Milan Design Week 2019 [Fuorisalone Diary Day 5]
Our last day in Milan and we had to check out of our Airbnb at 9.30, so a relatively early start and we headed off to leave our bags at Centrale (the main train station, which is where the coaches leave for the airports).
Then we made a beeline for
which I really wanted to see as we had turned up an hour early for their cocktail party on the Wednesday night and then didn't make it back, so still hadn't seen their exhibit, and I'm so pleased we did!
I'm honestly not sure it's right that I love taps as much as I do, especially when they come is such delicious finishes.
Top: Components collection Middle Left: Ombre Finish Middle Right: Tiles and Candle Canister made from re-purposed ceramic
Bottom Left: Grid Collection Bottom Right: Kallista Collection
But it wasn't just about taps - their intelligent toilets were and digital showers were also on display, as well as beautiful tiles (and scented candle canisters) made from unfired ceramic waste, re-used by their
and launching this year in collaboration with
. And baths and sinks of course too. So much bathroom goodness.
Thanks Kohler - we very much appreciated your hospitality area too as we'd not even managed a coffee before arriving.
Next it was on to
, the tenth one to be precise, and showcasing so many talented designers. We were strapped for time, but I wish we could have stayed longer. The star of the show for me was
stunning Planetaria furniture and lighting collection, and rugs and wall-hangings in collaboration with
. The furniture in particular took my breath away - such stunning and unusual pieces that really reflect her jewellery design background.
I also loved this side table by
using pieces of
' pink and grey 'Afrodit' marble, masterfully made into a terrazzo called
by Grasby in East London.
created this bespoke colour specifically for Wallpaper Handmade and what a beauty it is! I have to say that the design of the entire exhibition itself with colour blocked areas and neon strip lighting was a gorgeous backdrop and the colour palette was spot on.
This sculptural folding marble candelabra by
also caught my eye.
Next year they're reinventing Wallpaper Handmade as Wallpaper Re-Made, and the aim is to 're-imagine, co-create and re-make the physical world as a smarter, kinder and more sustainable place'. If the PAL electric scooter - a prototype designed by Benjamin Hubert's studio
and in collaboration with Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Nio is anything to go by, it's going to be very exciting indeed.
After topping up our left luggage locker we wandered around the railway arches near Centrale. Favourites included...
'I think' by
presented 'Bodies in Motion' which was an immersive exploration of human movement. The lights locked on to key parts of a persons body when on the podium, their movement mirrored by the lights onto a huge double sided screen in the otherwise pitch black space. Very cool.
Patterns of Nature by NOIZ
Time Printing by At Ma
I fell hard for this 'New Chesterfield' chair at
. Perhaps it was that gorgeous muted mint that was prevalent throughout the week, but the shape and fact it was beautiful from all angles didn't hurt either. The cream one was equally delicious!
The
by Cosentino installation was very Zen. Dekton is known to be an extremely durable surface and these polished Bergen and Agra colours were just stunning.
Our new Vogueing friends were enjoying the beautifully lit tunnel of Dekton too!
Our last port of call was the
exhibition in the disused former panettone factory of G.Cova & Co. I'm so glad EJP dragged me there despite my incredibly sore feet as it was another real highlight of the week, with some brilliant designers exhibiting against the semi-derelict backdrop.
Clockwise from top left:
/
/
/
The central 'Caffe Populaire' space was created by
alongside
. With a huge communal u-shaped table and utilising materials such as marble and terrazzo set against the industrial partially open semi-derelict backdrop, it really was spectacular. Seems such a shame that this the incredible space was only temporary.
Then it was time to jump on a coach back to the airport and head home, with head and camera roll bursting with inspiration.
See you next year Milano!
Trend Alerts:
Marble / Terrazzo / Pinks & Nudes / Muted Mint / Greens & Blues / Sculptural Lighting
Neon Sunset / Monochrome / Brass / Black Metals
Tips & Tricks:
Things I have learnt - don't leave your backup battery charging at home, and make sure your so called EU power adapors are actually the right ones.
Take less skin care and cosmetics (try as I might!) when travelling with hand-luggage.
Don't forget an umbrella, and lots of layers.
Don't stay in an airbnb when the owner is still there or you risk feeling like a naughty school girl when sneaking in super late and it's *quite* awkward with the bathroom.
Steps: 21,911 (We really packed it in on our last day considering we left for the airport at 3pm!)
Total Milan Design Week Steps 95,996. No wonder my feet ache and I can barely walk, but I'm a bit annoyed I didn't do another 4,004 steps to make it to 100,000!
I hope you've enjoyed my Milan Design Week coverage both here and over on Instagram - I've created a highlight if you want to pop over and check out all my Instagram stories from the week!
I'll be back next week with a trend roundup from Milan Design Week.