Portland design reporter Damon Johnstun will cover the 62th edition of Salone del Mobile, the prestigious furnishing and design show, April 16-21 at Fiera Milano Rho in Milan, Italy. The trends and products that debuted during Milan Design Week last year are now in showrooms. Here is a look at what Johnstun calls “the Silver Renaissance,” the resurgence of silver-toned metals in high-end furnishings.
Milan Design Week 2023 marked a pivotal moment in the design world as silver-toned metals reclaimed the spotlight, triumphing over their more vibrant counterparts. Stainless steel, aluminum and chrome, often relegated to utilitarian roles, have emerged as a dominant trend, challenging the supremacy of matte black, gold, rose gold, brass and bronze.
Influential designers showcased the diverse applications of silver-toned metals at Milan Design Week 2023, presenting a testament to their versatility and timeless appeal. Top worldwide brands embraced this trend in their exhibitions, creating awe-inspiring displays.
At the Louis Vuitton Objets Nomades collection exhibition off Via Montenapoleone, Europe’s most expensive shopping street, reflective silver surfaces breathed new life into the Campana Brothers’ designs, casting a dazzling spell with a rippling silver backdrop. Across town, at the courtyard of the stately Palazzo Serbelloni, Louis Vuitton showed more of its travel-inspired furniture and objects made in collaboration with internationally renowned designers. The luxury brand presented an ultra-thin, self-supported, aluminum Pavilion designed by Marc Fornes of THEVERYMANY for visitors to explore.
At Luxury Living Group’s exhibition on Via Durini, Dolce & Gabbana introduced silver and chrome accents alongside its signature shiny gold in furniture displays. The sleek silver accents embraced by the Italian brand famous for over-the-top glamour, forecasts a new interpretation of luxury.
At the Pinacoteca di Brera Museum, which contains the foremost collection of Italian paintings from the 13th through 20th centuries, German faucet giant Grohe transformed the entire courtyard into a reflection pool with mirrored pavilions at each of the corners.
The resurgence of silver-toned metals stands out against the recent dominance of warmer tones. While functionality has kept silver tones visible, Milan Design Week 2023 unveiled a burgeoning trend, signaling the triumphant return of silver-toned metals to the forefront of design.
One influential catalyst for this resurgence may be the centennial celebration of the Art Deco movement. Characterized by a sleek and modern aesthetic that celebrated technological progress, the design style of the 1920s and 1930s embraced silver-toned metals, including chrome, stainless steel and nickel. These materials, cutting-edge during the movement’s halcyon, added a touch of glamour and luxury with their shiny and reflective surfaces.
The mid-20th century, marked by significant technological advancements during the space race, also witnessed the symbolic use of chrome and silver metals, evoking a sense of technological optimism. The bold and glamorous aesthetic of the late 1970s disco era was reflected in chrome and silver materials, contributing to an extravagant atmosphere. Silver-toned metals, appreciated for their versatility, found their way into various design styles.
The midcentury modern design movement further solidified the popularity of chrome and silver metals in the 1960s and 1970s, harmonizing with the era’s clean lines and minimalist aesthetics.
The association of silver-toned metals with technology and modernity aligns seamlessly with the current era, where technology plays a significant role in design and lifestyle. These metals symbolize a connection to innovation and the contemporary, mirroring the renewed interest in space travel and exploration.
Alcova, a Milan-based platform for designers and companies worldwide investigating the future of living and making, unveiled new spaces at Ex-Macello di Porta Vittoria during Milan Design Week 2023. Notably, Design studio Project 213A showcased a standout mirror lounge chair. Swedish artists Mira Bergh and Josefin Zachrisson explored the versatility of silver tones in their creation, “Public Space with Private Intentions.”
Dutch furniture brand Leolux presented a new collection in a multi-sensory exhibit, incorporating silver elements in dynamic, sculptural displays. Milan-based design studio NM3 drew attention with Burocore tables, seating and shelves that utilize silver-toned metals and blur the line between work and home life.
In tunnel exhibition spaces beneath the arches supporting the raised train tracks at Stazione Centrale, silver tones took center stage in Tunnel 46 Prepper’s Pantry, showing objects designed for emergency preparedness. In Tunnel 50, designer Daisuke Yamamoto with craft artist Taketo Masui also constructed chairs from post-construction aluminum waste. They demonstrated chair construction live during the show. Both presentations emphasized a vision of high design with a more brutalist interpretation.
Renowned designer Ferruccio Laviani, known for his collaborations with international brands such as Dolce & Gabbana, revealed his inspiration from silver at the Geberit exhibition. His design for the installation incorporated space-age shapes in silver metal materials, emphasizing the transformative qualities of silver.
Dimore Studio, founded in Milan in 2003 by Britt Moran and Emiliano Salci, showed the versatility of silver-toned metals in residential, retail and hospitality projects. At Dimore Centrale, the new headquarters near Milan’s Stazione Centrale, more than 40 people are employed. The space features rotating installations and collections of contemporary and 20th-century masterworks by esteemed designers. Salci painted the interior courtyard shiny silver, establishing silver as a unifying theme throughout the year’s vignettes.
Como-based design duo Draga & Aurel were the hottest creators of the week, with multiple installations across the fair. At the influential Nilufar Gallery on Via della Spiga, owner Nina Yashar exhibited the designers’ works highlighted with chrome accent.
Giulio Cappellini, founder and art director of the Italian furniture company Cappellini, revealed the limited edition Vendicari Silver armchair designed by Jangir Maddadi. An iteration of Maddadi’s innovative outdoor chair Vendicari Lido, Vendicari Silver is crafted from aluminum with a transparent finish with hand-made brushing. The industrial aesthetic is accentuated by stainless steel screws securing all elements of the armchair. With only nine pieces in production, Vendicari Silver is an exclusive addition.
The furniture brand Baxter has developed into a major style influencer over the past years by working with up-and-coming designers like Draga & Aurel and Federico Peri. Superstar duo Studiopepe introduced a super sexy 1970s-inspired So Good armchair with a tubular chrome frame for Baxter. The designers mixed just enough retro with a contemporary take to create a work that is fresh and comfortable.
In the courtyard of the University of Milan, known colloquially as la Statale, MAD Architects founder Ma Yansong presented Momentum, a giant sliver cube on point, constructed from a plastic polymer on an iron frame.
As Milan Design Week 2024 approaches, we will see if the use of silver-toned metals continues to influence interiors globally.
— Damon Johnstun
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