The week-long event celebrated and honored thoughtful innovation and design of the future. Thus, the golden question was born: What has the design world learned from the year-and-a-half of quarantine that is imperative to our future? "The crisis came so that we can stop and rethink things. To give new meaning to things that already exist,” designer Humberto Campana said on the official Salone del Mobile Instagram account." But, we’ve been doing this from the beginning of our careers. It isn’t new, only reinforced."
After nearly a year-and-a-half of postponements due to Covid-19, design manufacturers, professionals, and enthusiasts alike finally made their way to Milan for the long-awaited reopening of the Salone del Mobile design fair and Milan Design Week (September 5-10). This main event, nicknamed “Supersalone,” was really only a taste of the full event which typically takes place in April — though its downsized format surely didn't diminish the event’s pent-up energy.
Super Pratone by Gufram, Piazza San Fedele. Photography: Roberto Conte
In an attempt to piece together a common thread between the unique stands set up at the fair, one thought continues to recur: Designers crave pieces that feel personal, thoughtful, and inviting. At Arflex and Pulpo, everything from lounge chairs to side tables are playfully shaped. At Talenti and LaChance, pieces are sprinkled with natural textures like wood, wicker, and marble.
Image from the Official Supersalone website
But, there wasn’t only a concern for aesthetics at Supersalone. With the impact of Covid-19 still unresolved, designers seemed to have strongly considered the relationship between the design world and the natural world. In fact, sustainability, as you will read later, was a central theme in this year’s fair. Even our work culture, while sometimes excessive, was put to question with community-centered desks, and even a desk-sofa hybrid found at LaCividina.
SIX TRENDS FOR THE FUTURE
So, as the excitement for the return of Supersalone continues to percolate, this small glimpse of what design looks like today is a mix. On one hand, things feel light, as the need to reconnect with others is at an all-time high. On the other, the revelation of larger issues has been brought to the forefront like never before. Below are six trends from Supersalone that indicate where the design world is heading.
1. Natural Materials Are In, Now and Forever
As our time at home increases, so does the need for our spaces to feel more like a calming oasis. According to the designers at Supersalone, what feels more serene than the materials produced by mother nature herself? As shown in the slideshow above, the first image is of the Lamina Table by La Chance - a marble dinner table adorned with excellent architecture and intersecting plates; the second slide is Talenti’s latest George Collection, which features a mix of woods and chairs supported by woven with natural fibers; lastly, Tacchini’s new version of Pigreco designed by Tobia Scarpa is an elegant structure, available in Canaletto walnut or in Ash wood.
2. Fun Times Only!
After a year of worry and seriousness, it’s no surprise that designers are opting into having more fun with their creations. Shapes are playful, often with fun curves and round silhouettes. The colors are bright and bold! Exhibiting their signature “Canto” by MUT Design for Pulpo, these upholstered elements feel whimsical - sure to add a light feeling to any room they adorn. Noticed in both Bensen’s Circa Lounge and Artifort’s Glider Lounge Chair by Luca Nichetto, accent chairs are not only taking a spin with bold colors but also adding to the light-heartedness of furniture by taking a clam-like, charismatic form.
3. The Blurred Line Between Home and Office
While our work culture is continuously put into question, it makes sense as to why the design world is pushing this trend. Whether it’s converging a home space into an office space or attempting to make a workspace feel homier, designers are working on the perfect middle ground, creating spaces catered to a community atmosphere. Desks are low and open, while meeting spaces are essentially large table gatherings. At La Cividina, work and play come together as one with a hybrid of desk and couch called Node+.
4. Bespoke this, Bespoke that
It seems that, in a way, designers are taking a step back and letting consumers take the wheel. Whether it be for domestic or hosting purposes, Artflex’s new 9000 Sofa designed by Tito Agnoli is not only equipped with the comfort of rounded surfaces but also the freedom to configure the sofa how consumers like.
5. The Importance of Light
At Supersalone and Milan Design Week, designers are reinventing the effects of lighting. Not only are they providing visual aid during the darker moments of the day, but are also providing levels of comfort, warmth, and luxury. At Kundalini, the Viceversa Suspension Lamp designed by Noé Duchaufour Lawrance represents multiple readings for a unique object. A simple rotation and the suspended lamp suddenly makes space for plant elements, allowing bright vertical gardens to take shape.
Ra.Da's newest recycled plastic textiles were inspired by the urge to keep plastic out of our oceans. | Photo from RaDa Srl at Salone Milano
6. Above All, Sustainability
As mentioned before, designers at Supersalone were keen on nodding to sustainability in the design world. Whether it noted waste, ethical trade, or traditional craftsmanship, solutions to a greener world were thoroughly offered. Manufacturers are now looking towards design solutions that reduce post-consumption and industrial plastic waste. Changes are being implemented from the production level all the way up to the consumer level, and it's only a matter of time before more brands begin to follow suit accordingly. From 100% recycled materials, to more sustainable practices, the way the design community approaches the craft is reflected in the thought and purpose.
There’s a new revelation that arises as Supersalone begins to wind down. While many attendees were excited to dive back into the design world, perhaps the silver lining behind the year and a half pause was the time to reflect. From the trends above, it’s clear that that designers value reconnecting with others, taking care of themselves, and working to preserve the Earth — components of life that were overlooked far too often.
Article by Isiah Magsino
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