Colored Glass is Having a Moment at Salone del Mobile

Spectra collection by Kukka Studio

Just two days into Salone del Mobile 2016, and colored glass is already proving to be a major trend at Milan's annual orgy of furniture and home design. Some of the design world's superstars are making their marks with the material, as is a fellow Israeli who's won my heart with her luminescent tables.

As the founder of London-based Kukka Studio, Israeli/British designer Rona Meyuchas-Koblenz is displaying two pieces from her new Spectra collection at Frame Magazine's "What's the Matter? Design for a Phygital World" exhibit during Milan Design Week 2016. The two pieces, the ABCD table and the O table, both feature pastel-hued Dichroic glass, a material that appears achingly modern despite its use by the ancient Romans. Offsetting the futuristic glass is reclaimed white quartz, which is found abundantly in nature, reflecting the physical world and timeless design, according to Kukka Studio.

Leading the charge in Dichroic glass at last year's Salone del Mobile was Patricia Urquiola, who created the iridescent Shimmer collection for Glas Italia. This year, the collection gets an update with a statement-making dining table.

Brand new for Urquiola, though, is the Credenza collection, a collaboration with graphic designer Federico Pepe for Spazio Pontaccio. Comprised of cabinets, screens and low tables, the collection combines the antique tradition of stained glass with contemporary geometric patterns and furniture designs. The collection is currently on display at Spazio Pontaccio's Milan showroom.

Credenza collection by Patricia Urquiola &  Federico Pepe for Spazio Pontaccio

Likewise, the Campana Brothers have incorporated colored glass into their Aquário collection for BD Barcelona Design. On view at BD's Salone del Mobile booth, both a cabinet and low table are made of ash wood or stained pine and feature amorphous views of blue or green colored glass. The shelves within the cabinet are also made of glass, conserving transparency and allowing light to pass through.

Aquário Cabinet by Fernando and Humberto Campana for BD Barcelona Design

With Milan's influence sure to be felt far and wide, can we expect to see colored glass reach the masses? An iridescent Target table, perhaps? I'd go for it!