Based on our time at Milan Design Week, the industry’s big colour trends for 2023 seems to be taking their cues from a Negroni on the rocks. Designs in orangey-red hues kicked off aperitivo hour at Salone del Mobile and beyond, while soft blues made for an icy-cool contrast.
Here’s our toast to some of the week’s most colourful launches.
Foscarini’s Fregio suspension light by Andrea Anastasio features bas-relief florals adapted from the archives of the Bottega d’Arte Ceramica Gatti workshop in Faenza.
Andreu World fêted a new Milan flagship designed by Patricia Urquiola, who also debuted Bolete Lounge Bio — a lounge chair that can be grouped around a trio of coordinating tables to create a curved sofa.
Philippe Malouin based the hues for Bilboquet on retro car designs. Magnets allow the Flos table lamp’s lighting tube to affix to its chrome sphere at any angle.
Dedon’s handwoven Papyon wing chair (and accompanying footrest) by Arnd Küchel was inspired by butterflies. It’s offered in two colourways: Nectar and Moonlake.
In a Salone stand defined by simple white linen curtains, Arper introduced García Cumini’s Semiton system featuring boldly coloured storage and shelving modules.
Konstantin Grcic and Hella Jongerius teamed up to develop Twain, a safari chair by Magis that drapes a graphic blanket over a wooden frame — and then finishes it off with a bright wraparound belt.
Zanotta’s Salone introductions included Bol, a rounded dining table by Venetian studio Zaven with an elegantly curled base. Choose from matte or glossy Talc, Algae and Caramel (shown) tones.
Nika Zupanc plays with scale in Moooi’s Knitty lounge chair, blowing up a chunky basket weave with supersize strands of “yarn” that are upholstered in an ultra-soft knit.
Piero Lissoni’s Outdoor collection honours Knoll’s past with a micro-perforated aluminum frame that nods to the polyester mesh on Richard Schultz’s beloved 1966 collection.
The warm tones of FontanaArte’s Euroluce stand matched the borosilicate glass shades that define Paolo Rizzatto and Francesco Librizzi’s conical Thalea pendants.
At Cassina’s showroom, Barber Osgerby pulled up a new seat: Tamburound, a casual dining chair featuring a swivel system for keeping up with conversations in all directions — plus removable upholstery for easy cleaning.
Another elegant Cassina launch, this Patricia Urquiola–designed sofa features a metal structure paired with recycled PET cushions — and no glue, ensuring easy disassembly at the end of its life cycle.
Jaime Hayon puts a curvy spin on a standalone shelving unit. MDF cabinetry transitions from a glossy lacquered external finish to a matte interior finish. Two-toned colourways (including the red and grey shown) amplify the contrast.
One of many fashion brands making their mark this spring, Louis Vuitton reflected Milan Design Week 2023’s top colour trends with this tomato-red armchair designed by Raw Edges. Featuring a leather back and a velvet seat, each of the five colourways is limited to an edition of 100.
Energetic oranges bolstered pale blues in many of this spring’s top furniture collections.