I am back from Milan where I spent a few days trying to spot some original ideas at the 56th Salone del Mobile.
I don’t want to show you images of trends that you already know about, like golden and copper hardware or the plant mania, I would like to propose to you some ideas you probably haven’t considered yet.
I walked around searching for something new or at least unseen on blogs and magazines, not an easy task; below is an inspiring selection of ideas.
Photographic panels lit from behind represent a sort of window on to a panorama or fantastic view.
They give depth to the room and they create an open horizon, giving the wall a new life.
In order to achieve a similar result you need a very high definition image (I advise you to pick a panorama, definitely nothing personal like a family photo), and a professional company specialised in making these sort of things. The led lighting behind is the fruit of expertise not something you can try to do yourself.
This look is also perfect for hotels and offices.
Plants are the must have accessory this year. They are everywhere, real or drawn on textiles or wallpaper.
I saw some plastic decorations shaped like cacti and I love them. The pop version of plants. Ok, not really ecological but definitely forever, even inside and in dark corners!
Why not incorporate speakers into our pieces of furniture?
The two cabinets by Miniforms wink at the past with a big speaker that reminds me of a gramophone but in very contemporary colors and finishings.
Below is a photo of myself posing (it is quite obvious I suppose) on a red armchair with incorporated speakers for a intimate, relaxing, dolby surround experience.
We have already said that natural materials are back and brown leather is one of them, very present in fashion and in interiors these days.
For a different look take inspiration from the insertions of brown leather like in the photos below.
A cushion, the edge of a throw or the padding of a chair will give your furniture a luxury look without going for an all-out “Out of Africa” look.
- ROUNDED ARMCHAIRS AND SOFAS
More than once whilst walking around the Salone del Mobile, I thought of Stanley Kubrick. The Seventies are back with their colors, their atmosphere and their shapes.
Armchairs and sofas have lost their sharpness and corners have became curves. Rounded armchairs and sofas are particularly good when not close to walls or when in the middle of a room instead of traditional blocks of furniture.
Using one color or a maximum of two for everything in the room is the new chic. If the color is bright or unusual like in the photo below even better.
It is not easy to find lights that are the same color as the rest of the furniture but if you can you can be sure it will have a wow factor. Some shining details like golden handles will avoid the room looking like a massive bucket of paint fell on it.
Thinking outside of the box is a good way to create something original.
It looks like the designers cut the cabinets into pieces and then reassembled them after too many glasses of wine but the result is refreshing. They have managed to create pieces of furniture that give character to a room, are quirky and beautifully made.
