Cosy is King: 8 Trends from Salone del Mobile 2018
The '70s made a comeback, wood and marble reappeared in new ways, and cosiness and craftsmanship took centre stage
Roberta del Vaglio
25. april 2018
The latest instalment of Salone del Mobile, one of the biggest furniture trade fairs in the world, has just wrapped up in Milan, Italy (April 17-22). This year’s fair was not just about visually stunning displays, but also showcased appealing textures, quality craftsmanship and furniture that’s made for living. The pieces on display were designed to be customisable 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.
This year’s fair also presented lots of innovations, but tending towards cosiness rather than extravagance or disruption. This was paired with a return to the celebration of unique, captivating and intricate decorative details and handmade furniture. Here are some of the trends we spotted at this year’s furniture fair.
This year’s fair also presented lots of innovations, but tending towards cosiness rather than extravagance or disruption. This was paired with a return to the celebration of unique, captivating and intricate decorative details and handmade furniture. Here are some of the trends we spotted at this year’s furniture fair.
1. Mango and moss green
In a revival of ’70s style, shades of orange were without a doubt the dominant colours at this year’s Salone del Mobile. This is clear from the mango colour all over Vitra’s display, seen here, as well as the softer coral in Cristina Celestino’s table for Gebrüder Thonet Vienna, below.
In a revival of ’70s style, shades of orange were without a doubt the dominant colours at this year’s Salone del Mobile. This is clear from the mango colour all over Vitra’s display, seen here, as well as the softer coral in Cristina Celestino’s table for Gebrüder Thonet Vienna, below.
New colours for Rodolfo Dordoni’s Bitta collection for Kettal
More calming and comforting than orange – but often matched with it – green was another dominant colour 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 colour 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, as seen at the Salone Satellite
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.
10 Trends to Watch Out for in 2018
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.
10 Trends to Watch Out for in 2018
Tape sofa by Benjamin Hubert for Moroso
2. Celebrating the sense of touch
Green appeared in risky yet successful colour 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 colour 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. Just looking at 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 cosy haven for relaxation.
Barbican sofa by Konstantin Grcic for Established & Sons
3. East Asian inspiration
In this year’s upholstered furniture showings, typical Japanese tatami blended with the Western sofa, replacing – or at times incorporating – traditional cushioned seats.
3. East Asian inspiration
In this year’s upholstered furniture showings, typical Japanese tatami blended with the Western sofa, replacing – or at times incorporating – traditional cushioned seats.
Vlinder sofa, by Hella Jongerius for Vitra
Finally, Japanese influence was also felt in the paper Light Light lamps pictured here, which reinterpret handmade traditional design in a contemporary tone. Designed by Dmitri Bähler for Established & Sons, they combine washi paper with a carbon-fibre structure.
Tsunagaru lamp by Keiko Haraguchi, as seen at the Salone Satellite
Keiko Haraguchi, a Japanese designer exhibiting at the Salone Satellite, likewise reinterpreted the use of washi paper in her Tsunagaru lamp. The lamp can be put together in multiple ways from several parts that have different shapes and patterns.
Keiko Haraguchi, a Japanese designer exhibiting at the Salone Satellite, likewise reinterpreted the use of washi paper in her Tsunagaru lamp. The lamp can be put together in multiple ways from several parts that have different shapes and patterns.
Lan sofa by Neri&Hu for Gan
We also find East Asian elements in other furnishings, rugs and folding screens.
We also find East Asian elements in other furnishings, rugs and folding screens.
4. Small, unique decorations
This year’s fair also saw a return to purely decorative items, sometimes resulting from a hybridisation 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-moulded polycarbonate. In this technique, granules of different colours can be added to produce unique effects, making each lamp a one-of-a-kind piece.
Read more interesting stories about lighting
This year’s fair also saw a return to purely decorative items, sometimes resulting from a hybridisation 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-moulded polycarbonate. In this technique, granules of different colours can be added to produce unique effects, making each lamp a one-of-a-kind piece.
Read more interesting stories about lighting
Mirrors by Studio Roso for Republic of Fritz Hansen
Unique decorative details adorned walls too, such as these mirrors that come in several shapes and soft iridescent colours.
Unique decorative details adorned walls too, such as these mirrors that come in several shapes and soft iridescent colours.
Wooden Cloud bookcase, by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec for Cappellini
5. Wood in new ways
Wood has always been used in furniture, but this year’s Salone del Mobile has placed it in a new light through experimentation with forms, processes and uses.
5. Wood in new ways
Wood has always been used in furniture, but this year’s Salone del Mobile has placed it in a new light through experimentation with forms, processes and uses.
Wall covering by Aldo Cibic for Listone Giordano and Inkiostro Bianco
Wood has been brought back with inlays and unexpected colours, 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 colours, 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 colour is a result of resins, waxes and natural oils, which have been left to penetrate and impregnate the wood, without obscuring its knots and grain.
The Caryllon table, designed by Cristina Celestino for Gebrüder Thonet Vienna, pictured, features an Art Deco-inspired pattern made of inlaid wood.
Woody chairs by Philippe Starck for Kartell
Even Kartell, a company long devoted to plastic, has turned to wood for their chairs, pictured here, entrusting the design to Philippe Starck.
Even Kartell, a company long devoted to plastic, has turned to wood for their chairs, pictured here, entrusting the design to Philippe Starck.
Above: New versions of Paul McCobb’s Planner tables for Republic of Fritz Hansen
6. As light as marble
The fair also reflected the recent rise of marble, especially showcasing pieces that present the visual paradox of marble as a lightweight material. The thin tops of these tables often lie on metal supports that are just as trim.
Materic table by Piero Lissoni for Porro
6. As light as marble
The fair also reflected the recent rise of marble, especially showcasing pieces that present the visual paradox of marble as a lightweight material. The thin tops of these tables often lie on metal supports that are just as trim.
Materic table by Piero Lissoni for Porro
Bold table by Daniele Lago for Lago
7. Digital experiments
Marble, or rather marble-look, pieces have also turned out well in Lago’s experiments with their XGlass finish, in which a pattern is digitally printed onto glass.
3D Printed Houses: A Thing of the Future or a Dead End?
7. Digital experiments
Marble, or rather marble-look, pieces have also turned out well in Lago’s experiments with their XGlass finish, in which a pattern is digitally printed onto glass.
3D Printed Houses: A Thing of the Future or a Dead End?
Bulco armchair and Bou table by Giulia Urciuoli and Andrea Pezzoli of Co.Arch studio, as seen at the Salone Satellite
8. Furnishing 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. Furnishing 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 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 optimise 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 stovetop 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 towards simple everyday moments at home as well as increasingly hybrid spaces dedicated to multi-functionality. All is aimed towards comfort and well-being, with welcoming and well-structured environments furnished with quality, an eye for aesthetics and a touch of the unusual.
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Innovation at this year’s fair was geared towards simple everyday moments at home as well as increasingly hybrid spaces dedicated to multi-functionality. All is aimed towards comfort and well-being, with welcoming and well-structured environments furnished with quality, an eye for aesthetics and a touch of the unusual.
Tell us
If you enjoyed this story, like it, save it, save the photos and share your thoughts below. Join the conversation.
More
Read more stories about interior design
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And now I rip out that orange and brown stuff from our 1970's house lol.