DESIGN IN MINIMALISM

What does the theory on minimalism state? According to Google, the intent of minimalist design is to “reduce the work to what is fundamental, essential, necessary, eliminating all superfluous, purely ornamental layers.”

But when we think of minimalist design, what is the image that forms in our minds? It is a question that we have asked ourselves and thought about, so that we can then put it into action. It is something to think about carefully before taking any step, because the end goal must be considered very carefully, down to the smallest detail.

Creating space

When trying to define the concept of minimalism, space becomes a common thread. Creating space, elevating space, raising space–these are all synonyms for the ultimate goal. Thinking about a design element that can capture the space or highlight it is therefore essential.

Making a product that offers elevation while remaining true to other design fundamentals is critically important. Smooth Operator is an example of this. With its elevated geometry, this sofa creates light and space below and all around, giving the visual impression of floating, while the soft cushions accompany the body’s movements through carefully designed mechanisms to create a form that offers joy and relaxation.

Choosing the right materials

To create elevation and emphasize the concepts of minimalism, the choice of materials is also essential. It means choosing products that can reflect and transmit light with ease. Glass is thus a central component of the minimalist matrix, and choosing the right design matters.

Looking at Gino Carollo‘s suspended version of the Bubble Bobble, one begins to understand why the overall look is so important. Recognizable by the three glass spheres of different sizes, supported by thin metal cables, which play with the natural light artificially created by the shapes, it is an emotional realization, which perceives and creates the environment of a room with simplicity and elegance, creating space vertically.

Mauro Lipparini ‘s Final Cut coffee table, on the other hand, representsa completely different theory on the choice of materials. Combining two different materials to achieve the same final concept, that of spaciousness. It features a multi-level surface, the top of which is a thin layer of smoked glass connected to a thick marble top. The complex and sophisticated geometric design reflects a dynamic lifestyle, which makes this vision very close to today’s way of life and emphasizes minimalist design principles without compromising the quality or engineering technique adopted.

Elegance in the details

What about the other unspoken rule of minimalism? Elegance? Of course, it is all very subjective: what is elegant for someone may be out of place for someone else. However, elegance for us means finding a balance that can create a common thread between space, materials and form.

When choosing the dining table for this loft, minimalism finds its expression in Epsilon and Victoria. No pair could be better matched than this pairing.

Victoria’s seat is upholstered in soft leather, which is then molded into the desired design, creating an aesthetic and sensory element in stark contrast to the three-dimensional metal-framed base. Soft and hard materials combine to elevate the final design of the chair. And what about the table? Epsilon, by Manzoni & Tapinassi, brings to life a design that combines two different worlds: indoor and outdoor. The base stands tall and sturdy, joining the floor to the central structure, while the top is enriched by an interplay of metal and wood and carvings in the surface that follow the configuration of the base. The end result is a dynamic contrast of soft and hard, achieved in a room that requires as minimalist an intervention as possible.

Minimalism is a combination of different aspects of design, a combination that creates and reduces the superfluous while remaining central to the overall look and feel of a room. With judicious choice, any room can be transformed into a new sensory creation.