Salone Del Mobile.Milano 2015: Furnishing, Lighting and Workspace Excellence

The 54th edition of the Salone del Mobile will fling open its doors from 

Tuesday 14th to Sunday 19th April, at the Rho Milan Fairgrounds. 

Quality and innovation, along with major collateral events and a comprehensive, wide range of goods are the ingredients that make the Salone such an unmissable event.

With over 2,000 exhibitors, more than 200,000 m2 of exhibition space and thousands of products making their market debut, the Salone del Mobile is the acknowledged sectoral international benchmark event year after year, attracting more than 300,000 visitors from over 160 countries.

The Salone is open to operators each day from 9.30am to 6.30pm, and also open to the general public on the Saturday and Sunday.

The Salone Internazionale del Mobile, split into three style categories: 
Classic, Modern and Design, the International Furnishing Accessories Exhibition and SaloneSatellite, will be flanked by the biennial Euroluce / International Lighting Exhibition in Pavilions 9-11 and 13-15 and Workplace3.0/SaloneUfficio, dedicated to the workspace, in Pavilions 22- 24.

Euroluce, the exhibition devoted to excellence in the lighting world, will showcase the very latest in outdoor, indoor, industrial, event/show, special use and hospital lighting solutions, lighting systems, light sources and illumination technology software and consulting. To mark the 2015 International Year of Light proclaimed by UNESCO, architect Attilio Stocchi has conceived "FAVILLA. To every light a voice" for the city of Milan - an installation/event telling the story of and exploring the essence of light.

Workplace3.0 is an exhibition with an innovative concept, devoted to design and technology for planning the workspace in the round. Workplace3.0 will bring together the top proposals from the furnishing world for office, banks, insurance offices, post offices and other public spaces, seating for offices and public spaces, acoustics, flooring and coverings, lighting and office accessories as well as audio-video technologies and communication.

"The Walk", a huge installation on exhibit inside the Workplace3.0 pavilions, was conceived by internationally renowned Italian architect Michele De Lucchi as an area for showcasing ideas and design triggers for planning workspaces in their many different contemporary interpretations. New activities and working modes generate new workspaces and new design requisites for "inhabiting them", with offices increasingly becoming a hub for social interface, meetings and living side by side.

Another event - IN ITALY - created by the architectural practice Four in the Morning to a design by architect Dario Curatolo, will feature 64 Italian manufacturers and a select group of designers, planners and architects, who will tackle the theme of products, design and planning. The firms involved will be presented innovatively through the medium of film, with the curator taking the audience through a virtual exploration of Italian know- how and uniqueness and the production processes behind each object. The film will become an installation, which in turn will become an App used to explore five apartments - in Lecce, Milan, Rome, Venice and the Sienese hillside - done up in five completely different styles.

SaloneSatellite will be back in Pavilions 22 and 24 - the same as Workplace3.0 - with free public entry from Cargo 5. Now in its 18th edition, the exhibition is dedicated to the theme "Life Planet", dovetailing with that of EXPO 2015: Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life. SaloneSatellite is an unrivalled meeting point for 700 young designers selected from all over the world, businessmen, architects, interior designers and the press. The exhibition showcases the work of designers under 35, and offers them a chance to be selected for the 6th annual edition of the SaloneSatellite Award for the 3 best prototypes on exhibit, relating to the product categories on show.

The Salone del Mobile can be followed on the social networks and through its website and the online magazine (www.salonemilano.it), its official Facebook and Twitter pages, a dedicated YouTube channel, Flickr gallery and profiles on LinkedIn and Pinterest.

The official hashtags for the 2015 edition on Twitter @iSaloniofficial are:
#iSaloni | #Euroluce | #Workplace | #SaloneUfficio | #SaloneSatellite

For the second year running, the Salone is renewing its ties with the Municipality of Milan, Councillor for Employment, Economic Development, University and Research, Cristina Tajani, and the city's design schools, which led to the setting up of the Welcome Project at the 2014 edition. Salone del Mobile information points at various focal points around the city will be manned by 100 students, on hand to provide visitors with information on how to negotiate the city, on the trade fair itself and the palimpsest of events in Milan organised by the Department.

The Salone del Mobile is also one of the supporters of the exhibition "LEONARDO 1452- 1519" - the greatest Leonardo da Vinci exhibition ever held in Italy - which will launch on 15th April 2015 at Milan's Palazzo Reale, just after the Salone opens. Promoted by the Municipality of Milan, the project was conceived and carried out within the framework of a partnership between Palazzo Reale and Skira going back over more than 15 years, and curated by Pietro C. Marani and Maria Teresa Fiorio - both prominent Renaissance art historians.

