8 Trends From Salone del Mobile 2018 in Milan
The ’70s make a comeback, wood and marble reappear in new ways, and coziness and craftsmanship take center stage
The latest installment of Salone del Mobile, one of the biggest furniture trade fairs in the world, has just wrapped up in Milan. This year’s fair, held April 17 to 22, was not just about visually stunning displays, but also showcased appealing textures, quality craftsmanship and furniture made for living. The pieces on display were designed to be customized to individual tastes, moods and habits, and to turn the home into a real safe haven. It was all about beautiful furniture that is never, or almost never, over the top, that is designed to be long-lasting and that incorporates wear and tear as added charm.
New colors for Rodolfo Dordoni’s Bitta collection for Kettal
More calming and comforting than orange — but often matched with it — green was another dominant color at this year’s event. Mint, sage and moss green are the shades you will see in both indoor and outdoor furnishings this year.
More calming and comforting than orange — but often matched with it — green was another dominant color at this year’s event. Mint, sage and moss green are the shades you will see in both indoor and outdoor furnishings this year.
Enfold sideboard in oak and dusty green by Thomas Bentzen for Muuto
Branco sofa by Kunikazu Hamanishi
Green, especially sage, also dominated at the Salone Satellite. This part of the fair is dedicated to emerging designers and is always a hotbed for new trends.
Green, especially sage, also dominated at the Salone Satellite. This part of the fair is dedicated to emerging designers and is always a hotbed for new trends.
Tape sofa by Benjamin Hubert for Moroso
2. Celebrating the sense of touch. Green appeared in risky yet successful color combinations, as in Moroso’s Tape sofa, a set of upholstered modules that can be put together in various ways and joined with polyurethane tape.
In terms of fabric and upholstery, the recurring philosophy at this year’s trade fair was that furniture is to be lived with and handled in a very tactile way. Some pieces featured solid weaves that could only be fully perceived through touch, for example.
2. Celebrating the sense of touch. Green appeared in risky yet successful color combinations, as in Moroso’s Tape sofa, a set of upholstered modules that can be put together in various ways and joined with polyurethane tape.
In terms of fabric and upholstery, the recurring philosophy at this year’s trade fair was that furniture is to be lived with and handled in a very tactile way. Some pieces featured solid weaves that could only be fully perceived through touch, for example.
On the other hand, visible weaves, often inspired by tweed, were also a recurring decorative motif. The many large cushions on Nipa Doshi and Jonathan Levien’s Casa Modernista sofa for Moroso, pictured here, invokes a feeling of softness. This sofa is a cozy haven for relaxation.
4. Small, unique decorations. This year’s fair also saw a return to purely decorative items, sometimes resulting from a hybridization of handmade and industrial elements.
For example, Magis worked with Finnish brand Iittala to produce the Linnut sculpture-lamps, designed by Oiva Toikka, pictured here. They are made of rotational-molded polycarbonate. In this technique, granules of different colors can be added to produce unique effects, making each lamp a one-of-a-kind piece.
For example, Magis worked with Finnish brand Iittala to produce the Linnut sculpture-lamps, designed by Oiva Toikka, pictured here. They are made of rotational-molded polycarbonate. In this technique, granules of different colors can be added to produce unique effects, making each lamp a one-of-a-kind piece.
Mirrors by Studio Roso for Republic of Fritz Hansen
Unique decorative details, such as these mirrors that come in several shapes and soft iridescent colors, adorned walls too.
Unique decorative details, such as these mirrors that come in several shapes and soft iridescent colors, adorned walls too.
Wall covering by Aldo Cibic for Listone Giordano and Inkiostro Bianco
Wood has been brought back with inlays and unexpected colors, and used as a wall finish. (Remember we mentioned the ’70s?) This marks a new path for this material, which is still commonly used but no longer obvious in its interpretations.
Wood has been brought back with inlays and unexpected colors, and used as a wall finish. (Remember we mentioned the ’70s?) This marks a new path for this material, which is still commonly used but no longer obvious in its interpretations.
Heinz Glatzl & Joachim Mayr’s Il Naturale table for Moroso, pictured here, is made of solid wood and, as stated in a press release, “dried naturally to preserve its original surface.” Its color is a result of resins, waxes and natural oils that have been left to penetrate and impregnate the wood without obscuring its knots and grain.
Woody chairs by Philippe Starck for Kartell
Even Kartell, a company long devoted to plastic, has turned to wood for its chairs, pictured here, entrusting the design to Philippe Starck.
Even Kartell, a company long devoted to plastic, has turned to wood for its chairs, pictured here, entrusting the design to Philippe Starck.
Bulco armchair and Bou table by Giulia Urciuoli and Andrea Pezzoli of Co.Arch studio
8. Furniture for “me time.” Furniture should help us find time for ourselves, and hard-won moments for reading or chatting require dedicated spaces. This is the philosophy that inspired Giulia Urciuoli and Andrea Pezzoli to make their prototypes: Bulco, an armchair that integrates a reading light and a coffee table; and Bou, a bistro table with a light built in. They are compact yet complete pieces that work well even in small spaces.
8. Furniture for “me time.” Furniture should help us find time for ourselves, and hard-won moments for reading or chatting require dedicated spaces. This is the philosophy that inspired Giulia Urciuoli and Andrea Pezzoli to make their prototypes: Bulco, an armchair that integrates a reading light and a coffee table; and Bou, a bistro table with a light built in. They are compact yet complete pieces that work well even in small spaces.
Although domestic spaces are becoming increasingly smaller, people are not willing to abandon functionality and visual appeal. Green is coming back into houses, not only as part of the urban “jungalow” look but also in a more traditional and poetic way. The Verdable table, by Anna Szczurek and Sophie Berianidze of Beriana studio, pictured above, complies with this modern need to optimize space. The table’s mirrored top reflects any flowers that are placed in the vase-pedestal, amplifying their presence.
Finally, Kartell has reinterpreted a Lago experiment from 2016, which integrated an induction hob into a dining table. In sync with today’s trends of working from home and the overlap of working and living spaces, Kartell has produced the I-Table, designed by Piero Lissoni, pictured here. It is a hybrid table that can be used as a desk or a dining table and also incorporates a small induction cooker.
Innovation at this year’s fair was geared toward simple everyday moments at home as well as increasingly hybrid spaces dedicated to multifunctionality. All was geared toward comfort and well-being, with welcoming and well-structured environments furnished with quality, an eye for aesthetics and a touch of the unusual.
More
Interior Design Trends Expected to Take Hold in 2018
Find an interior designer near you
Innovation at this year’s fair was geared toward simple everyday moments at home as well as increasingly hybrid spaces dedicated to multifunctionality. All was geared toward comfort and well-being, with welcoming and well-structured environments furnished with quality, an eye for aesthetics and a touch of the unusual.
More
Interior Design Trends Expected to Take Hold in 2018
Find an interior designer near you
1. Mango and moss green. In a revival of ’70s style, shades of orange were without a doubt the dominant colors at this year’s Salone del Mobile. This is clear from the mango color all over Vitra’s display, seen here, as well as from the softer coral in Cristina Celestino’s wood table for Gebrüder Thonet Vienna, pictured later in the article.