Economic cycles affect trade fairs, too, as was evident at Feria Hábitat Valencia 2012, where the number of companies exhibiting was down significantly compared to previous years. But to only report on attendance and other results misses the most important point: that Spanish design is as vibrant and fresh as ever.
1–WE START AS SEEDS
Like trees, children grow; Menut Estudio conveys this simple truism in the new Grou clothing hanger for children. Both playful and functional, its hooks can be moved and placed along the rails distributed throughout the treetop as kids get bigger. menut.es
2-FLOATING WITH KARIM
Sancal debuted four new products in a mini-collection called Flash. As good as the Party chair by Luis Eslava, Copla sofa by Rafa García, and Nudo tables by Juan Ibáñez Lax are, the obvious star is Float (shown), a seating idea for public spaces hatched from the brain of Karim Rashid. In his own words: “This slim floating seat with incorporated back wall provides complete privacy in open spaces, to rest back on, hang one’s scarf or coat on or simply wait in the secluded area given by its high back.” sancal.com
3-HEAD HONCHO
ADAN (shown) and EVA – giant, surreal architecture sculptures designed by Teresa Sapey – have multiple uses beyond the obvious vases, such as seats, flower pots, auxiliary tables, and even lighting pieces. Manufactured by Valencia-based Vondom, they are built from linear low-density polyethylene (waterproof and resistant to extreme temperatures) and using the technique of rotational molding, these pieces are suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. vondom.com
4-NO SMALL PRINT HERE
Designer Carmen Bayarri presented a collection of furniture pieces that share a common inspiration: her attraction to objects connected with writing. The most striking is the Tipos table, which was inspired by the metal plates of a printing press. While the piece is composed of two easels made of carved mobila wood and a steel or aluminum plate, its ethereal quality comes from the puzzling interplay of light and shadow. carmenbayarri.com
5-WRITING’S THE THING
Much like its namesake, Ernest is a writing desk that evokes a quietness and steadiness, and creates an orderly workspace where maybe the next great novel will come from. The desktop has a delicate niche accessible by an operable flap door, perfect for storing a tablet, laptop, pencils, paper or desktop mementos. Designed by Borja García for Punt, the desk is made of oak and walnut, and the back legs have slots for running wires, which are held, in a space under the desktop. puntmobles.com
6-DON’T SIT QUIETLY
Spanish sofa manufacturer Pedro Ortiz may not have received the memo that says living rooms are meant to be the comfort zone of the house, a quiet space where families are supposed to decompress, because its new Life sectional sofa doesn’t look like something you’d want to sit quietly on. pedroortiz.com
7-HELP ME, RONDA
Simple and surprisingly comfortable, the New Ronda armchairs designed by Lievore Altherr Molina for Andreu World are composed of an oak structure or upholstered with flexible foam, and available with a diverse option of steel bases (four legs, sled and a central base with legs or with wheels) or beech wood, and is equally appropriate in the home or around a conference table. andreuworld.com
8-BACK TO THE NUDE
No stranger to the NUDE portion of Feria Hábitat Valencia, Ramón Arnau of ASDFGH Estudio Creativo was again a standout in this year’s crop of young designers. His slim and lightweight Box Sofa, for example, represents his self-described “sybarite povera” ethos (loosely translated as a poor man addicted to luxury and pleasures of the senses), with “poor” materials of recycled wood art and traditional fabric cushions fashioned into something still witty, aesthetically functional and without pretensions. ramonarnau.es
9-THE GREATEST (FLOOR) SHOW
Circus is a new braided rug by Naturtex and, as the name implies, is not only inspired by the zany energy of a traditional circus but wants to bring that carefree vigour into your home. Designed in cooperation with German textile designer Felix Diener, Circus is part of the company’s Fun group of rugs, and made of polyurethane and cotton braids. naturtex.es
10-WOOD TOUCHED BY LIGHT
The Spiro suspension lamp, designed for LZF by designer Remedios Simón, is a hypnotic new 3-D handmade structure that takes its inspiration from classic ornamental latticework. Made using a new Polywood moulding process, the outer screen is available in four finishes and the interior is available in eight different wood veneer finishes. lzf-lamps.com
