The word exceptional is a challenging one when describing something as it implies the uniqueness of an item due to its design, detailing, craftsmanship, novelty or technology used in the making that put it apart from standards or the norm.
The object does not need to be beautiful or pleasant to the eye.
During the Milan design week this year there were a lot of new items presented by brands or designers for the world to judge, to consider their worthiness either in terms of quality of design, innovation or simply for their commercial edge.
I have selected a group of them I saw during the design week, most of them new; all of them are exceptional for me for one or another reason that matches the above description and they are particularly beautiful too.
It is due to the presentation of these unique pieces that standards of beauty and creation can be challenged, and other means explored, for expressing new ideas and ways of interacting with the world around us through the use of objects that will become a bridge in the dialogue between past and future.
Have a look…
Which ones are exceptional for you?
Exterior Dining Table by Baxter
The combination of the marble top and clay legs offers a very pleasant contrast. I imagine it in the house of Georgia O’Keefe.
Bench by Viccarbe
It caught my eye for its simplicity and elegance. It is not easy to imagine it in another way, adding or removing elements of it. It is the minimum expression of practicality, beauty and elegance for the public realm.
Lights by Michael Anastassiades for Flos
One of the most difficult tasks in design is minimalism, reduce form and function to its minimum components and still be beautiful and strong. Michael is a master of that. His latest lighting pieces for Flos confirm it once more.
Floor Lamp by Giacomo Ravagli. Carpenters Workshop
Geometry is still a strong theme in the design industry but looking at a piece that so gracefully combines geometry with a feel of nature is not a small achievement; additionally, I really think it has beautiful proportions. It is like a Greco figure in a fractal way.
Rug by Noe Duchaufour-Lawrence for Tai Ping
We just celebrated the “Earth Day” and this rug inspired by geology becomes a clear representation of our planet in a beautifully challenging way.
Fruit Bowl by Asif Khan
The simplicity of it amazed me.
Wall light. Nilufar
The combination of synthetic material, colours and design copying nature takes us to a world of fantasy meanwhile making one of our feet be anchored in reality.
Container Studio by Eugene Pucklich
Using one unthinkable material (a pipe) as the only material for constructing this cabinet is probably not that original but achieving that delivering the right proportions is definitely something.
Cabinet by A&B Living
The use of basic geometry, pure forms, with highly crafted material is a joy.
Basin by Agape
This vanity unit/basin is one of the thinnest and most beautiful I have seen.
Panel by Alchymia
The intensity of that blue and the technique used make this panel something uniquely stunning.
Stool by Alki
When I saw this object I thought it is not possible that stool can be comfortable. And it is; of course not for long hours as I was told.
Bath by Antonio Lupi
Glass is an extraordinary material already, imagine your bath in this color…in glass.
Pieces by Atelier Vierkant
The creation of these pieces in clay with their perfect forms and proportions is a beautiful contradiction to the organic nature of the material.
Dining Table by Baxter
There is no other word for describing the beauty of this pink Brazilian stone that Exceptional, beautifully polished and shaped.
Desk by Ceccotti Collezioni
An implacably designed and made desk in wood, with top in green leather. Elegant.
Cabinets by De Castelli
Solid forms made to surprise, surfaces cladded in bronze.
Coffee table by Glas
The oval shape top and organic base shape make us thing in futuristic homes.
Bathroom set by Salvatori
Everything here is made of marble (but the tap and mirror), it awes with its perfection
Coat Hanger by Tecno
Coat Hangers are like cars, 98 % of them are just horrible. Thank God we have the 2 %, this beauty included.
Floor, The Manzoni, by Tom Dixon
The design and making of this floor are just beautiful, a homage to Italian craftsmanship with British design.
Tray by Vladimir Kuceriavyj
Some times, just some times, an excess can be beautiful.
