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 

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©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!

Indoor–Outdoor

Now that the season allows it we can start living more outdoor and what is best than having a few friends over for a simple lunch on a terrace, a patio, a balcony or if we are lucky to have it…in a garden.

This beautiful house in the South of France can give us some inspiration, even if we live in a much smaller place, we can be inspired by the mix of styles, the palette, the use of simple objects to create a vignette.

 

The whole house presents a neutral and soft palette with pale greys and off-whites, powdery tones that allow the greenery outside to shine through large windows and to diffuse the strong light of long summers.

 

Last year I visited Luberon region, in the south of France and I was enchanted by L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, Avignon, Uzès and the numerous brocante and antiquarians in the region, not to mention the flea markets full of treasures. I am sure that in this house some objects were rescued from those places, and they mix so well with contemporary or more expensive  pieces.

 

The classic Le Corbusier white leather chairs are produced by Cassina, the floor lamp is an original Serge Mouille. In the large living room there are also white linen sofas and XVIII century original decoration and antique accessories  blending so well with contemporary style.

 

Another floor lamp designed by Serge Mouille, near an antique small table.

 

Beauty sometimes is very simple, old stones, ivy, perennials, no need for vibrant colors, just quiet and harmony.

Photography by Nicolas Mathéus

©2015 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!

Once upon a time…

Most beautiful stories of our childhood start in a castle and today we dream a little while we are visiting the Chateau de Varennes, in the Burgundy region of France.  After extensive renovation the château is now a place for grand events or just for relaxing and pretend to be a Princess for a day.

 

Inside the castle every room has superb details, as in this sitting room with the inlaid parquet, the delicate paintings above the double doors, the elaborate stucco on the ceiling, the exquisite white marble fireplace…

The Princess is having tea while waiting for her dreams to come true.

 

A different marble for this fireplace, a Murano chandelier, a modern glass coffee table and antique chairs make the room very inviting and precious.

What is the Princess reading? A manual on how to cook?

 

One of the suites in the Chateau de Varennes has ivory wall paint and an elaborate gilded molding. The 18th century sofa in orange silk velvet is part of the family’s collection of antiques.

The Princess is still trying to decide what to wear!

 

Another suite has silver-mauve wallpaper and the soft furnishing and accessories play with pink, lilac, purple, silver. I particularly like the two shades of silk for the rich draperies.

Too bad we can’t spy on what is on the desk…

love letters or only bills to be paid?

More antiques in a corridor.

The Princess is ready to go downstairs and meet her destiny.

 

Antique tapestry and interesting marble stairs

where it is better not to lose a Louboutin  slipper.

 

But while Prince Charming is waiting for her… the Princess indulges enjoying breakfast in the garden…

Will she ever be ready for him?

The story (may) continue!

 

©2015 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!

Paris: classic soul, contemporary function

In this elegant and charming Parisian apartment the classic soul of the building shines accompanied by contemporary comfort and style. Fireplaces, frames, millwork of late 1800 were restored to create a background for a young couple lifestyle. The sofa Groundpiece is designed by Aldo Citterio for Flexform.

 

Many pieces are vintage, like this amazing desk and the re-upholstered green chair in the main bedroom. The scheme color for the whole apartment envelope goes from off white to luminescent grey to charcoal grey. Great choice to make colored pieces pop unexpectedly.

 

Danish 1960’s chair surround a table made of oak and natural stone designed by Studio Double G, the unusual suspension light is Mykiss Fish by Minke Van Voorthuizen.

 

In the modern kitchen the cabinet has mirrored doors to maintain the antique atmosphere.

 

Another vintage discover at Flea-market Paul Bert: the red-orange leather chair and stool. A pop of vibrant color against the charcoal walls and millwork.

 

The bathroom is stunning, pure luxury, with a carved fireplace mantel, antique mirror, chandelier.

 

Devon & Devon tub, Stella faucets.

 

 

3 dimensional art on the wall, found at Marché Paul Bert, like the black leather chair and industrial lamp in the previous image.

The young couple has obviously a good eye in discovering treasures to add interest to an already stunning surrounding.

Photography by Helenio Barbetta

©2014 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!