At the Salone del Mobile 2017 Zanotta introduce a selection of designs that will catch the public attention on different levels: some products that were launched in 2016 or earlier have now reached their maturity, offering the possibility to experiment new proportions and materials, even unusual for Zanotta universe, like the copper and the brass.
It’s just the case of Emil by Frank Rettenbacher or the Niobe small tables by Federica Capitani. Aesthetic as well as artisanal references to other times can be also traced, having marked the Zanotta history: infact the meaning of a night stand is all in its name Taschino (little pocket), made of cowhide, originating from the Calamo desk by Gabriele Rosa; and the bed Hotelroyal by Terri Pecora, featuring quilted headboard and footboard equipped with pressed down buttons, like the one in the bedroom of an old b/w movie. Until the proposals that aim straight to the concept of their use, resolved with the most refined elegance, like the sofa Flamingo by Damian Williamson and those designs that, letting people play in mixing colours and fabrics, reveal a sophisticated technical research for the benefit of wellbeing and relaxing moments, like the armchair Judy by Frank Rettenbacher. Or again the Nordic taste for the Tweed series of tables, featuring organic design, by Garcia Cumini at the very first collaboration with the company.
Flamingo sofa – design Damian Williamson
Launching a new sofa by Damian Williamson has almost become a custom at every Salone as the designer chooses to focus on product as clearly explained in his statement: “..dependable and enduring.. a comfortable sofa with harmonious proportions that sits naturally at ease within a jovial atmosphere; this is the image I had in mind whilst developing Flamingo”. There is no need to be oversize: Flamingo is comfortable with restrained and well- balanced proportions. The designer affirms to have focused on details: then the sofa linear quality is broken up by the distinctive ‘sweeping arc’ seam to at the front of the armrest, the aluminium alloy legs are slightly inset from the sides which communicate a sense of lightness, the padded parts feature established seating places, while the backrest and armrests are formed by one single piece of the same height, interrupted by cushions in different sizes. Williamson adds: “the formal language of the leg evokes a tactile sensation due to the softened front and upper surface, in contrast to the more distinctive inner chamfer. This important juxtaposition creates a visual tension and is one key characteristic of Flamingo’s identity.”
Judy armchair – design Frank Rettenbacher
The technical invention from last year, that led the designer to develop together with Zanotta the June chair – whose secret brilliantly resolved the flexibility between the back and the seat – has opened the way to the design of the new armchair Judy. “It was a natural evolution to transfer my gained knowledge and experience to a larger scale” Rettenbacher says, proceeding in the development of the aesthetic lightweight. Surprisingly the seat has a graphic outline, with extended armrests, to protect like a shell and at the same time guarantee a comfortable and reclined position. “By experimenting with a varying thickness of plywood we found the perfect flexibility for the back rest to adapt to your body”. Then you may focus on choosing the wood finishes for the back as well as the colour of the steel legs and on experiencing chromatic matchings of beautiful fabrics and leathers.
Hotelroyal bed – design Terri Pecora
When designing this bed for Zanotta, the designer affirms she was inspired by the Gió Ponti headboards of the early 60’s, in particular, one from the ‘Hotel Royal’ in Naples. “The light proportion and shape of the upholstered head and foot boards have a modern vintage mood, I wanted to achieve a contemporary version of those iconic designs.” This statement by the designer better explains the references to past times, particularly the mid-century contract furniture classics: the fabric covered buttons refer to a quilting of the headboard and footboard, while the rounded off corners are emphasized by a sewing edge available tone-on-tone or contrasting. The extra slim metal legs with tubular supports are also a retro-reference. For larger rooms, Hotelroyal is available with an asymmetrical headboard which accommodates a metal side-table with cowhide covered top. This feel of ‘warm architectural design’ allows Hotelroyal to fit into a wide range of home and hotel environments.
Tweed tables – design Garcia Cumini
“A range of tables featuring tops with smoothly irregular shape. Not just a simple exercise of scale but different models to allow gathering together or a more formal seating, depending on the occasions. The strong and accurate graphic trait similar to the Tweed interweaving, contrast the top outline”. The creative couple Garcia Cumini, professing the slow design in search of balance, both in the function and the soul of the object, has designed a range of 3 tables, whose organic shapes perfectly fit to “be stretched” to welcome a different number of dinner companions. Wood is the selected material, with an almost Nordic lightness, rigorously sculpted in the legs. But the top plays the main role, where the fishbone processing on the diagonal provides an unusual perception of the surface, that looks different depending on the point of view.
Niobe small table – design Federica Capitani
After the ample proportions chosen for the 2016 version of Niobe small table, the designer interprets this series with sizes and shapes oriented to furnishing a special place at home, that nearly becomes private, with a lounge chair or an armchair dedicated to reading and relaxing. Niobe is the perfect complement featuring compact shape. The designer explains: “this new model carries the softness of marble, elegantly supported by steel frame”. A marble that is warm and pleasant to touch, in three different finishes: white Carrara, black Marquinia or Emperador, with earthy shades.
Emil small table, new brass-finished or coppery framed / wooden top – design Frank Rettenbacher
This is a design passe-partout product which crosses over into the most refining domestic atmospheres, once well-dressed: “over the past years, I explored and tested new materials and colours and together with Zanotta we envisioned the solid wood top contrasting beautifully with the bright coppery or brass-finished base.” Frank Rettenbacher. For Salone 2017, Emil has a new outfit with two new frames – polished brass-finished or polished coppery steel – and a new solid wood top respectively in natural painted Canaletto walnut or in natural painted oak. The table top, with its rounded off corners, seems to fluctuate over the base in metal reinforcing rod and it looks like it has a smooth touch, when you move it.
Taschino night stand – design Gabriele Rosa
The idea of a nearly hidden storage space defined the profile of Calamo desk. A furnishing piece that maybe looks more suitable for the bedroom area, as night stand. In Taschino, the storage space becomes a real lockbox for the personal items; made of cowhide, built-in the thin and linear metal top, that contrasts with it. A design in line with Zanotta’s tradition of craftsmanship.
