Report from Milan number 2

 

I promised to write more about Milan Design Week, even if a few weeks have already gone by I hope you'll be interested in knowing more...
This time the feature is Rossana Orlandi Gallery,  an iconic lady and an iconic concept store.
For the third year Scarlet Splendour was exhibiting there its different lines.

Their beautifully crafted furnishings are designed in Europe by Italian star Matteo Cibic, Slovenian star Nika Zupanc and the talented duo Colussi-Contessotto.

Here are some highlights of the display 

Nika Zupanc's extravagant wine cabinet, part of the line "88 Secrets" was featured in several important magazines, including Dezeen.   The cabinet could be also custom built with shelves instead of bottles support and becomes more versatile.

Matteo Cibic's "The General" desk is part of  "Vanilla Noir" line and comes in different colors, a work of love with its geometric resin inlay. Cibic was the recipient again this year of the Elle Deco International award and the magazine Newsweek dedicated an article to him this week, you can read it HERE.
Such a personality...and I am so happy to say that he will be a speaker at this year Interior Design Show in Vancouver, and part of his creations will be displayed in Scarlet Splendour's booth.

 Mark your calendar, September 28-October 1, 2017...

it will be very interesting to meet him.

Having fun with Matteo 

 

 

Corriere della Sera is the most read newspaper in Italy and during the Design Week has always an insert about design written also in English. This year they featured Nika Zupanc romantic creations, particularly the credenza in a beautiful pastel color.

 

In Milan it was presented in a deep emerald hue...well it is the year of Pantone greenery after all, but green is timeless of course and always a perfect accent for interiors.

 And here I am sitting on the Cibic's rocking "Nanook of the North" 

with Ashish Bajoria, co-owner of Calcutta based Scarlet Splendour.

 Hint: Brillante Interiors is exclusively representing 

Scarlet Splendour in British Columbia.

 
Rossana Orlandy courtyard in full bloom, it was a wonderful week of splendid weather to crown so many exciting events.  Follow Brillante Interiors on Instagram to see more images.

©2017 Brillante Interiors writes about new trends, timeless decor, iconic pieces, design ideas, or at times just musing about "a certain Italian way of doing things".

If you need help to enjoy your home more, please send us an email.  It will be an investment in happiness at home, because 

a well designed house is always a good part of a great life and 

a beautiful room will make you happy every time you walk in!

Report from Milan number 1

 

Fairground

Here I am... still in Milan and still recovering from the amazing whirlwind of the Design Week, an event that sees hundreds of thousands people visiting from all over the world.
When I started going to the so called Salone del Mobile decades ago...it was still in the city and it was quite small but in all these years it has grown so much that it is now at the relatively new Fair site, in the outskirt of Milan.

 Casa degli Atellani

The past twenty years has seen also the birth of the "Fuori Salone" with a growing miriad of events around the city, day and night.   First it was zona Tortona, near the Navigli, then more and more areas of Milan got involved to the point that it is impossible to visit and participate to all events in town.
Perhaps if you have lots of energy, excellent shoes or a car with a driver...you can see half of the installations!
Just browsing in advance the program and editing the invites is a major job!
Having said that...it is a marvelous experience and Milan is at its best, this year particularly the weather was fantastic.

How can I START describing the amazing variety of exhibitions and most important  (for my readers) how can I STOP talking about I Saloni, I will have to discipline myself and choose just a few highlights.

Dutch Design Pavilion

Masterly-the Dutch in Milan was a very interesting installation in one of the most beautiful buildings of Milan, Palazzo Turati, a Neo-Renaissance palace built around 1870 by Count Francesco Turati in the heart of the city, the recently restored Sale Nobili saw a dialogue between selected designers and 17th century Dutch paintings.

 

 A detail of the carved and gilded ceiling

 Details of a mirror

Contemporary lights

 

 Iren Van Vliet luxurious textiles 

Freuden Thal/Verhagen contemporary art

Dutch designers, artisan producers and design agencies presented themselves in the centre of Milan with the best design and artisan craftsmanship the Netherlands has to offer.

TO BE CONTINUED...and to see more images follow 

Brillante Interiors on Instagram

©2017 Brillante Interiors writes about new trends, timeless decor, iconic pieces, design ideas, or at times just musing about "a certain Italian way of doing things".
If you need help to enjoy your home more, please send us an email.  It will be an investment in happiness at home, because a well designed house is always a good part of a great life and 

a beautiful room will make you happy every time you walk in!

Be the first to see the latest

 

It is that time of year again, when hundred of thousands interior designers, architects, or simply people passionate about design gather in Milan from allover the world.
Il Salone del Mobile, also called Design Week, already in its 56th edition, will start April 4th and will continue till April 9th.

I have reported many times about this fantastic week of design and you can search my Blog for different articles on I Saloni, so stay tuned...I will post again my own pictures while there.

And then there is the Fuori Salone, (or Outside Salone) with hundreds of installations and events around the city, so many happenings, day and night, to follow... to the point that even if exhilarated I am already overwhelmed by the calendar.
 Many events will take place in historic buildings with the juxtaposition of classic architecture and contemporary furniture, what not to love?

