It might go without saying that Italian furniture brands should have pride of place in Milan, but sometimes it seems as though the design week’s more whimsical and temporary offerings hog the spotlight. This year, we were especially impressed by the Made in Italy prowess on display. And these brands in particular stood out:

B&B ITALIA’S FAIRGROUNDS COMEBACK
While B&B Italia’s Via Durini showroom staged an exhibition of the manufacturer’s enthralling archives — the ad campaign for Le Bambole is as provocative as ever — the brand also returned to the fairgrounds for the first time in 25 years (save for a group show in 2019). Designed by Formafantasma with a bow to Mies van der Rohe, the setting celebrated all that’s new — and it’s an inspired collection. The Untitled system by Vincent Van Duysen features a strong oak or beech frame that barely contains its oversized cushions, upholstered in fabric or leather. It feels like a gregarious hug.

PURE FORM AT FLEXFORM
With the poetic name “The Private Lives of Objects,” Flexform’s latest collection filled both the brand’s Via della Moscova showroom and the stunning courtyard of the Chiostro Sant’Angelo. Among its indoor collection highlights, the Quincy sofa is especially noteworthy. The system’s gently contoured edges and soft, down-filled seats were inspired by the sunken living rooms of the 1970s, which fostered conversation through their enveloping shape. Quincy is by Antonio Citterio, a legend of Italian design who only seems to get better with age.

ARFLEX’S LUCKY TABLE
In Spanish, trébol means “clover.” And for the prolific artist–designer Jaime Hayon, known for his enchanting visual style, it’s an apt starting point for this joyful collection made by Arflex, which includes the Treboli sofa, debuted in 2025, and the low tables that now complement it. Exploring a sculptural leg for the sofa, Hayon alighted on a four-leafed shape that is now translated into the table’s tubular legs and marble top. It comes in a range of heights and dimensions for creative compositions that compound the good fortune.

POLIFORM X YABU PUSHELBERG
At Palazzo Clerici, Poliform transformed every space of the 18th-century residence with modern architectural details that abut — while never touching — the original structure. And, yes, it also debuted its latest furnishings inside a series of captivating vignettes. Yabu Pushelberg’s Lanai almost took over an entire room. The sculptural bed, which marks the Canadian studio’s first design with Poliform, integrates a rear sofa, essentially uniting the bedroom and living room realms. Lanai is certainly a bed that deserves central placement. You just need to have the lofty interior for it.

MODULARITY AT MINOTTI
Among Minotti’s many attractions, Ruffle by GamFratesi staked its place as a memorable moment. The modular system also taps into the 1970s — especially in a terracotta-toned upholstery — with its segmented, sinuous form. Wrapping around the sofa structure, padded bands evoke the effect of an endless quilt. The sofa rests on polished brushed metal feet that make it appear to float slightly above the floor. It’s a standout piece — and one that can grow and shrink while maintaining its singular style.

LIVING DIVANI’S ULTRA-MINIMAL LOUNGE
Giacomo Moor’s Fillet lounge scales up the proportions of the chair of the same name, which Living Divani debuted in 2025. Supported by a tubular trestle frame, a sheet of aluminum is twice folded to create a backrest, seat and leg rest. Clad in a felt mattress with a cylindrical cushion that is magnetized for easy adjustment, the chaise is sculptural and lightweight, its bold profile imbuing it with the character of an enduring classic.

MOLTENI’S MATERIAL EXPRESSIONS
Cristián Mohaded’s star is on the rise. The Argentinian designer stood out at Molteni in particular, where his Corsetto armchair caught everyone’s attention. The plump form of the seat is “gently compressed” by a leather belt, which wraps the body like the chair’s namesake corset. It makes for a pleasantly tactile juxtaposition of textures, in leather and fabric, while emphasizing the seat’s generous proportions