My visit to Salone del Mobile in Milan just gone, has truly satisfied my APPETITE FOR DECORATION and I look forward to sharing the joy I discovered upon there, with you here. However, it’s been a rough 72 hours here with the devastating news of the passing of my most amazing dad. I wasn’t sure how much to reveal here, but after thinking about it… I realised that a lot of my love for communicating the joy I share through this blog came from him – what better tribute than to keep it up and represent? Hoping that communicating the creativity from the design marathon that was, will help to keep my mind focused during this emotionally overwhelming time. RIP Dada. xx
Laboratory style demonstrations and brand stations abounded in many of Milan’s enormous factory spaces; Nomadism at ALTAI gallery curated by fabulous forecaster Li Edelkoort was way up my street; New ways with weave as seen in the PET LAMP at the retail genius of Rosanna Orlandi; The marvels of marble by Budri and at Bathing in Light.
Team APPETITE FOR DECORATION discovered much and met some truly awe-inspiring designers during our five days in Milan – this person to person communication enables more excitement and a deeper insight into these new ways of living. Creativity is champion again and thus the process was just as important as the end product, resulting in an abundance of laboratory style showings throughout Salone. Highlights for us were of course the trend for products designed around our new-again nomadic tendencies, the importance of travel in our lives and the new ways of living this encourages has become relevant across all areas of design.
Mae Engelgeer’s textiles inspired us much; Sigrid Calon’s geometric prints are picture perfect; Missoni’s collaboration with Carnovsky had us Zigzagging in joy; The colours at vitra were right on; My couch, my canvas by Annebet Philips in black and white all over won us over with its clever design.
So many new ways with weave, designers both established and unfamiliar are returning to this ancient craft – with the touch of the hand and the aid of technology too. The use of marble was momentous and to marvellous effect. Textiles are rich and layered, ethnic and geometric. Geometry was everywhere. New and smart colour combinations are set to energize, calm and enliven us in our homes. Black and white are right and the perfect start point to rid the excess of clutter in our busy lives. Glassware, furniture and ceramics are stacks on, totem style enabling play and new ways in one. Food and food tools are important and playful too. The need to connect to nature is bringing the outdoors inside in innovative ways and the garden becomes a more important part of the home.
Totem style by Alberto Fabbian gives ways to play; Maria Volokhova presented Still Life Stories – a series of multipurpose food containers derived from Still life Painting of the 17th Century; The LIVE SCREEN by Danielle Trofe gives indoor gardening good looks; Outdoor furniture by ORTOFABRICA was conceived for climbing plants.
The role of the stylist was paramount – the most excellent of these creating balance and beauty with a lived in look utilising a mix of modern and primitive product, plant life and real life accessories alongside the new. Animals and animism were inspiration for many which pleased me much. Upcycling and hacking in design was poetic and fresh. The earth itself and waste product provided new material to work with. Multifunctional and mobility mirrors us and I became enlightened by lighting. There you have it at a glance…the photos here are favourites taken and will give you some insight into the extraordinary we experienced. Enjoy. x
Moooi’s super large and hyper life styling was the best of the fair; The Collective Unconscious presented the Kosmos Project where animals reigned supreme; Tubismo by Robert Mora shows upcycled done right; Adital Ela presented TERRA, a collection of BioFurniture and artifacts produced from compressed earth and waste; Bikini Island by Werner Aisslinger for Moroso makes multifunctional beautiful.
APPETITE FOR DECORATION 