Italian Design Now
Summer and travel go together, and for me I had an abundant year. Yosemite. Milan. Cape Cod. It was a WASP-y, worldly and rugged summer, and I’m grateful for the friends and colleagues that made this a reality. I will cherish this summer for a long time. Now that I have had a few weeks to get back into the daily grind of work, I keep thinking about all 3 trips. My green tent at Half Dome is my screen saver at work. I’m still finding sand in my shoes from New England (plus I’ve watched a few too many episodes of the just-adequate Turn on HBO). And I’m still finding inspiration from my trip to Italy.
You know I love Italy and Italian design {click here for more posts}, so it should be of no shock to you when I say that Milan was fantastic. The food, the fashion, the history. And the design. While in Milan I took the opportunity to strike out on my own, going to a few of the furniture showrooms that are making design news. Over the next couple of posts I’ll share with you some of the inspiration. Here is a look at two showrooms. Both are in the retro-Italian vein. Both offer a grand vision of decadence, a 1960’s Fellini vision. Both offer lessons on how to live grandly with what we have, on how to allude to grandeur. I hope that you are inspired too!
Dimore Studios exemplifies the neo-Italian look, with Renaissance and Baroque styling meeting modern design. It’s a mix that resonates with our desire to tame technology with culture, history and style.
I love the geometric rug, banquette seating and oversized cabinet with scenic panels.
This brass and lacquer console would look great in a high-rise lobby.
A great dining table can be as simple as a thin marble slab on adjustable legs.
I’m a fan of this metal and fiberglass globe chandelier. Very Intergalactic.
The custom tile in the Dimore Studios entry adds a modern touch to the traditional space. Sort of like sprinkles on a chocolate donut…more design for the sake of it.
Liberia 3 is made of painted metal or brass, with smoked glass shelving. Perfect to divide an open floor plan loft or industrial space.
I’m a fan of this translucent glass table edge in metal.
Nilufar is the cutting edge in vintage Italian furniture, where mid-century meets Memphis. The pieces are at the high-end of price points, with collectable pieces for sale. Nothing shabby or faded here. Perfect for the collector or individual who wants to incorporate a statement piece into a newly renovated or built apartment.
This pendant by Lindsey Adelman has an implied fluidity to it.
1960’s Italian meets PoMo coffee table.
A key feature in current Italian design is color blocking, and color saturation.
This brass and plexiglass chandelier is beautifully kinetic.
Blooms B4 A Lamp, by Bethan Laura Wood, a glass and pirex table lamp, is Memphis styling at its best.
I’m a big fan of these metal and plastic LED lamps, aptly named “2 Moons”
David Bjørngaard, August 2015
What do you think?