For the third year running, an agreement between the Salone del Mobile, Milan Fairgrounds and Milan's transport agency ATM - means that visitors to the Salone will be able to acquire a combined ticket, valid for public transport on Milan's urban network and for entry to the trade fair.

Trenitalia high-speed Frecciarossa, Frecciabianca and EuroCity trains will stop specially at Rho Fiera Expo Milano during the Salone. Frecciarossa and Frecciabianca will make three stops during both the morning and the afternoon, as well as two EuroCity train pairs to and from Switzerland.

Thanks to an agreement with SkyTeam Global Meetings, exhibitors, operators and journalists taking part in the Salone will be eligible for discounts of between 5% and 15% on flights, depending on flight class. Discounts are available on all international and intercontinental return flights to Milan, operated by SkyTeam member airlines between 9th and 24th April.

Negotiations are currently under way with Alitalia for discounted airfares on national flights to and from Milan during the Salone.

The Salone is also making the real-time Salone del Mobile.Milano 2015 App available for free download on iOS and Android devices, enabling people to plan their visits and orientate themselves at the fairgrounds.

Detailed information can be found on the website www.salonemilano.it

Salone del Mobile 2015: MINI and Jaime Hayon Present 'Urban Perspectives'

A Fantastical Installation on the Future of Urban Mobility

For this year's Salone del Mobile, MINI has teamed up with Spanish designer and artist Jaime Hayon to present an installation that conjures up visions of tomorrow's urban mobility in the form of an imaginary world.

The focus of the installation is the MINI Citysurfer concept, a flexible electric kick scooter that provides a smarter and more personalised way of getting around town. For Jaime Hayon it is the starting point of a fantastical journey through a modern metropolis, for which he is designing two variants of the MINI Citysurfer concept. He takes visitors along graphic paths and challenging routes through a surreal space, within which he applies his strikingly creative aesthetics to showcase the future of mobility:



"I wanted to create an incredible and immersive experience that pays tribute to MINI's sophisticated design developments for future mobility," says Jaime Hayon of his vision, which goes far beyond any fictional mobility scenario. He sees his installation as a collaborative design process that espouses the MINI claim to pioneering materials and high quality. For the execution of the overall concept, Hayon is working closely with the MIN Design Team and specialist craftspeople.

'Jaime Hayon Urban Perspectives for MINI' is a further highlight arising from the ongoing creative dialogue that MINI pursues with leading international designers. "For us, collaborating with creative designers from a wide range of disciplines is an important format that allows us to view automotive design from a different perspective," says Anders Warming, Head of MINI Design. "Jaime Hayon is a partner whose sheer inventiveness and unconventional formal language are inspirational."

In Jaime Hayon's illustrated urban jungle, progress is bright and colorful: the designer has dreamed up a road made of Carrara marble supported by luminous blue pillars, while shiny brass lamps point the way to an imaginary destination. Accessories specially developed for the installation, such as a helmet - part high-tech object, part playful mask - and a jacket likewise designed by Hayon, symbolize the fantasy realm in which the Spanish designer dismantles familiar perspectives. They are indispensable accoutrements on this dynamic ride into the future which Hayon imposingly visualizes through his personal play with functionality fantasy and creativity.

The installation 'Jaime Hayon Urban Perspectives for MINI' will be on show from 14 to 19 April 2015 at the Laboratorio Bergognone in Via Bergognone 26 as part of the Salone del Mobile in Milan.

All images copyright and courtesy of BMW Group - bmwgroup.com

Salone del Mobile - salonemilano.it

IKEA's New "SEKTION" Kitchen Range Offers More Customization Options to Create the Dream Kitchen

New Features Such as Increased Modularity and Integrated Lighting Allow Homeowners to Create Individualized Kitchen Solutions


IKEA launched the SEKTION, a new, versatile kitchen system. The new modular kitchen, which replaced the current kitchen system AKURUM, enables customers to create truly customizable solutions, regardless of the size and shape of their kitchen space. SEKTION offers new features such as more modularity, integrated lighting, inside drawer organization, and "drawers within drawers," giving homeowners options to create a beautiful, quality kitchen at a great price.


In developing SEKTION, IKEA did extensive research into what the kitchen means to people today, discovering that functionality and ease of use are top-of-mind for customers. "At IKEA, we understand that people want to create a home that is comfortable, safe and welcoming for their friends and families," says Kathleen Wilber, IKEA US Sales Leader for Kitchens. "For the new SEKTION kitchen, this meant creating a collection that that is beautiful, easy to use, and works for all of life's everyday activities, from cooking and eating to socializing and doing homework."

