Where Art Meets Function: Our Highlights
Milan Design Week 2025 was full of surprises—in the best way. The city was buzzing with bright colors, playful shapes, and plenty of pieces that made us stop and say, “wait, that’s furniture?” Whether it was a light fixture that looked like dessert or a radiator that doubled as art, the vibe was fun and thoughtful.
We rounded up our fave finds from the Milan Design Week—expect a mash-up of natural materials, personal touches, and contemporary design that can inspire everything from traditional homes to modern living in urban homes.
Milano/totalcolour by Tubes
Photo: Gabriele Cialdella
Presented by Deoron, these wavy radiators by Tubes turned heating into high design. With sculptural silhouettes and saturated tones, they gave off strong “functional art” energy. It was a good reminder that even everyday things can become standout design elements with the right touch.
Cygnet by Michael Anastassiades
Photo: Nicolò Panzera
Michael Anastassiades’s washi paper lights floated gently from bamboo stalks, nodding to childhood memories of kite-flying and completely captivating. A peaceful little moment in a week of visual noise.
Bread and Butter by Faye Toogood for Tacchini
Faye Toogood and Tacchini took inspiration from butter and sourdough, and somehow made that into furniture. The shapes were round, chunky, and velvety—like a visual comfort food moment. Not everything needs to be sharp and angular to be considered contemporary furniture.
Mole Eats Worm by Misha Kahn
Photo by T-Space Studio, courtesy of Capsule, Friedman Benda and Misha Kahn
Misha Kahn went full experimental with this colorful, VR-sculpted seat. It was part blob, part art project, and all joy. Definitely not your average living room idea, but proof that there’s space in the design industry for weird, fun forms.
Library of Light by Es Devlin
Photo by ES Devlin Studio
Set in a courtyard, this spinning sculpture by Es Devlin combined mirrors, movement, and over 3,000 books. It gave you a reason to slow down and look. One of those rare design types that makes you feel something without saying much.
Vera by Patrick Jouin for Lasvit
Patrick Jouin’s textured pendant for Lasvit was inspired by tree bark, and the imprinting process made each one feel one-of-a-kind. Instead of using a traditional mould, molten glass was poured directly on to a tree branch. It was a cool mash-up of traditional design and modern fixture energy—something that would totally fit in both stylish house and cabin-core settings.
The O Series by A-Poc Able & Atelier Oï
Fashion and lighting collided in this collab between A-Poc Able Issey Miyake and Atelier Oï. A line of lightweight lamps with petal-like pleats made from recycled polyester. They were delicate but functional, and totally reconfigurable—proof that smart lighting solutions can be beautiful, too.
Toys by Burg Halle
Photo by Max Mendez
Students from Burg Giebichenstein University repurposed mattress stuffing and cotton to create playful, oversized seating. It had real “what if?” energy—like a school project that accidentally became a statement piece. A fun take on sustainability.
Sun Catcher by Rive Roshan for SOL R&D
Photo by Design & Practice
This multicolored panel by Rive Roshan and SOL R&D shimmered and shifted in the sunlight, doubling as a solar panel. It's the kind of thing that makes you rethink what lighting design & fittings could be, especially for contemporary living that’s leaning greener.
Furniture by Completedworks
Anna Jewsbury of Completedworks scaled up her sculptural vibe into full-on furniture. Her mirrored tables and stools reflected light and shapes in unexpected ways—not super practical, but definitely visually fun. Like jewelry, but for a larger space.
Slow Hand Design x FRONT 100
Photo: Anya Muangkote, Spirulina Society
Presented by DITP, curated by Eggarat Wongcharit, and designed by Trimode Studio, this exhibit showcased Thai-made lighting that was full of color, curve, and craft. The pieces felt rooted in tradition but unafraid to play—a refreshing take on design complexity.
Heliograf FLEX Lamp
Heliograf turned the soy sauce fish packet into a recycled plastic lamp that felt equal parts cheeky and clever. Displayed with Designboom, it made a case for personal preferences and pop culture blending seamlessly with thoughtful design.
Pirelli HangarBicocca - ICARUS by Yukinori Yanagi
Photo by ADI Design Museum
Yukinori Yanagi’s retrospective was one of the more cerebral stops of the week. Set in the massive Pirelli HangarBicocca, it covered everything from nationalism to symbolism—with rainbow-colored stools sprinkled throughout. Sometimes you need work that makes you think, not just decorate.
Final Thoughts
If all this inspiration has you itching to refresh your space, Slowdown Studio’s got you. We collaborate with artists around the world to create original, pieces that bring a little bit of that creative magic into your everyday. From throws to tableware, it’s all about bringing art off the wall and into your home.
FAQs
1. What were the biggest design trends at Milan Design Week 2025?
Modular thinking, sculptural forms, and more lighting-as-art moments than we could count. Also: designers leaning into natural materials and custom designs.
2. Why does Slowdown care about Milan Design Week if we’re not showing there?
We get inspired by what’s happening at the edges of the design industry. It keeps our creative wheels turning.
3. Are these pieces available to buy?
Some are, some aren’t. But for us, it’s not always about owning the thing—it’s about seeing what’s possible.
4. How can I use this as inspo at home?
Try a new color, change up your lighting, or mix in a few unexpected shapes or artist- designed pieces. Start small, follow your eye.
5. What’s the best way to stay in the loop with design events like this?
Follow design blogs, stay curious, and keep Slowdown bookmarked—we’ll always share what we’re loving.
