iSaloni: The Pinnacle of International Design Industry Events

The Salone Internazionale del Mobile is the leading international design event. The 62nd exhibition reaffirms its global leadership with a 20.2% growth from 2023, highlighting research, experimentation, and innovation. The Salone del Mobile is a cultural and business hub, attracting dealers, architects, designers, consumers, and the press. It offers a rich source of inspiration, showcasing design, unity, and style. Design, as Marshall McLuhan noted, shapes humanity. The event spans from Rho Fiera to Milan's Brera district and Montenapoleone Street, featuring top brands and galleries.

Elena Gunderina, Еditor-in-chief of iPremium Design Digest, discusses the hottest trends after personally attending the exhibition.

Elena undoubtedly referring to the so-called 'high brands' as Flexform, Walter Knoll, Fiam, Dornbracht – which have been releasing certain models not just for years, but even for decades, demonstrating, in my opinion, true high-class long-lasting design and quality that need not, and perhaps even cannot sensibly be changed or improved.

These brands focus on high-quality natural materials: leather, solid wood, veneer, and handcrafted work. The foundation of their approach is customization upon request, customer orientation, and a personal approach to each client.

Furniture is increasingly characterized by soft curves, wavy lines, and smoothed angles, giving the home a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere, conveying a sense of calm and relaxation. This trend is a nod to nature-inspired design and creates harmony between the interior space and the natural world.

As for color, it sometimes plays a decisive role in interior design. Color can enhance or destroy the entire interior, as colors evoke emotions in the people who will live in your space.

Color is a kind of 'canvas' for your interior, on which you create the picture of your future home.

As we seek tranquility and comfort in our homes, plush upholstery becomes a key player in creating an environment that transcends mere functionality. Priority is given to physical and emotional well-being.

Such tactilely pleasing materials help to derive even more positive emotions from home.

Upholstery directly interacts with the human body, so its role cannot be understated or underestimated.

The use of living plants not only makes the interior more cozy and airy but also contributes to overall well-being and mental health.

After all, nature is about authenticity and tranquility. Natural associations in the interior help to reduce the level of permanent stress.

Natural stone looks particularly fashionable and relevant today, due to manufacturers' move away from retro-classicism and ostentatious elegance.

Using natural stone in the interior will give the living space even more individuality.

The trend for hidden kitchens has been observed for a long time. Certainly, this solution is not for every client – not only because of the relatively high cost of elements such as 'pocket doors,' but also because, for example, if the oven is on, the facade must be open not only during the cooking process but also while the oven cools down, which is certainly not very convenient for people who cook actively.

Nevertheless, considering that the kitchen remains the heart of the home, it is designed not only for cooking but also as a place for everyday life, communication, and meetings with friends. That is why materials such as veneer, metal, and stone for facades have long come to the forefront.

Metal has long and confidently been present not only in professional kitchens but also in the homes of housewives. It is used to make countertops, facades, and wall panels.

Of course, this is an option for those who are tenderly attached to their possessions.

For some furniture brands, a home surrounded by nature is not enough. Outdoor furniture resembles cozy interior sofas, armchairs, and couches. There is a kind of blending, and often, when talking about brands like Flexform, Minotti or Poliform, it is not immediately clear where the indoor furniture ends and the outdoor begins. Everywhere should be cozy and comfortable.

The quality of design undoubtedly reflects the quality of our lives. After all, designers are a kind of barometer of social, political, and cultural changes.