Organic Gardening News

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Co-founder and principal of Aeon Group Amit Thale says great design is not about chasing trends. It’s about creating spaces people want to live in for many years.

Thale and his business partner, Shama Gupta, have built Aeon Group into a Vancouver design firm working in residential, hospitality and multi-family projects. Its companies include Aeon Stone & Tile, Habitat by Aeon and Vancouver’s Poliform showroom , with work spanning homes, kitchens, wardrobes, architectural panelling and custom millwork.

Thale recently returned from Milan Design Week with a clear sense of where luxury interiors are heading next. The biggest shift? Softer spaces, warmer forms and a move away from rigid minimalism.

Rounding out the edges

Milan Design Week is often seen as the global temperature check for design. What appears there tends to ripple through architecture, interiors and furniture over the next several years.

According to Thale, one of the strongest themes this year was the rise of curves and softened geometry, especially in kitchens.

“This year’s Milan Design Week included EuroCucina, which takes place every two years and remains one of the most influential global platforms for kitchen design. One of the biggest trends across both kitchens and furniture was the strong introduction of curved forms and softened architectural lines,” he says.

The change was visible everywhere, from curved kitchen islands and rounded cabinetry to softer furniture silhouettes and more organic room layouts.

For homeowners, it signals a broader cultural shift. After years dominated by cool minimalism and hard-edged interiors, designers are embracing rooms that feel more relaxed and emotionally comforting, says Thale:

“Curves are no longer being treated as accent features. They are becoming part of the DNA of many kitchen collections and shaping how contemporary spaces feel and function.”

The appeal is easy to understand. Rounded forms naturally soften a room. They encourage movement, conversation and ease. Visually, they can make spaces feel calmer and more inviting.

Quiet confidence in luxury design

In a world increasingly driven by fast-moving trends and social media esthetics, Thale was surprised by how disciplined many brands remained this year.

There were not many radically disruptive launches or dramatic departures from what brands are already known for, says Thale. Instead, the collections felt more refined and evolutionary, with companies carefully building on their established identity rather than chasing shock value or trends.

Rather than trying to reinvent themselves every season, many of the leading European brands focused on refinement, craftsmanship and continuity.

For Thale, some of the most compelling names continue to be companies like Poliform, Poltrona Frau , Minotti and Flexform .

“I’ve always gravitated toward brands and designers that focus less on temporary trends and more on timelessness, craftsmanship, and longevity in design. What I admire most is their ability to create pieces that feel contemporary without feeling tied to a specific moment,” he says.

Artful kitchens

One of the biggest surprises for Thale came from minotticucine and a new kitchen concept designed by Claudio Silvestrin.

Traditionally known for monolithic forms and extensive use of natural stone, the company introduced a softer and more sculptural direction this year.

“What made it so compelling was the way the kitchen transcended functionality and began to feel almost like a piece of art. The purity of the forms, the softness of the curves and the architectural restraint created something emotional and deeply memorable,” says Thale.

Milan itself is becoming the main attraction

Another major talking point this year was how Milan Design Week continues to evolve beyond the traditional fairgrounds.

“A number of powerhouse brands, including Poliform and other major international players, are increasingly focusing their energy outside the fairgrounds and into Milan’s historic spaces, courtyards, palazzos and fashion districts,” says Thale.

The city itself has become part of the design experience.

“One of the standout examples was Poliform’s presentation at Palazzo Clerici, where the brand transformed a historic palace into a contemporary design experience. Seeing modern collections and new novelties presented within such an Old World architectural setting created a beautiful dialogue between heritage and contemporary living,” he says.

What’s next for Aeon?

In Vancouver, Thale is incorporating many of these ideas.

Habitat by Aeon is being transformed into a dedicated monobrand space for Poltrona Frau and Modulnova, with a stronger focus on craftsmanship, heritage and immersive living environments, he says:

“This summer, we are excited to formally introduce these new spaces to Vancouver’s design, architecture and development community and invite people to experience firsthand the lifestyle, design language and DNA that these brands represent.”

Related

• Marrimor brings bold new collection to Milan Design Week
• Facade of new east Vancouver building inspired by Coast Salish woven basketry

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