Milan?s annual, weeklong furniture and design bonanza kicks off on April 4 Salone del Mobile?the design world?s Super Bowl?is nearly here again and this year?s edition (the 56th!), which kicks off on Tuesday, April 4, promises to be eventful.
Last year, iconic items got 21st-century revamps, new brands exhibited for the first time, and companies known for one thing (we?re looking at you, Swarovski) branched out beyond their bedazzled comfort zones.
This year, we expect more collaborations between big-name designers and stalwart brands, ?activations? (hi Ikea), exhibitions, and more from companies whose work we already know?and a lot of political chatter. Whether or not that will spill into the booths is anyone?s guess. We?re also looking forward to Salone Satellite, the offsite exhibition of young Italian designers and fertile ground for cool design finds. Below, a look at what you can expect to see at this year?s fair.
Ikea will make a splash

Courtesy Ikea
Items from Ikea?s PS 2017 collection.

Courtesy Ikea
The modular Delaktig sofa, by Tom Dixon for Ikea in a much-hyped ?top-secret? collaboration between the designer and brand.

Ikea?the Swedish furniture and decor powerhouse we all know and love?will have an outsize presence at this year?s Salone, with a planned takeover of a 3,500-square-meter (roughly 37,000-square-foot) former warehouse in Milan?s Lambrate district. Word is that Ikea?s bonanza will include li...