Immersive experiences and eye-catching home products were aplenty April 16-21 at Milan Design Week 2024. This year’s show turned the spotlight on innovation—think: futuristic kitchens and material waste reduction concepts—with no shortage of sleek styles, to boot. See what caught the attention of Luxe editors at the renowned design event and what trends will see their way to the residential realm.
Milan Design Week 2024 Highlights
Photo: Daniel Trese
Enter This Upcycled Oasis
In an immersive experience at Galleria Rossana Orlandi, performance fabric brand Sunbrella and New York-based textile artist Liz Collins presented (re)Material Culture, which examines how waste can be reused. The cave-like space is covered floor to ceiling in hand-appliqued, fur-like square tiles made from upcycled Sunbrella selvedge in graphic patterns and bright colors. Collins communicates that “there is a strong intention here for people to be able to have recycled material in their lives… a reminder of care and attention to the transformation of existing materials versus always working with new.” An upholstered Grid sofa by Gloster, accent pillows, covered pendant lights and knit throws and bags complete the dynamic scene.
Photo: Courtesy Rottet Studio
Design Week Always Serves Italian Splendor
The storied Residenza Vignale mansion, built in the early 20th century for an Austrian prince, served as the breathtaking backdrop for L’Appartamento by Artemest. Here, six designers from around the world were tasked with transforming a room in the home into a unique space. This year’s talented group included Elicyon, GACHOT, Rottet Studio, Studio Meshary AlNassar, Tamara Feldman Design, and VSHD Design, who used more than 170 Artemest artisans and brands for a true spotlight on Italian craftsmanship. In Lauren Rottet’s Grand Salon scheme, seen above, a rich palette of golden brown and mint green features sets off materials like pale Venetian glass, light green marble, glowing Rubelli fabrics embedded with LED thread and dichroic glass.
Photo: Stevens Fremont
Bamboo Inspires This Colorful Collection
For the first time collaboration between Roche Bobois and Jiang Qiong Er, the Paris- and Shanghai-based artist and designer, bamboo served as the source of inspiration for an extensive new collection at Milan Design Week. A powerful symbol in Chinese culture that represents integrity, simplicity and harmony, bamboo takes many shapes and forms within the colorful sofas, screens, consoles, cocktail tables, rugs and ceramic designs. “Bamboo has always fascinated me. Elegant, resilient, fluid, and peaceful, it counters strong winds with insolence and play. But the collection is an invitation to travel; an inexhaustible source of inspiration, poetry, and dreams,” the creative notes. A contemporary mix of bold hues, sleek finishes and generous proportions, the entire collection is sure to delight.
Photo: Courtesy of Poggenpohl
The Can’t-Miss Kitchen Luminary
Designed by Jorge Pensi, the thought-provoking set-up by Poggenpohl presents several studies of the iconic +MODO workbench and cabinetry. With the collection, the brand offers a glimpse into the future of the kitchen, plus a study on the play between light and gravity. Pensi explains: “The kitchen is the perfect combination of form, and functionality, with wonderful hidden details and technology that you can feel but not see.” The metal structure has pull out trays, a central cabinet, and an open-air feel but it is the impressive use of light that truly turns the design into an otherworldly object. Crafted from a pale natural stone dotted with darker veining, the worktop is illuminated by light that pours through onto the surface creating an extraordinary visual presentation.
Photo: Courtesy of Gaggenau
Time For A Cool Down
Gaggenau’s elevated display at the historic Villa Necchi property offers a look at the next generation of refrigeration. The new furniture-like fridge-freezer design features a dark brushed stainless-steel interior and aluminum-framed drawers made for easy visibility of fruits and vegetables. Other high-tech functions include an integrated camera so users can check ingredients on their phones while they’re shopping for ingredients, plus cooling settings that adjust humidity and temperature for different foods. The striking materiality and innovative adaptive lighting make this appliance a highlight of the EuroCucina offerings.
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