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Highlights: The warmth of cool silver tones and gleaming chrome

7-5-2024

Translation: machine translated

In the furniture world, there is currently a trend towards industrial minimalism. At Milan Design Week 2024, metals - and fabrics that pretend to be metallic - had a brilliant rise. These shimmering silver pieces were my favourites.

At the beginning of the year, Pinterest predicted that metals would be one of the big trends of the year - and they were right. At the last Milan Design Week, numerous pieces of furniture with shiny surfaces were on show. From chrome to stainless steel to aluminium - everything was there. You could be forgiven for thinking that this must have looked a little undercool. But on the contrary: the cool metals breathed a pleasantly fresh breeze into the interiors.

The European design brand Sé showed tubular steel chairs in Rossana Orlandi's gallery together with a pastel-coloured dining table, a fluffy rug and a green wall. This made the metal stand out more and invited people to linger. It was a similar story with the seating object «Another Fountain» by Stockholm-based duo Swedish Girls. It was on display at the Vagetti Villa on the occasion of the Alcova exhibition and seemed to magically attract visitors. Perhaps the curves had something to do with it. Or maybe it was the lush green colour of the garden, which provided a great contrast to the dazzling piece.

Tubular steel chair from Sé | stainless steel
Source: Pia Seidel

«Another Fountain» by Swedsih Girls | stainless steel
Source: Pia Seidel

The Astronaut Studio also staged its first collection «Hydromorph» at Villa Vagetti. It explores the relationship between pressure and metal and had a soft effect on me despite the solid metal. This was due to the sunlight, but also to its organic shapes.

«Hydromorph» by Astronauts Studio | steel, stainless steel mirror, electrical components
Source: Pia Seidel

Project 213A is a European art and design company specialising in furniture and home accessories. It also exhibited for Alcova and attracted everyone's attention with its modular design «Porto». From a distance, the sofa appeared to be made of metal. In reality, it consists of soft seat cushions and a faux leather cover. Designer Fayetoogood achieved a similar trompe l'oeil effect with her solar sofa for the exhibition called «Rude Arts Club» at CC-Tapis. Although it consists of a stack of quilted, silver-coloured cushions, the play with silver made it seem harder than it is. Once you sit on it, you feel like you're walking on clouds.

«Porto» sofa from Project 213a | faux leather in metallic look
Source: Pia Seidel

«Mi-RR 13» sofa by Studio Speculo | aluminium, mirror
Source: Pia Seidel

In the mirror «Mi-RR 13» by Studio Speculo and the furniture by NM3, the use of the industrial material increased the coolness factor many times over. It contributed to the monochrome look, which has an edge: It emphasised the silhouette of the designer pieces and details such as circles, which broke everything up a little.

«NM22 Stool» by NM3 | stainless steel
Source: Pia Seidel

NM3 collection | stainless steel. — «NM22 Stool» by NM3 | stainless steel
Source: Pia Seidel

«Braid Chair» by Monika Szyca-Thomas | stainless steel
Source: Pia Seidel

Polish designer Monika Szyca-Thomas played with matt brushed stainless steel and aluminium as if it were rattan. In the group exhibition at Comune, she presented an armchair called «Braid Chair», which was characterised by a curved armrest. The wickerwork not only made it look super-soft, but also inviting.

«Hana» by Tino Seubert | Edelstahl
Source: Pia Seidel

Tino Seubert also managed a moment of surprise. She juxtaposed her tubular metal vases with a natural element: flowers. The design studio Vero, on the other hand, chose a colourful rubber plate as a counterpoint for its «The Pot» design, proving that opposites attract.

«The Pot» by Sam Stewart for Vero | aluminium, rubberPia Seidel

Industrial flair for the home

If you've acquired a taste for it: these designer pieces from our range provide moments of glamour with their metallic tones. They not only pick up on the trend, but can also be incorporated into your interior as timeless elements.

Vases

EUR43,55

Philippi Margeaux

1 x, Ø 18 x 12 cm

Planters

Ferm Living Auran

32.30 cm

Watering cans

Ferm Living Orb watering can

2 l

Pendant lamps

EUR179,–

Normann Copenhagen Tub

Table lamps

Busch Leuchten chrome table lamp E27 60W

E27

Coffee tables

EUR269,–

Zuiver Stool

30 x 21 x 45 cm

Vases

EUR43,55

Philippi Margeaux

Planters

Ferm Living Auran

Watering cans

Ferm Living Orb watering can

Pendant lamps

EUR179,–

Normann Copenhagen Tub

Table lamps

Busch Leuchten chrome table lamp E27 60W

Coffee tables

EUR269,–

Zuiver Stool

Header image: Pia Seidel

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Pia Seidel

Senior Editor

Pia.Seidel@digitecgalaxus.ch

Like a cheerleader, I love celebrating good design and bringing you closer to everything furniture- and interior design- related. I regularly curate simple yet sophisticated interior ideas, report on trends and interview creative minds about their work.

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