EDITOR’S NOTEMORE THAN JUST A PRETTY FACE
EMMELYN CINDY MAH
EDITOR
Every year, millions flock to
Milan to take part in the Salone
del Mobile, what is lauded to be
THE interior design, furnishings,
and fittings show to be at. And
why not? The show is held in one
of the most beautiful cities in the
world, with a history in design that
spans generations. A city of artists,
dreamers, and designers, Milan
has seen the birth and consequent
expansion of fashion since long
before our generation ever thought
to brand it with sleek styles and
the unyieldingly bello aesthetics of
Italian couture. It comes as little
surprise, then, that the furniture
design industry has flourishedso well from here. Fashion and
furniture are intrinsically linked,
and how wonderful it’s been
thusfar!
The world has grown
increasingly aware of its limited
resources and the importance of
sustainability, and designers have
followed suit! From the surge of
designs that cater to a conscious
and ‘green’ lifestyle to innovations
that involve taking what you need
and no more - see: Philippe Starck’s
Smart Wood chairs with Kartell -
humanity has rolled into an age
of giving back to mother nature.
Furnishings are no longer just
pretty things to be admired - now,
a good piece serves its purpose and
visually enhances a space. A perfect
piece does all that, and returns
to dust without pollution once its
time is past. Naturally, other trends
abound, and we bring you through
them with our story on page 44!
A little closer to home in our
Southeast Asian neighbour the
Philippines, Manila FAME serves to
show us just how far Filipino design
has come. Turn to page 38 to find
out what we experienced at the
recent show held in April, just two
short months ago! In all the buzz of
new innovations and designs both
far and wide, we also pay homage
to a material we absolutely love in
design: leather. Our feature on page
54 will show you our favourite picks
as well as how to identify the type
of leather you’re looking at! And, if
you’re planning a dinner party, turn
to page 90 for some appetisers from
around the world.
As always, we’ve got a selection
of homes for you all; we hope they’ll
inspire you on all your renovations
and interior styling endeavours.
Have a happy, happy July!