DESIGN

Designing Smarter Homes for Modern Living

by Portfolio Magazine
26 Nov 2025

Every year in spring, Milan becomes the gravitational centre of the design world. More than just a fair, Salone del Mobile is an annual pilgrimage that gathers the international design community to explore how we live, create, and inhabit space. Architects, designers, and brands converge to present not just new collections, but new ideas about form, material, and meaning.

For the 2025 edition, the world’s most influential furniture fair reaffirmed design’s power to both reflect and shape the way we live. Beyond the spectacle of scale, Salone continues to champion craftsmanship, innovation, and sustainability — a global conversation conducted through wood, metal, fabric, and form.

From tactile indoor pieces defined by sculptural lines and texture to outdoor collections that celebrate organic materials and longevity, this year’s showcases revealed a renewed sensitivity toward the spaces we call home, both inside and out.

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Form Finds Its Place

B&B Italia Tufty-Time 20

To mark the 20th anniversary of one of its most celebrated designs, B&B Italia unveils Tufty-Time 20, a contemporary evolution of Patricia Urquiola’s iconic modular sofa system. First launched in 2005, Tufty-Time redefined comfort and versatility by merging the spirit of Chesterfield and capitonné traditions with a modern, relaxed sensibility. The updated version retains its signature modularity and enveloping comfort while introducing refined volumes, improved padding, and a sustainable structure designed for full disassembly at end-of-life. Comprising 14 modules, including a newly added curved element, Tufty-Time 20 allows for more organic, fluid compositions that foster conviviality across both residential and contract spaces.

Flos Biagio Onyx Edition

Flos pays tribute to master designer Tobia Scarpa with a limited edition of 150 numbered pieces of the iconic Biagio lamp (1968). Reinterpreted in rare honey-yellow onyx, the lamp retains the purity of form that defines the original Carrara marble version while gaining new warmth and material depth. Each piece is sculpted from a single block of stone, hollowed and shaped using advanced milling techniques before being hand-polished to a luminous finish. The onyx’s natural translucency creates a gentle, amber glow that celebrates both the precision of modern technology and the poetry of human craftsmanship.

Giorgetti and Maserati Collection

Giorgetti and Maserati, two icons of Italian craftsmanship and innovation, join forces in a collaboration that bridges interior design and automotive excellence. Guided by Giorgetti’s Giancarlo Bosio and Maserati’s Klaus Busse, the partnership celebrates the Italian ideal of bello e ben fatto (beautiful and well-crafted) through designs inspired by dynamism and movement. More than a cobranding exercise, the collaboration represents a true creative dialogue between two disciplines, uniting form and function in pieces that speak fluently to both world.

Brands available at Space Furniture Singapore.
For more information, visit spacefurniture.com.sg

Outdoor At Ease

Natural forms and enduring materials come together in designs that invite ease, connection, and quiet luxury beyond the living room.

Tribù Nagomi Collection

Belgian luxury brand Tribù introduces Nagomi, a new dining and lounging collection by Milan-based designers Inoda+Sveje. The collection pairs ultra-light cast-aluminium frames with handwoven Canax® detailing, a durable blend of hemp and weatherresistant innovation, achieving a balance of minimalist elegance, technical precision, and eco-conscious design. Inoda+Sveje’s signature organic minimalism is evident in Nagomi’s gentle contours and understated silhouettes, while precision-cast aluminium ensures stability without compromising portability, making the collection as versatile as it is refined.

DEDON MBRACE

MBRACE introduces alloro, a soft green hue with delicate yellow undertones that evokes tranquility and celebrates the organic beauty of nature. The colour enriches the collection’s signature mix of woven DEDON fibres, premium teak, and powder-coated aluminium, enhancing its cocooning forms that combine comfort, warmth, and timeless elegance. Inspired by traditional natural weaving materials, alloro integrates seamlessly into outdoor settings while complementing MBRACE’s existing palette of neutrals, earthy tones, and bolder shades. Expanding the collection’s versatility across seating, tables, daybeds, and footstools, the new tone reinforces MBRACE’s enduring appeal as a harmonious union of design, function, and nature.

Gloster Salina Collection

Inspired by the rugged beauty of Salina, a small Mediterranean island north of Sicily, designers Matteo Thun and Benedetto Fasciana drew on elemental forms and materials to create Gloster’s Salina collection. The signature loungechair features four teak poles linked by fibre-wrapped frames and open woven panels that echo the textures of vine and fishing net. A teak base with stainless steel detailing supports deeply inviting seat and scatter cushions, while the collection expands to sofas, corner units, chaises, tessellating coffee tables, ottomans, and occasional tables.

