My archive now contains almost 10,000 photographs from the design weeks in Milan and Copenhagen. Often, I know exactly why I capture something: a colour, material, surface or form. But sometimes I return to an image and wonder: what exactly did I photograph?
My archive now contains almost 10,000 photographs from the design weeks in Milan and Copenhagen. Often, I know exactly why I capture something: a colour, material, surface or form. But sometimes I return to an image and wonder: what exactly did I photograph?
I took this photograph at Salone Raritas in Hall 9 during Milan Design Week 2026. The small stone object, by Thomas Takada, was shown as part of Side Gallery’s presentation. A stone, wrapped with cord and carefully positioned. It caught my attention, although I did not yet understand its possible meaning.
Further research led me to the Japanese sekimori-ishi. Traditionally placed on a path in a Japanese tea garden, this small boundary stone indicates that the visitor should not continue and must choose another route. It creates no physical barrier. Instead, it changes behaviour through a quiet and courteous gesture.
The stone becomes a sign of boundaries, awareness, direction and respect.
This is why the image found its place in the THat Milan Design Week 2026 Report, within The Signals Of Time and the spread Stone As Ritual Matter. Here, stone is more than a material. It becomes a gesture, a boundary and a form of silent etiquette.
This small piece of research also reflects how the Milan Design Week Report is created. It goes beyond grouping images by colour, material or form. Every selection begins with the questions: what are we seeing, why does it stand out and what wider story lies behind it?
I am sharing both the original photograph and the finished spread to show how one observation, through research and interpretation, becomes part of a broader design story.
The complete THat Milan Design Week 2026 Report is available with 25% off until 13 September 2026. Use discount code THATMILAN26
TH | MILAN DESIGN WEEK 2026 - Report
Milan Design Week 2026 Report
A curated visual and analytical report by trend forecaster Titia Huisman.
Based on on-site observation, photography and design analysis, this 165-page digital report, presented in 83 visual spreads, brings the most relevant signals from Milan Design Week 2026 into clear design direction for interiors, home decor, colour, material, form, styling and collection development.
Not a complete overview. Not a collection of highlights, but a focused reading of the signals that may shape future interiors, materials and collections.
Now available as a digital PDF.
Delivered by email within 24 hours after purchase.
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