“CALM” IS THE NEW LUXURY
STEFAN ROLLWAGEN ON SALONE DEL MOBILE 2026, MATERIAL HONESTY AND THE FUTURE OF LIVING
Salone del Mobile remains the most important stage in the international design world, and a barometer of how we will want to live in the future. In 2026, Milan was once again defined by grand gestures, packed halls, spectacular brand presentations and a city that, for one week, transformed itself entirely into a global design trail.
And yet the real quality of this edition lay less in the spectacle than in the quieter moments in between.
Many of the most compelling observations were not about "the new" in the classic sense, but about materiality, process and atmosphere: spaces that once again draw on touch, calm and craftsmanship; furniture that is allowed to age; light that accompanies rather than stages.
At the same time, a certain contradiction was hard to ignore. While sustainability, circularity and material honesty were presented as guiding themes almost everywhere, many visitors wondered how deep this commitment really goes, and where the words simply become part of the imagery. The sheer scale of the event, the sensory overload and the dominance of the major brands also drew criticism.
Which is exactly why it is worth taking a closer look.
Beyond the trends and trade fair imagery, Salone 2026 revealed one thing above all: a new longing for spaces that aim less to impress and more to ground us. For interiors designed not for fleeting attention, but for permanence, resonance and everyday life.
And this is precisely what interests ESSENCE: a curated perspective on what remains once the images have faded. Which materials truly stand the test of time? Which spaces create an atmosphere that lasts? And what conviction lies behind the objects we bring into our homes?
Stefan Rollwagen, owner and managing director of Egetemeier Wohnkultur in Munich, reflects on these shifts in the aftermath of the fair. The conversation explores the new calm in interior design, the return of material honesty and why the home is once again being seen as a cultural value rather than a fast-moving commodity.
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Stefan Rollwagen, Managing Director, Egetemeier“Salone 2026 showed that good interior design is once again defined by conviction rather than effect.”
Interview
If you had to sum up this year's edition in a single sentence, what remains beyond the images, colours and staging?
Salone 2026 showed that good interior design is once again defined by conviction rather than effect: more calm, more material honesty, more craftsmanship and a palpable longing for permanence.
Many observers speak of a new calm in interiors. Do you see this as a genuine shift, or just the next aesthetic veneer?
I believe we really are seeing a genuine shift. This new calm is less a stylistic trend than a response to a very fast, digital and visually overloaded time. People are longing for spaces that allow them to focus, spaces that don't constantly demand their attention. That is changing design, too: away from short-lived effects and towards interiors that are built to last.
Warm colours, lacquer, glass, chrome, rich tones: where does sensual depth begin for you, and where does it tip over into mere effect?
For me, sensual depth begins where materials and colours create an atmosphere that endures, not just one that impresses at first glance. What matters is whether light, surfaces and proportions work in harmony, and whether a space still radiates calm and quality years later. It tips over into effect when materiality becomes mere backdrop, designed only to grab attention.
In Milan in particular, it was interesting to see that many of the strongest presentations were emotional and sensual, yet still felt highly controlled and structured.
Salone is increasingly showing soft, generous seating landscapes. What does that say about our need for retreat, comfort and security?
Today, the home no longer needs to be merely representative or functional; it should be a place of calm, security and slowing down. In an age of constant availability, the need for spaces that offer a sense of shelter, both physically and mentally, keeps growing. The soft, generous seating landscapes we saw in Milan capture this perfectly: they offer not only comfort, but a certain emotional warmth.
Stefan Rollwagen, Managing Director, Egetemeier“Good materials don't need to be staged.”
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Material honesty is a major theme. At a trade fair, how can you tell whether a material really has substance, or is simply well staged?
Good materials don't need to be staged. They speak through their feel, their depth, their workmanship and the natural way they are allowed to age. At Salone, it was interesting to see that many of the strongest presentations once again placed the emphasis on genuine surfaces and artisanal details, in other words on things you don't just see, but feel.
How is your view of longevity changing? Is it now more about repairability, patina and handing things down than about novelty?
Absolutely. Longevity is understood far more broadly today than simply in terms of technical durability. It is increasingly about furniture and materials that are allowed to age, develop character and remain relevant for many years. Repairability, honest materials and the ability to hand pieces down are playing an ever greater role. That is also changing our idea of luxury: away from the constantly new, towards things that are made to stay.
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Stefan Rollwagen, Managing Director, Egetemeier“Today, the home is a retreat, a workplace and a form of personal expression all at once.”
Many designs increasingly bring living, hospitality and work together. What does that mean for private interiors?
Private interiors have to be far more versatile today than they were just a few years ago. The home is no longer simply a retreat; it is often a workplace, a social space and a form of personal expression all at once. That is why the boundaries with hospitality and high-end workspaces are becoming increasingly blurred. Hospitality brings the desire for atmosphere, comfort and emotional impact, while modern workspaces contribute flexibility and functional quality. The challenge is to combine these different demands in a way that still lets a space keep its calm, personality and authenticity, rather than feeling generic.
High tech is increasingly fading into the background. What makes an interior intelligent when technology is not meant to dominate?
Today, you can recognise an intelligent interior by the fact that you barely notice the technology. Good technology supports atmosphere, comfort and function without pushing itself forward. Lighting, acoustics, climate control and media solutions should work intuitively and blend naturally into the architecture and furnishings. The best technology is often the kind that doesn't look like technology at all.
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Stefan Rollwagen, Managing Director, Egetemeier“Clients today are looking for atmosphere rather than products.”
Which observation from Milan is particularly relevant for EGETEMEIER, in terms of consultation, material selection and working with clients?
For us, Milan above all confirms that clients today are looking for a holistic atmosphere rather than individual products or short-lived trends.
Materiality, light, texture and spatial calm are becoming ever more important. For our consultations, this means thinking about interiors in a more long-term and emotional way, with honest materials, uncompromising quality and a very precise balance of colours, surfaces and proportions.
If you had to distil a philosophy for the home of tomorrow from Salone 2026, what would it be?
For me, the philosophy of tomorrow is to see the home once again as a cultural and personal value, not as fast-moving consumption.
After Milan, what would you tell clients who don't want to follow trends, but want to create a home that lasts?
Milan showed beautifully that true quality is often quieter. Spaces are at their most convincing when they radiate personality, calm and authenticity. Plan with that in mind, and you won't create a trend-driven interior, but a home that still feels relevant and familiar many years from now.
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Egetemeier
Stefan Rollwagen is the owner and managing director of Egetemeier Wohnkultur in Munich and, together with Petra Egetemeier, shapes the direction of the Egetemeier Interior Design Studio and Minotti Munich. Since the early 2000s, he and his team have been developing sophisticated interior concepts in which planning, execution and curated brands come together as complete living worlds.
Under his leadership, Egetemeier has become one of Germany's leading interior design houses, with an interdisciplinary team of architects and interior architects who approach interior design as a dialogue between equals. As the home of Minotti in Munich, Rollwagen brings Italian design icons together with Munich's interior culture, placing particular emphasis on precise planning, material-led detailing and consultation that turns interior aspirations into reality at the very highest level.
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