Design gets ‘enchanted’ by the estates of the past. Palazzo Serbelloni, Palazzo Crespi, Palazzo Bocconi: these are a few of the Milanese gems of neoclassical architecture where contemporary design decided to offer the audience of the FuoriSalone its new developments (including experiments in progress). A fascinating voyage through venerable homes, usually closed to visitors, where past and present interact and contaminate each other.
Let’s start with Palazzo Serbelloni, one of the first patrician estates built on the elegant ‘avenue of carriages’ – as Corso Venezia was called by the nobles of Milan – where Caesarstone explored the quality and versatility of quartz surfaces. Including a new collection of planters based on an innovative process of experimental workmanship, joined by the playful installation ‘Swing’ composed of eight swings (the seats offer a preview of the new materials of the 2015 collection).
A few meters away there is the home of Airbnb, the leading portal for the sharing of private apartments, which transformed the historic Palazzo Crespi into an exceptional abode where 19 international creative talents explored the various ways to welcome guests (silver, precious ceramics, masterpieces by Canaletto).
In another exceptional palazzo, a special home was on stage: the ‘portable’ house imagined in 1934 by Charlotte Perriand and produced by Louis Vuitton, which in the inner spaces of the palace Bocconi presented its new ‘Nomadic Objects’ between design and fine crafts. The voyage continued in the spaces of the elegant showrooms where design Made in Italy is right at home.
by Laura Ragazzola – photos by David Zanardi
The series of ‘20 Planters’ by the Canadian designer Philippe Malouin, using the colors and textures of the new collection of quartz surfaces by Caesarstone: in the photo, some of the models presented in Milan in the splendid setting of Palazzo Serbelloni.
“Jungle Life Multicolore,” the striking ‘papier peint’ presented by Hermès in the Milan showroom (the relief butterflies complete only the installation).
“Birds of Eden” in Murano glass by Matteo Thun with Benedetto Fasciana: part of the new Matteo
Thun Atelier collection, to revive the finest Italian crafts entrepreneurs (photo Valentina Sommariva).
The refined Milan showroom of Giorgetti with the studio corner furnished with on the Aura armchair and the Studium desk, both designed by Umberto Asnaghi.
The installation by Angelo Semeraro (right) seems almost to suggest “have a seat” to the visitors at the exhibition “Housewarming” organized by Airbnb, summoning 19 international designers to approach the theme of hospitality in the frescoed rooms of Palazzo Bocconi in Milan.
Optical graphics with a contemporary look for the new decorative proposals created by India Mahdavi for Contemporary Cement Tiles by Bisazza.
A ‘safari’ effect at Visionnaire Design Gallery, with the premiere of a dramatic collection inspired by nature, the start of a new collaboration between the Asian architect Steve Leung and Visionnaire, for the company’s tenth anniversary. In the photo, two creations by Leung: the marble-topped Raidho Table and the Palmyra seat.
The elegant apartment-showroom of Meridiani: on display, the new collection of tables designed by Andrea Parisio, with a game of full and empty zones, of different form, in a dialogue thanks to delicate design balance. Here, the ‘model square’ in the finish ‘terracotta lacquered.’
