Scenes from Salone

Milan is known as the fashion capital of the world, a place where haute couture rubs elbows with the latest cutting-edge designs. A walk through its streets treats visitors and residents alike to glimpses of the best in design through its array of showroom windows.

For one week each year, fashion takes a back seat to residential fashion – that is, the furniture, lighting and fixtures that elevate a home’s style. The Salone del Mobile.Milano, held at Rho Fiera Milano, hosts several hundred thousand of the world’s leading designers and other design professionals who flock to the city to see the latest in residential design. 

Added to Salone in alternating years is EuroCucina and FTK – Technology for the Kitchen, with its focus on cabinetry, appliances, fixtures, smart home technology and surfaces for the kitchen, and the International Bathroom Exhibition, which highlights all things for the bath. Both were showcased at this year’s Salone event, which was held April 16 through April 21.

The Salone del Mobile.Milano experienced a record attendance this spring, with 370,824 attendees overall, 20.2% more visitors than 2023. Over 53% of those attending were from abroad, visiting some 1,950 exhibitors from 35 different countries, making this a true international event.

Exhibitors within the two sectors, as well as all of those involved with the show, are strongly committed to the show’s overall interest in sustainability. 

Maria Porro, president of the Salone del Mobile.Milano, noted, “The 62^nd edition of the Salone del Mobile.Milano exceeded all expectations: it was a record edition.” She added that the success of this edition was partially due to the success of the Kitchen and Bathroom Biennials, “in which research and development are the synthesis not only of innovation processes but are also expressions of the ability of both sectors to intercept the habits and desires of daily living.”

Claudio Feltrin, president of Federlegno Arredo, added, “It has been a truly exceptional edition, amply justifying the extraordinary work put in by the exhibitors over the last year. Yet again, the entrepreneurs have risen to the challenge, and after 62 years, we can say with certainty that we are the undisputed leaders, capable of attracting design from all over the world to the Rho Fiera Milano pavilions, confirming the Salone as the industry’s most important international trade fair.”

Changes and evolution were key to this year’s edition as it emerged from the altered events following the COVID-19 pandemic. Salone embarked on an international Road Show, which brought leaders from the show to 16 capital cities, from the Far East to India and South Africa, by way of Europe and North America. The tour forged new relationship networks, amplified by the Salone’s digital platform, communicating content and visions to an extended community. The layout of the show and communication centers were enhanced and its outreach extended; and, the Salone’s dedication to sustainability and environmental consciousness were evident throughout, with exhibitors adhering to the request for environmentally sound yet beautiful displays.

The new widespread Cultural Program included three large installations. The first was “Interiors by David Lynch: A Thinking Room,” designed by film director David Lynch. “Under the Surface” – designed by Accurat, Design Group Italia and Emiliano Ponzi – used a submerged island in the heart of the International Bathroom Exhibition to underscore the industry’s commitment to coming up with new solutions for safeguarding the planet’s most precious resource. The third, entitled “All You Have Ever Wanted to Know About Food Design in Six Performances,” shared multiple reflections on food as a subject of design in an experiential key, with six days of performances and presentations by six independent international magazines. 

Experiencing EuroCucina

The return of EuroCucina and FTK – Technology for the Kitchen did not disappoint, as large booth spaces were filled with completed kitchen vignettes as well as product selections. Visitors could enter a booth and immediately see themselves living within that space, surrounded by exquisite cabinetry, smart appliances and surfaces that added that elusive ‘wow’ factor. Kitchen sinks and faucets were also front and center, as workstations did double-duty as entertainment accessories and water delivery systems provided not just hot and cold but filtered, sparkling and boiling water via a wave or voice command.

While wood tones are making a comeback, especially in U.S. kitchens, Eurocucina was all about color. Blues and greens have given way to more unexpected tones of coral, peach and purple, often accented with black or wood-toned open shelving and islands. Everything from dark tones of black, brown and eggplant to the wispiest sage green and pale wood was on display and worked within their individual designs.

Open shelving was everywhere, providing storage opportunities for plates and bowls as well as display spaces for treasured items, family heirlooms and collectibles. Plants and greenery were at home in these spaces, encouraging the concept of wellness by immersing in nature. It’s a great place to grow and store herbs, too. And, that shelving was never complete without LED lighting accenting all of the items stored there.

Islands were also statement makers at EuroCucina, often covered in surfacing that was bold and colorful. Quiet white marble looks with gray veining were limited, replaced by countertops and backsplashes with vivid color combinations and movement. Multiple-leveled islands were the norm, distinguishing prep areas from dining spaces via different heights and materials.

And color wasn’t just making its mark on cabinets and countertops, as stainless appliances were taking a back seat to colorful enamel finishes on everything from range hoods to rotisseries. Neutrals of off white and silver-gray, as well as soft blues and greens, were the most prevalent options, with most appliance booths displaying quieter rather than jewel tones, allowing the pieces to make a quiet but solid statement within a design. Paneled appliances were key for many displays, as the open-concept kitchen continues to blend the kitchen space into other areas of the home. 

Smart, easy-to-use technology made its mark as well, with intuitive appliances displaying advanced features to allow even the novice cook to play home chef. Induction cooking, a leading technology in Europe, was showcased at most appliance booths, along with steam ovens that promote a healthier lifestyle. Refrigerators showcased multiple door options, along with drawers that convert from refrigerator to freezer and sleek black interiors. Massive ranges and hoods were show stoppers as well, often in custom colors with a variety of trims available.

All About the Bath

In its 9th edition, the Bath Exhibition was dazzling, with dramatic bath displays that made visitors want to linger and luxuriate. While most master bath design requests are for spa-type spaces, the amenities on display elevated the experience to new heights.

