Global Design, Curated for Las Vegas Homes
Each year, Salone del Mobile Milano gives me a chance to step into the full scale of global design. With thousands of brands across multiple pavilions—and just as much happening throughout the city—it’s not something you can fully “cover.” You move through it, you edit as you go, and you start to recognize what’s repeating. That’s what matters most. This year, more than ever, the direction felt clear. Where last year explored possibilities, this year refined them—spaces designed not just to impress, but to support how we actually live.
In the living spaces I kept coming back to, that shift was immediate. Where 2025 felt more expressive—sculptural, sometimes even exaggerated—2026 feels more resolved. Seating is deeper, more enveloping, and intentionally supportive. I found myself sitting longer, noticing how pieces held you, not just how they looked. Sofas invite you in rather than simply define a room, balancing softness with structure in a way that feels considered rather than styled. It’s a reminder that comfort isn’t accidental. It’s designed.
Crystal by GAMMA
“Design is not about form alone—it’s about how people live with it.”
— Antonio Citterio, Italian designer
Dining followed a similar pattern. Walking from one pavilion to the next, you start to see the repetition—beautiful materials are still there but used with more restraint. Tables feel architectural, grounding the room rather than competing within it. Chairs are more comfortable, more usable. The spaces that stayed with me weren’t the most dramatic—they were the ones that felt like they could be lived in every day. Less about occasion, more about how people actually gather.
Bridge by Bonaldo
The bedroom shifts were quieter, but just as clear. Compared to last year’s layering and texture, this year felt edited. Fewer elements, more intention. I noticed how often rooms relied on atmosphere rather than accumulation—softer transitions, integrated pieces, and a sense that everything had a purpose. The best ones didn’t ask for attention; they felt settled from the start.
Cocoon Night by GAMMA
Lighting, across everything, was what brought it all together. At this scale, patterns become obvious—and this year, lighting wasn’t just decorative, it was directional. I saw it shaping rooms, softening materials, and defining how spaces were experienced. It reinforced something I think about often: the difference between a space that looks complete and one that truly feels complete. Being able to see that shift in person—and understand how to translate it beyond the fair—is what allows me to bring it back in a way that feels personal, intuitive, and lasting.
Diploma by Cattelan Italia
Liz Werner is the founder of Mercato Interiors, marking its 19th year. She is known for a disciplined, client-first approach to design rooted in how people live. Her work is informed by regular visits to leading international design fairs, including Salone del Mobile.Milano each spring.
