Milan Design Fairs May 2024
27th June 2024The design fairs in Milan are always a welcome date in the diary- lots of inspiring showrooms and stands at the fair, all held in a city that cannot fail to also inspire! As a design team it’s great to go out of the office and see what other designers and manufacturers are creating. The city is abuzz with showrooms and pop up displays – even with brightly upholstered chairs arranged on the pavement to entice you in. One street had the most exquisite chandeliers hung above the pedestrians, and the courtyards to many of the ancient houses were displaying flamboyant creations, cars and eco-friendly design concepts.
There were small huts at intervals, that offered refreshments and directions. This particular one was sponsored by Burberry, in a very on-trend shade of electric blue. The Bolzan furniture showroom also used that blue. But I was more interested in their use of pink hues and warm neutrals. Two of the seasons strong colour trends, they also echoed perfectly the warm brick tones of the very older buildings outside. The warm neutrals and earthy pretty pinks both imbue a sense of well-being and tranquillity – good reasons to include them in your interior décor this year.
Meanwhile, the Armani showroom did not disappoint – with a series of room sets showing a sophisticated, restrained opulence and beauty. Tones of Sage, Eau de Nil, Sky blue, elemental orange and warm dark browns were throughout – as well as ethereal neutrals that intimated the Japanese design inspiration of so many of the products. At NGC we are privileged to now be the official distributor of Armani Casa in Dubai.
Meanwhile, over at the Furniture show, Roberto Cavalli was in full flamboyant mode. As we are familiar with in his wallcoverings, the fully furnished stand was an ode to 1970’s décor and made full use of animal patterns, animal hides, shagpile carpets and retro abstract patterns. It was a masterpiece rendition of his signature style, but also reflected many of the warm natural shades and patterns that were on display all around the show.
Lastly, I have to mention the bright jewel-like injections that caught my eye, magpie that I am. Even though many of the exhibitors favoured soft, even cautious, colourings, occasionally you were surprised by an absolute gem of a shot of colour, pattern and floristry. Such minimal injections of colour bring life to any interior and were a joy to see.
I came away with inspiration from the soft curvy furniture shapes and the warmth of a lot of the colour palettes. Milan, as ever, did not disappoint and I will be looking forward to going back again next year.