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Milan design week: the interiors highlights

26 April 2018

We like to keep ahead when it comes to interiors, so this month we attended the design week in Milan - possibly the most important interiors event of the year and a glimpse into the future interiors trends.

Interiors editor Rory Robertson reports back from the bustling streets of Italy's fashion capital.

Every April, interior aficionados from around the globe flock to the city for this event where leading designers and international interiors brands, big and small, all showcase their latest work and future trends.

The stakes are high to create a display that stands out. Here are our favourite finds from this year.

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1. Dimore

The Milanese design house created three separate installations. The rather lengthy queue Dimore always command, that this year spiralled up to its third floor offices in the city's Brera district, is rightly earnt.

Set up by designers Emiliano Salci and Britt Moran, Dimore has gained quite the following. Their work strikes a delicate mix of vintage objects from far-away worlds and, by contrast, materials which are distinctly fresh and contemporary such as alloys and glossy lacquers.

The results are always unique.

This year, Dimore displayed three separate exhibitions. 'Transfer' is a series of tents made from its latest fabric collaboration with de Le Cuona. Each of the canopied spaces featured a selection of archived Dimore furniture.

The second gallery space, named 'Perfettamente Imperfetto', showcased a contemporary furniture collection with a space-like entrance corridor made of triangulated foam shapes. Each furniture piece was displayed in a room of its own with billowing white plastic walls, the outcome, a serene haven.

The third and final offering from Dimore? 'Limited Editions' a collection of new work made from deconstructed 18th and 19th century vintage pieces.

2. Caesarstone and Snarkitecture

Quartz manufacturer Caesarstone returned to Milan with 'Altered States'. Its materials are commonly used for kitchen and bathroom projects, so what better starting point than to base its showpiece for Milan on the kitchen island.

Ceasarstone teamed up with New York-based design practice Snarkitecture, and the result was a collection of beautifully layered stone surfaces fused with steam, ice and liquid.

Caesarstone based the installation in a faded and very grand building, Palazzo dell'Ufficio Eletralle di Porta Romana, opened to the public especially for this event.

3. 'The Diner' by Rockwell Group

Serving up a distinctly retro take on American diner-style, group founder David Rockwell redesigned an old Milanese railway arch and created a space for visitors to eat. Split into four differently designed eating zones, Rockwell showcased: East Coast, Midwest, West Coast and roadside diner style.

Rock 'n' roll baby.

4. Hay, Sonos and WeWork

Set in a jaw-droppingly beautiful palace, Hay teamed up with sound experts Sonos and WeWork, the shared workspace company, to unveil a shared vision of future live/work spaces. The decadently detailed baroque rooms of the Clerici Palace, situated in central Milan, were transformed via a series of, by contrast, contemporary installations.

Kitchen areas, living rooms, bedrooms and study environments were set up using a combination of the latest Hay, Sonos and WeWork products.

The outcome? This trio have successfully turned up the volume on interiors of the future, as this might be the sleekest concept that we've seen so far.

5. Eponimo

Eponimo presented 'Spring Variations', an apartment space designed by architect Giovanni Cagnato to suit the spring season. His focus was to bring a series of suggestive rooms, each with a distinctive identity, via a strong use of colour.

The bedroom area is kept warm and cosy with thanks to the earthen red wall colour. This otherwise awkward-shaped room is turned into a welcoming small space, thanks to the idea of tying the room together by painting the walls, ceiling and woodwork all the same radiant red colour.

The living room conveys a distinct sense of spring thanks to the zesty yellow sofa and vivid green mid-century armchairs, and the dining room is kept simple with a blue dining suite.

The lesson earned from Eponimo? You can embrace different seasons by working with colour. Warm, fresh and bright tones? Spring has sprung!

Feeling inspired to decorate? Look out for our Next wallpaper trends feature, coming soon.

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Image credits:

1, 12, 13, 14, HAY.dk

2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, Dimore 

8, 9, 10, Ceasarstone C Snarkitechture

11, Rockwell Group

15, 16, 17, 18, 19, Eponimo/ Ezzio Manciucca