MILAN DESIGN WEEK

 
 
 
 

Inspired Nuances:

Where artisan craft meets color with

Mercœur Edition, Franck Genser & Tonester Paints

 
 
 
 

At this year's Milan Design Week, three distinctive design voices, Mercœur Edition, Tonester Paints, and Franck Genser, came together for Inspired Nuances, an immersive installation in the heart of the Brera Design District. Curated as a multisensory experience, the showcase was a masterclass in materiality, color, and form, offering an elevated expression of contemporary French design. Against a scenographic backdrop of curated tones and collectible forms, the installation reflected a shared ethos: emotion through craft, boldness through restraint.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Mercœur: Sculptural Elegance and Narrative Design

 

Mercœur presented a compelling constellation of new pieces and refined classics, revealing its evolving creative vocabulary. Among the highlights:

  • Arcy table lamp & Nell rug: Two recent introductions, the Arcy table lamp in enameled lava stone, and the Nell rug, a rich, textural foundation-reflect Mercœur's ongoing dialogue between sculptural clarity and artisan detail.
  • Crecy armchair by Grégoire de Lafforest: Now reimagined in Pierre Frey's Toundra Ambre fabric, the armchair brings a tactile warmth to the sculptural silhouette. Paired with a walnut low screen featuring a hidden magazine rack, the ensemble offers intimacy and architectural rhythm.
  • Iraty coffee table: This square reinterpretation of the Iraty table introduces a striking graphic rhythm inspired by Sol Lewitt and the Auteuil greenhouses.

  • Arcy floor lamp in Pantone 7501C: A monobloc design in enameled lava stone, this sculptural piece has been recently acquired by the Mobilier National.

  • From the Air collection: Returning favorites included the Sérif lamp by Marina Declarey, crafted with Maison Fey using leather and lava rock, the Pulse armchair by Joëlle Rigal, an inviting, pleated velvet seat crafted in collaboration with Paris-based upholsterers and the Dolomie console in papier mâché, also by Rigal.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Tonester Paints: A Palette for Milan's Spirit

 

Tonester Paints brought chromatic nuance to the installation with a palette of four emotive hues inspired by Milan's architectural grace and contemporary energy:

  • Love & Sins - a jade green drawn from the city's historic facades
  • Street Art - a deep mocha echoing espresso, leather, and artistic grit
  • Evening Galore - a sleek, enduring black that channels Milanese elegance
  • Cursed by Milano - a sultry oxblood, evoking boldness and design fervor
 
 
 
 
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Color: Evening Galore

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Color: Street Art

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Color: Cursed by Milano

 
 
 
 

Franck Genser: Sculptural Emotion and Timeless Craft

 

At the heart of Franck Genser's showcase was a commitment to sculptural precision and psychological resonance. Working with noble materials like alabaster, parchment, stained ash, and walnut, Genser's pieces for Inspired Nuances were more than design-they were reflections of human experience.

  • Chance armchair: Upholstered in Pierre Frey bouclé silk and wool, the Chance armchair is a study in elegance and tactility.

  • Morse collection: A tribute to Northern seas, featuring an aubergine-stained ash coffee table with calacatta viola marble and seating with neoprene upholstery.

  • Cascade lighting: This alabaster collection draws on Japanese architecture and Art Deco jewelry. Available in ceiling, solo, trio, and infinite formats.

  • Girafe console: Inspired by animality and crafted in stained oak marquetry, the piece explores material metaphor.

  • Tam table: A rhythmic side table in aubergine-stained ash with a parchment top that hums with vibrational resonance.

  • Hug lamp: A sculptural Limoges porcelain piece inspired by Brancusi's The Kiss, radiating soft, ambient light.

  • Parchemin side table: A faceted parchment piece that contrasts mineral geometry with the softness of aging leather.

  • Iko lamp: A wireless alabaster nightlight that responds to touch, evoking fluidity and serenity.

  • Splash mirrors: A surrealist-inspired series of beveled mirrors framed in lacquered wood, capturing fluid movement and visual distortion.

  • Scarf seating collection: A modular family of enveloping forms in Pierre Frey chenille, ranging from armchair to grand-scale sofa.

 
 
 
 
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Scarf sofa

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Iko lamp

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Splash mirrors

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

ABOUT MERCŒUR

 

Mercoeur is a pioneering brand at the forefront of statement furnishings and objects, redefining the boundaries of design with its unique blend of craftsmanship and innovation. Founded in 2023, Mercoeur draws inspiration from the rich heritage of Biobject, a renowned name in high-end furnishings and design solutions since the 1970s. Situated on rue Mercoeur, the brand's showroom is a hub for architects and interior design professionals, fostering collaborative creativity and pushing the boundaries of design possibilities. Led by Romain Rougier, Mercoeur is committed to exceptional craftsmanship, sustainable practices, and a profound appreciation for noble materials. From captivating lighting fixtures to elegant accessories, each Mercoeur creation tells a story of artistry and functionality, inviting audiences worldwide to experience the allure of design that transcends the ordinary.

 

 

ABOUT TONESTER


Based in Florida, Tonester Paints is a homegrown paint brand founded by Tony Piloseno, an artistic visionary whose captivating journey began as a paint enthusiast on TikTok. Originating in Ohio, Tony's mesmerizing paint-mixing videos went viral, sparking an unintended chain of events that ultimately led to his termination from a corporate job. Undeterred, Tony transformed this setback into a triumphant opportunity, turning his passion for paint mixing into a thriving business venture.

Embracing the unwavering support of his ever-growing online community, Tony founded Tonester Paints, infusing his artistic vision and dedication to quality into every color. The brand offers top-quality paints that empower creativity and artistic expression for DIY enthusiasts, professional artists, and homeowners alike.

Established in 2021, Tonester Paints stands as a testament to the power of creativity, authenticity, and resilience. Connect with Tonester Paints on social media (@Tonesterpaints) or visit www.tonesterpaints.com.

 

 

ABOUT FRANCK GENSER

 

Fascinated by the soul of objects and all dimensions of their influence on the individual, Franck Genser founded his creative studio in Paris in 2015. There, he brings together a multidisciplinary team composed of engineers and artisans. To create his furniture pieces, he draws inspiration from his imagination and explores the fields of perception. His creations combine functionality, art, and emotion.

 

An engineer by training and an entrepreneur by passion, Franck Genser also expresses himself in more unexpected fields such as Gestalt therapy. An approach focused on the constant interaction between the human being and their environment.

 

Form becomes the foremost function, emerging from inspiration without necessarily being tied to a specific use. Driven by a sensitive aesthetic, Franck Genser does not hesitate to blend different exceptional skills to create a piece. He particularly works with noble materials that will develop a patina over time, such as walnut, parchment, marble, and Japanese lacquer. This unique approach results in objects brimming with emotion. They fit into a heritage perspective, serving as a current and future testimony of our era.

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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