Milan’s amazing trade fair, the Salone del Mobile, has started, marking a busy time in the city with international visitors from the world of design. There is a fair dash of fashion thrown in too, with some Milan shops participating in the “Fuorisalone” - or the occasional instalments that make part of the exhibition outside the Milan Fiera halls.

In these pics we can see the Milan Pucci boutique displaying a work by Felice Limosani called Mirror Thinking. The shop windows feature a play on mirrors and geometric shapes, and Limosani on his site explains his work by saying:

I create stories to inspire and stimulate the imagination of a brand, of an area or place. A mix between design thinking, artistic metaphors and contemporary communication.

Limosani has collaborated with other retail outlets and brands including Coin and Tod’s, and this is a good opportunity to do some shopping in Milan and check out a part of the Salone del Mobile while you’re there.

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The 48th edition of Salone del Mobile 2009 is now officially over. It was impossible to see everything, but I loved what I saw and was thrilled by the atmosphere I could breathe there. Its combination of art, design and technology was quite intriguing, but above all I liked the fact that the fair was a showcase for young artists and a space open to experimentation.

The Japanese for instance presented a series of really interesting projects respectively called Tokyo Fiber 09 - Senseware; Neoreal and O_L_I_N_E_ ( Canon); all aiming to arouse the senses in a rather creative way. I also liked Overture, the luminous objects presented by Toshiba at the Fuorisalone in Tortona; a lovely series of small objects pulsating with life! Take a look at our videos (you can also find them on Youtube) and photos!

Tokyo Fiber’09-Senseware - Triennale Design Museum - Milano

Continue reading: Art, Design and Technology at the Salone del Mobile 2009 in Milan

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The Salone del Mobile in Milan, has hosted an artistic installation from Dsquared², created by Dean and Dan Caten from the brand, in collaboration with American designer Gaston Marticorena.

Lamps and sculptures called “Kinetic Art” feature kaleidoscopes inspired by the first cinematic experiments, recreating “e-motion” or “emotion in movement”. Six lamps project images in the main windows, with different subjects such as ballerinas, or a modern Fred Astaire, from the world of show business and theatre from 1930’s Broadway.

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While waiting for the Salone del Mobile, or furniture show to start in Milan, which will showcase the latest in modern interior design, we take a look at the permanent collection from the Italian design museum, Triennale, and the exhibition, Serie Fuori Serie.

The Triennale in Milan has a huge collection, comprised of private donations and other acquisitions, which includes all the most important pieces from Italian design history. The collection was opened in 1997, and on display are the wooden models from Giovanni Sacchi, objects from Alessandro Pedretti and original designs from Alessandro Mendini.

The Corriere della Sera newspaper from Milan has examined the importance of design today, from industry design, to rare pieces, experiments, prototypes and ecologically sustainable products. The Triennale is set up to explore all those themes, and more.

Have a look at the gallery to see some of the Italian modern art and design objects on display, and see Wikipedia or the Triennale official site for more information.

Continue reading: Modern art in Milan: the Triennale and Italian design exhibition "Serie Fuori Serie"

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Italian designer Ilaria Marelli will be present at the Salone del Mobile (22 to 29 April 2009) with a series of really interesting projects that she realised for several important firms. We are eagerly waiting to see Branch, her new collection of outdoor furniture for Coro which includes a garden umbrella, tables in different sizes, a chair and two low/high-backed armchairs; Branch has been inspired by trees and the Italian designer has succeeded in creating a collection which looks like a natural landscape. This time we are talking about really innovative outdoor furniture; the garden umbrella, for instance, besides protecting you from the scorching summer sun, blocks UVA rays (this thanks to high-tech materials such as heatstop). The seats can be easily unhooked and upholstered according to your taste and mood and chairs and garden umbrella can be stacked away for easy storage!

