Fumie Shibata designs multifunctional mirror-shelf for Flexform to debut at Salone del Mobile 2026

Tokyo-based designer Fumie Shibata of Studio S has created a new piece for Italian furniture company Flexform called 'Soreto,' a hybrid mirror and shelf. The design will be introduced at the Salone del Mobile event in 2026. Shibata's work spans over fifteen years and includes diverse items such as leather goods, lighting, and capsule hotels, documented in her monograph 'Forms within Forms.' The 'Soreto' piece aims to transform the traditional wall mirror by incorporating a horizontal shelf, allowing it to extend into the room rather than remaining purely planar. According to Shibata, this design blurs boundaries between wall and furniture while adding rhythmic elements to interior spaces. Constructed from curved sheet metal covered in cowhide, it comes in multiple sizes and colors matching Flexform's collection, intended for areas like hallways, bedrooms, and bathrooms. It is part of a new accessory line that also includes benches and clothing stands. Shibata has previously designed other pieces for Flexform, such as the 'Eri' armchair, inspired by jacket lapels, and the 'Enn' table, named after a Japanese term for connection and harmony. The article notes that Léa Teuscher, a Sub-Editor at Wallpaper*, authored the piece, drawing on her background in travel and architecture journalism.