Last week, Milan hosted its annual furniture fair, Milan Design Week – Salone del Mobile. The fair concluded with 302,000 visitors, marking a record number of foreign attendees. There was a strong international presence, with 68% of attendees coming from 151 countries. However, it is more than just a fair; it’s a celebration of innovative and limitless concepts in design, taste, and style from around the world. Sustainability emerges as a guiding principle, more moral than aesthetic—yet it translates into a discreet and conscious elegance. The Salone featured various installations and exhibitions that showcased unexpected materials, such as cork, hay bales, and recycled scrap or ceramic surfaces for serene garden installations . Bamboo was taking centre stage centre stage in Gucci's Milan exhibition . All in all the Salone pushed the boundaries of design and explored new possibilities.
Soft shades and earthy colours once again take centre stage. The colour palette also reflects this philosophy, showcasing a limited selection of well-balanced tones. Neutral shades maintain a balance between sobriety and character, while brighter colours gradually emerge. Initially, red stood out as a favourite. Curves dominate the scene as sharp edges disappear, giving way to soft, enveloping lines, confirming an established trend.
And material research continues to thrive, driven by an insatiable desire for innovation. This made the Materia 2.0 so interesting, as it features over 1,200 material samples from Italy, emphasising the significance of materials over furniture. "It’s time we give materials the spotlight they deserve," says founder Fabio Pecora. Addressing the lack of a comprehensive materials dictionary in Italy, the Como-based company has established a 500-square-meter library in Porto Nuova to showcase metal, glass, ceramic, concrete, and wood. With a focus on craftsmanship and sustainability, Materia 2.0 aims to create Italy's most extensive architectural materials library.
Euroluce set a new standard for the future of lighting technology, being one of the leading Italian companies in lighting, generating over 80% of its revenue from international markets. Kartell offered a vibrant and striking glimpse of the colour trend, from lamps and upholstered furniture to glossy finishes, carpets, and wall coverings. Kartell showcased four geometric sculptures in shades of gray, white, red, and light green. Featured prominently was the Prince OHOH stool, designed by Philippe Starck for this edition of the Salone.
The increasingly architectural role of the sofa was further emphasised in this Salone. Sofas now boast shapes that expand and curve, thereby enhancing the domestic space. They soften the environment, particularly through upholstery materials—even if the padding remains dense where needed. Consequently, the sofa becomes a valuable ally for escape, relaxation, and leisure, serving as a counter to stress. These sofas are designed for living, working, and playing. Armchairs also return to an enveloping design, featuring neutral colour palettes and natural materials. They are upholstered in bouclé, natural leather, or deep velvet, with woven cushions and conceptual shapes. Chairs are now crafted with a focus on responsible production, minimising waste. Overall, a desire for calm, reassuring spaces that don't overwhelm sensational novelties. Instead, these environments invite individuals to take refuge and rejuvenate themselves. Just imagine, our sofa may be able to recognise our energy and respond with warmth, subtle movements, and gentle vibrations, all aimed at improving our mood. I would love my Flexform sofa to do that!!!
Mooi
Moooi invited everyone to experience A Life Extraordinary during Milan Design Week 2025, celebrating its first flagship store opening in the city. The event featured product debuts at Salone del Mobile, such as a resurrection of its classic with the optical totemic Chess Table by Front and an outdoor showcase of ceramic surfaces, offering a holistic design experience. Store visitors were invited to embark on an immersive journey where design, light, and materials tell stories across three curated environments. Highlighting the theme of engagement, Moooi unveiled two new carpet collections: the Timber Tones Collection by Sjoerd Vroonland, which showcases marquetry-inspired patterns with a play of light and shadow, and the Organic Sequences Collection by Jana Kleine-Kalmer, celebrating imperfection and natural chaos with a flowing, abstract design.
Knoll
Among companies offering oversized and soft upholstered furniture, Knoll stands out with a booth designed by OFFICE that evokes a strong 1980s vibe. Notable items include the Perron Pillo Sofa by multidisciplinary designer Willo Perron, along with several re-editions of iconic pieces such as the Tugendhat Chair by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe.
Porro
Porro emphasises tranquillity with products like Tobu by Francesco Rota, Twin by Dordoni Studio, and Origata by Nao Tamura. Edra, a leader in upholstered furniture, focuses on refining existing products in its catalogue by exploring new coverings for its classics.
Minotti captured the essence of the 1970s with oversized sofas designed by Giampiero Tagliaferri and Marcio Kogan. Poliform showcased the Owen armchair, featuring a wraparound design and a black-stained elm base, crafted by Jean-Marie Massaud. Visionnaire, designed by Fabio Bonfà, presents the Walker sofa, which boasts soft, flowing lines for an ultimate comfort experience. Not only sofas but also comfortable chairs are available, such as the Glen by Gino Carollo for Calligaris. This chair features an ash wood frame with a padded and upholstered seat and back.
The collaboration between Calligaris and Borbonese has also produced the Quadrotta armchair, designed by Archirivolto, which is similarly padded. Additionally, the quality of the air is an important factor, which is considered in the design of the Haori armchair by Adal. Designed by Canuch, this armchair is named after the Japanese word for 'kimono' and features a removable backrest covering made from the same material used for tatami.
