Q&A with Jeanne Bertenshaw, Co-owner of Furniture Retailer Matisse
Jeanne Bertenshaw, Co-owner of Matisse
Were there any particular colours or trends that you found different at the Milan fair from last year?
This year it was not so much about what was different but an extension of the trends form last year. We saw more gold, copper and bronze, and a lot more marble and natural timbers. The use of many different colours was best demonstrated by Vitra’s installation by Dutch designer Hella Jongerius.
Who, in your opinion, is the designer who show most creativity?
It is difficult to select just one designer out of all the great designers but if I have to choose I would have to say Patricia Urquiola. Her designs could be seen everywhere: kitchens, bathrooms, outdoor furniture, lighting, wooden floors, tiles…her designs are endless. It was hard to go anywhere without coming across something new from Patricia. The stand she designed for Cassina was a real showstopper – people queued for hours to get a chance to see it. Her new sofa “Beam” for Cassina was a huge hit at the show.
What was the most interesting thing for you at this year’s fair?
There was too many to mention but in particular the ability of some of the manufacturers to make really large and very slim minimal tables reaching up to and over four metres long. The “Tense’ table by MDF Italia was my favourite , made with either a stone or natural timber top or completely finished in brass. It is magnificent!
What must-have piece are you excited about bringing back to your store?
The limited-edition “Grande Papilio 50” chair by Naoto Fukasawa for B&B Italia. This design is manufactured in only 50 numbered copies to celebrate B&B’s 50th anniversary. I also loved B&B’s “Tabour” ottomans.
See our gallery below for more of the hottest designs straight from the Milan fair.
Ulisse Daybed in Oak – With Ulisse, Konstantin Grcic developed his idea of a daybed, combining the symbolic nature of a simple daybed with the materiality of an elegant and perfectly crafted piece of furniture in the tradition of modernism. The adjustment mechanism of the daybed and the cross-section of the legs are inspired by the classic designs of Charlotte Perriand and Eileen Gray, by their modernity and preciseness, and congenially fit in with the ClassiCon collection
Ulisse Daybed in Black – Ulisse, Konstantin Grcic developed his idea of a daybed, combining the symbolic nature of a simple daybed with the materiality of an elegant and perfectly crafted piece of furniture in the tradition of modernism. The adjustment mechanism of the daybed and the cross-section of the legs are inspired by the classic designs of Charlotte Perriand and Eileen Gray, by their modernity and preciseness, and congenially fit in with the ClassiCon collection
ClassiCons “Pli” side table by French Designer Victoria Wilmotte plays with light and colour reflections in the room. Its base is constructed from folded high-gloss stainless steel whose special coating creates an iridescent lustre. The crystal glass top is either lacquered, glossy or stain finish.
ClassiCons “Pli” side table by French Designer Victoria Wilmotte plays with light and colour reflections in the room. Its base is constructed from folded high-gloss stainless steel whose special coating creates an iridescent lustre. The crystal glass top is either lacquered, glossy or stain finish.
ClassiCons “Pli” side table by French Designer Victoria Wilmotte plays with light and colour reflections in the room. Its base is constructed from folded high-gloss stainless steel whose special coating creates an iridescent lustre. The crystal glass top is either lacquered, glossy or stain finish.
Marble Multileg BD Barcelona – Containers, doors and shelves in MDF with different widths. Legs in turned solid alder wood. Monochrome lacquered finishes available in green RAL 6021, white RAL 9016 or blue RAL 5011. Back and internal parts are lacquered in a matt finish. Doors, laterals and legs are lacquered in a gloss finish. Marble cabinet tops are Verde Patrizia, Carrara Venato or Nero Marquina
Marble Multileg BD Barcelona – Containers, doors and shelves in MDF with different widths. Legs in turned solid alder wood. Monochrome lacquered finishes available in green RAL 6021, white RAL 9016 or blue RAL 5011. Back and internal parts are lacquered in a matt finish. Doors, laterals and legs are lacquered in a gloss finish. Marble cabinet tops are Verde Patrizia, Carrara Venato or Nero Marquina
Marble Multileg BD Barcelona – Containers, doors and shelves in MDF with different widths. Legs in turned solid alder wood. Monochrome lacquered finishes available in green RAL 6021, white RAL 9016 or blue RAL 5011. Back and internal parts are lacquered in a matt finish. Doors, laterals and legs are lacquered in a gloss finish. Marble cabinet tops are Verde Patrizia, Carrara Venato or Nero Marquina
Couture Armchair BD Barcelona – Fredrik Färg and Emma Marga Blanche are a young couple of designers (with Swedish and French origins respectively) who add personality, technique and innovation. They have been developing a technique over the years at their studio in Stockholm, being bapitised and registered as Wood TailoringTM, which includes the use of sewing machines directly over hard materials like wood, to unify different parts
Almo Sofa, Garcia Cumini, Poltrona Frau – The Italian-Spanish duo Gracia Cumini drew on inspiration from a typical element in Spain in the fifties for design of the Almo sofa. Almo is short for almohada, a traditional, comfortable Iberian pillow whose long, narrow, low shape makes it perfect also as a handy lumbar cushion or arm rest. Almo multiplies the visual effect of the cushion in depth, generating a harmonious series of horizontal lines. Almo becomes a micro space within space.
199 10 Series, Cassina – ‘199 10’ series, designed by Piero Lissoni, is available in both a dining table as well as a side table option. The table is simple, monolithic in form, which highlights Cassina’s stunning materials. The dining table is currently available in White Carrara Marble and the side table, Black Ash-Wood or Canaletto Walnut
Beam Sofa System by Patricia Urquiola is a new sofa system which floats horizontally along a rigorous beam base. This beam base contrasts against soft and inviting cushions. Available in a range of modular options, as well as two or three seater options
