Relax and Repeat

Last month, at the Salone del Mobile design fair in Milan, my colleague Melissa Groher and I were repeatedly asked questions like, “What trends are you seeing?” and “What are you loving so far?” Difficult to answer, because there was so much to admire—most of it very good, if not particularly groundbreaking—and I don’t really believe in trends so much, but rather think of them more as vehicles for P.R. ■ Yes, we did see lots of innovative, often sustainably made furniture, and the sort of minty cucumber hue I think of as “Dimorestudio green” continues to be popular, in addition to a rusty orange. But stuff does bubble up, and for me it was a preponderance of low-lying seating pieces: sofas, chairs, ottomans, floor cushions, and poufs, both for outdoors and in and made for lounging around. Is it possible we are all ready to take a breather after a long period of anxiety and fretfulness?

What’s wrong with a little slouching around, even lazily enjoying what life has to offer? As the longer days of summer near, I can’t imagine a better way to spend my time.

Feeling Grounded Again

Kendell Cronstrom Editorial Director kcronstrom@candg.com

Designing Timeless Homes