Top Trends from Milan’s Design Week

In April, I visited one of the most prestigious design fairs in the world — Salone del Mobile 2016 in Milan — where the top talent and design brands showcase their latest creations and projects. A wide range of design objects with something for every decor style, make it a real feast for the eyes. At the same time, the entire city of Milan is transformed into a big festival, with a few strategic city districts, such as Ventura Lambrate, focusing on young and independent designers. It’s a must-see fair for every design enthusiast, but in case you missed, here are some highlights.

After sifting through all the materials and thousands of photographs, I have identified  7 top trends.  I can’t wait to hear what you think about the latest design news!

1. Cosmic design

transparent Prismania chair designed by Elise Luttik

Objects made with cosmic-looking like materials such as dichroic finished glass. The transparent Prismania chair designed by Elise Luttik is both an art piece and a chair. From a particular angle, you can barely see it…take another step and it will reveal all the colours of the spectrum.

The mood divider

The ‘Mood’ room divider by Karina Stefan interacts with how the light falls within the in the space, changing its own intrinsic color and shade. The resulting mood of the light adds character to the room.

2. Splatter design is huge

Splatter collection of textile and wallpaper

From ceramics to textiles and wallpapers, the splash pattern is a hot trend to keep an eye on. Splatter collection by Aoomi studio.

The last stool splatter by Max Lamb

The last stool splatter by Max Lamb is hand-painted and then fired at 800C for a perfect enamel finish.

3. Statement, sculptural mirrors

Ora Mirror Objects by Studio Joa Herrenknecht

They come in different, original shapes and serve as functional sculptures. These Ora Mirror Objects by Studio Joa Herrenknecht are mirrors attached to a marble base. Their appearance is altered by a specially treated their silver layer.

50-50 Mirror containers by Kasper Nyman

50-50 Mirror containers by Kasper Nyman combine a freestanding circular mirror that also acts as a lid covering half of the circular base, creating a storage unit for small objects.

4. Naturally dyed objects

Lamps by Mayers and Fugmann

Experimenting with pigments and new, natural techniques leaves the marks of time and movement as a pattern on ceramics and textiles. Lamps by Mayers and Fugmann sport lampshades made from porcelain, focusing attention on the translucency of the material. Placed in a color bath before firing, the concentration of the solution and length of time the fixtures are immersed in the liquid influences the pattern and the hue of the finished piece.

vessels Emma Buckley

Instead of using a standard glazing technique to determine the hue of her vessels Emma Buckley creates her Dye Lines by allowing the clay pieces to absorb dye after they have been fired and glazed.

5. Interactive, customizable furniture

The Slide table by Studio Lorier

Furniture designs that can be modified in many different ways depending on your needs were very popular. The Slide table by Studio Lorier is a compact side table, which can slide out to almost two and a half times its original size. Pieces like this are great for any situation where more table space is needed, or when you simply want to rearrange the shape.

Compact Table by Roxanne Flick

Compact Table by Roxanne Flick – the buyer takes part in the design process by selecting the materials and colours. Customized variations offers different composition options in everyday life.

6. Raw, imperfect wood designs

The Split lamp by Christoph Steiger

The Split lamp by Christoph Steiger  features a one-of-a-kind split that is created when the wood cracks during the drying process.

Lena Mari Skjoldal Kolas wood lamps

Lena Mari Skjoldal Kolas designed this hanging lamp by purposefully featuring the wood’s natural cracks and blemishes to highlight the imperfections and use the flaws to create a unique piece.

7. Water inspired patterns

watercolor blue smudges were visible on ceramics

Delicate, watercolor blue smudges were visible on ceramics, textiles and wall decor accessories. Porcelain pieces by Anna Badur are a playful experiment with the traditional cobalt color on tableware. By dipping her porcelain pieces into the cobalt stain, she captures a variety of different patterns, giving the appearance of water movement.

This bowl by Sara Skotte

This bowl by Sara Skotte  and stoneware by Anette Krogstad feature soft watercolor patterns transferred onto ceramics with a cobalt blue aquarelle painting.

How do you like these latest trends? Have you got a favorite?