Features of the new SEKTION kitchen system include:

• A modular design that is easier to install, more functional and gives you almost endless possibilities when creating your kitchen.
• Drawers within drawers that give you extra storage while maintaining a sleek, modern look.
• New interior organizers to help squeeze the most out of every square inch of drawer and cabinet space and create a kitchen where things are accessible and easy to find.
• Integrated LED lighting with features such as corner modules, electrical and USB outlets, remote control dimming and in-drawer lighting.  
  

SEKTION also retains the best features of the current IKEA kitchens, such as soft close drawers and doors, a wall mounted rail system for easy installation, and a 25-year limited warranty. SEKTION is not compatible with the AKURUM system.

SEKTION is available in a range of colors and styles from traditional to modern and everywhere in between. Customers can use the online IKEA Kitchen Planner to plan their own SEKTION kitchen. In addition to the online tools, IKEA offers a full range of services in-store, from planning and measuring to ordering and installing.






About IKEA
Since its 1943 founding in Sweden, IKEA has offered home furnishings of good design and function at low prices so the majority of people can afford them. There are currently more than 360 IKEA stores in 47 countries, including 40 in the U.S. IKEA incorporates sustainability into day-to-day business and supports initiatives that benefit children and the environment.

For more information see IKEA-USA.com, @IKEAUSA or IKEAUSA on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and Pinterest.

BOOKNITURE - Furniture Hidden in a Book by Mike PLATEAUS

BOOK x FURNITURE = BOOKNITURE

BOOKNITURE is an extremely compact furniture. You can store it or carry it around just like a book. In just a flip, it unfolds from a book to a piece of multifunctional furniture.

Easy Storage
Quick Setup
Multifunctional
Highly portable

BOOKNITURE IS SPECIAL

BOOKNITURE combines advanced honeycomb paper structure with traditional craft of book-binding.

The binding is performed in a factory which specializes in traditional book assembly.

BOOKNITURE MEETS YOUR NEEDS

BOOKNITURE can be used in endless ways: it can be a stool, a foot rest, a nightstand, a standing work desk... and many more!

What's more? Stack it up and make a table & chair set; Add a wood board on top of 2 BOOKNITUREs to make it a bench; Stack a few layers more and it becomes a shelf! Possibility with BOOKNITURE is endless. As long as you don't limit your imagination!

BOOKNITURE is also light and portable. Fold it back into a book and take it out everywhere! BOOKNITURE makes sure you can sit anywhere with style and comfort.

All images courtesy of BOOKNITURE. For more information please visit www.bookniture.com

Pen Store Retail Interiors by Form Us with Love

The Pen Store is a new retail space that behaves like a shop, a gallery, an atelier and a supplier warehouse - a new brand experience, designed by the Stockholm based industrial design studio; Form Us With Love.



With the aim to provide a long sought after creative hub for local studios and o ces, the Pen Store has become the place to gather and share ideas of sketching, drawing and writing, using the best materials on the market. "We really hope our store can be a living space for people that like pens as much as we do," says Pen Store.

Inspired by their own studio work practice of drawing new designs, Form Us With Love wanted to invite more people from di erent creative disciplines to interact with the wide ranging assortment at the new store. "We would like to change the perspective and show what you actually can do with Pen Store's great products rather then just show the pens," says Form Us With Love.

The Pen Store experience was materialised by international renowned artist such as Lovisa Bur tt, Rasmus Wingård, Amelie Hegardt, Moley Talhaoui and Clara Aldén who took part in the rst experimental exhibition, using their favourite materials from the store. "We asked our favourite artists, illustrators and designers to pick there favourite pen and interact with the space, the outcome was amazing," says FUWL.

Centred around the supplier-studio relation, interacting with the users of fountain pens, markers, mechanical pencils and brush-tips, the Pen Store comes to life, as the number one supplier for the creatives of the world. The posterns generated will be produced by Paper Collective and 15% will be donated to save the rainforest.

About Pen Store - www.penstore.se
Situated on vibrant Hornsagatan in Stockholm, the new Pen Store is the place to go to for anyone who puts their pens close to their heart. The product assortment is constantly growing in store and online - providing the best pens, notebooks and paper materials in the world.

About Form Us With Love | FUWL - www.formuswithlove.se
FUWL was started in 2005 by John Löfgren, Jonas Pettersson, and Petrus Palmér. They met studying Product Design at Kalmar University, in deepest, darkest Småland, a county in southern Sweden known to be the heartland of Swedish furniture manufacturing.