The main story here: showers. While showers have been getting a makeover for the better part of a decade – going from a place to get clean to a place to unwind and wash a difficult day down the drain – the latest products for the shower add benefits only dreamed about just a few years ago. Chromatherapy is leading the pack here, with the advancement of LED lighting allowing for its incorporation into the showerhead, providing light therapy while cleansing. Users can go from vibrant shades of yellow and orange to awaken the spirit, to tones of blue and purple to relax and unwind before going to sleep.

Showerheads are also delivering water in multiple ways – from the lightest mists to full sheets to massaging pulses. And it’s not just about the experience. The fittings on display were bold and different from anything previously seen, with heads that were distinctively decorative via interesting materials and shapes. Turn on those lights and streams and it’s a whole different shower experience.

Shower pans and walls are also garnering attention, with multiple material options allowing for playful, elegant and custom designs. Full slabs are providing grout-free installation, delivering a cleaner, more streamlined look and easier maintenance.

Bath sinks and faucets are also in focus with visitors, with material choices pushing the boundaries past expected. Faucets embraced not only multiple finishes but multiple materials, including stone, teak, crystal and leather. Glass and crystal sinks were also seen in abundance at this year’s show, along with geometric and asymmetrical washbasins and pedestals. And metal, especially gold and bronze tones, added sparkle to sink offerings.

And while jetted tubs have faded into the background, soaking tubs are still a major draw for many. At this year’s exhibition, soakers were made from a variety of materials, including solid surface, metal and stone, which all hold heat for a better quality experience. White and black were popular, as were two-tone versions that were white on the inside and colorful on the outer shell. Several were encased in tile, metal, decorative trim and even bookshelves.

Wood, especially in paler tones, was a popular staple for vanities, many showcasing interesting grains and veneers. Curves and fluting were everywhere, along with chunky hardware that added interest. Metal trims, including banding around drawer edges and countertops, as well as legs and built-in towel racks, coordinated with the hardware to deliver a jeweled effect.

Sights of the City

While Milan is well known for its art and architecture, it’s fashion that puts the city on the map as an international destination. Sitting side-by-side with spaces dedicated to famed fashion designers are showrooms exhibiting the latest styles for the home – including cabinetry, plumbing, surfacing and appliances.

Fuorisalone is a celebration of events surrounding the Salone as part of the city’s Design Week, many of which take place in the city’s stunning showrooms. Other exhibits around town are featured in centuries-old buildings and courtyards, creating a stunning contrast between ancient and modern.

Here are just a few of the stops made along KBDN’s walk through this design wonderland.

Designers Weigh in on International Trends

NEW YORK — “International Design Trends Update with aspire design & home” was the topic of the May meeting of the Manhattan Chapter of the National Kitchen & Bath Association, held recently at the Sub-Zero showroom in the A&D Building in New York City. Deborah Martin, managing editor of aspire design and home magazine & editor-in-chief of Design NYC moderated an esteemed panel of designers that included: Sergio Mercado, principal, Sergio Mercado Design Studio in New York City; Nancy Fire, chief inspiration officer and founder, Nancy Fire Designs in New York City; Felicitas Oefelein, owner and designer, F.O. Design in New York City, and Toni Sabatino, AKBD, owner and designer, Toni Sabatino Style on Long Island, NY. The panelists shared their impressions of the Salone del Mobile.Milano and where trends are headed on both sides of the Atlantic.

The first thing the designers noted about the Salone event was how beautiful the booths were and the details that were evident in each design. “The millwork was amazing,” stated Sabatino, “and there were a lot of displays that you could move right into.”

“Everything was stunningly beautiful – you didn’t want to leave,” agreed Oefelein.

Mercado also noted the millwork, which was carried from the kitchen into the living spaces. “It made the space feel so much larger because you’re not using different materials.”

“There was a lot of unified design,” added Sabatino.

Oefelein concurred, offering that it took the open concept to a new level.

Within that open-concept, shelving was everywhere. There were glass shelves, wooden shelves, stone shelves – laden with plants and books. Oefelein added that she loved a tub in one booth that had bookcases around it.

Mercado noted the number of buffets built into kitchen countertops designed to deliver convenient storage when needed.

Added Fire, “We’re seeing more of a simple elegance, with the kitchen segueing into other areas of the home.”

“There are more appliances showing up in other spaces,” such as master bedrooms and workout areas, added Sabatino.

With regard to sustainability and environmentally friendly products, the panelists agreed that people need to become more educated about the subject.

“It’s on us to show them what’s available to create the experience,” remarked Sabatino.

Fire, who writes a blog regularly, agreed: “We become the educators. They rely on us. We need to elevate them.”

Wellness is a big issue, and environmentally responsible products fit into that concept. “People realize that wellness starts at home,” offered Sabatino. “People don’t want to bring products into their home that are going to poison them.”

“In the bath, chromatherapy is big with regard to wellness,” Mercado added, noting that many of today’s products have this therapy built in. “Today you buy one plumbing part and, while it may cost you a few hundred dollars more than it used to, you’re getting so much more for your money.”

This concept strongly references the latest showerheads, one of the major stories coming out of the Salone. As Oefelein noted, “There were fantastic showerheads. You can have a spa experience in your shower. It’s a better investment and offers water savings over having a tub.”

Martin added, “Part of sustainability is technology, which includes water savings. These showerheads do everything.” She continued that, in the future, “this is the normal way we’re going to purchase products – with sustainability in mind.”

Getting back to the kitchen, environmentally sound choices led to discussion of the rise of induction cooktops. “They’re much more environmentally sound,” offered Martin.

“My clients are all in on induction and steam convection,” noted Mercado. “They want what’s new and healthy.”

“They want on appliance that can do multiple things,” added Fire. “It’s all about kitchen real estate.”