watch: needlepoint

Crafts reflect the simplest of the arts—ones that we can all take part in. They remind of us less complicated times when we seemed to have more time.

But here, needlepoint’s taken to new heights by masters. Modern proportions blow-up the details so tiny pixels become bold graphic statements in themselves. New and unusual subjects and applications cause us to look twice. Is that really Jane Fonda on a unicorn?

watch: multi-color

If you couldn’t find it in Milan during the week of the Saloni, it simply doesn’t exist—every color of the rainbow (ok the Pantone swatch book) was on display.

The spectrum reminds us of the beauty of nature that inspires all colors, and how our individual whims can be satisfied with just the right color. Or, by choosing multi-colored items, why settle for just one when you can have the whole palette?

Check out our abacus with its brightly painted wooden beads—or throw together a variety of solid color pillows if this look’s for you.

watch: colored lighting cords

Bold colors were strong accents in the all-neutral room settings throughout Milan—but they were pleasantly surprising as lighting cords too.

Whether bright red or a rich blue, they stood out and enhanced beautifully proportioned lighting designs.

We love this idea and incorporated it into the utility pendant and discus floor lamps from this Spring’s assortment—just wait until daylight savings and our new lighting this Fall!

watch: letters

The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog—what we learned in typing class seems to be genetic now as children play with qwerty keyboards in pre-school.

There’s something about typography that we easily identifty with. Perhaps it’s the strong design sensibility of Milan, we wonder how many fonts were designed by its inspirations.

140 characters never said as much as they do today. In our hi-tech world they’re replacing cursive and becoming our universal signature—be they decorative, colorful, playful or a vertical garden!

watch: lace

It’s sometimes hard to imagine a modern life for an icon of the Victorian age—croquet anyone? But in Milan, where new is inspired by old everyday, lace has an exciting new life.

At the da Vinci museum, its complex construction technique and tools helped us appreciate its intricate and delicate beauty.

Inside and outside the fair grounds, it inspired laser cuttings in metal using modern technology—and printing on just about anything. Where else but Zona Tortona would you see outdoor wallpaper? At CB2, check out Chilewich’s crochet runner and placemats for a lacy accent to sleek modern lines.