Last week, the biggest names in design gathered in Milan to launch new products at installations and exhibitions at Salone del Mobile. Across the city and at the fair, hundreds of new pieces were presented. Here, we select some of our favourites from the brands exhibiting – from sofas by the Italian titans to experimental lighting from indie labels.

The Palm Duet Chair and Ottomon
Raphael Navot for Loro Piana Interiors

Raphael Navot presented his new collections for Loro Piana Interiors inside the courtyard of the brand’s headquarters, against the relaxing backdrop of an undulating sand dune-inspired installation. “During Covid, we learned that we needed our home objects to work while offering comfort. These pieces envelop you through their shape, which follows a very human form,” the designer said.

Pigeon Table
Laila Gohar and Muller Van Severen

Laila Gohar and Muller Van Severen have based this multistorey table on a mutual love for food and entertaining. Their collaborative process saw them share images, drawings and ideas back and forth until the final form came to be. Its structure and colours are typical of the Muller Van Severen aesthetic and are clearly paired with Gohar’s eye for abstraction.

Fold Lighting Collection
Formafantasma for Maison Matisse

The découpages of Henri Matisse influenced this collection of limited-edition lamps by Formafantasma, which are simple in form and colour. Inspired by the artist’s process, the pair used a ruler, scissors and paper to create a series of shapes that would then be enlarged and crafted from metal to create each lighting fixture.

Cobble Side Tables
Faye Toogood

On display alongside Toogood’s Carhartt collaboration, Faye’s ‘Cobble’ tables were one of a number of launches from the studio during this year’s festival. The tables are made from ceramic, and are described by Faye as “no-nonsense objects”. Each is organically shaped and available in four natural tones that stay true to the Toogood pallette.

Stroke Rugs
Sabine Marcelis for CC Tapis

Looking at the house as a blank canvas was the starting point for Sabine Marcelis when designing this collection of rugs for CC Tapis. The Rotterdam-based designer has applied her eye for colour to three rugs, each in different shades and featuring a woven pattern that represents the gestures of drawing or painting.

Neil Chair
Jacob Cohën for MDF Italia

This piece sees an iconic chair by Jean Marie Massaud updated in denim and is the result of a collaboration between MDF Italia and fashion brand Jacob Cohën. The chair’s structure is formed from interlinking metal frames, with the denim providing fabric for its upholstery.

Motif Weavers Leather Collection
Simona Cremascoli for Poltrona Frau

Poltrona Frau epitomises the timeless elegance and quality often associated with Italian design. This year’s collection was full of highlights, from Felipe Pantone’s Archibald armchair update to a new range of outdoor furniture. But it was the smaller details that caught our eye, like the digitally printed multicoloured leather named ‘Motif Weavers’ that features a pattern designed by Simona Cremascoli and recalls the world of weaving, wicker and basketry.

Esosoft Coffee Table
Antonio Citterio for Cassina

The ‘Esosoft’ coffee table forms part of the first collection designed by Antonio Citterio for Cassina. Its fluted glass top comes in yellow, green or amber, while its frame is crafted from polished aluminium or painted matte anthracite colour.

Everyday Life Sofa
Paul Smith for DePadova

At first glance, the Everyday Life sofa wouldn’t necessarily be attributed to the Paul Smith brand, but on closer inspection – its upholstery features a distinctly-PS detail – its seams are joined with contrasting stitching that brings an element of fun to the otherwise simple and refined piece.

To Tie Lamp
Guglielmo Poletti for Flos

For his second collaboration with Flos, Poletti stripped everything back to the bare minimum. No screws, glues or welds were needed, and the lamp is held together through structural tension. 

Its light source is integrated in an anodised aluminium bar that also acts as a handle to lift it up, while its shade is crafted from a clear glass cylinder.

Matrice Bookcase
Dimorestudio for Fendi Casa

This year, Fendi Casa welcomed Salone visitors to its new space on Via Manzoni. Having undergone a total overhaul, the refreshed space was used to present new collections, with its interior design referencing the arches seen in the facade of the brand’s Rome headquarters. A standout piece from the collection was created by Milanese favourites, Dimorestudio, whose Matrice bookcase features painted or paste-dyed glass shelves in a number of colours.

Jello Stool
Marco Campardo

Named after the gelatinous pudding, Bianchessi’s Jello collection has seen him create his own hand-powered rotational casting machine that allows him to experiment with the scale of objects he casts. Each piece is entirely unique, and features unique shapes, curves and wrinkles on its surface.

Le Mura Sofa Reissue
Mario Bellini for Tacchini

Originally designed by Mario Bellini in 1972, Le Mura has been reissued by Tacchini on the occasion of its 50th anniversary. The piece, originally inspired by ancient walls, is modular – allowing the sofa to suit homes of any size. During Milan Design Week, it was used in a number of installations around the city, namely at the “Cinema Tacchini” (pictured), which was imagined by art critic Cristiana Perrella and Formafantasma, who placed it in different compositions around the Spazio Maocchi gallery, with visitors invited to watch a curated cinema programme around the theme of “sitting”.

True Pink Modular Cabinets
USM Haller

USM Haller used an installation in the city’s Brera district to display a new limited edition version of its modular furniture system. Named “True Pink”, the soft hue is intended to bring “joy, optimism and warmth” to the home, and is available in a bar cart, pedestal, television trolley and home office format.

James Coffee Table
Rodolfo Dordoni for Minotti

Minotti and architect Rodolfo Dordoni have been collaborating since 1997. For the brand’s 2022 collection, he has created the “James” coffee table, which is made from mirror-finished polished steel that is intended to give it a sculptural presence. It also means that the piece reflects its surroundings, therefore fits into a multitude of spaces.

2-SS-CT 01 Coffee Table
Sam Stewart for Vero

After successfully launching in April, Italian brand Vero dropped its second collection during Salone, adding a coffee table by US designer Sam Stewart coffee table to its expanding roster. For his design, Stewart has combined steel with wood and rubber, in a bid to make the coffee table appear both modern and “friendly” at the same time.

Shaal Sofa
Doshi Levien for Arper

Along with your bed, your sofa should be the most inviting-looking object in your house. It seems like London studio Doshi Levien got the memo for its new Shaal sofa, designed for Arper, which sees a hard outer structure wrap around its plush cushions, that can be upholstered in either leather or fabric to match its outer panels.

Synapses Table
Massimo Castagna for Henge

Henge launched its new Milan space during Salone del Mobile, which has seen the brand massively expand its square footage. Opening it up to visitors, they presented the new 2022 collection, including the Synapses table designed by Massimo Castagna. The table sees pieces of marble joined together around a discreet black paint steel pipe frame.