Last week over 400,000 companies, designers, creatives, makers, architects and communicators flocked to Milan Design Week to feel inspired by a week of talks, exhibitions, latest news and tours across the fair and design districts. It was one crazy week but fascinating to find out more about the latest trends and news from the interior world. One of the highlights of my week was a Safari Blog tour organised by the monthly Italian
DDN magazine in which we visited some of the major Italian Design Brands. From dark wood and cool stone to soft, velvety textures and amber accents, here's my round-up of the latest 2018 interior design trends from the tour:
Wood remains a key material in the 2018 interior, but there's a distinct move to the rich, dark side. These beautiful wooden worktops by luxury modern furniture brand
Poliform, slide so you can place them where you like on the countertop (in fact, the entire kitchen worktop is adjustable to fit your needs - Italian design at it's best!).
2. Black metal
While brass is still present, black metal might just have stolen it's party crown. Think sleek, slim furniture, small details, accessories and art made from black metal with a matt finish. Known for creating innovative bedroom furniture (such as the iconic
Natalie bed),
Flou featured examples of this across their stand in the form of slim, handles on chest-of-drawers, side-tables and art!
3. Dark earthy blue, green, and Brown. Powder and Amber accents
2017 was the year the world fell in love with pink (in all it's powder, blush and earthy forms). And it seems we haven't quite had enough of it yet. But there's also a new accent in town. Amber.
Walter Knoll's carpets and
Badawi cushions (I
soooo need one of these in my life) were designed in collaboration with fabric designer
Helmut Scheufele and inspired by the landscapes and colours of Africa. The deep amber tones and soft pinks looked particular beautiful against a dark backdrop (loved the statement blooms too!).
4. Silk, Velvet and Other Soft Fabrics
Who doesn't love a beautifully soft fabric? Tactile materials such as silk and velvet are adding a lush feel to the home in 2018. Treat your feet to a silky smooth rug and sit back in an upholstered chair (like these on trend beauties:
Soft and
Jane by
Poliform) or add decadent curtains in a rich coloured velvet. The movement and texture in the fabric also adds depth and interest to a space.
Note the angle on the Jane chair leg - another key trend to look out for this year!
5. Texture
I love pieces that want to make you reach out and touch them - and 2018 promises to be a year of enticing textures. Think simple patterns, tactile materials and other subtle undulating surfaces. This swoon-worthy cabinet by
Natuzzi (one of
is the world's best known furniture brand, known for creating harmony throughout the home) is spot on - and such a great colour too, don't you think?!
6. Sustainability
In a time where there are serious concerns about the planet and the effects our lives have on it, I was relieved to experience a conscious effort to move towards creating furniture with a sustainable mindset. A fine example of this is the
Kartell Organic Chair, made from a revolutionary organic plastic material that's both sustainable and high quality.
Hurrah!
7. Slim-line furniture
Forget bulky pieces, in 2018 it's all about a slimmed-down, more streamlined look. Shelves, chairs, and tables have come over all sleek and the airy look and feel gives a wonderful feeling of space. I particularly loved the floor to ceiling
BROMPTON Shelving Unit and other streamlined furniture by
Boffi, it created a real sense of calm.
8. Stone
And finally, concrete, marble, terrazzo and limestone have risen up the interior rankings, adding cool texture, tactility and interest to different areas of the home. I was completely taken by this powder pink stone against grey steel (and touches of brass) by
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