TACCHINI AT MILAN DESIGN WEEK 2026: THE POETRY OF MATERIALS

Images courtesy of Tacchini

Material Anthology

There is something quietly compelling about spaces shaped by texture, memory, and materiality. At Milan Design Week 2026, Tacchini embraces this sensibility through a presentation that feels less like a showcase of objects and more like an exploration of atmosphere—where craftsmanship, sculptural forms, and tactile surfaces come together to shape a softer, more emotional vision of home.

Across Salone del Mobile and Fuorisalone, the Italian design house unfolds a layered narrative rooted in materiality and sensory experience. At the heart of this year’s presentation is Material Anthology, a site-specific installation by British designer Faye Toogood at Casa Tacchini.

Known for her instinctive and deeply tactile approach to design, Toogood transforms Casa Tacchini into an immersive reflection on raw materials and the handmade process. For Toogood, materials are more than a starting point; they shape perception, emotion, and our relationship with the objects around us. Drawing from Tacchini’s workshops, archives, and production remnants, Material Anthology reimagines discarded samples, raw fragments, and natural surfaces as sculptural interventions that celebrate the beauty of process and imperfection. Soft tonal palettes inspired by marble veining and delicate wood grains bring warmth and intimacy to the space, transforming it into a tactile environment suspended somewhere between gallery, home, and atelier.

“The form remains the same, but the material changes everything.” — Faye Toogood —

The collaboration also marks the continued evolution of Butter, the seating system created by Faye Toogood for Tacchini and first introduced in 2025. Inspired by the sculpting of softened Cornish butter, the collection evolves into a more expansive family for 2026, introducing new modules, a three-seater sofa, an armchair, poufs, and storage pieces. Soft, sculptural, and intentionally informal, Butter reflects Tacchini’s ongoing exploration of comfort—rooted in instinct, empathy, and everyday living.

At Salone del Mobile 2026, Tacchini extends this narrative through a stand conceived by Studio Cameranesi-Pompili and Studio LYS. Inspired by the imagery of a contemporary nomadic tent, suspended textiles and semi-transparent surfaces replace rigid structures, creating a light and permeable environment where furniture gradually emerges through layers of texture and movement. Rather than imposing architecture, the stand encourages openness, allowing Tacchini’s collections to unfold within a fluid domestic landscape shaped by warm materials, soft contrasts, and a sense of ease.

Presented by Interni Cipta Selaras

“A suspended veil of fabric: light, permeable, temporary. It does not constrain, but liberates.” — Giusi Tacchini —

New introductions further expand Tacchini’s evolving design language. Vesta offers understated comfort through soft, enveloping forms, while Core reimagines the bar cabinet as a contemporary gathering point within the home. Roberto Sironi’s PietraForma and Colonna continue the brand’s sculptural exploration of stone, wood, and reflective surfaces, while Tesis and 1809 contribute versatility and atmosphere through adaptable tables and sculptural lighting. The textile offering also grows through collaborations with Studiopepe, including the Onigiri and Anni rugs, alongside Zolla, a woven fabric developed with Sardinian artisan manufacturer Mariantonia Urru.

The presentation also revisits design heritage through the re-editions of Artona and Basilan by Afra and Tobia Scarpa, celebrating the designers’ enduring approach to craftsmanship, structure, and material expression while highlighting the continued relevance of these iconic pieces today.

Color becomes another key expression in Tacchini’s 2026 story through Appunti per un Erbario (Notes for a Herbarium), a new palette of eleven lacquer finishes inspired by flowers, foliage, and botanical fragments. Presented in glossy and matte variations, tones of deep green, warm brown, dusty pink, and soft ivory reinterpret iconic pieces with renewed sensitivity—where color becomes atmosphere rather than ornament.

A particularly meaningful moment arrives with the celebration of Gianfranco Frattini’s centenary through a limited-edition version of the iconic Grand Sesann sofa. Produced in only 100 pieces, the re-edition dresses the 1970s design in corduroy velvet and leather-wrapped tubular details rendered in rich brown tones, offering a contemporary tribute to one of Italian design’s most enduring legacies.

Across every presentation, Tacchini’s presence at Milan Design Week 2026 feels deeply considered—less focused on novelty and more on creating lasting emotional resonance. Through craftsmanship, softness, and a deep appreciation for materiality, the brand proposes a vision of home that feels intimate, timeless, and deeply human.