M.E. talks to Stefano L'Abbate about their presence at the upcoming Salone del Mobile 2009.

What have you been working on recently? Would you be able to give us any sneak previews of new projects you might be showing at Milan this year?

This year L’Abbate presents a series of new and innovative products, including the work with Enzo Calabrese and Fabio Meliota, who for the first time have prepared for L’Abbate a collection of products dedicated to the outdoor world. A family of chairs and tables for freely enjoying outdoor spaces and also indoor ones, with special focus on contract projects. Werner Aisslinger and Tina Bunyaprasit have designed for L’Abbate an innovative collection of metal cantilevered seating. A collection that adapts to virtually all architectures with the task of improving spaces with its extraordinary lightness and transparency. The table devised by Paolo Armenise and Silvia Nerbi goes by the name of Achille. A table designed with people sitting at tables in mind, not people in general but that special group of people who sit around a table to eat and share stories of life experiences. Stories worth listening to. When Achilles told his stories the tables were never big enough. Alongside the new products L'Abbate also presents a selection of the more significant items presented in recent years. Art Floor® - Ponti 955 is to act as background to these products, the new collection of flooring and panelling dedicated to design buffs. The graphic pattern of the design, taken from the “quadri porta” by Gio Ponti, enlarged and multiplied on the walls, becomes the leitmotiv among the various products and above all adds strong identification and easy recognition to the space. 

What does exhibiting at the Salone del Mobile mean for you? How would you describe the positives (and maybe negatives?) of the experience?

L’Abbate is exhibiting at SuperstudioPiù – Temporary Museum for New Design. The title of the installation by Marco Viola is I LOAF THEREFORE I AM. It is in two sections: the first part is to be set up like the lobby of a hotel where there is to be an elegant atmosphere with a spotlight which illuminates the decorations and chairs by Gio Ponti and armchairs by Luigi Caccia Dominioni. The second part of the installation is to be styled like a terrace flooded with dazzling light, with a display of the outdoor seating designed by Enzo Calabrese with Fabio Meliota and the new cantilevered chair designed by Werner Aisslinger with Tina Bunyaprasit, placed on personalised flooring with a print of the slats of a terrace for fun and relaxation. The intent is that of playing with artificial light which in the first part creates a welcoming and muffled atmosphere highlighting the seats with their retro feel, while the dazzling, almost solar light plays with a leisure and holiday mood, represented by the new L’Abbate products and by the flip-flops and inflatable beach balls printed on the slats of the floor.

We're sorry, it has to be asked - How do you think the current economic situation will affect the climate in the design world, and particularly this year's Milan Salone? Do you foresee any positive or negative knock on effects or adaptations that might happen as a result?

I have the feeling that thanks to this situation, we will have much more space on the market.

Do you have any predictions for trends in design this year?

Those who seek out LAbbate creations today seek enduring products with absolute value that remains unchanged over the years. Creations that are the fruit of this union of design, art and luxury that is typical of the product culture and innovating spirit of l’Abbate

Is there anything you're especially looking forward to at this year's Salone? Can you let us in on the stands you'll be checking out for yourself or new names to watch?

I would have a look at Paola Lenti and at Moroso … after visiting our stand!

And of course, its not all work! Where do you think this year's best Salone party will be?

At the Spazio Giovannoni, Via Stendhal 35. It’s a show named Sacro & Profano. It’s a fantastic location!