Milan Design Week. is back in its regular. calendar spot and. the world is ready to. descend on the city. to discover what’s now. and next in interiors.. Ahead of the opening. day on 18 April, we. preview the highlights. at the Salone del. Mobile furniture fair. and across the different. areas and events….
‘Desacralized’, Galerie Philia
San Vittore e 40 Martiri, a deconsecrated church located in the centre of Milan, has hosted some unexpected events over the years – most recently, it’s been used as a basketball court – but for Design Week, it’s going to take people’s breath away. Galerie Philia has invited a worldwide roster of designers (from Ukrainian studio Faina to Chinese Kar Studio) to present work inspired by objects and ideas that were once considered sacred. Italian duo Morghen’s ‘Cascades of Light’ chandelier is worthy of attentive contemplation. 18–23 April (galerie-philia.com). ➤
‘Pleasure’, Poltrona Frau
Step into the heritage Italian brand’s pleasure palace – its fresco-painted flagship store on Via Manzoni – during Design Week and you will be presented with a wealth of exciting new launches. These include the ‘Duo’ collection (comprising an armchair, tables, storage and rugs) developed with wood-furniture experts Ceccotti Collezioni and designed by Roberto Lazzeroni. All pieces guaranteed to make life more, well, pleasurable (poltronafrau.com).
Ronan Bouroullec fabrics, Kvadrat
The French designer’s original drawings – part of a sketchbook full of bold, confident, swooping colour – were the starting point for a brand-new three-part textile collection. Stop by Kvadrat’s showroom on Corso Monforte to see an installation that places the designs alongside Bouroullec’s striking works (kvadrat.dk).
‘Ratio’ collection, Turri
A meditation on proportion, Milan-based designer Toan Nguyen’s new sofa for Turri aims to provide peaceful interludes amid the pace of modern life. Take your own quiet moment at the brand’s Salone del Mobile stand and experience its generous proportions wrapped in a leather weave reminiscent of woven ribbons (turri.it).
Spotlight on British talent
The colourful creative introduces a design classic reinvented in characteristically exuberant fashion
As part of ‘TEN: Beyond the Beetle’, an exhibition presented by Copenhagen design house Gubi that celebrates 10 years since GamFratesi created its hugely successful ‘Beetle’ chair (named for its wiry legs and organic curves), the brand has invited 10 creatives, including architects, musicians, and fashion designers, to showcase responses to the chair in tribute. One of the group is the London-based architect and desig
