New materials for interior design: imagination gains new dimensions

One of the beautiful things about interior design is that it never stands still. There is not only the constant evolution of tastes and the seasonal debut of new designers, but also the incessant technological research into materials, which produces innovative solutions and unprecedented opportunities practically every week.

New materials that not only allow for original and surprising visual effects, but also boast mechanical performance and durability far superior to previous generations. Let's take a look at the main materials that made their debut or established their presence on the market in 2016, becoming indispensable for any self-respecting interior designer.

Pyrolytic stone

Also called synthetic marble, it is obtained by a process that simulates natural geological processes. The material is created from a mixture of minerals, which are then processed under high pressure and high temperature to create the typical marble veins. This material is able to withstand chemicals, scratches, temperature changes, and is of course impervious to stains. The company Geoluxe is the market leader in this field and many of the patents required to produce this material are owned by it. Seven different styles are commercially available, including Bluette, which has a combination of grey and blue veins reminiscent of Italian Dolomite marble; and Eramo, which is inspired by the brown Canadian stone used in past centuries for the construction of palaces and cathedrals.

Wood-skin

It is a new, malleable composite material that can create architectural surfaces with a particularly striking and innovative 3D effect. Wood-skin is as flexible as fabric and as rigid as wood. It is made of triangular-shaped tiles held together by a high-strength nylon mesh. The result is a facetted, polygonal surface composed of hundreds of triangles arranged in space in a three-dimensional manner. It can be used for a variety of applications: to create vertical, self-supporting structures to be used as partition walls; to create exhibition stands quickly and with great impact; as a substitute for wood or plastic to create innovative furniture. The great flexibility of Wood-skin also lies in the possibility of creating the triangular tiles with 3D printers, in the desired size and colour, and then joining them with adhesive nylon mesh in a very modern version of classic DIY. It should be noted that the company marketing the product and holding the patent is Wood-skin Srls, an Italian start-up made up of very young engineers and designers.

Braided resin

The basic material is the well-known epoxy resin, which is however processed in such a way as to gain the third dimension and amaze with the play of raised volumes, which can also be highlighted with the use of grazing lights. Available in many colour variants, it was used in the past for large-scale commercial projects and is now very much in fashion in residential interior design. An interesting variant is the use of vinyl, which is always woven to achieve an original effect. The company Chilewich offers a product on the market called Plynyl, which can be used on the floor, replacing traditional carpeting. The advantages of these materials are the great colour variety, flexibility of use, robustness and low maintenance.

Laminated resin

It is often used to create inserts for cabinet doors or to make lampshades, but can also be applied on a larger scale. Italians have been masters in the production of laminates since 1950. Companies such as Arpa and Abet Laminati are the constant references in an ever-changing market. Today, with laminates it is possible to surprise by transforming a wall in your home into a forest, or by creating optical effects with 3D textures, or even by creating a mobile partition with a high design content. The possibilities are almost endless, as these materials are available on the market in a wide range of colours, patterns and finishes. Very interesting is the possibility of customised use: that is, buying the basic materials online and then having them worked on by a trusted cabinetmaker who will reproduce the desired decoration.

3D Plasterboard

Modular Arts produces a wide range of fibreglass-reinforced plasterboard panels. These panels are also available in tiles, to be screwed onto a substrate material. The joint profiles are grouted and sanded to create a striking continuous effect.

Faux leather

Robin Reigi is the leading distributor of this sintesim product that manages to reproduce leather very faithfully. It has a pleasant warmth to the touch and is available in three different shades: natural, chocolate and black. Since it is a product similar in many ways to rubber, it is easy to maintain and is particularly suitable for kitchen and bathroom furniture.

Stainless steel

Even in architecture, steel has a long history and can certainly not be considered an innovative material. What is new is the way it is processed and the often decorative use to which it is put. Small steel rings joined together, like the ancient chain mail of medieval knights, form curtains that combine pleasing curves and a curious heaviness with a persuasive tinkle. Thin sheets perforated by laser machines recreate subtle and striking geometric shapes that decorate staircases and partition walls. A self-supporting steel mesh becomes an interior staircase with a very industrial flavour and a guaranteed design effect. If we then combine this with lights diffused by hidden LEDs, then we can understand how even a classic material can become innovative when it lends its mechanical qualities to support advanced technologies.