Salone del Mobile Milano, 2013
Salone del Mobile Milano, 2013
In 2013, SK Architects visited the Salone del Mobile Milano, a globally renowned event that showcased the forefront of furniture and interior design innovation. That year’s edition was marked by a clear shift toward essentialism in design—favoring clean lines, understated elegance, and refined craftsmanship over excessive ornamentation. Many leading furniture brands embraced minimalist yet expressive forms, highlighting the beauty of natural materials like wood, leather, and stone, often left untreated or lightly finished to emphasize authenticity.
A dominant theme throughout the exhibition was the harmonious blending of tradition and innovation. Iconic Italian and international manufacturers presented collections that balanced modern needs with artisanal values. Modular furniture systems, flexible layouts, and multi-functional pieces designed for compact urban living spaces were particularly prominent. Sustainability was also a growing concern; eco-friendly materials and efficient production methods were increasingly integrated into both mass-market and luxury collections.The use of soft, muted color palettes—such as warm greys, sandy beiges, and dusty pastels—reflected a broader move toward calm, inviting interiors. Lighting design also played a key role in enhancing ambiance, with many stands using light as a sculptural element within their installations.
Our visit to Salone del Mobile 2013 enriched our understanding of how aesthetic restraint, functional innovation, and material integrity were becoming central to contemporary design. These insights have continued to influence our own architectural approach, especially in interior detailing and material selection.
