There’s a certain electricity in the air at Salone—the kind only Milan can summon. And Beyond&More was there for all of it—walking, absorbing, and indulging in conversations to curation of what stirred the senses and sparked the imagination.
But, this year, Milan didn’t just host the world’s largest design event.
Salone Del Mobile 2025 became a living museum of ideas—of imagination, scale, craft, and story. From studios that challenged convention and brands that honoured their legacy, to materials that carried memories in their grain, and lights and textures that evoked a sensorial experience, here’s what imprinted its way into our design sensibilities from Milan Design Week.
IN THIS ISSUE:
1. DAY 1: WHEN FORM BECAME A FEELING
2. DAY 2: LEGACY BRANDS RAISING THE BAR
3. DAY 3: MATERIALS AS MESSAGES
4. BEYOND TRENDS: 5 INSIGHTS ON THE FUTURE OF DESIGN
5. GRAZIE, MILAN!
DAY 1: WHEN FORM BECAME A FEELING
Milan’s first day set the tone for a week of exploration. We encountered pieces that blurred the lines between function and feeling, furniture and sculpture, and art and mathematical precision. Here’s what left us captivated:
1. IMPERFETTOLAB
Pieces like Vara, Qirat, Uno, and Matau played with scale, form, and texture in a way that felt more like memory than matter. The showcase became a canvas of still life—poised, poetic, and strangely emotional.
2. BOLZAN
At Bolzan, the atmosphere softened. Their new collection reimagined beds as modern sanctuaries—deeply upholstered, shaped for softness, and designed to hold more than just rest.
At the heart of it is the unmistakable hand of India Mahdavi, the Iranian-French architect known for her emotional use of color and form. Her palette, shaped by childhood memories of Disney movies, Bugs Bunny, and the kaleidoscope of her lunchbox, pulses through the collection.
3. BAMAX
The brand introduced their new Celeste Night Collection, showcasing beds that epitomize the fusion of modern elegance and artisanal craftsmanship. Each bed had gracefully curved, fully upholstered headboards, offering a plush sanctuary that invites relaxation. The bed’s design reflects Bamax’s commitment to quality and timeless aesthetics, making it a standout piece in any contemporary bedroom.
4. CAIMI
We ended the day at Caimi, where silence spoke volumes. Known for their innovation in acoustic design, their Snowsound and Biosphere systems didn’t just dampen noise—they transformed it into presence.
Panels faded into walls like sculptural installations, but beneath the surface was serious science: Patented materials calibrated to absorb specific sound frequencies, creating spaces that feel intuitively calm.
This was wellness at a sensory level—not just seen, but heard in the hush, and felt in the clarity of a room where sound is shaped, not suppressed. At Caimi, acoustics are never an afterthought. They are the foundation.
DAY 2: LEGACY BRANDS RAISING THE BAR
Day two felt like a dialogue between history and innovation. Legacy brands were showing up with new, contemporary voices that felt fresh, relevant, and entirely of the moment.
1. WITTMAN
The iconic Austrian brand shared tales of craftsmanship. Their standout: A modular sofa in a bold, sunlit yellow, displayed alongside layered fabric samples and softened lighting. The showcase was structured yet inviting, architectural yet intimate.
2. FANTONI
The brand’s Woods collection was a standout, blending function and finesse in their signature sit-and-stand desks. What stood out most was how seamlessly the desks transitioned between heights, adapting effortlessly to varying work needs while offering a tactile, organic connection to the workspace.
The gently curved edges and the warmth of the wood ensure these functional pieces elevate any office environment, transforming it from just another workspace into a sanctuary of productivity and motion.
3. TACCHINI
The brand struck a quiet balance with their display. While the Additional System Sofa anchored the space with its modular elegance, it was the new Bread collection of coffee and side tables that drew us in. Inspired by the humble act of slicing and stacking a loaf of sourdough, the pieces played with layering, scale, and organic volume—turning everyday ritual into sculptural form.
Nearby, the Africa Chair stood with gentle strength. Its pared-back silhouette, curved backrest, and subtle contours captured Tacchini’s signature: refined understatement with soul. Natural woods, rounded edges, and muted hues carried through the collection, composing a space that felt not just styled, but lived in.
4. PACINI & CAPPELLINI
The focus was on creating an atmosphere. Glass-topped dining tables caught and scattered the Milanese light, while curved, fully upholstered chairs offered softness and shape. Everything about the collection spoke in lowercase: elegant, thoughtful, and deeply livable.
DAY 3: MATERIALS AS MESSAGES
The final day was a celebration of materials with deep meaning. From Bogotá to Bolzano, these brands were translating stories through their chosen mediums—metal threads, sculptural chairs, and handcrafted wood—each piece carrying its own narrative.
1. VERDI
A Colombian studio that used woven metal and natural fibers to create hanging textiles and curtain like rolled scrolls that became a blurring of product and installation. Design became the narrative, speaking through form and texture.
2. ZANAT
We were brought back to the beauty of restraint with Zanat. Every hand-carved chair, table, and accent carried the weight of time and intention. The textures, the grain, the wood—each piece felt unique, like a limited edition.
3. BLA STATION
At Blå Station, the energy shifted. Their booth was a burst of colour and movement. Bob and Bobban reimagined modular seating with playful curves and vivid palettes, the Protect Your Rights Chair turned sitting into a statement, and the Drip and the Decofunc brought form to acoustics in design.
4. PEDRALI
We closed the day with Pedrali’s presentation “Shifting Perspectives”. Standout pieces included the Lamorisse Armchair which was compact, sculptural, and unexpectedly plush. The Soul Outdoor took a familiar indoor silhouette and adapted it for the outdoors—breezy, refined, and fully resolved.
WITH LOVE, FROM SALONE: THE FUTURE OF DESIGN
Salone del Mobile was a world of design distilled into one city, one moment. What lingered weren’t just trends—but deep insights into where design is headed.
1. Material-Driven Storytelling: From Verdi’s woven metal to Zanat’s hand-carved wood, materials were not just chosen for their function—they told a story. The tactile design is speaking to us in ways that go beyond the visual.
2. Comfort Meets Innovation: Whether it was the soft, tactile atmosphere at Bolzan or the ergonomic genius of Fantoni’s workplace designs, comfort and function are key drivers. The future of design lies in thoughtful, human-centric solutions that go beyond aesthetics.
3. A New Age for Legacy Brands: The conversation between heritage and innovation is more vibrant than ever. Legacy brands like Wittman and Tacchini are embracing modern sensibilities without abandoning their craftsmanship, blending the past and present in new, dynamic ways.
4. Sustainability as Sensibility: The integration of sustainability was clear, whether through the use of eco-conscious materials or designs that focus on longevity. The green revolution isn’t just a trend—it’s becoming an integral part of design DNA.
5. Emotion Through Design: From ImperfettoLab’s poetic still life to Bolzan’s sanctuary beds, emotional intelligence is being woven into design more than ever. It’s about spaces that make you feel as much as they make you think.
GRAZIE, MILAN!
As we close yet another unforgettable Milan Design Week, at Beyond & More, we take pride in staying ahead of trends, uncovering the latest design insights, and discovering the key brands and designers shaping the future of furniture. Every year, Milan sparks new ideas that redefine what’s possible, pushing the boundaries of design.
If you’re looking for curated narratives, bold designs, and exclusive insights into what’s next before it hits the mainstream, we’re here to help you shape spaces that are truly ahead of the curve.
