Salone del Mobile 2024 - AKI Design’s top picks

The main theme of Milan Design Week 2024 was kitchen and bathroom design, with numerous brands showcasing their innovative solutions for these spaces. One of the standout installations was Gaggenau's "The Elevation of Gravity" at Villa Necchi Campiglio, which demonstrated the brand's commitment to pushing the boundaries of kitchen design. 

The AKI Design team observed several key trends that are expected to shape the future of Australian interior design: 

Contemporary Shapes: Soft, organic forms were prevalent, exemplified by BD Barcelona Design/Muller van Severn's PILLOW SOFA, the Delcourt Collection, and MDF Italia’s sofa. This signifies a shift towards more fluid and inviting designs in furniture. 

Materials: Steel and aluminium took centre stage, with designers incorporating these sleek and durable materials into their creations. These materials offer a modern aesthetic while ensuring longevity and easy maintenance.  

Colour Palette: Rich, deep reds and burgundy hues dominated the colour scheme at the event. This trend was evident in several exhibitions, such as GUCCI's 'Design Ancora' exhibition curated by creative director Sabato De Sarno. 

Lighting Innovations: Brands like FLOS and Loewe showcased stunning lighting installations that combined artistry with functionality. FLOS's dazzling installation at Palazzo Visconti seamlessly blended past and present, while Loewe's creative director, Jonathan Anderson, commissioned international artists and artisans to explore 'illumination within the house,' resulting in captivating pieces such as a woven leather light and ceramic candles.  

Kitchen and Bathroom Solutions: Alongside Gaggenau's impressive installation, other brands also presented forward-thinking kitchen and bathroom designs. Henry Timi and Swiss home appliances brand V-Zug unveiled their inaugural Milan showroom, combining soft hues, natural materials, and high-tech appliances in a space that encapsulates "poetic simplicity." Kohler collaborated with designer Samual Ross to create a playful and colourful bathroom installation that challenged conventional scales. 

Immersive Experiences: Google's immersive light and sound installation, "Making Sense of Colour," created in collaboration with arts and research lab Chromasonic, further emphasised the importance of colour in design and its ability to evoke emotions and create a desired atmosphere. 

The design community also paid homage to the late Gaetano Pesce, a pioneering Italian designer who passed away earlier this year. His presence was felt throughout the event, with many designers drawing inspiration from his innovative and unconventional approach to design.  

Other noteworthy exhibits included Saint Laurent's display of Gio Ponti classic plates and the Linea Mini coffee machine, a collaboration between Rimowa and La Marzocco. The machine combines Rimowa's signature grooved panels, made in their Cologne factory, with La Marzocco's expertise in coffee machine manufacturing from their Florence factory, resulting in a stunning piece that bridges the gap between design and functionality.  

As AKI Design prepares to incorporate these fresh insights and inspirations into their own projects, Australian homeowners and design enthusiasts can look forward to a new wave of innovative and stylish kitchen and bathroom solutions that reflect the latest global trends while catering to the unique needs and preferences of the Australian market, ensuring spaces that are functional, visually captivating, and on the cutting edge of design.