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Just a couple of weeks ago the famous Italian brand Minotti opened its first UK flagship store in London. A 380 sqm unit in Margaret Street W1, the store has been cleverly divided into several sections by large mirrors which no doubt help to bring out the sophisticated beauty of the Minotti furniture; from the classic sofas with a modern look for which the brand is known throughout the world to the One World collection that we had the opportunity to see at the Salone del Mobile in Milan last April.

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Fendi Home collection was first launched in 1989; this year at The Salone del Mobile in Milan, Fendi will present a collection of beautifully crafted sofas and armchairs made of velvet, silk and satin; all richly embroidered by skilful artisans. Delicate shades of grey and white are here elegantly combined with far bolder colours such as dark mocha, midnight blue and deep black. As for chandeliers and lamps, Fendi opted for mouth-blown glass from Murano. And don’t worry, visitors will also have the opportunity to see the famous flower-print leather which has over the years become a classic with Fendi, though this time a few variations on the theme are expected (i.e. smooth leather with a mother of pearl finish or a sprinkle of silver dust)

Fendi Casa al Salone Milano 2009

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The city of Milan will host in concomitance with the Salone del Mobile, one of the most important design fairs in the world, an exhibition devoted to the famous L-finesse-crystallised wind Lexus; visitors will have the rare opportunity to get a closer look at this “beauty” at Museo della Permanente in Milan from 22 to 26 April 2009. With this new model, Lexus takes a major step forward in car development . Here the wind is not only seen as the movement of air, but also as current and flux; a world where the natural and artificial meet and blend harmoniously.

The concept car on display in Milan boasts a superb range of accessories, gadgets and styling products; all made of the same transparent material. It’s not only about design, said Wahei Hirai, responsible of the project, it goes deeper than that ; we tried to create something really special; we love to work with international artists and designers and a less common kind of collaboration never fails to bring a greater depth of expertise, major improvement and a deeper vision.

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Zaza, this the name of the new chair created by Michael Tavano and Federico Gregorutti for Mattiazzi, was presented at the Salone del Mobile in Milan just a few months ago; it’s a rather versatile and strongly built chair and this despite its seeming smallness.

The two designers drew their inspiration from the 1970s; using a palette of bright green, sparkling white and natural wood colour.

In short this is a true example of form and fuction coming together.

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If you’re currently re-decorating your bar, you might want to think about some Italian design concepts to spruik things up a little. Like these screw shaped stools from Denis Santachiara, which were presented at the 2008 Settimana del Mobile. The stools, called Vitesse, were made from polished or lacquered alluminium, by Domodinamica.

Just a like a screw, you can adjust the height and it can be used as a stool to sit on, or as a bar table with foot and bag rest. Inspired by an everyday object, this solution is so practical we wonder why anyone didn’t think of it beforehand.

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The Original Sofa, this the name, created by the designer Mario Spinelli is a rather versatile piece of furniture. A sofa which seems to mould not only to your body but to your mood as well and this thanks to the two swivelling seats that embrace the soft pouf in the center, around which everything seems to revolve.

These geometrical intersections will also allow you to give the flavour you desire to the fleeting moment; whether you are whispering some secret to your friend or just talking shop! The high quality of the materials used will stand the test of time! Price: $ 6.800

Via | Merchantmanager.com

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At Spazio Rossana Orlandi I was rather mysteriously attracted to a shelf full of toy cars made of wood. A strange choice I thought. After all we were at the Salone del Mobile, surrounded by armchairs, tables and design furniture. Anyhow I soon found out that these wooden models had been projected by Matteo Ragni, an Italian designer. He had given them an emblematic name too: To be us.

The truth is that the Italian designer aims to create a line of toys of high quality. Toys a world apart from those made in China which are usually sold for a song , but can also imperil children’s health. A very good, noble project indeed that wants to give children safe and beautiful toys, made from indestructible and natural materials. Hand-made items built by Master Giovanni, a skilled artisan living in Brianza.

Continue reading: Fuorisalone 2008: To Be Us toys by Matteo Ragni

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