The best of Brazilian design at Milan Design Week 2024

In a sea of international design brands vying for attention during Milan Design Week, Brazilian designers and manufacturers staked their claim in the spotlight with a strong presence at the fairgrounds and throughout the city. The sixth largest furniture producer globally, Brazil showcased furnishings that match contemporary European design but with a distinct South American flair and a focus on organic colors, sustainable practices, and the use of natural raw materials—including native wood, fibers, ropes, leathers, fabrics, wools, and weaves. Here are five highlights from Brazil’s showing during the week.

kitchen with tables in center — The new, two-story showroom is located in Milan’s 18th-century Palazzo Gallarati Scotti (Courtesy Ornare)

Ornare Milan Showroom

With eight showrooms in the U.S. and 14 in Brazil, the high-end furnishings brand Ornare expanded into the European market with a new two-level, light-filled showroom in Milan’s 18th-century Palazzo Gallarati Scotti. Located on Via Manzoni, the showroom featured the work of Brazilian artists amongst the brand’s modern closets, kitchen and bathroom collections, accessories, and furnishings.

chair with a hilly backdrop — The collection is designed in collaboration with Milan-based designer and architect Patricia Urquiola (Ruy Teixeira)

Naturalia Collection by Etel Carmona

Designed in collaboration with Milan-based designer and architect Patricia Urquiola, the Naturalia Collection includes a coffee table, sofa, bench, and armchair. The seating has a wooden frame upholstered with fabric that resembles a “furniture garment” in two styles: an untreated cotton fabric for summer and a wool version made exclusively from textile industry surpluses. The side and center tables use a vegetable resin bound with macela grass and wood sawdust dyed with natural pigments from Brazilian soil, along with a plant-based bioplastic from the sugar cane industry. They’re available in the U.S. at Etel Carmona’s Houston gallery.

lounge chair with orange — This indoor and outdoor collection is designed by Roberta Banqueri (Courtesy Green House)

Elementos Collection by Green House

Designed by Roberta Banqueri, the Elementos collection includes outdoor sun loungers, a bar cart, chairs, a dining table, and a swing. The Percinta lounge (shown) has an upholstered aluminum frame, support straps made of Soleto leather, and a teak wood tabletop, base, and wheels. The lounger comes in three, limited-edition colorways inspired by endangered Brazilian birds: bright blue, light blue, and yellow to represent the Hyacinth Macaw; brown, gray, and white for the Caburé pygmy owl; and brown, yellow, and gray for the Northeast Leaf Cleaner.

sofa for outdoor — The Friends Sofa facilitates close and casual seating and conversation (Courtesy Modalle)

Friends Sofa by Modalle

Designed by London-based Brazilian designer Roberta Rampazzo, the Friends Sofa was designed to allow users to sit in a close and casual position, facilitating in-depth conversations. Suitable for indoor or outdoor use, the sofa features an aluminum structure with electrostatic painting, teak wood, an upholstered seat, and a removable backrest.

close-up of chair presented at Milan Design Week — The Tide Collection is made in collaboration with the architects and furniture designers at Basi.Co Design (Courtesy IBTW)

Tide Collection by IBTW

Designed in collaboration with Basi.Co Design, this indoor/outdoor collection includes tables, chairs, a pouf, and a sofa. An interpretation of an old beach chair, the lightweight and easy to move Calm armchair has an aluminum structure, seat and backrest made of Soleto leather, and a fabric headrest.