(ITALY) – The Salone Internazionale del Mobile in Milan is recognized as the place where movements and trends that govern interior and furniture design converge.

But this year experts say that the lack of a well defined trend should be considered as the driving trend of the Salone del Mobile 2018.

“There have been many and variedstyle approaches in 2018, from organicism to a return to the classic, a search for purityor fantasy and, within each different strand, there are designers from the most diverse cultural and geographical contexts. This sends a clear message that designers all over the world are guided by their “reference tribes”, moving endlessly around a global market in which localisms appear, from a creative point of view at least, to be on the decline.”

Today, definitions that tended to identify ‘national styles’ are completely meaningless. For example, postulating an Italian design opposed to Scandinavian or German. Despite the absence of a unique stylistic line, some elements that all current trends have in common can be highlighted. Among them the recovery of the narrative value of objects: their ability to create an atmosphere and to live together with others in a space, so now the concept of a room exceeds that of a loft.

Sensuality is another constant in this edition of the Salone del Mobile. Furniture and objects have a warmer look through sophisticated woods, exquisite finishes, enveloping fabrics and, above all, with a very particular touch. The 2018 interior design objects want to be touched. They are not of a neutral presence. This translates into organicism, a sensual trend enjoying a sharp revival.

Another constant in Milan was what the organizers of the show have called ‘the Hermés syndrome’. The renowned French leather goods house is an inspiration to designers from around the world due to its extraordinary commitment to craftsmanship.

This brings us to another of the several constants present this year, the return of classicism. The trend towards re-editions is becoming increasingly widespread and common. Great pieces of the past are again presented with great attention to detail, a recognition to exceptional elegance in design.