Art Basel Miami, originally centered around the renowned Swiss art fair, has evolved into Miami Art Week, a diverse array of events, including design exhibitions. Design Miami, situated opposite the convention center, offers a global preview of emerging trends in furniture, collectibles, cars, and jewelry. At this year’s exhibition, ELLE DECOR editors identified five trends set to shape the design landscape in the coming year, ranging from the prominence of high-shine surfaces to the rise of resin as the next It material. These trends offer a glimpse into the dynamic and evolving world of design.
1. Sustainable Design: REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE!
Sustainability took center stage at Design Miami, with a notable emphasis on reusing excess materials. Paola Lenti collaborated with the Campana Brothers to craft a limited edition furniture collection using fabric waste. Similarly, Kohler partnered with Nada Debs to repurpose remnants from their tubs and sinks into unique tiles. The commitment to reducing environmental impact and repurposing materials underscores a growing trend towards sustainable design.
2. Reflective Surfaces: HIGH SHINE
Reflective surfaces emerged as a prominent trend, with designers and artists drawing inspiration from the diverse qualities of light. Mark Grattan’s high-shine chrome pieces at Cristina Grajales and the commissioned artful mirrors at Emma Scully Gallery showcased the allure of reflective elements. Notably, artist Phillip K. Smith III’s site-specific installation, “Garden of Reflections,” created for American Express and Resy, provided an immersive experience. The installation, complementing dining experiences by renowned chefs, celebrated the interplay of light, movement, and reflections, highlighting the trend of incorporating high-shine surfaces for visual impact.
3. Organic Design: NATURE REVISITED
The allure of nature-inspired design took center stage at Design Miami, with a focus on furniture crafted from innovative organic materials. London’s Sarah Myerscough Gallery, recognized for the “Material Shores” booth, showcased pieces incorporating sustainable materials such as sisal, rice straw, willow, grasses, and salvaged wood. Angela Damman’s chandelier, crafted in Mexico’s Yucatan with sansevieria plant fiber, captivated with its Cousin It vibe. Notable pieces included a seven-foot rice straw sculpture by Mami Kato and Christopher Kurtz’s Skipping Stone table made from stacked slices of oval tulipwood and poplar. The trend highlights a renewed interest in designs inspired by the beauty and ingenuity found in the natural world.
4. Avian Motifs: FURNITURE TAKES FLIGHT
Khaled El Mays’ latest collection with Nilufar Gallery showcased a unique exploration inspired by the lotus flower and ancient Egypt. The collection unveiled winglike motifs, reflecting a broader trend observed at Design Miami—the emergence of hybrid designs incorporating animal features. This nod to avian motifs and ancient symbolism offers a fresh perspective in furniture design, bringing a sense of mystique and storytelling to contemporary pieces.
5. Resurgence of Resin: RESIN RESONATES
Design Miami 2023 showcased a notable resurgence of resin as a favored material, celebrated for its versatility in terms of translucency, malleability, and vibrant color options. Tuleste Factory featured Ian Alistair Cochran’s Plump furniture, where the transparency of resin played a central role, allowing light to dance through curvaceous tables, shelves, and stools, customizable in a spectrum of Pantone hues. Marcin Rusak’s white resin coffee table at Twenty First Gallery incorporated real flowers into its surface, demonstrating resin’s potential for creative inclusion. The legendary Italian architect Gaetano Pesce, in his 80s, stole the show with a display of 400 color-saturated resin chairs, titled Come Stai? (“How are you?”), originally designed for Bottega Veneta’s fashion show. The collectible chairs, showcasing a vibrant Crayola-esque aesthetic, were available for purchase in Miami, along with a limited-edition book about the chair project, featuring a cover dipped in resin.
