Spanish furniture brands go beyond expectations at the ICFF 2018 and NYCxDESIGN in New York

From the 20^th to 23^rd of May, more than 36,000 interior designers, architects, retailers, representatives, distributors and other professionals of the industry gathered around for the 30^th edition of the International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF), a platform for global design which maps out, year after year, the up-and-coming trends of contemporary furniture.

iSiMAR: contemporary hospitality furniture, colourful metal chairs and tables

iSiMAR, one of Spain’s leading brands in outdoor and contract furniture left a lasting impression on the design scene at last week’s event. The company exhibited its ground-breaking new designs such as the effortlessly stylish BOLONIA series of chairs and the dynamic LAGARTO collection.

iSiMAR’s stand at the ICFF 2018, New York

LAGARTO is a one-of-a-kind, dynamic outdoor series, which includes a twining modular sofa, armchairs, stools and a table. Made of galvanised aluminium with a polyester powder coating and reinforced with UV-resistant properties, it’s the perfect solution for both indoor and outdoor spaces.

LAGARTO outdoor modular sofa. ILMIODESIGN for iSiMAR

Inspired by the sinuous dunes of Bolonia Beach, BOLONIA is a versatile collection of lounge chairs and armchairs; bending structures made of galvanised steel and aluminium, polyester powder coated and available in a generous offering of 29 different colours.

BOLONIA lounge chairs. iSiMAR

BOLONIA stole the show at ICFF, with its sleek beauty and innovative design not only being confirmed but celebrated, as its lounge chair was made an honouree of the highly coveted NYCxDesign award for Seating: Outdoor. What’s more; two of the most prestigious magazines of the sector broadcasted their great distinction: Interior Design and Metropolis.

GANDIABLASCO: design outdoor furniture

Another important exhibiting brand from the fair was Gandiablasco, which showcased its newest collections from the Salone del Mobile.Milano of this year: SOLANAS and TIMELESS.

The showroom of GANDIABLASCO and GAN in New York

SOLANAS, debuted in Milan this April, was born from Daniel Germani’s aesthetic sensitivity and adoration for the outdoors. Argentinian born, Germani designed the piece paying homage to Solanas beach, where he spent every summer growing up. He also paid tribute to his father, who was always ready to open his doors and entertain guests. The collection was inspired by the never-ending sunsets and heartfelt moments he shared with friends and family on that very beach.

TIMELESS outdoor armchair. José A. Gandía-Blasco Canales and Borja García for GANDIABLASCO

Germani wanted to recreate that feeling of intimacy in the outdoors, giving way to SOLANAS: a modular lounge collection complete with sofas, armchairs and coffee tables. With its rounded edges and softer forms, it is the perfect solution to create intimate spaces in the outdoors. It is available in sober colours that attract attention and compliment exterior settings.

SOLANAS modular outdoor furniture collection. Daniel Germani for GANDIABLASCO

The SOLANAS sectional sofa, having been freshly premiered in Milan, has received nothing but positive feedback as it was also made an honouree of the prestigious NYCxDesign award for the category of Seating: Outdoor.

GAN: rugs, accessories and occasional furniture

The firm’s daughter company, GAN received some amazing commendations in New York too, taking home not one but two awards from the fair.

GARDEN LAYERS by Patricia Urquiola in the GAN corner. GANDIABLASCO showroom in New York

MIRAGE, a piece designed by top world-renowned designer Patricia Urquiola for the brand, won the NYCxDesign award for Flooring: Residential. Colour, geometry and superimposition come together in this piece that is made of pure New Zealand wool, manufactured using an elaborate weaving technique carried out by specialised artisans known as the hand-knotted technique.

MIRAGE rug. Patricia Urquiola for GAN

GAN’s other award-winning collection was LAN, a seating solution designed by international design studio Neri&Hu. It was designed questioning the sofa typology, breaking it down into its various elements that can be reassembled and moulded to fit every atmosphere. The collection includes a seat structure that is composed of poufs with moveable back cushions, screens and tray tables which all focus around a rug which is an integral part of the set. Paying homage to their Eastern heritage, the collection is coloured in indigo, as indigo is traditionally used for dying fabrics for home decoration in their culture; hence the name of the collection as LAN means blue in Mandarin.

LAN space. Neri&Hu for GAN

CALMA: innovative solutions for outdoor spaces

The Catalonian brand Calma was also present at ICFF, where they exhibited their most recent collections from Milan: ALAT, DUE, FLO and ANGLE.

CALMA’s stand at the ICFF 2018 in New York

ALAT is a collection of outdoor lounge sofas with upward lateral modules which invites guests to embrace relaxation and the “lounge” mentality. It features a structure made of powder coated aluminium, available in white and charcoal colours with Quick Dry Foam cushions upholstered in Sunbrella Savane fabrics, zinc colour, both materials suitable for exterior use.

ALAT outdoor sofa by Andreu Carulla & FLO flowerpot by Oscar Veradelarocha for CALMA

The FLO flowerpot can be used to complement the exterior lounge area. Moreover, the DUE and ANGLE outdoor tables can be utilized to create picturesque dining ambiences outdoors, with their distinguished functionality and contemporary design. Revealed previously this year, the new, adapted design of the ANGLE outdoor table maintains the architectural aesthetic and unique appeal of the original while improving on technical features and extending the range of finishes, offering even greater versatility.

ANGLE table by SerraydelaRocha & MARIA chairs by Andreu Carulla for CALMA

KETTAL: timeless outdoor furniture

Last, but certainly not least, Kettal exposéd in New York as well, exhibiting its latest ground-breaking designs and some of its most iconic collections.

KETTAL’s stand at the ICFF 2018 in New York

VIMINI is an outdoor lounge and dining collection which features a dining armchair, sofas and side tables. Designed by Patricia Urquiola, who has her design studio in Italy, gave it its name which mean wicker in Italian. Similar in design to BASKET, which was also displayed in New York, it was inspired by the image of a wicker basket and its braided structure evokes the nostalgia of the past while still giving modernist vibes.

VIMINI outdoor lounge collection. Patricia Urquiola for KETTAL

METEO, designed by Konstantin Grcic, is a contemporary-style sunshade, made of the smartest materials and crafted with cutting-edge technology that allows it to offer effective, long-lasting protection from the sun year round. It offers great versatility as it is available in two different versions: a basic model which uses a manual pulley system, and a high-end model with an integrated gas piston to increase its ease of use. METEO comes in the brand’s standard colour palette and can be fitted with two alternative types of base plate: in sheet metal or cast iron.

METEO sunshade. Konstantin Grcic for KETTAL

Kettal also showed off its most popular designs which have gained reputation and recognition over the past few years, such as the epic CALA collection, the MESH sunbed and the PARK LIFE armchair; each piece a stunning representation of contemporary design.

KETTAL CALA outdoor lounge space by Doshi Levien with the KETTAL ROLL chair by Patricia Urquiola for KETTAL

The next instalment of this high end luxury furniture fair will take place next year, the 19^th to the 22^nd of May.

For more information on the exhibitions and details on how you can participate next year: www.icff.com