Furniture trends 2018 - Milan furniture fair
The annual Milan Furniture Fair attracts international creatives, buyers and press eager for first dibs on the latest trends in design. Here's what Livingetc spotted this year...
For one week every April, anyone who’s anyone in the furniture and design world descends on the second Italian city to launch, see, discover, wonder at and savour the delights of the Milan Furniture Fair. The spectrum of product presented covers everything from high-end one-off pieces, created with owners of superyachts in mind to experimental installations from precocious art-school students. One of the reasons Milan gets so much attention is the concepts, shapes, colours and materials presented filter through the design eco-system, influencing stylists, photographers, ad creatives, set designers and eventually the high street. Much of how the world looks over the next year will grow from seeds planted in Milan. Livingetc pounded the pavements of Brera, and trawled the halls of the Fiera to bring you its pick of the new looks, coming to you soon.
SOFT GREENS
For a few years Forest Green has been in the style spotlight. Prior to that teal was in vogue. This year, the softer, greyer and, dare we say, more sophisticated tones of sage and eucalyptus are having their moment.
NEW WOODS
Canaletto walnut has long been the timber of choice for the big furniture names in Milan. This year there were some new woods on the, er, block. Porada has discovered Ash, treating it with a coffee or a honey finish which feels fresh and different. The chic texture of charcoal oak was making a new statement at Poliform and Gallotti & Radice.
TWEED IS THE NEW LEATHER
For many years leather has been the luxury textile of choice for the major design houses. This year, many classic designs have been reworked in fabrics and the more texture the better.
LA VIE EN ROSE
There’s no sign of pink power fading. However, this year there was a tonal shift from last year’s blush towards the apricot end of the spectrum with rose-y hues, coral and subtle terracottas making soft statements.
SLATTED LINES
Move over spots, checks and swirls, straight slatted lines were the geometric shape (and pattern) of the moment, bringing a zen-like, eastern calm to some beautiful new pieces.
Softly pleated tubular folds edged this Gallotti & Radice Nori coffee table.
FORM? MEET FUNCTION…
Design can’t just look good, it has to work too! Many designers showed their workings but disguised them subtly behind decorative details. The fine detail lines behind the headboard of Flexform’s Adda bed are key to holding it in place.
For the love of furniture, interior design, property styling we bring you the latest furniture trends from around the world