We have to admit that we are a little late with our trend review of the best of the Milan Design Week. But better late than never right? Not only did we have a great experience at the Airbnb House Warming exhibition, but were also impressed by other places with intriguing and remarkably intelligent design installations. Check out the 5 highlights we found after the jump that includes a couple of designs from here that were shown at the Berlin Design Selection showroom that’s currently traveling around Europe to several design events.
Just as a quick explanation for everybody who never went to the Milan Design Week: There is a gigantic fair called Salone del Mobile with pretty standard furniture design, another gigantic fair called Salone Satellite with younger and more innovative designers. But that’s not everything yet. All around the city there are thousands of showrooms, exhibitions, repurposed spaces with design objects. When we arrived we were simply overwhelmed by the quantity of things to see. Nearly all of the showrooms are completely accessible for everybody who is interested which is great. All the places below where part of the public exhibitions which you could just visit for free.
1. Louis Vuitton – Objets Nomades
Inspired by the art of traveling 16 experimental design objects merging the creative fields of art, fashion and furniture where created by Atelier Oï, Barber & Osgerby, Campana Brothers, Damien Langlois-Meurinne, Gwenaël Nicolas, Maarten Baas, Nendo, Patricia Urquiola, and Raw Edges for the Louis Vuitton exhibition. We were impressed by the beautiful Palazzo Bocconi where everything was presented. The objects where on display inside a wild jungle of exotic plants giving the scenery an even more exquisite feeling.
2. Zona Ventura Lambrate
This area was one of our favorites because it had somehow a Berlin vibe to it. Quite decentralized the area must be pretty tranquil for the rest of the year. During Design Week it becomes a busy bustling place full of showrooms and exhibitions. My favorites of this area: the lamps of Giopato & Coombes and the carpets made of everyday objects by We Made Carpets.
3. Zona Tortona
This area is more established. Therefore big automobile brands like Mini, Lexus and BMW also try to show off to the interested design crowd. My favorite place in this area: The giant showroom of carpet maker Moooi. Not only the beautiful sets where really well done but also gave me quite some inspirations to adorn my own home.
photos above: Moooi
photos above: Tokyo Design Week
photo: MINI Exhibition
4. Berlin Design Selection
We would have been a bad Berlin blog if we would not have paid a visit to the Berlin Design Selection showroom exhibiting designers from our lovely hometown which are: Mark Braun, Coordination, hettler:tüllmann, Martin Holzapfel, Gosia Warrink, Hillsideout, Hopf&Nordin, Metrofarm, and Axel Veit. And I have to say it was really good, well done, Berliners. It is funny how the 60s furniture trend which is so dominant here in town has an influence also on the contemporary design.
5. Movement
Finally, our most fun highlight was the installation Movement by Ceaserstone created by hot Israeli designer Philippe Malouin. It’s incredible how a brand that is selling stones (!) was willing to do such a creative and innovative concept to present their products. As you can see in the pictures we had an amazing time inside the swing-installation and wished there would always be a gigantic palace where we could walk by for some fun and games.
Generally speaking Milan has a unique potential for a great experience not only during Design Week. Now that the Expo started there is quite a lot of things going on. Especially this summer the city will have a lively and international vibe combined with all Italian delights in form of food and artistic beauty you can wish for. If you want to stay in Milan with Airbnb as we did there is a list with a nice selection of apartments over here.
