During Milan Design Week 2026, several installations stood out for what they did not fill. The object itself was no longer always the centre of attention. Instead, the space around it became active. Atmosphere, silence, distance and emotional presence became almost tangible.

In an increasingly fast-moving digital visual culture, design is shifting towards the sensory. Images are everywhere. Interiors, objects and atmospheres are constantly being shared, saved, generated and recombined. AI is making it easier than ever to create perfect visual worlds. Precisely because of this, the need for physical conviction is growing.

ATHOME Spring Summer  2027 | interior trends

Between the Rainbow is the title of the editorial of the new ATHOME.AWX27|28 trend book.

A seed in a little pot, in a corner with light, with just enough water and patience. At first, almost nothing happens. Then suddenly a shoot, a few needles, a fragile beginning you hardly dare to touch. You watch, you wait, you give it what it needs. Slowly it grows sturdier. More green appears, more shape. You move it into a bigger pot, and after a few years you recognise it: a Christmas tree in the making. Not perfect, not finished, but carefully raised.

DDW Eindhoven always feels close to home, geographically and creatively. Paris (M&O) is where I look for newness in interiors, accessories, materials and colour; Milan is the high-end design feast; Eindhoven is that gentle week among innovators, moving from halls to museums, from conversations to material exploration, from curated shows to the tiniest details.

After visiting Maison & Objet, I stayed in Paris for two more days. I spent them wandering through the city, discovering new galleries, walking past hidden courtyards and visiting shops and galleries taking part in Paris Design Week.

My summer was a busy one. Between travelling, finishing my trend book and keeping up with appointments, I was determined to make time for Paris. September in the city is always a joy – the pleasant temperatures, the gentle light and the familiar rhythm of Paris Design Week, with a full day reserved for Maison & Objet.

From overseas suppliers I often hear the same tension: in Europe, price dominates decision-making, while in the US tariffs add constant pressure on margins. The market feels trapped. There must constantly be something new, yet it cannot cost anything.

It’s here: my new trend book ATHOMESS27 is finished. This trend book, published in September 2025, presents the interior trends for Spring Summer 2027.  Months of research, photographing, traveling and writing come together in seven inspiring themes that shape the interior and outdoor summer of 2027. From the monumental and fiery Magna Forma to the playful luxury of Dolce Framenti, from the earthy softness of Clay Day to the fluid movement of Aftertide. Each theme is a world of its own, built from colours, materials and stories that make the spirit of the times tangible.

Summer holidays have started in the Netherlands. Calendars are clearing and routines are slowing down. While others take a break, I am still working behind the scenes. My new trend book for Spring Summer 2027 is nearly finished. It is filled with new colour cards, materials, design directions and themes. Some of the tones from Avant Opale, last year's theme, continue to flow gently through.