NEWS FROM THE SALONE INTERNAZIONALE DEL MOBILE (INTERNATIONAL FURNITURE FAIR)

After two years, the Salone del Mobile is back in all its glory! And we share with you about the latest trends in style and design.

This year, the Salone del Mobile in Milan is finally back with its 60th edition.

It was a success both in terms of the number of exhibitors, 2,000, and the public turnout, which reached a record 262,000.

The enthusiasm, the frenzy and the desire to display new products and finally have direct contact with customers provided stimulus and confidence for the future of the entire sector. In addition, the presence of both national and international visitors satisfied the organisation and exhibitors.

The exhibition included the display of kitchens - which had been missing for three years - with Eurocucina in the spotlight, as well as bathrooms, home furnishings and accessories. The parallel show featured the new ideas and trends of young architects and designers. And it was they who ventured themselves using a wide range of materials.

Wood made a strong comeback in its more traditional finishes: oak in its various shades, both dark-thermal-treated-carbon and light-honey-natural, Canaletto walnut found its definitive place in the new furniture proposals, and ash, elm and blond walnut also found their important place.

In addition to the finish, the use of wood has been characterised by the various processes: curvatures, boiserie with grooves, various pantographs and special mouldings in all the furniture components.

The colour proposed in the vast range of lacquers finds its place in every room of the house. Warm tones such as dove grey, sand, hemp, earth, together with the range of blues such as teal, anthracite, have completely replaced cold colours. The range of greens in all possible variants is also widely used in the furnishings on offer. Ruby red, yellow ochre and burnt colours remain important, however. There is also a significant return to glossy lacquer.

Stone and porcelain stoneware in their many and varied finishes are now present in all horizontal surfaces, whether table tops or tops of cupboards or day furniture or tops for dressers and night tables.

Digital printing, which re-proposes marble and stone, has now reached extraordinary levels of finish and precision, and here too, 30° to 45° workmanship or special shaping can be found everywhere on the various stands at the Salone.

Metal, in brass, burnished, brushed, ochre or titanium finishes used for details or components of bookcases, chairs, armchairs or sofas, was also a constant at this year's Show along with glass variants: transparent, smoked, bronzed, back-lacquered or characterised by digital prints reproducing marble, stone or particular designs.

Lastly, rich fabrics in perfect harmony with the colours of the furnishings characterised the sofas and seats whose design is constantly evolving, again spacious, comfortable and relaxing seating.

In conclusion, this year's Milan Design Week sent out an important message: the home is once again becoming the hub of the family and everyday living, where attention to detail, design, and the desire to design the environment, sleeping or bathroom area becomes a priority. All with a view to functionality and the right balance.