 Palazzo Litta 

 Palazzo Turati courtyard

 Palazzo Turati inside

The most difficult task at this point is to edit and edit and edit, since every day and every evening there are at least 30 places where I should or I would like to be at the same time.
I don't have that gift...yet, so I need to decide in advance where to go and of course leave some space for spontaneous decisions.
 
This year I am also particularly interested in being there also for the launch of new lines of furniture by Scarlet Splendour who I represent as an ambassador.
The new creations will be launched at the iconic showroom of Rossana Orlandi...

but that is another story and another post!

©2017 Brillante Interiors writes about new trends, timeless decor, iconic pieces, design ideas, or at times just musing about "a certain Italian way of doing things".


If you need help to enjoy your home more, please send us an email.  It will be an investment in happiness at home, because a well designed house is always a good part of a great life and a beautiful room will make you happy every time you walk in!

The Velvet Lady

The Velvet Lady is costume designer Dada Saligeri who was my elementary schoolmate, we lost touch but after (quite a few…) decades we met again and spent a few days together, as it happens in life: we lose friendships, we make new ones, we cross paths, we reconnect again…

In my last trip to Milan I went to visit her to admire her latest collection of velvet, stunning textiles woven with metallic threads, which give an extra layer of texture and shine.

 

 Turandot by Giacomo Puccini at The Met

Aida by Giuseppe Verdi at The Met

She was involved for years in designing costumes for major productions, including operas, many represented at The Metropolitan in New York, Rigoletto, Aida, Turandot, La Traviata, just to name a few.
She was at times working for these productions with her husband, Gianni Quaranta, director, production designer and set designer for theatre and cinema who, amongst many prizes, won an Oscar for the charming movie “A room with a view”.

 

  To say that her apartment was a joy to visit is an understatement, starting with the beautiful Liberty street facade.

 

Then entering through the main carved wooden door I found myself in the elegant courtyard.
Many Milanese buildings from past centuries have gorgeous courtyards and even luxurious gardens, hidden from the view of people passing by on the street…

 

Another elaborate entrance inside the courtyard leads to the marble stairs,  with gracious wrought iron and decorated glass windows.

  

 Now entering the apartment I am greeted by this mirror frame, where Dada has decided to put ribbons of silk, how beautiful and creative.

 

An antique cane bench against a faux marble wall is adorned by a heart pillow in her velvet creation. This home has a heart!

 

I could not refrain myself from taking pictures also of interior decoration, objects, antiques, collections…I was fascinated about the stories behind every piece, like the magnificent 1930’s crystal vase above with metal decorations, belonging to her mother.

The walls were full of oil paintings, sketches, drawings, like the clown drew by Franco Zeffirelli, with the dedication “To dearest Dada, a true friend”.

 

 

Being in love with Sicily I noticed the two small ceramic heads, a classic and popular subject, related to a centuries old story of a tragic love.

Now a few examples of exquisite and original velvet, different colors, textures but all extremely elegant and timeless.

 

How not to mention that also the elevator has red velvet seats and transports you not just from floor to floor but also to a past era of theatrical luxury.

If interested in any pieces of those fabulous textiles please contact me and I will put you in touch directly with the designer.

©2016 Brillante Interiors writes about new trends, timeless decor, iconic pieces, design ideas, or at times just musing about "a certain Italian way of doing things".
If you receive this post by Email and wish to leave a comment please click HERE and go to the comments section.  We love your comments!

If you need help to enjoy your home more, please send us an email.  It will be an investment in happiness at home, because a well designed house is always a good part of a great life and a beautiful room will make you happy every time you walk in!

Latest design trends in Milan

Dimore Gallery

Exciting design as always in my first city, visiting showrooms, walking on the streets, discovering new stores I can tell you that Milan is more alive than ever with culture, fashion, style.
Vibrant or more muted colors are everywhere, definitely not a city for neutral hues, as is a return to the best of the past reinterpreted for our time.


                                                     

Dimore Gallery

Hervé Van der Straeten exhibition in Milan at Robilant + Voena Gallery

 At Nilufar Depot I found these two exquisite chairs, designed in 1949 

by Giulio Minoletti for an Italian train, the ETR 500.

 Taking a picture of delicate 1950’s lights through a mirror at Nilufar Depot.

Still at Nilufar I saw a gorgeous sleek bronze bookcase created by the talented 

Osanna Visconti di Modrone.

And they showcased also in a splendid mirrored room the talent of Baciocchi architect, the firm behind all Prada showrooms and other major projects worldwide.

A visit to Studio Castiglioni is always a must in Milan (see my previous post HERE).  

In the picture Achille's daughter, Giovanna Castiglioni and I at the entrance to the Castiglioni Studio.

Did I say trends in the title? Well… actually I have not seen trends, 

only timeless style and elegance.

All photographs © by Albarosa Simonetti. Last image by Alda Pereira.
Do not use without permission.

©2016 Brillante Interiors writes about new trends, timeless decor, iconic pieces, design ideas, or at times just musing about "a certain Italian way of doing things".
If you receive this post by Email and wish to leave a comment please click HERE and go to the comments section.  We love your comments!

If you need help to enjoy your home more, please send us an email.  It will be an investment in happiness at home, because a well designed house is always a good part of a great life and a beautiful room will make you happy every time you walk in!