NEWS: It’s aperitivo hour for the world’s design and furniture industry! Many from the international design and furniture trade are currently gathered in summery Italy for the year’s most thrilling week in design.
Milan Design Week is comprised of two parts. Firstly, there is Milan International Furniture Fair, the 60th edition of the Salone del Mobile, which takes place at the gargantuan Rho Fiera exhibition hall. There are 24 huge halls, packed to the sleek Italian rafters with the latest collections from the world’s leading furniture, lighting, soft furnishings and art brands.
Then there is the Fuorisalone, an action-packed calendar of events and exhibitions throughout the city’s four design districts. From decadent showrooms in Brera to edgy installations in Zona Tortona and Isola, there is A LOT to take in.
Decor + Design’s Creative Content Director has been on the ground in Milan, cataloguing trends for our Australian audience. Here are the trends we’ve been spotting so far…
OATMEAL & COFFEE
For living room furniture, textured oatmeal materials are everywhere, often complemented by a palette of pale or ground coffee. We love this tableau from luxury Italian house Trussardi.
Oatmeal & pale coffee furniture at the Trussardi stand, Salone del Mobile Milano. Image: Skye Rytenskild, Decor + Design
BURNT ORANGE
A very warm or burnt orange is a big colour for 2022, which also pops beautifully against Oatmeal. We adore these chairs from Sicis, with their updated 70s feel.
Chairs from Sicis at Salone del Mobile. Image: Skye Rytenskild, Decor + Design
SPLASHES OF YELLOW
A sunbeam of yellow has woven its way through the exhibition, usually used thoughtfully as a feature chair or stool against a neutral background. Italian manufacturer Pedrali excelled with this beautiful armchair in a delicate mustard.
Yellow chair from Pedrali, Salone del Mobile Milano. Image: Skye Rytenskild, Decor + Design
We also love the lemon sorbet and cerulean blue of these ottomans from brand Naveto.
Ottomans from Naveto at Salone del Mobile 2022. Image: Skye Rytenskild for Decor + Design.
JOIE DE VIVRE
Milan has truly come alive these past few days, a city bursting with creativity, beauty and throngs of design savvy visitors. After the challenges the world – and Italy in particular – faced during the pandemic, it is wonderful to see. We loved La Double J’s beautiful prints and joyous store front on Via Sant Andrea.
La Double J’s storefront on Via Sant Andrea in Milan. Image: Skye Rytenskild, Decor + Design
The playful patterns in the Dolce & Gabbana Casa showroom in Brera were also heavenly to behold. Mood: Optimistic!
Dolce & Gabbana Drinks Cabinet, Brera Milano. Image: Skye Rytenskild for Decor + Design.
VIBRANT COLOUR BLOCKING
At Louis Vuitton’s Objets Nomades exhibition, a major theme was colour blocking in vibrant hues. A standout piece was Patricia Urquiola’s woven camel-coloured swing chair, with purple and orange cushions.
Patricia Urquiola’s Swing Chair for Louis Vuitton’s Objet Nomades collection, Milan. Image: Skye Rytenskild for Decor + Design.
ECRU COMFORT
Chair by Oniro, Salone del Mobile Milan. Image: Skye Rytenskild for Decor + Design.
Lots of comforting chairs in soft textures or boucle have been spotted, often in Ecru (the colour of unbleached linen). Ecru is a great colour to juxtapose against vibrant colours or by itself, to cocoon and nurture at the end of a long day.
What hasn’t been spotted? Red! There’s very little red to be seen (not counting the signature Sicilian red of Dolce & Gabbana), navy or the deeper end of the spectrum. It’s an Ecru souffle at the Salone del Mobile 2022, with colourful frosting.
Stay tuned for more trends from Milan over the next week, and don’t forget to register for Decor + Design 2022, 14 – 17 July in Melbourne! 250+ exhibitors from across furniture, soft furnishing, lighting, art and textiles will be bringing their latest collections.
The show will also be packed full of inspirational local and international trends, plus star speakers including Collette Dinnigan, David Hicks, David Flack, Anna Spiro, Shaynna Blaze, Jamie Durie and many more. Register now and start planning your trip to Australia’s No.1 Interiors Trade Event!