Report From Italy: Mustard Yellow, Hidden Kitchens and More
See what our team in Italy discovered at Salone del Mobile 2016. Which new design idea speaks to you?
There may be no better place to look for trends that will be making their way into our homes than the annual Salone del Mobile in Milan. Exhibitors from around the world travel to the Rho exhibition center to show off their latest innovations in furniture, kitchen design and accessories. And the city of Milan becomes an open stage for the Fuorisalone (“outside the main fair"), where new designers and established companies create theatrical stages for their products in old villas and parks. The 2016 fair, held April 12 through 17, drew an estimated 370,000 visitors and 2,400 exhibitors. Here are some of the biggest trends the Houzz Italy team saw there.
Included at the Casa Vitra exhibit at Fuorisalone were the Slow chair from Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec, foreground, the Polder sofa by Hella Jongerius, center, and the new Soft modular sofa, designed by Jasper Morrison for Vitra.
Tom Dixon and Caesarstone created the Restaurant, a temporary restaurant inspired by the four elements, in the Rotonda della Besana in Milan during Fuorisalone 2016.
2. The Hidden Kitchen
The kitchen can be flattened out, reduced in size and hidden away, becoming a multifunctional work surface that appears only when needed. Integrated induction plates and materials create continuity between work surfaces, the sink and the overall room.
2. The Hidden Kitchen
The kitchen can be flattened out, reduced in size and hidden away, becoming a multifunctional work surface that appears only when needed. Integrated induction plates and materials create continuity between work surfaces, the sink and the overall room.
Tord Boontje designed the Senegal-O chair for Moroso.
Stephen Burks designed this armchair with a high back for the Ahnda collection by Dedon.
3. Wovens
Whether it nods to memories of the wicker basket or is a reworking in ethnic-pop style doesn’t matter. Chairs, tables and lamps are incorporating wovens in unusual indoor and outdoor designs.
3. Wovens
Whether it nods to memories of the wicker basket or is a reworking in ethnic-pop style doesn’t matter. Chairs, tables and lamps are incorporating wovens in unusual indoor and outdoor designs.
Rossana Orlandi exhibited the Pet Lamp collection in Milan.
The Deadline collection, artistic mirrors with architectural aspects, is by Ron Gilad for Cassina.
4. A New Generation of Mirrors
Their purpose is no longer just to reflect light and enable you to check out your hair. These new mirrors instead play with textures, colors and optical effects. In some cases, it’s advisable not to do your makeup using them since positive results can’t be guaranteed!
4. A New Generation of Mirrors
Their purpose is no longer just to reflect light and enable you to check out your hair. These new mirrors instead play with textures, colors and optical effects. In some cases, it’s advisable not to do your makeup using them since positive results can’t be guaranteed!
The Framed collection of mirrors with sculptural forms is by Anderssen & Voll for Muuto.
Shanghai’s Neru & Hu studio designed the Ren collection of hybrid multifunctional objects for Poltrona Frau.
Lago designed a bathroom inspired by the city of Vicenza and the Palladian Villas of the Veneto.
5. Reviving the Past
In countries such as Italy, where the past is still a source of great inspiration, companies don’t simply ignore the passing of time. Instead they integrate it into modern houses, letting the styles mesh together. The effect is that of a future softly folded with remnants or memories of the past.
5. Reviving the Past
In countries such as Italy, where the past is still a source of great inspiration, companies don’t simply ignore the passing of time. Instead they integrate it into modern houses, letting the styles mesh together. The effect is that of a future softly folded with remnants or memories of the past.
Reinterpreting a trademarked armchair? Sometimes it’s best to go for the bold. In his reimagining of the 1935 Utrecht armchair by Cassina, artist Bertjan Pot used the innovative Boxblocks fabric to cover 270 limited-edition chairs.
The exhibition Before Design: Classic, created by CQ Studio in Milan, looked at past traditions and presented them alongside contemporary interpretations. The project is seen in a short film by Italian director Matteo Garrone, who also directed the 2008 film Gomorrah.
The Sister Ray sofa is by Diesel for Moroso.
6. XXL Sofa
The new generation of sofas concentrates on comfort, or rather extreme comfort, with a seat depth of 40 inches or more. This is seating to settle back into.
6. XXL Sofa
The new generation of sofas concentrates on comfort, or rather extreme comfort, with a seat depth of 40 inches or more. This is seating to settle back into.
The Yop side table was designed by Lievore Altherr Molina for Arper. (Photo by Marco Covi)
7. Objects for a Nomadic Lifestyle
Whether it’s with a small table that can be hidden away or a guest bed that is always available for use, companies strive to give those in smaller homes everything they need. And it’s all convertible for those who have no permanent residence and have made their world their oyster.
7. Objects for a Nomadic Lifestyle
Whether it’s with a small table that can be hidden away or a guest bed that is always available for use, companies strive to give those in smaller homes everything they need. And it’s all convertible for those who have no permanent residence and have made their world their oyster.
Ca.Mia, a guest bed that offers privacy, was designed by Denis Santachiara for Campeggi.
The Babila chair is by Odo Fioravanti for Pedrali.
8. Angles Away
Whether in chairs or in tables, the geometric angle gives way to rounded and blunt corners, which in turn create a less rigid and more pliable-looking form.
8. Angles Away
Whether in chairs or in tables, the geometric angle gives way to rounded and blunt corners, which in turn create a less rigid and more pliable-looking form.
Wooden side tables were designed by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec for Vitra.
The Nabucco table is by Roberto Lazzeroni for Poltrona Frau.
9. Flowers
As long as they’re large and bold, floral patterns appear in many decorative projects, from wallpaper to carpets. Eden Queen by Marcel Wanders, pictured, is part of Moooi Carpets’ Signature collection.
As long as they’re large and bold, floral patterns appear in many decorative projects, from wallpaper to carpets. Eden Queen by Marcel Wanders, pictured, is part of Moooi Carpets’ Signature collection.
Furnishings from Moooi at the Fuorisalone include a carpet by Tricia Guild.
What trends are you seeing in 2016? Please share your thoughts in the Comments.
More: Five Life Lessons We Can Learn From Italian Design
What trends are you seeing in 2016? Please share your thoughts in the Comments.
More: Five Life Lessons We Can Learn From Italian Design
1. Bold Use of Mustard Yellow
Why would you choose a dull color when you could attract attention with a bold mustard yellow? If vivid colors are this year’s mantra, mustard yellow stands out above all others. The shade was visible all over the fair and chosen by many companies, including Vitra and Muuto. Is this a color you’d like in your living room, or would you tire of it too quickly?