MILAN FURNITURE FAIR 2010 – Springtime in Milan

Greeted by glorious weather and fantastic things to see. Only slightly marred by how on earth we were all going to all get home. However apart from being remembered for the epic journeys so many of us had trying to get back home! It will also be remembered as being one of the best – the energy and buzz in Milan was fantastic. The Fuorisalone events keep increasing and the best parties were by invitation only. It is becoming more and more like Fashion Week. So what were the top 10 designs, installations or just sheer fun this year.

1. Barovier e Toso

This year Paola Navone designed the most amazing installation, the huge blue door was just the beginning of the journey.

2. Bokja and Manu Crotti at Rosanna Orlandi

Hoda Baroudi and Maria Hibri showcased a pair of sofas entitled Conversations showing how they came to be. Also in the courtyard they displayed the Bokja Bug which was to be auctioned on e-bay with proceeds for the victims of the Haiti tragedy.

"Conversations"

Manu Crotti

Manufatti of Manu – a collection of unique handmade pieces which combine objects, memories and emotion put together in a way to produce new and beautiful designs. From the chaos of objects she finds such as a pie

ce of old fabric, plastic butterflies, an old doll, pieces from a broken watch etc she tells a story incorporating these into tables, mirrors, plates etc

3. La Rinascente Party 2010

One of the more bizarre events - Acrobats and Human Mannequins! Amongst 100% British Design

4. Produzione Privata

Launch of the Tree Collection by Michele di Lucchi

5. De Padova exhibition of Achille Castiglione

6. Via Ventura – Campana Bros and recycling

7 . Sponge Chair by Campana Bros Via Ventura

8. 8. Triennale - Using the wooden piles of Venice

9. La Triennale Design Museum – Alessandro Mendini curated an amazing exhibition with some 700 objects ranging from a huge replica of Michaelangelo’s David to original models of ET. All extremely kitsch but fun

10. Weird and wonderful ranging from an intriguing wine dispenser and a blow up bath!

LONDON

Lifestyle shoot at the house!

LONDON

Meeting with Eco-age

Having listened to Radio 4 talking about the over exaggerations of the new lightbulbs it seems we need a 20 watt new bulb to achieve 60 watts. There are alternatives halogen and Led the latter of which seems to be the better alternative. Need to explore this.

Met with Livia of Eco and discovered the wealth of eco friendly materials. Just goes to show

that eco does not have to mean ugly. You can have glamorous too. Fabrics from Hemp, Recycled Tarpaulin

LUCCA

Landed at Pisa Airport in blinding rain having left bright sunshine in London! Strange but true. Am here to take our olive oil to an Olive Oil Competition. It will be judged by the 300 people who attend in a blind tasting of 50 Extra Virgin Olive Oils and then by the panel of Professional Judges. Great result 2nd in the Professional Tasters Competition and 3rd as judged by the locals. This is our 6th year of production and we have bought the 600 or so trees back to life.

Seems a far cry from selling furniture etc in London! Our olive oil shown above in a handblown Murano glass carafe by Dovetusai

TENT LONDON

A FEW FAVOURITE THINGS - Gormley Men on Crosby Beach

Having visited his studio a year ago and listened to him for 40 minutes you begin to understand the passion and understanding of physics which go into the making of his sculptures.