Steve Cordony Shares The Milan Design Week Details Set To Inspire Australian Homes

Minimalism is softening, homes are becoming more personal again, and according to Australian stylist and creative director Steve Cordony, Milan Design Week made one thing very clear: people are craving spaces with more warmth, emotion and individuality. Fresh off the back of the world’s most influential design event, Cordony has partnered with Castlery to bring those ideas home through a series of intimate masterclasses, including a recent Brisbane event designed to help Australians rethink the way they approach their spaces.Rather than focusing on fast-moving trends, Cordony says the biggest shift happening in interiors right now is far more emotional. “What I noticed in Milan this year was a return to warmth and emotion in interiors,” he shared with style. “Spaces felt more layered, more personal, and less about perfection.”

Across Milan, richly textured spaces, sculptural furniture, aged finishes and grounded colour palettes replaced the colder, ultra-minimal interiors of recent years. “There was a confidence around colour; richer timber tones, aged metals, lacquer, fringe, pattern and pieces that felt collected over time rather than overly curated,” Cordony explained.It’s a direction that feels especially relevant in Australia right now, as more people move away from perfectly polished interiors towards homes that are calmer, softer and genuinely lived in. “I think people want homes that feel like a reflection of who they are, rather than spaces designed purely for aesthetics or social media,” he said.

That sense of storytelling and personality sits at the centre of Cordony’s partnership with Castlery, whose latest collection leans into earthy tones, tactile fabrics, sculptural silhouettes and versatile furniture designed to evolve with everyday life. “What drew me to Castlery was their ability to create pieces that are beautifully designed, approachable and liveable all at once,” he said. “The collections have a real warmth and versatility, which aligns naturally with how I style and live.” Cordony also believes one of the biggest misconceptions people have about creating a luxurious home is assuming it comes down to expensive furniture alone. “Lighting, scent, texture, flowers, books, music — those softer layers are often what make a space feel luxurious,” he explained.