Each year, the fashion industry makes a significant impact as attendees gather to launch new products like drinks cabinets and teapot collections while exploring innovative lighting options. Milan Design Week attracts a diverse crowd, with busy schedules filled by the extensive fair and various offshoots in studios, palazzos, and boutique stores. As evening falls, guests enjoy aperitifs with Champagne and conceptual hors d'oeuvres, followed by dinner at local trattorias featuring dishes like ossobuco and tiramisu. Nighttime options include a concert by Björk or Stone Island Sound’s impressive audio installation at Capsule Plaza. Attendees dressed smartly in black and sunglasses, reflecting the event's blend of aesthetics and intellect amid glamorous fashion brand events. The celebration of interior design alongside the Salone del Mobile has become a hotspot for homeware brands from the leading Italian Design houses.
Versace Homewear
The art of living the Versace way featured vibrant jewel tones. Last Monday evening aperitivo celebrating 30 years of the brand’s homeware, guests relaxed on the Harem chair, which this year showcases layers of lapis purple, emerald, gold, and soft candy pink. Photography by Luca Grottol highlighted the space, with a yowling cat on the Harem being a standout. Their summer collection included butter-yellow and hazy hand-blown Murano glass vases featuring the iconic Medusa motif. It will be interesting to see how the Homeware range will evolve post-acquisition by the Prada Group.
Gucci Décor
This week, Gucci unveiled its most ambitious project at Milan Design Week within the stunning 16th-century cloisters of San Simpliciano church. Titled "Bamboo Encounters," the exhibition celebrated bamboo, a material featured in Gucci’s designs since the mid-1940s, inspired by Guccio Gucci's son's walking sticks. The event showcased a live bamboo forest, objects assembled by artist Dima Srouji, and hand-blown glass details by the Twam family, Palestinian artisans from Jaba’. A highlight was the colorful ripstop nylon kites made by the Dutch collective Kite Club, nodding to the historical use of bamboo in kite-making. Linking it all back also to the bamboo used in many of its fabulous handbag designs.
Fendi Casa
The Fendi Casa 2025 collection celebrates the maison's centenary with a blend of iconic home pieces and innovative designs. Featuring luxurious furs, shearling, and striking Fendi yellow, the collection also incorporates Murano glass and intricate details like belt buckles.
The boutique in Piazza Della Scala showcases contrasting designs by British designer Lewis Kemmenoe: one side highlights natural textures and soft colors, while the other embraces sleek metallics. Notable collaborations include Lee Broom’s Fendi Idol chandelier, crafted from hammered glass, and Peter Mabeo's Efo coffee table, which softens the FF logo into curvaceous shapes. New pieces like the twist chair and customizable Soho sofa enhance the collection's appeal.
Etro Home Interiors
During Milan Design Week, Etro celebrated 40 years of its iconic Arnica fabric at the “5 Threads, 40 Years” exhibition in the Brera district. The exhibit featured five vibrant threads—green, yellow, red, turquoise, and white—that create the earthy tones of Arnica. Visitors explored a series of rooms connected by carpets, learning about the creation and journey of Etro's paisley designs. A talking table narrated the story, while trunks and suitcases displayed video projections. Guests who completed the exhibit received a free Arnica print stool as a memento. How cool is that!
Dolce & Gabbana Interiors
Located between Via Durini and Corso Venezia, Dolce & Gabbana Casa resembled a villa caught between different eras. The Verde Maiolica room was vibrant and energetic, featuring walls and bed linens adorned with bold green and white patterns. In contrast, the Gotham line introduced a cinematic feel with its dark wood, hammered textures, and Art Nouveau influences in every curve. It embodied maximalism while maintaining remarkable control.
Gotham: New Furniture Collection: The Dolce&Gabbana Casa showroom at Via Durini 23 in Milan showcased a fresh look for Milano Design Week 2025. This new collection features home accessories inspired by the Art Nouveau style, reimagined with bold proportions and tactile finishes. Dark, richly grained wood is the focal point, and the surfaces alternate between hammered textures and glossy details, creating a striking contrast between vintage charm and modern sensibilities.
The Verde Maiolica pattern brings a sense of purity and vibrant energy to the creations displayed in the boutique at Corso Venezia 7 in Milan. It features a striking combination of white and green that pays tribute to the vitality of nature. This motif reflects the refined art of maiolica, which is deeply embedded in the Made in Italy tradition.
The inaugural bed linen collection strikes a perfect balance between exceptional materials and distinctive style. This exciting new addition to the Dolce&Gabbana Casa universe is designed to bring the brand’s uniqueness into the bedroom. The refined decorations stand out on soft cotton satin, featuring the iconic Carretto Siciliano, Blu Mediterraneo, Leo, Verde Maiolica, and Zebra patterns.
Dolce & Gabbana's new outdoor collection: Saint Jean reminds me a bit of their last year's Beach Club Pop Up Outdoor arrangement. Reflecting the usual artisan charm, conviviality, and unique essence of Dolce&Gabbana now extends beyond the home to the outdoors. These spaces are brought to life with the same aesthetic richness as the interiors, featuring accessories that blend lightness, durability, simplicity, functionality, and sophistication. The painted steel structures create airy volumes, while the sun loungers, chairs, tables, and sofas are designed to enhance terraces, gardens, verandas, and metropolitan rooftops.
Missoni Home
Missoni's Signature zigzags and vibrant jacquard patterns adorned the walls of their Casa flagship store in Via Solferino, while plush textures were featured on chairs, throws, and dinnerware. Missoni's collaboration with Roda, titled La Casa Giardino, unfolded like a summer dream, blending textiles with sunlight to enhance outdoor living through five unique jacquard patterns. One of the most delightful surprises at the Salone was the vibrant Missoni takeover at the Principe Bar in the Hotel Principe di Savoia. The space is enveloped in the brand's iconic patterns, and paired with a Malfy Gin x Missoni cocktail collaboration, it became a must-visit oasis for design and fashion enthusiasts alike, open throughout the month.
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