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1Soft edges
Barbara Franzò
Organic shapes and sculptural forms dominated the displays in Milan this year. This stack of round, patterned pouffes in a calming teal palette caught our eye at Liberty’s ‘Soft Architecture’ installation, designed in collaboration with Lorenza Bollozi, who used a mix of velvets, cottons and linens to create a beautifully tactile set-up. Other stylish sculptural forms were to be found at Ginori 1735, which debuted its ‘Officina Ultra’ series of handcrafted ceramics.
2The tapestry renaissance
courtesy of gucci
In the year that will see the Bayeux tapestry return to the UK for the first time in almost 1,000 years (find it at the British Museum from September), textile art has soared to the top of every interior aficionado’s wishlist. Gucci put itself at the vanguard of the movement in Milan, presenting a series of monumental stitched works tracing the house’s history throughout time, right up until its current chapter under Demna. Looking to replicate the trend at home? Try Schumacher for high-quality woven fabrics or browse the handmade designs at House of Quentin Jones.
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3Leopard print
Frank Frances Studio
In fashion, leopard print is often described as a neutral because of how seamlessly it pairs with most pieces. The same goes for its use in interiors, where it easily complements a design scheme while adding a dash of daring. Take your cue from Ralph Lauren, whose leopard-upholstered furniture and drapery sit comfortably within this country-estate-inspired setting.
4Maximalist wallpaper
Courtesy of Cole & Son x Vivienne Westwood
Go big and stay home… That’s certainly the lesson we took from the mood-boosting Cole & Son x Vivienne Westwood wallpaper collaboration, which features trompe-l’oeil tartans, stripes and these bold, brightly coloured squiggles. Other brilliant brands to discover include Calico, known for its artistic, almost otherworldly wallcoverings, and the Scottish design studio Timorous Beasties.
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5The future’s modular
Piergiorgio Sorgetti/courtesy of H&M Home
The key tenet at the heart of American designer Kelly Wearstler’s forthcoming collaboration with H&M Home is its modularity: all the pieces can be stacked, combined and reordered to suit your mood and home, from the lounge chairs that collectively form a sofa to the tessellating seats and connecting tables. Try mixing and matching shades within a considered palette – an earthy, terracotta scheme feels very of the moment.
6High contrast
Courtesy of Louis Vuitton
Introduce a pop of colour into a backdrop of dark, sophisticated tones – try moody blues or chocolate brown – to master the art of contrast, as seen at the unveiling of Louis Vuitton’s new ‘Objets Nomades’ in Milan’s Palazzo Serbelloni this year. Here, a rich mix of textures, patterns and hues surrounds a magnificent tikal rug from the Pierre Legrain Homage collection.
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7The art of craft
Nicolò De March
If there’s one thing that defines luxury, it’s craftsmanship – and who better to celebrate artisanal talent than Dior Maison? This year, the house has collaborated with the designer Noé Duchaufour-Lawrance to create a set of sculptural lamps in Murano glass and woven bamboo, all inspired by the Corolle silhouette found in its original New Look fashion lines. Presented within a floral installation by the Thai artists Korakot Aromdee and Vasana Saima, the space was a homage to creativity, heritage and innovation.
8Colourful coffee machines
Giancarlo Barzagli
Milan is believed to be the birthplace of espresso, so it’s no surprise that the city’s strong coffee culture is reflected in the line-up of brands exhibiting during Design Week. De’Longhi brought the ‘World’s Smallest Coffee Shop’ to the festival in the form of charming miniature installations, while La Marzocco’s pop-up ‘Casa Marzocco’ was the perfect setting to celebrate its colourful collaboration with the Dutch design brand Polspotten.
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9Scaled-up florals
Courtesy of Marimekko
Florals for spring can be groundbreaking when they’re blown up to vast proportions and used to emblazon the façade of a house, as they were for Marimekko’s vibrant and uplifting installation in Milan. Feeling inspired? Opt for big, abstract floral motifs in a punchy palette (as well as Marimekko, try the British brands Bluebellgray or Flora Soames) to avoid looking twee.
10Aquatic adornments
Courtesy of Buccellati
First sardines were trending on TikTok, then the humble anchovy became the ingredient du jour: now fish are taking over our home decor too. Buccellati was ahead of the curve at Milan, presenting an immersive exhibit celebrating its Caviar collection of silverware. Dedicated to the history of caviar in Italy, the display featured spectacular silver sturgeons within a setting that evoked the mysteries of the deep.
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