Every spring, the city of Milan hosts the highly anticipated Salone del Mobile the world’s largest furniture show–where thousands of brands and design professionals and enthusiasts from around the globe come together to unveil as well as experience what’s new and next in the world of furniture and design.
This year’s 58th edition didn’t disappoint and we couldn’t wait to share the latest and the greatest. So, we sat down with Cantoni’s Founder and CEO Michael Wilkov to discuss trends along with his favorite finds straight from “la fiera!”
How many trips have you made to the Salone del Mobile?
MW: I have been attending the Salone del Mobile for 34 years straight and it continues to be the most inspirational show that I have ever attended in my career.
What makes this particular furniture fair so special and unlike some of the others you have visited in the past?
MW: Salone is an explosion of design that pervades one’s mind, body, and soul for six straight days with a shattering display of products from some of the greatest designers in the world. Just about every store in the city center of Milan participates in this design extravaganza—special exhibitions, installations, and displays can be found throughout the city at local shops, restaurants, museums, and so forth.
Installation by Marcantonio for Qeeboo at Piazza XIV Maggio
Designed by Jeremy Scott | Display at Moschino Flagship Store
What were some of the top trends you saw this year in Milan?
MW: The biggest “trend” that is growing more significantly than anything else I’ve seen with the majority of Italian brands is the move towards presenting a “total home concept.” So, typically in the past where one brand’s focus might have been solely on producing upholstery, they now offer a complete home array of products from upholstery to bedroom and dining furnishings punctuated by multiple accessory items.
There was also a strong focus on sustainable design this year—products that are made up of recyclable, eco-friendly materials in an effort to increase awareness around the need to protect and respect our environment. One of our partners, Calligaris, emphasized the green philosophy with the introduction of their “Vela Green” project.
Features a polypropylene seat shell made with 40% recycled material from uncontaminated manufacturing waste and FSC certified ash wood legs. Other materials available include bioplastic—a raw material obtained from renewable vegetable sources like sugar cane, which reduces CO2 emission by about 70% compared to traditional plastic—and 75% eco-friendly fabrics, which are produced from post-consumer recycled PET.
As for finishes, brands are moving away from polished chrome to more black chrome and brushed bronze finishes.
New lounge chair upholstered in a rich cognac leather and a dark brown high gloss veneer with black chrome legs
Designed by Marco Zito for Bross
MW’s Favorite Finds
By Natuzzi Italia
Designed by Andrea Lucatello for Cattelan Italia
Designed by Andrea Lucatello and Paolo Cattelan
Designed by Martin Ballendat for Tonon
By Stefano Giovannoni for Qeeboo
By Stefano Giovannoni for Qeeboo
Designed by Paolo Cattelan
Designed by Paolo Cattelan
34 years ago Michael made his first trip to the Salone del Mobile and it was there that he discovered the incredible beauty of artisan-made modern Italian furnishings. To this day, he and our team continue to make the journey and scour the globe with the same passion and commitment in mind: to bring our clients the best in modern design—high-quality, cutting-edge furnishings and accessories never before seen. Over the next few months, Michael and our team will be reviewing all of the stunning designs they saw in Milan and making decisions as to what pieces you can expect to see in our showrooms in the near future. To keep up-to-date on all of our new arrivals, follow us on Facebook or Instagram! Or if you haven’t already, subscribe to our email list to receive new product announcements plus design inspiration and advice directly in your inbox.