Now that a few weeks have passed since we returned from Milan and from our visit to the most important trade fair in the furniture world (iSaloni), we have had time to analyse, study and visualise the trends in furniture – or at least those that inspire us most as designers. Here is our summary of the pieces that caught our attention the most and that we are sure will become trends. Watch out for these new currents in product design.
1. Infinite well-being. Before all else: comfort
Sitting down and never wanting to get up again. A sensation of space, comfort, seclusion, seats that envelope you and squashy cushions. Armchairs turn into mini individual sofas whose rounded shapes and soft materials embrace the sitter, surrounding and ensnaring them.
Canapé You design, Luca Nichetto (Coedition)
Canapé Vuelta, Jaime Hayon (Wittmann)
Fluid structures played a leading role in the majority of the areas at iSaloni: objects have sinuous and curving shapes, surface treatments display shades and waves that are evocative of water. The overall impression is one of finding yourself faced with moving and dynamic products, which transform and change like actual living beings.
Painting por Alessandra Baldereschi para Castelli
Liquefy de Patricia Urquiola para Glas Italia
3. Visible structures
Very full upholstery is supported by visible structures, which are what set this furniture apart. This structure combines function and form and, by means of colours and new materials, takes on a leading role as the cornerstone of comfort. Metal joints, contrasting finishes and visible structures.
Canapé Officina, Ronan et Erwan Bouroullec (Magis)
Canapé modulable Props, Konstantin Grcic (Cassina)
- Material is everything
The raw material is the star of the show here, rather than playing a secondary or supporting role in intermediate production phases. It is there in all its naked glory. This is how metals are allowed to rust to reveal their true nature, free of the paradigms of contemporary aesthetics.
5. Continuity elements
Connecting elements that join structures together and link parts of a product. Secondary elements such as joints or fabrics that interconnect and highlight their identity.
- Textures that steal the limelight
Never before now has the design world investigated the sense of touch so fully, offering furniture that is directly connected to hyper-sensory fabrics. Unusual combinations in which surfaces are three-dimensional and characterised by putting the furniture in the spotlight using its upholstery, to ensure a remarkable sensory experience.
In furniture we find this mainly in its seams, which can be used to endow it with personality or give a sense of softness. This elevates the quality of the product, and consequently its importance.
Guelfo Fur for Opinion Ciatti
Aratani Fay by Ayako Aratani and Evan Fay for Fibonacci Stone
«Nuez» by Patricia Urquiola for Andreu World
- Balance in lighting
Trends in lighting drew our attention due to the cleanness of its lines and the interplay of compositions in its shapes, with the combination of lines, spheres and a constant sensation of balance. Lamps that become sculptures and take centre stage with their forms. And where the combination of form and material enriches them with an additional beauty.
Suspension, collection Laurent (Lambert & Fils)
Ginger by Joan Gaspar. Marset
Lampe Balance, Victor Castanera (Oblure)
8. The art of fabric
The artisanal skill of humankind can be found in a great many products exhibited at the trade fair this year. Designers have blended traditional craft knowledge with industrial projects. To do so they have relied on a wide variety of fabric types, which have been used as the key to solving the various patterns obtained.
- Brass, the king of elegance
Following its triumphant entry in last year’s fair, this year brass has firmly established itself as the top finish among all of the materials. Countless objects were presented in this golden finish, both in the domain of lighting and of designer furniture. Whether it is as a structural foundation or used to cover a product completely, nowadays brass is synonymous with elegance and beauty.
Trunk II designed by Philipp Mainzer
- Transparency
In lighting it has been the year of transparency, the interplay of shadows and magical installations. Both the new trends and the installations by such benchmark designers as Nando and Swine have transcended the limits of design to enter into the most sensory art. In so doing they have contributed value that enhances the brand and strengthens it beyond the furniture market.
The installation by Cos Studio, offering a multisensory experience with its poetic and aquatic decorations, and the lights by Flos, are some examples of how the interaction between transparency and art crosses that fine line that turns a functional and practical design into a true work of art.
