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Salone del Mobile 2017 - Trends

One thing we understand well here at Seasons in Colour is that consumers like CHANGE. And with every design show that takes place, we get closer to our interior design and styling aspirations. This week saw Europe's finest Interiors brands set up their stands in fashion capital of the world, Milan, (I know France had Coco darling, but still, no one does textiles and leather goods like the Italians, and that's a fact!). The Salone del Mobile is the equivalent of France's Maison et Objet, bringing together big, huge, names in Italian furniture as well as smaller names that just start out but bring along tons of inspirational designs and innovation.

Launched in September 1961, the Salone originally focused on showcasing Italian furniture and manufacturers. It has grown so much that a number of European brands now join the design week, including a number of UK well known brands.The Salone del Mobile is all about the product: pieces presented here for the first time are going to be trending next year on the High Street (if we are lucky). Pieces that are born of innovation, research and quality.

CONTEMPORARY

ELEGANCE

The key word to have in mind this seasons is CONTEMPORARY ELEGANCE. Think luxury, and bespoke products that address client needs - it feels as if Brexit never happened, and there's no recession in Italy or elsewhere in Europe. With elegance and luxury comes a certain minimalism. Cleans lines in furniture but enriched in their texture and materials.

One brand that ticks all the boxes with their latest collection is Gallotti & Radice, a brand that has collaborated with artisans (another trend) and whose double-sided Flabello table mirrors by Lanzavecchia+Wai "underscore the imperfect beauty and uniqueness of the artisanal etching". The design is for a a two-faced table mirror & divider inspired by the ancient Egyptian Flabellum fans and it's part of the SaloneSatellite 20 years Collection (this is the annual young designers exhibition).

FLABELLO table mirror for Gallotti&Radici

COLOUR

Last year saw record numbers of visitors, so it is expected that the organisers and brands have gone all out to bring the best talent and design to buyers from all over Europe. There seems to be no specific emphasis on colour - no one hue appears to dominate designs so far. So for those who are looking to place orders in colours that are contemporary and will strike a chord with many, you're in luck. Here's a small selection of products in blue.

Surface designers Antolini offer a selection of nature inspired stone products in eye watering prices. Geods are of course trending, but can you imagine having your entire shower covered in agate? Fendi Casa launches their new boutique during #MDW2017, and if you are looking for great service as well as fabulous smiles, you must pay them a visit.

Cassina holds strong with Milan based Patricia Urquiola designing for them. New for 2017 are the Floe Insel sofa, a versatile modular system with removable covers, inspired by icebergs; and the Super Beam sofa which continues from the 2016 series, is longer and makes for bigger impact in large spaces.

Jaime Hayon of the eponymous studio, combined 48 Caesarstone colors to create his installation Stone Age Folk, which draws on flora, fauna, and folklore from different cultures (photo credit Jaime Hayon). At the same time, he unveiled his latest design based on the movement of sharks, in the ALETA chair for Viccarbe.

ETHNIC

GamFratesi, the makers of the now iconic in the making Beetle Chair (Gubi 2013), play a game of masks with Kvadrat Textiles. Or in their own words: "Playing with the face of the textile. Drawing inspirations from the ancient concept of ritual masks, GamFratesi presents MASK, an expressive installation celebrating the colours of our Steelcut Trio and Canvas textiles".

GEOMETRIC

Minotti, Desalto and Chairs&More showcase their take on the geometric trend. Especially effective with accent furniture - smaller sofas and day beds, side or coffee tables, lamps and smaller accessories, this trend is meant for minimalistic interiors (see my Modern French Interiors board here) and homeowners that like interesting shapes around them. Desalto's cone based tables will be a hit with interior stylists and editors.

Wall coverings expert VESCOM whose work is on display in the Ink Hotel in Amsterdam (see below) are inviting you for a visit to unlock the endless possibilities of wall-covering. Dressing the floors: check AMINI, whose latest product is based on abstract Italian painter Manlio Rho.

E L E G A N C E

See the Jane collection by Emmanuel Gallina for Poliform. A classic that would fit well in any serious designer's townhouse project. The design plays with subtle lines, where gentle inclinations and curves bestow the object with a dynamic personality. The finishes – metal or wood for the structure – give it both a classic and contemporary identity. With its cosy, enveloping lines the Jane collection interprets spaces where elegance is at the service of relaxation.