Even if the number of products that carries its name is big for a relatively young design studio, the biggest achievement for FUWL isn't the actual product, but the process of thinking, creating and communicating design. Through its relentless search for new opportunities and collaborations FUWL has shown that there are still great opportunities right under our noses. FUWL's ambition is to be part in creating the top design companies around and has a strong belief that holistic design thinking is the way to get there.

All photos Copyright © 2015 Form Us With Love

BEHR 2015 Color and Style Trends

Behr Paints Introduces 2015 Color Trends Featuring Four Eye-Catching Themes and 20 Captivating Hues

-Vibrant Collection Highlights Top Trends to Inspire DIYers to Create Their Dream Home-

2015 Color and Style Trends of Behr Paints have 20 all-new exclusive paint colors and four inspirational design styles. Influenced by the pleasure and emotion color evokes, Behr empowers its consumers to create rooms that are balanced, stylish and inviting. By providing an extensive range of captivating color palettes, Behr's new trends offer creative inspiration to help consumers coordinate different colors and tones to maximize the level of energy they wish to convey in each living space. Wall colors can be dramatic or ethereal, energetic or relaxed. These wall colors can be beautifully complemented by colors in furnishings, textiles and décor objects for harmonious results.



"Color itself is like one of the senses, enhancing our world and our state of mind," said Erika Woelfel, Director of Color Marketing for Behr Paints. "Behr's 2015 Color Trends will help consumers pick the right color for their projects while providing a glimpse of how rooms appear in different tones."

Using this inspiration, Behr Paints has identified four on-trend themes with 20 all-new paint colors:

Deep Dreams 
An invitation to a tranquil escape into a dreamy, mythical landscape, Deep Dreams features serene colors like teal, charcoal and eggplant that offer an oasis of relaxation in a bedroom. Balance is created with white trim, gold metallic and pops of citron yellow in the décor accessories. Lush layers of patterned textiles invite fuchsia, bright green, and purple into the mix.

Corresponding BEHR Paint Colors include:

Liaison T15-1

Seared Gray T15-2

Essential Teal T15-3

Your Majesty T15-4

Heritage Oak T15-5

Frosted Pastels 
An open look at how pastels create stimulating environments when combined with zesty bright accents, the contrast of pastel and striking accent is balanced by touches of mauve and black found on floor stencils, fireplace tile and window treatments.

Corresponding BEHR Paint Colors include:

Dreamscape Gray T15-6

Secret Blush T15-7

Elusive Blue T15-8

Dandelion Tea T15-9

Social Brights 
A refined balance of brights and neutrals, lighter and darker colors, Social Brights features pure blue, red, purple and orange that feel energetic, draw attention and create a lively place for conversation. Shades of gray are the perfect balance on adjoining walls, trim or ceiling. Other intense hues make playful accompaniments in small decorative accessories for tabletop and shelving displays.

Corresponding BEHR Paint Colors include:

Clarified Orange T15-10

Sonic Blue T15-11
Graphic Grape T15-12

Prime Purple T15-13

Super Hero T15-14

Plastic Lime T15-15

Nuanced Neutrals 
A spotlight on weathered, rustic colors, the hallmark of today's mid-range neutral palette, Nuanced Neutrals features dusty aqua paneling and light tan walls, the casual companions of charcoal, lively copper and citrus orange accents.

Corresponding BEHR Paint Colors include:

Blue Clay T15-16

Mocha Foam T15-17

Snap Pea Green T15-18

Mulberry Wine T15-19

Peach Preserve T15-20

From the sweet charm of pastels, to the comfortable ambience of neutral tones, to the dare and majesty of deep and bright tones, Behr Paints has pulled together trends to capture the balance needed to create inviting, inspiring and dramatically transformed rooms. First, to keep pastel rooms from feeling overly sweet, a pop of bright color and dark accents add dimension and create an airy, feminine appeal. Touches of dusty earth tones ensure neutral rooms create a marriage of function and comfort. For deep and hued rooms, layers of color and texture in furniture, window treatments and other accessories add volume and interest, and rich patterns in textiles allow accent colors to shine. Finally, brights are used sparingly and balanced with lighter or darker colors to create a refined yet lively look.

Each original trend is showcased with a room image that embodies the theme, and includes a selection of diverse in-vogue colors. The Behr 2015 Color Trends brochure can be found in stores and includes detailed décor themes plus design and decorating tips to help consumers visualize each space. To further the visual experience, consumers can follow a QR code found on the back of the Trend Card brochure or watch a video online that brings the themes to life.

