Italian outdoor furniture brand Ethimo will present Loop, a new sculptural sofa designed in collaboration with Elena Salmistraro, at Salone del Mobile.Milano 2026. The project reinterprets outdoor seating as a fluid, organic form that encourages new ways of interacting with open-air environments.
© Ethimo
Loop reflects Ethimo's continued exploration of outdoor living, blending the brand's expertise in exterior furniture with Salmistraro's expressive design language. Conceived as a continuous, flowing form, the sofa moves beyond traditional seating typologies to become what the designer describes as a dynamic spatial element.
"Loop was conceived more as an organism than a simple piece of furniture. It is an outdoor sofa with a fluid body, built out of organic volumes that come together and support each other, creating a continuous movement that is natural, almost instinctive," said Elena Salmistraro. "This is not a sofa in the classic sense of the word, nor is it conventional seating. It is, rather, a fertile borderline, a hybrid shape that shuns hierarchies, preordained attitudes and univocal interpretations."
The three-seater sofa features a self-supporting structure defined by technical padding, rather than a visible frame. Its sinuous silhouette creates an uninterrupted flow of shapes that can be accessed from any side, eliminating the traditional distinction between front and back. This open configuration encourages spontaneous use and interaction, transforming the sofa into a central point for socialising.
© Ethimo
Designed for outdoor environments, Loop incorporates high-performance upholstery materials that combine durability with a soft tactile quality. The sofa is offered in three fabric options, enabling it to adapt to a variety of residential and hospitality settings.
Two colour palettes further define its identity. One draws inspiration from Mediterranean landscapes, featuring warm tones ranging from red to rust, while the second evokes the coastal environment, with shades of sky blue and sea green.
Loop is intended for both private outdoor spaces and contract environments, where its sculptural presence can help define the character of terraces, gardens and hospitality venues. Whether used as a standalone element or combined with other seating pieces, the sofa aims to create a welcoming environment that fosters conversation and shared experiences.
With this collaboration, Ethimo continues to expand its vision of contemporary outdoor design, exploring how furniture can shape new forms of conviviality and connection in open-air spaces.
More information:
Ethimo
[email protected]
www.ethimo.com
