Unveiling the 'Stillness' trend: Milan Design Week and beyond

Welcome to Part 2 of our Microtrends to Watch series, where we look back at our experiences and observations during Milan Design Week 2023. Overall, designers were highlighting the potential for a more optimistic, sustainable future through thoughtful design and responsible use of resources.

Today, we consider our own Trends Book based on what we observed, focusing on our 'Stillness' trend theme.

What is our ‘Stillness’ trend?

Drawing on wide-ranging sources from the worlds of design, art, technology, architecture, fashion and more, the Trends Book is an insightful, inspirational exploration of the beating heart of contemporary visual culture.

Our stillness trend is all about slowing down and really enjoying each moment. If it had a mantra it would be: “Harness mindful refection to slow time down, and float freely here in this restorative space.”

Stillness is all about cleanness, clarity and a quality of mindful peacefulness. Colours here are soft yellows and fresh whites. Products with a 'slow movement' feel to them bring our attention to the present in a mindful, friendly way.

This is a gentle world, with soft curved materials.

The diversity of creativity and wealth of imagination at Milan Design Week were so exciting to see. This, for us, is the heart of our Trends Book 2023/2024.

Focusing on the beauty of the material for its own sake

At FibreGuard, we have a strong commitment to valuing the beauty of materials for their inherent qualities. Whether it is the texture, colour, or unique characteristics, we believe that every material has its own charm. Our goal is to create designs that are not only visually beautiful but also celebrate the essence of each material we work with.

This is also something we saw in Milan, in products with a 'slow movement' feel to them:

Korean designer Sangmin Oh debuted a series of sculptural lamps titled “The Knitted Light.”

Showcasing the possibilities of 3D knitting, the lamps were made with traditional fishing lines and elastic yarns that respond to light in different ways.

Inspired by crooked twigs and roots, Vride Stool is a new addition to Øfstedal Eng’s organic furniture series Vride, challenging the classic and functional everyday product.

Intuitively handcrafted using a chainsaw, the Vride stool is an abstract interpretation of an everyday object, morphing into a functional furniture and an organic sculpture.

Laurids Gallée designs custom benches from transparent resin beams. The enigmatic construction does not let any connection show through, which, according to the designer, gives the opportunity “to blend into any environment and magnify the interior with a colourful statement.”

The limpidity of the material used in the realisation of this design piece interferes with the light that surrounds it, projecting, as a result, a naturally warm shade.

Three approaches to finding stillness in mindful spaces

Designers’ focus on the art of ‘mindful design’ is coinciding with our collective need for calm and mindfulness. We see the ‘Stillness’ trend reflected in some microtrends that have popped up over recent years:

1. Wabi-sabi interiors value finding beauty in the everyday, and in the natural changes that occur over time. Its focus is on embracing the unique, handmade and the authentic.
2. An emotional escape room is a space specifically designed to help you de-stress and achieve a state of deep relaxation. How to achieve a state of zen? Comforting neutrals such as off whites and pale greys can have a soothing effect, drawing on the Modern Rustic and Japandi interior styles.
3. The rugged style of organic brutalism ties in perfectly with our ‘Stillness’ trend. The current reinterpretation of brutalism draws on the original brutalist principles of purity and functionality to create a stylish, streamlined interior with a welcome sense of simplicity.

Find acoustic ‘Stillness’ with our performance fabrics

Sound has a profound impact on how we feel. In fact, buildings with poor acoustics have been shown to have a negative effect on both our physical and mental wellbeing. This growing awareness has prompted some architects and engineers to reconsider the shapes and materials of spaces.

Our theme of Stillness encourages us to live mindfully: it’s understandable that we’re seeing a renewed focus on the acoustic experiences of interiors, and the sound absorption qualities of the materials in them.

Performance fabrics for carefree living and soothing spaces

We offer a range of performance fabrics that are not only stylish and durable, but also have excellent acoustical properties. FibreGuard fabrics are also engineered with advanced technology that ensures they are resistant to stains, odours, and spills, making them ideal for use in high-traffic areas such as living rooms, dining rooms, and bedrooms.

Learn more about our stain free technology.