MACEF International Home Show: First Thoughts

By: Nancy Krabill

Fiera Milano is one of the best trade show spaces ever. Eschewing the view that buyers need to be sequestered indoors with little light and air, a la Las Vegas, Fiera Milano instead consists of an outdoors central Corso Italiano lined with blocky buildings on both sides. Contrary to that other viewpoint, the opportunity to walk outside between buildings provides a bit of a rest and energy, a change from the usual “show fatigue”. The sunny Corso is lined with cafes, benches, WiFi points, and is framed by swooping glass and steel decor, so Milano-modern.

I’m here to get a fresh look at trends, at this intersection of my old love: traditional majoliche ceramics, and the ever-fashionable contemporary “new” of Milano. I’m looking for a next great thing (aren’t we all?), something that will take customers from passive comments like “isn’t that cute/sweet/pretty” to “I’ve got the perfect place for this at home. I’ll take two!”. We’re in a communal funk here in the US, a funk with overtones of puritan virtue, that is justified on many levels. So, out of all these products, which ones set the right tone, are useful or exciting or virtuous? Where is the ball on this roulette wheel going to settle? What is that next new thing?