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Five timeless design classics and their affordable alternatives
by Pia Seidel
How pillows are taking our homes by storm
11/7/2024
Translation: Veronica Bielawski
Is it just me, or are pillows the newest it girls in product design? Pops of floof are an exciting design element and aren’t just fit for the bedroom.
At the most recent Milan Design Week (MDW), I came across several pieces of furniture and home accessories seemingly inspired by cushions. Shortly afterwards, I also discovered some designer upholstered-look pieces in our range. Are we dealing with a new micro trend?
To answer that, let’s take a look at my MDW finds. They stem from various exhibitions of both established and new brands. For example, there’s the Undertone collection from Pieces of Jade, consisting of fabric sculptures reminiscent of antique ceramic vases. Using a traditional quilting technique, they emulate stone inscriptions.
Cushioned mirrors, lamps and loungers
The Solar sofa from the same collection is made of a quilted stack of three crumpled cushions. According to the product description, this deliberately crumpled fabric offers a «fresh interpretation of Tacchini’s iconic upholstery».
That’s not pillows you see floating above the Solar – it’s the quilted Lunar pendant lights with crumpled, paper-like covers. The padding on the inside diffuses the light particularly gently.
Organic shapes and tactile surfaces
From Exteta to Tacchini, all these cushion-inspired pieces have something in common: far from focussing solely on a visual motif, they share a dedication to the sense of touch. This microcosm could be part of a larger trend. For some time now, we’ve had a longing for round, often experimental shapes in interior design (article in German).
This article shines the spotlight on a selection of furnishings that adopt design elements from cushions or use them as decorative elements. And with the exception of the crumpled ceramic vase, the designs should, in fact, be just comfortable and soft as they look.
Header image: Pia Seidel
Pia Seidel
Senior Editor
Pia.Seidel@digitecgalaxus.chLike a cheerleader, I love celebrating good design and bringing you closer to everything furniture- and interior design- related. I regularly curate simple yet sophisticated interior ideas, report on trends and interview creative minds about their work.
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