Expressive beauty you can touch

Colorful. “Symi” armchair by Roche Bobois. Design: Maurizio Manzoni www.rochebobois.com Photo: © Baptiste Le Quiniou

STREIFZUG Kitzbühel | Issue 59 | Summer 2026 | Text: Barbara Jahn

In 2026, the international stage of design finally took its leave of cool perfection. Apart from smooth surfaces and a certain noble restraint, the new leading actors are materiality, emotion and a brand-new atmosphere in generating living worlds. Through this shift, furnishing has become a more sensuously felt project, inviting human senses and souls to join the audience of applauders. In other words, rooms no longer need to be merely functional, they need to provide a feeling of protective warmth, serenity and personality… and make that visible.

Enchanting. “Era” table lamp by Occhio Design: Axel Meise www.occhio.com Photo: © Mierswa & Kluska

Materials now let their origins be seen, they leave a footprint. For example, porous wood with a grain, structured textiles with a touch, raw natural stone and ceramics with surfaces which show their characters full of irregularities. Not a trace of sterility or over-controlled perfection. Instead of that, rooms have a patina, showing honesty which can be embraced, lived. Parallel to this, a need for multi-sensory adventures has emerged: lights that can be layered or dimmed; draperies and paravents boasting elements that guide our eyes from openness to sanctuary.

Embracing. “Voilà” armchair by Saba Italia. Design: Nicola Pavan www.sabaitalia.com Photo: © Saba Italia

Even the colour palette has changed measurably. Deep blue and green tones, warm-hued terracotta nuances, saffron-yellow, violet or dark burgundy red permit rooms to dip down into ambiences which nearly belong in the movie world. Moreover, colours are not considered to be decoration, they underpin the room itself the way light does, the way music does. Added to that is a new desire for expression: furniture speaks invitingly with modulated swerves, it becomes downright voluminous, resembling a sculpture. Curves are integral, have expanded, have become organic. What’s more, over-dimensioned proportions, one-of-a-kind objects and asymmetries deliver new excitements.

In the end, rooms today need one thing above all else: to make you feel at home in your world.

Seductive. Outdoor kitchen “K-Garden” by Ernestomeda Design: Giuseppe Bavuso www.ernestomeda.com Photo: © Ernestomeda

Swinging. Outdoor sofa “Loop” by Ethimo Design: Elena Salmistraro www.ethimo.com Photo: © Ethimo