In an early October Valencia, where the city vibrates under a still warm sun with temperatures nearing 30 degrees, the latest edition of the Hábitat fair opened, a showcase dedicated to the world of furnishing that sets trends for the Spanish market. The Mediterranean climate, with its enveloping light and sea breezes, seemed to encourage encounters and exchanges, as the streets filled with contagious energy. In bars and restaurants along the streets of the historic center, in museums, and in the exhibition center pavilions, design was celebrated, as the city itself became the stage for a spectacle of creativity and collaboration.
Welcoming visitors in the central hall of the exhibition center, a lively installation captured everyone’s attention. Spanish brand Fama presented one of its latest collections in the form of a modular upholstered system configured like a long snake, inviting public interaction with its typically Spanish, ironic, and fun style. The new collection of upholstery was signed by Javier Mariscal, one of the most important Spanish designers globally, who presented a selection of his most iconic graphic works with Fama.
Capdell
This year, alongside Hábitat València 2024 and the Textilhogar Home Textiles Premium, a new appointment joined: the Espacio Cocina SICI biennial, once again transforming the city into the capital of Spanish design. During the event, one of the most intriguing collaborations was between Vical and Catalan designer Francesc Rifé. The collection is characterized by rhythms of vertical parallels and elegant repeating circular finishes, granting harmony and beauty. The nobility of wood, so raw and warm, comes to life thanks to a subtle curve in the chairs or a stone top in the dining table, elements that add a touch of distinction.
Estiluz
Estiluz
Among the many proposals on display at the fair, three pieces stood out: the Leizu armchair by Capdell and the Loop lamp by Estiluz. The former, designed by Estudi{H}ac, is inspired by the thread cones of silk looms, while the latter, created by Nadia Arratibel, draws inspiration from Japanese aesthetics. The Loop lamp by Gerardo Mari – also from Estiluz – is distinguished by its delicate curl gracefully enclosing the light. Only a few stands manage to truly transform into stages, enriching the environment with texture and character like Point‘s. The brand’s essence, strong in outdoor furniture production, merges with Puerto Rican Ruiz Velázquez’s through a wooden weave reminiscent of many of Point’s most iconic works, while the rounded corners of the stand seem influenced by tropical architecture.
The GANDIABLASCO stand also amazed us with the display of new furniture collections: Arena by Søren Rose Studio, the Bosc expansion by Made Studio, and Timeless by José A. Gandía-Blasco Canales and Borja García. As novelties, the new Upgraded Daybed by the same Gandía-Blasco Canales and the new Ensombra parasol with pouf by Odosdesign were presented.
Vondom
At the Vondom stand, the focus was decisively on the integration between nature and elegance. Among the presented products, which we already saw in Milan last April, Luna by Ramón Esteve and the Milos daybed with canopy, designed by Jean-Marie Massaud, stood out.
Gandia Blasco
Andreu World
Andreu World presented its 2024 collections, signed by design greats – from Patricia Urquiola to Philippe Starck, spanning Benjamin Hubert and Alfredo Häberli – developed for wellness and sustainability, featuring Cradle to Cradle® certification, creations that promote an innovative and collaborative approach, keeping the environment and people’s health at the forefront.
Minotti
However, the innovations were not confined to the fair pavilions as one might think; design literally invaded the streets, and the city witnessed the opening of two new Italian-branded showrooms: Boffi | De Padova on one side, in a beautiful historic building with a significant multi-pane window overlooking the street, while Minotti also opened its third Spanish flagship store, consolidating its collaboration with PepeCabrera, in a building from the early 1900s, characterized by exposed brick and restored wooden beams.
An edition that welcomed curious visitors and industry professionals from September 30 to October 3, with 96,000 square meters of pure design, 925 brands exhibited, and a strong international focus. It’s no surprise that it is the grand fair of “made in Spain” in the housing sector.
