2010 Milan Design Week was full of novelties, new forms, new functions, new designers and new colors.  And although designer furniture industry, just like fashion is by nature defined by color, it was evident that four color trends repeatedly dominated most modern furniture showrooms and many of the new collections.

Tortora, is a carryover from last year, but in a more pronounced fashion.  Soft, warm and unpretentious; neutral and natural, soothing and organic with a perfect fit in any room and with most popular wood finishes like walnut and wenge.  Tortora tones include rich chocolate browns, creamy caramels, delicate mochas and smooth cappuccinos.  Ceccotti showroom was defined by tortora whether through high gloss lacquers or wood stains.  Also for Bonaldo, the Big Dining Table with one of its base finishes featuring three different shades of neutrals was complimented by a walnut table top.

Gray tones were vividly present this year albeit their gloomy connotations.  With a lavish palette which included light grays, neutral grays, warm grays and charcoals, it is safe to accolade the come-back of this color trend to industrial architecture and its growing infatuation by mainstream consumers.  Fixating on modernism, the grey palette of urban, muted shades like stone, asphalt, steel and cement will be here for a while although possibly redefined and regrouped with whatever color de-jour is.  See Cattelan Italia’s 2009 Brera Dining Table in 2010 grey color hue or the Independent sofa collection by Giovanni Erba that was purposely upholstered in various shades of gray.

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