In April, I visited one of the most prestigious design fairs in the world — Salone del Mobile 2016 in Milan — where the top talent and design brands showcase their latest creations and projects. A widerange of design objects with something for everydecor style,make it a real feast for the eyes. At the same time, the entire city of Milan is transformed into a big festival, with a few strategic city districts, such as Ventura Lambrate, focusing on young and independent designers. It’s a must-see fair for every design enthusiast, but in case you missed, here are some highlights.

After siftingthrough all the materials and thousands of photographs, I have identified 7 top trends. I can’t wait to hear what you think about the latest design news!

1. Cosmic design

Objects made with cosmic-looking like materialssuch asdichroic finished glass.The transparent Prismania chair designed by Elise Luttikis both an art pieceand a chair. From a particular angle,you can barely see it…take another step and it will revealall the colours of the spectrum.

The ‘Mood’ room divider byKarina Stefaninteracts with how the lightfalls within thein the space, changing its own intrinsic color and shade. The resulting mood of the light adds character to the room.

2. Splatter design is huge

From ceramics to textiles and wallpapers, the splash pattern is a hot trend to keep an eye on.Splatter collection byAoomi studio.

The last stool splatterby Max Lamb is hand-painted and thenfired at 800C for aperfect enamel finish.

3. Statement, sculptural mirrors

They comein different, original shapes andserve as functional sculptures. These Ora Mirror Objects by Studio Joa Herrenknechtaremirrors attached to a marble base. Their appearance is altered bya specially treated their silver layer.

50-50 Mirror containers byKasper Nymancombine a freestanding circular mirror that also acts as a lid covering half of the circular base, creating a storage unit for small objects.

4. Naturally dyed objects

Experimenting with pigments and new, natural techniques leaves the marksof time and movement as a pattern on ceramics and textiles.Lamps by Mayers and Fugmannsport lampshades made from porcelain, focusing attention on the translucency of the material. Placed in a color bath before firing, the concentration of the solution and length of time the fixtures are immersed in the liquidinfluences the pattern and the hue of the finished piece.

Instead of using a standard glazing technique to determine the hue of hervesselsEmma Buckley creates her Dye Linesby allowing the clay pieces to absorb dye after theyhave been fired and glazed.

5. Interactive, customizable furniture

Furniture designs thatcan be modified in many different ways depending on your needs were very popular. The Slide table by Studio Lorier isa compact side table, which can slide out to almost two and a half times its originalsize. Pieces like this are great for any situation where more table space is needed, or when you simply want to rearrange the shape.

Compact Table byRoxanne Flick– the buyer takes part in the design process by selecting the materials and colours. Customized variations offers different composition options in everyday life.

6.Raw, imperfect wood designs

TheSplit lamp by Christoph Steiger featuresaone-of-a-kind split that is created when the wood cracks during the drying process.

Lena Mari Skjoldal Kolas designed this hanging lampby purposefully featuring the wood’snatural cracks and blemishesto highlight the imperfections and use the flaws to create aunique piece.

7. Water inspired patterns

Delicate, watercolor blue smudges were visible on ceramics, textiles and wall decor accessories. Porcelain pieces byAnna Badurare a playful experiment with the traditional cobalt color on tableware. By dipping her porcelain pieces into the cobalt stain, she captures a variety of different patterns, giving theappearance of water movement.

This bowl bySara Skotte and stoneware by Anette Krogstad featuresoft watercolor patterns transferred onto ceramics with a cobalt blue aquarelle painting.

How do you like these latest trends? Have you got afavorite?