor collection by Vicent Martínez. The armchairs, sofas, modular elements and auxiliary tables of this collection have been specifically designed to configure highly comfortable relaxing spaces in gardens and terraces. Lacquered with epoxy paint, the structure is made of tubes and profiles of curved and welded aluminum. The backs and sides are woven and covered with textured polyester cord of special cut fiber for exteriors. Seats and backrests come with upholstered cushions.

WEAVE outdoor furniture collection. Vicent Martínez. POINT

TUB outdoor collection by Gabriel Teixidó. Made of aluminium, the chairs, armchairs, sofas and coffee and side tables of this lounge collection feature a subtle combination of straight and curved lines. Light in appearance, it stands out for the great resistance to hard weather conditions.

TUB outdoor furniture collection. Gabriel Teixidó. POINT

FENNEC outdoor collection by Gabriel Teixidó. This collection is the result of a smart combination of design, comfort and functionality. Made of the exclusive Point’s Shintotex® fibres, which are weather-resistant and incredibly durable, it includes tables, chairs, sofas and armchairs.

FENNEC outdoor dining set. Gabriel Teixidó. POINT

VONDOM – Hall 10 Stand D31

A spirit of vanguard. That’s VONDOM, a leading company in the design and production of indoor and outdoor furniture. The key to their spectacular success is based on the design culture that inspires the company to create new collections that provide spaces with unconventional new dimensions. VONDOM’s products transform the simplest spaces into charming atmospheres filled with glamour, design and extraordinary appeal.

FAZ outdoor furniture collection. Ramón Esteve. VONDOM

KES chair by Gabriele & Oscar Buratti. A new item of the KES collection, the KES chair is a cute, timeless and comfortable chair with an essential yet refined design, radical in its simplicity. Lightweight and stackable, with armrest and armless, it is available finished in matt colours.

KES chairs. Gabriele & Oscar Buratti. VONDOM

Designed for indoors and outdoors, KES is suitable for both residential and commercial use.

SPRITZ armchair by Archirivolto Design. This comfortable and stackable chair is a new addition and a complement to the SPRITZ collection that is made up of chairs, stools and high tables. Inspired by the organic shapes of shells, it follows the rules of the best Italian design: proportions, simplicity and harmony.

SPRITZ armchairs. Archirivolto Design. VONDOM

FAZ planter by Ramón Esteve. In FAZ cubes and parallelepipeds fragment creating multi-faceted volumes.The result is a set of three different planters whose faceted sides are complementary so that they can be put together to create groups and rows of flowerpots.

FAZ planters. Ramón Esteve. VONDOM

This feature makes them versatile objects that can work perfectly in any space and also as dividing elements.

ULM lamp by Ramón Esteve. A new member of the ULM family, this amazing lamp is a subtle reinterpretation of the traditional lamp with fabric lampshade.

ULM outdoor lighting collection. Ramón Esteve. VONDOM

In perfect harmony with the style of the collection, it features a simple yet figurative volume that provokes a strong emotional connection between the object and its user.

It shares with the other items of the collection a rational approach to volumes that eliminates any redundant element to focus on essentiality.

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