Design notes from the 2008 Milan furniture show

Cool colors: Orange and red aren't quite dead, but the trendiest hues -- purple, green, silver, even pale magenta -- have a blue streak. The color of the season falls somewhere between turquoise and cobalt, as shown on the Fly chair by Arco.

Spring awakening: Antlers and wintry forest creatures have been replaced by trees, butterflies, mushrooms and daisies, often rendered with "Brady Bunch" cheeriness. The motifs can be found on rugs, clocks and lighting fixtures. One cute example: Donna Wilson's TreeHug, a tall beanbag trunk and branches covered in knitted lamb's wool, available through Case Furniture.

Ethnic diversity: Just when you think you've seen every native pattern interpreted for home décor, Edra rolls out Francesco Binfare's platform cushions in Korean fabrics and Moroso showcases a Nanook collection that takes its inspiration from the geometric graphics of the Inuit culture.

Surrealism:Zana’s Dama bedroom suite includes dressers and nightstands with drawers that evoke Man Ray's famed eyes. British designer Jake Phipps’ Jeeves & Wooster pendant light shaped like a black derby was a tip of the hat to Rene Magritte; available through Hidden Art Shop.

Lighting with less: Over-the-top crystal chandeliers also lightened up. Brand van Egmond’s Floating Candles are metal fixtures cast as melting wax chamber sticks, and Meta’s lantern is one giant crystal made with 24 glass panes set in a silvery metal called paktong.