THE SPANISH SEATING RENAISSANCE

To say that the Spanish furniture industry is in the midst of a renaissance is an understatement. Within the past two decades, the country's furniture market has witnessed an astonishing transformation, from nascent industry to big-league all-star.

Not to be pigeon-holed, Spanish companies are displaying their proficiency across a broad spectrum of materials -- woods, metals, plastics, wovens and upholstery -- for both indoor and outdoor furniture.

WOOD

We're completely taken with Konstantin Grcic's latest design for BD Barcelona Design. The B Chair, fashioned from wood and structural aluminum, is a dynamic folding chair with a gracefully curved seat. Grcic's masterful stroke with this design is the seat's colorful lacquered underside, visible only when the chair is stowed.

Other notable additions to the pantheon of Spanish wood craft include the Woody by Lievore, Altherr & Molina for Andreu World and La Clasica, an elegant molded ply chair by Jesús Gasca for Stua.

METAL
Outdoor specialist Expormim introduced two fetching pieces at this year's Salone del Mobile. Out Line by Nieves Contreras and Nido by Javier Pastor both display a playful manipulation of welded steel tubing, highlighting its role in both structure and decoration. Or, for the pure joy of chair as functional sculpture, look no further than Jean-Marie Massaud's Ad Hoc for Viccarbe.

On the more serious side, we like the rigorous minimalism of Samoa's IZ series of lacquered aluminum seating. Designed by Francesc Rife, the sleek elements are available in white or black. Also from Samoa, is the Ona chaise, a supple piece by Lievore, Altherr & Molina that alludes to movement while inviting repose.

PLASTICS
A leader in the field of rotational molding, the Valencia-based manufacturer Vondom has developed a diverse catalog by working with some of today's best talents, including Karim Rashid, Stefano Giovanoni, and Spaniards Javier Mariscal and Ramon Esteve. From Esteve's faceted forms to Rashid's signature curves and Giovanoni's literal translations, Vondom offers a style to fit most any contemporary outdoor setting.

When it comes to personality, few chairs can match the Carmela. This piece from Uno Design, made of injected polyurethane, has more charisma than most, thanks to a simple channel cut into the seat and backrest.

Manufactured from injection molded polyurethane, the New Nanda by Lievore, Altherr & Molina for Andreu World is an enveloping side chair suitable for both domestic and public use. Available with a number of leg options -- feet, sled and castors -- this design highlights the Spanish manufacturer's determination to become a key player in the contract market.

WOVENS
In the arena of wicker and rattan, both natural and synthetic, Spanish manufacturers are proving themselves remarkably adept. The most recent foray into this seating genre comes from leading talent Patricia Urquiola. Her Maia collection of outdoor furniture for Kettal, made from high-tech fibre stretched over an aluminum frame, is notable for her signature combination of textures and patterns. Available in a variety of forms, finishes and colors, Maia looks to be an instant outdoor classic.

We're also admiring the welcoming gesture of the Zeros chair by Bonestil (2004), the mildly aggressive look of the Urban line from Point and the shimmering curves of the Boa seating system by Calma.

UPHOLSTERY
The current generation of outdoor upholstery has been conceived for a true life of leisure. Today's advanced fabrics require far less care than those of the past. The Mood Low sofa system from Bivaq, with its weather protective Screen Cover upholstery (highly resistant to sun fading), is particularly appropriate for those who forget to cover the furniture when the weekend is over.

Not to be forgotten is Spain's principal outdoor specialist Gandia Blasco, whose dedication to white is nothing short of remarkable. Its Flat Collection (which won Wallpaper's 2008 design award for best outdoor furniture) is well-suited to urban outdoor settings and includes an inviting sofa system available in jacquard outdoor upholstery.

Other recent favorites in Spanish upholstery include the Tea Collection by JM Ferero for Sancal, the Beecolour stools by RS Barcelona, the Time Sofa by Mario Ruiz for Joquer and the latest colors in Jaime Hayon's Lounger series for BD Barcelona Design.

ALL MATERIALS IN ONE
Four years after it was introduced, we're still fascinated by the arresting composition of Jaime Hayon's Showtime Chair, which manages to combine wood, metal and upholstery to surprisingly harmonious effect. The chair is available in two backs (high & low), two leg structures, varnished and lacquer finishes, either fully or partially upholstered, and with optional armrests. The variety of possible compositions is both dizzying and delightful.

Written by Brian Fichtner, COOL HUNTING.