Brands available at XTRA. For more information, visit xtra.com.sg

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Engineering Everyday Comfort

Most homes in Singapore are no strangers to unique environmental pressures. Think compact spaces, year-round humidity, and urban air quality that isn’t always as clean as it looks. What feels like daily inconvenience is exactly what Dyson’s engineers build solutions for.

We spoke to Tammy Lim, Connectivity Product Lead, and Daniel Chan, Lead Electronics Engineer, to uncover how Dyson’s design philosophy translates into practical solutions for healthier, more comfortable homes.

The Invisible Impact of Air Quality

Lim explains that compact living spaces can amplify hidden pollutants. “Heat and moisture easily get trapped indoors, while dust, allergens, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and even formaldehyde from furniture can accumulate quickly.”

Dyson’s purifiers are built for these conditions, using fully sealed filtration systems that trap pollutants as small as 0.1 microns. Combined with vacuums engineered to reach under low furniture and into narrow spaces, the goal is a holistic approach, capturing both surface and airborne pollutants for cleaner air across the entire room.

Winning the Battle Against Humidity and Mould

Mould is more than an eyesore, it’s a health risk. Lim stresses that engineering design plays a role here too. “Our Dyson Purifier Big+Quiet Formaldehyde captures airborne mould spores while circulating clean air throughout the space.”

However, technology isn’t the only solution. Lim suggests pairing simple, no-cost habits with machines: Ventilate after cooking or showering, seal gaps in windows and doors, wipe dust often, and switch on your cooker hood to manage both smoke and humidity. “The most effective strategy is combining thoughtful habits with high-performance machines,” she says.

Humidity, pollution, tight spaces — Dyson has answers to everyday challenges that Singaporean homeowners face.

Lesser-known Indoor Pollutants

Singapore homes are also exposed to invisible threats, such as formaldehyde, nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and ozone, released by cleaning products, building materials, or even outdoor traffic. Dyson’s response is multi-layered:

360° HEPA filters to capture microscopic particles
SCO filters that break down formaldehyde into water
and CO2 without filter replacement
K-Carbon filters that trap up to three times more
NO2 than before

“Testing is key,” Lim notes. “Our POLAR (Point Loading Auto Response) method simulates real-world conditions, measuring air quality with nine sensors across a large room — unlike industry-standard tests in tiny chambers. We want purifiers to work where people actually live.”

When it comes to everyday cleaning, Chan believes design efficiency is the answer. “The trick is tools that multitask,” he reveals.

The Dyson PencilVac™, the world’s slimmest vacuum at just 38mm, was built with Singapore’s small apartments in mind. “It slips into narrow gaps, lies flat under low furniture, and weighs only 1.8kg. Plus, its dock stores tools neatly to cut clutter.”

The Dyson V12s Detect Slim Submarine also exemplifies multifunctionality. Its wet roller head replaces the mop and bucket entirely, while its attachments cover everything from floors to ceilings, saving both storage and time.

The Singapore Influence on Design

“Our homes here are compact and multifunctional,” Daniel says. “That inspired us to miniaturise Dyson’s Hyperdymium™ motor — just 28mm wide, but spinning at 140,000 RPM. It powers the PencilVac™ without compromising suction.”

The vacuum’s Fluffycones™ cleaner head was another breakthrough, cleaning equally well forwards, backwards, and sideways while actively detangling hair. “We wanted users to notice how effortless cleaning feels,” Chan adds. “It’s designed to glide as if floating.”

Looking ahead, Lim predicts a rise in compact, intelligent, connected machines. “Devices that monitor real-time conditions, adapt to your needs, and even predict maintenance will become the norm. The focus is on saving space, saving time, and making homes healthier.”

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Kitchen Confidential

The SieMatic S2 kitchen combines clean, handle-free lines with warm materials and concealed functions — from hidden storage to sliding stone countertops.

The SieMatic S2 is a study in restraint and precision, free from handles and defined by clear forms. The design offers remarkable versatility: It can be composed in a minimalist way, with quiet fronts, recessed grip channels, and streamlined countertops, or styled more expressively with warm woods, nickel details, and natural stone.