Additionally, explore, preview and purchase the 2015 Color Trends and select the project type, size, brand, and sheen on the ColorSmart by BEHR Digital Paint Store. This all-new tool allows consumers to purchase paint orders for delivery to their home.

The ColorSmart by BEHR Mobile application, available as a free download for iPhone®, iPad® and Android compatible devices, helps users find the perfect BEHR Paint Color at the touch of a finger. For updates, fans can find Behr on Facebook at facebook.com/BehrPaint and on Twitter at twitter.com/BehrPaint. Plus, visit Behr.com for inspiration and how-to information and Behr's blog colorfullybehr.com to learn more about the 2015 Color Trends.

Founded in 1947, Behr Process Corporation is one of the largest suppliers of architectural paint and exterior wood care products to the United States and Canadian do-it-yourself channel. Behr manufactures paints, decorative finishes, primers, stains and surface preparation products. Professional contractors can visit behrpro.com to learn more about BEHR® products and BehrPro® services. Behr is a subsidiary of Masco Corporation and is headquartered in Santa Ana, CA.

Pantone Color of the Year for 2015: PANTONE 18-1438 Marsala

Rich and Charismatic, Marsala Tastefully Fulfills with Complex Sophistication

Pantone LLC, the global authority on color and provider of professional color standards for the design industries, announced PANTONE 18-1438 Marsala, a naturally robust and earthy wine red, as the Color of the Year for 2015.

"While PANTONE 18-3224 Radiant Orchid (click here to read), the captivating 2014 color of the year, encouraged creativity and innovation, Marsala enriches our mind, body and soul, exuding confidence and stability," said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute.

"Much like the fortified wine that gives Marsala its name, this tasteful hue embodies the satisfying richness of a fulfilling meal, while its grounding red-brown roots emanate a sophisticated, natural earthiness. This hearty, yet stylish tone is universally appealing and translates easily to fashion, beauty, industrial design, home furnishings and interiors."

Marsala for Interiors
Complex and full-bodied without overpowering, Marsala provides a unifying element for interior spaces. Add elegance to any room by incorporating this rich and welcoming hue in accent pieces, accessories and paint. Marsala's plush characteristics are enhanced when the color is applied to textured surfaces, making it an ideal choice for rugs and upholstered living room furniture.

Nurturing and fulfilling, Marsala is a natural fit for the kitchen and dining room - making it ideal for tabletop, small appliances and linens throughout the home. The hue will be especially prominent in striping and floral patterns found in printed placemats, dinnerware, bedding and throws.

Marsala for Graphic Design
A rich contrasting color, Marsala is ideal for use in graphic design and packaging. Eye-catching, but not overwhelming or bright, consumers are immediately drawn to the hue, making it an alluring shade at point-of-purchase. As packaging becomes increasingly more artistic, Marsala will be a natural fit for both high- and low-tech materials, including on-shelf periodicals as well as printed assets, like calendars and stationery.

Cross-Referencing to Other PANTONE Libraries
PANTONE 18-1438 Marsala can also be cross-referenced to all other PANTONE Libraries including PANTONE PLUS for graphic design. 

For cross-referencing information, click here or see pantone.com/ColoroftheYear.

NOTE: These cross-references are only to be used as a starting point. They were calculated using spectral data under controlled lighting. Pantone strongly recommends that you reference current PANTONE Color Standards before making final color decisions. You may find better visual matches under your preferred lighting conditions. PANTONE Colors displayed herein may not match PANTONE-identified standards. Consult current PANTONE Color Publications for accurate color.

All images are courtesy of Pantone - www.pantone.com

About the PANTONE Color of the Year

The color of the year selection requires careful consideration and, to arrive at the selection, Pantone quite literally combs the world looking for color influences. This can include the entertainment industry and films that are in production, traveling art collections, hot new artists, popular travel destinations and other socio-economic conditions. Influences may also stem from technology, availability of new textures and effects that impact color, and even upcoming sports events that capture worldwide attention. For more than a decade, Pantone's Color of the Year has influenced product development and purchasing decisions in multiple industries, including fashion, home and industrial design, as well as product packaging and graphic design. www.pantone.com/ColoroftheYear 

Pantone

Pantone LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of X-Rite, Incorporated, has been the world's color authority for almost 50 years, providing design professionals with products and services for the colorful exploration and expression of creativity. Always a source for color inspiration, Pantone also offers designer-inspired products and services for consumers. 

More information is available at www.pantone.com