The Best of Milan’s Design Week 2019

If it’s spring, it means it’s time for thousands in the design world to venture to Milan for the famed Milan Design Week, one of the world’s largest design shows.

This year’s show attracted just over 386,000 attendees and took place April 9th through 14th. It featured exhibits from Versace, Bulgari, and some of the top design studios in Milan.

Tuning into these shows and visiting nearby design houses (I’m hoping to make it to Kip’s Bay this month, though not certain when with our current schedule!) provide constant sources of inspiration for me and I highly recommend making the time to visit ones near you.

This year’s Milan Design Week was nothing short of inspired. Here are a few of our favorite trends and exhibitions from the week:

Disguising technology

Isn’t this the trouble with all home tech? The TV’s get larger and hiding them gets harder. This is especially difficult in our area as so many homes are open concept or have centuries-old floor plans. In both cases, more often than not, spaces must be multi-purpose, accommodating both post-dinner party digestifs and family time. There are many times that you just won’t want the television to be the focal point of the room (unless, of course, you’re talking about a media room).

I loved seeing the Vitrine television (photo above courtesy of Wallpaper*) by Panasonic and Daniel Rybakken. While mid-century isn’t always my taste, this way of blending a TV in with its surrounding in a more artistic way is exactly my cup of tea. It’s much better than the alternative of finding a massive French armoire that will fit today’s growing screens. Been there, done that (and failed, I might add).

Feathers and shells

I adore these materials and loved seeing capiz used in items such as the side table below (photo courtesy of Curbed). These shells are actually from windowpane oysters and they’re sustainable, which makes this trend even more appealing.

Another sustainable material that’s being revisited is ostrich feathers. It’s a gorgeous look. I’ve been pining over the Hollywood Regency ostrich floor lamp below on 1st Dibs for ages (photo courtesy 1st Dibs).

I mean, how stunning is it? For the record, Hubby is shaking his head “no” right now. I stand by it (photo below courtesy TrendyIdeas.net).

Diptyque’s foray into home

That’s right. Lovers of their beautifully scented candles rejoice! And what a lovely start to it all (photo below from Isabelle Dubern-Mallevays’ Instagram).

Blue and white in the bath

Another wonderful moment from Milan Design Week happened in my favorite color scheme. BDDW essentially broke Instagram with the amazing hand-painted bathroom (photo courtesy their Instagram) below.

Versace’s Pastel Dreamland

This installation is my absolute favorite from the week. The dining room is set beautifully and the chairs are certainly funky, but my favorite part? The floor coverings. The patterns in the carpet are all the things I dream about. They remind me so much of vintage Lilly Pulitzer and, to me, speak Palm Beach.