Milan Furniture Fair | April 2015 | Trends

Across the Salone 2015 from the main fair to the design districts, there was a hive of activity. With a feeling of optimism quirk and colour. I've taken over 600 photos so there was certainty plenty to catch my eye.

As well as key materials like Marble, that isn't going anywhere, other emerging materials are becoming more prevalent. A cross upholstery, velvet and show wood frames. Contrasting material finishes with chrome and metallics but also dead Matt finishes. Composite and upcycled materials, used in chairs and tables. And plenty of colourful stained timber.

The next decade revival is the 80's, with Memphis patterns and block graphic shapes.

Rho Fiera Show highlights so far hearing the TOG designers speak about launching their new items. Ercol's new Flow chair designed by Tomoko Azumi had some beautiful details. Designers to watch for the future in the Satellite Andreas Bergsaker and his dictate lights. Hanna Kaaina Heikkliä and her miniature glass trees.

Further afield and into the city I was served in the Lee Broom department store; a great space with plenty of new products.

Composite and upcycled materials: The Alifi chair by Jasper Morrison for Emeco - made from 100% industrial waste.

Stained timber, in bright colours with the grain showing through beautifully demonstrated by "Out of Space" in the Salone Satellite.

Pink and red, this trend was beginning to emerge at Maison et Objet; with classically non-complimentary colours being paired together. Using tonally within the same colour pallet.

The theme for 2012-2014 was Ombre, this is now moving on to graduated colour and multitonal colour. a more pixilated approach to a gradient of colour.

Gone are the days of high gloss, not a dead matt finish almost chalky surface is emerging. From biscuit fired ceramics to injection moulded chairs by Kartell. Above; powder coated shelves by Alex Ortega Design Studio and ceiling lights by Andreas Bergsaker.

Back to the 50's when everything was Sputnik inspired, now the Moon and cosmos seem to be a source of inspiration once again. " My Moon, My table" by Diesel. Full Moon light by EY Products and top left "Inverted Space Table" by BCXSY x Calico Wallpaper, which was a captivating surface finish.

Soon we'll all have shoulder pads too - with the 80's and memphis patterns making a strong resurgence. Vases from spazio Rossana Orlandi, The Drunk table and Light by Lee Broom and Kartell items and display by Ettore Sottass, one of the original designers from the Memphis movement.

Velvet - used in subtle tones to emphasise the curve and surface of an upholstered piece. I totally love the jewellery-like quality of the "Stay Dinging Chair' by Se.

Milan this year was all about amazing spaces.

There have been some really grand settings, with the juxtaposition of modern design and historical buildings from the Louis Vuitton objets Nomades to the Caesarstone swing installation. Nendo had been extremely prolific this year with the Museo Della Permanente full of 1 years work; the display was executed using his elegant attention to detail.