At first glance, the S2 appears almost monochrome; minimalist yet inviting. The visual language is softened by subtle disruptions — a glazed top cabinet placed asymmetrically, and a sink unit offset in depth, integrating a discreet functional channel within the wall niche. Warm lacquer finishes harmonise with Taj Mahal stone surfaces, underscoring a balance of austerity and warmth.

Yet, the S2 reveals its true character only at second glance. Behind the precisely executed corners of the base and tall units lies SecretSpace, a hidden innovation. With a revolutionary translational rotation, what seems a closed cabinet becomes an elegant veneered shelf in a contrasting finish — transforming from storage to display in one seamless gesture. The mechanism, as precise as Swiss clockwork, glides so smoothly that even light objects remain undisturbed.

Innovation continues across the pair of parallel islands clad in Taj Mahal stone. Their apparent simplicity conceals another secret: A generous hob, or, if desired, a sink with a lowered tap, integrated beneath sliding SteinDesign countertops. Mitred edges give the islands a refined 1cm profile, more living room than utilitarian. The sliding tops, which lock on either side, extend into workspaces or seating, while their smooth-running system allows objects to remain in place even as the surfaces shift.

Since its founding in 1929, SieMatic has dedicated itself to the quest for perfection in the realisation of individual interior design solutions. The company’s products are manufactured in Germany under eco-friendly conditions.

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Material Matters

Inspired by nature and elevated by design, Caesarstone’s brand new One Of A Kind Collection brings together four distinct surfaces that redefine the possibilities of modern kitchens.

The modern kitchen has come a long way from its purely utilitarian past. Once tucked away as a space meant only for cooking, it has evolved into the social heart of the home and a stage for family life and entertaining. With this shift comes new demands: Surfaces must be beautiful enough to impress, resilient enough to withstand daily traffic, and practical enough to make cleaning and maintenance effortless.

That’s why the materials you choose matter more than ever. Countertops, in particular, take centre stage. They set the tone for the kitchen’s mood, dictate how you move through the space, and influence how easy it is to keep everything looking fresh. While a natural material like marble is admired for it beauty, it often struggles with staining and upkeep. Meanwhile, laminates and composites often lack the depth and richness homeowners crave.

The New Face of Stone Surfaces

Enter Caesarstone, the pioneer of engineered stone. By reimagining stone for today’s homes, the brand delivers surfaces that look beautiful, perform effortlessly, and stand up to daily life. More than just countertops, their creations are design canvases that reflect evolving lifestyles, where form and function are inseparable.

As part of its latest innovations, Caesarstone expands that vision with the One Of A Kind Collection, comprised of four striking designs that transform engineered stone into true scene-stealers. Each one comes with its own mood and application potential, making it easier than ever to find the right surface for the way you live.

5115 Calacatta Stillstorm

If your kitchen is your sanctuary, Calacatta Stillstorm brings that feeling home. Its crisp white base and soft grey veins create a cloudlike effect that feels peaceful and pure. Perfect for families who want a space that stays timeless through every life stage, Stillstorm works beautifully on large kitchen islands, paired with light oak floors and soft green cabinetry. It’s calm without being cold — ideal for busy homes that need an anchor of serenity.

5152 Goldfinch

If you love a little luxury, but don’t want the high-maintenance that usually comes with it, Goldfinch strikes the balance. Its gilded veins ripple across a bright white base like shifting sands, catching the light with every glance. It’s a versatile choice — elegant on a long island in an open-plan home or dazzling as a splashback that frames your cooking area. Pair it with alabaster lighting, chrome fixtures, or even traditional wainscoting for a kitchen that feels glamorous but grounded.

5132 Celestial Sky

Every home needs a showpiece, and Celestial Sky is exactly that. Its network of bold, earthy veins sweeps across a creamy backdrop like an organic constellation, creating a counter that draws the eye the moment you walk in. Use it for a statement island or as a backsplash to break up cleanlined cabinetry. Pair with oak wood floors to highlight its depth and energy.

5144 Rossa Nova

Sometimes, a kitchen should feel less like a workspace and more like a retreat. Rossa Nova glows with amber and rose-gold tones layered over an off-white base, creating a look that feels nostalgic yet modern. It’s perfect for cosy apartments or family kitchens where warmth matters most. Try it on countertops paired with soft textiles, blush accents, or brushed gold hardware. It brings a touch of romance into the everyday, making even quick meals feel special.