For one week in April, Milan becomes the centre of the design world because of Salone Internazionale del Mobile, arguably the most important design and furniture fair in the calendar. Now on its 56th edition, the fair – running from April 4 to 7 – continues to grow in size and influence, with brands upping their game year after year when it comes to their collections, collaborations and exhibitions.
Not all the excitement is relegated to Milan Design Week, though. The Italian city itself is a veritable hub of design destinations – we’ve shortlisted six of our top picks for you to explore in between peeking into Salone booths.
See more: The insider’s guide to Florence
Fondazione Prada
Ask a local where Milan’s creative area is and you’ll get varied responses – some may suggest Brera Design District, Zona Tortona, or a network of five streets called 5Vie Art+Design. Head out to concept store Rossana Orlandi (a must) and visit the Fondazione Prada (pictured) and Armani Silos, which opened their doors just two years ago. Both places are definitely worth seeing for the architecture alone.
Villa Necchi
Located in the centre of Milan, Villa Necchi was once the home of a wealthy family and is now the property of the Italian National Trust. It was designed by local architect Piero Portaluppi and built between 1932 and 1935. It’s a window on the family’s lifestyle and the design trends of both the 1930s and 50s, when the house was renovated to include some 19th-century design elements.
Entratalibera
Twenty-year interior design veteran Bruno Rainaldi, who has worked with leading Italian furniture companies, opened this 8,500sqft space in central Milan to display design objects and expressions of contemporary art that suggest new ways of living. Along with a programme of special events, it provides a far-from-conventional point of view on lifestyle.
Spazio Rossana Orlandi
This is the place to go to check out the work of up-and-coming designers from around the world and shop for contemporary furniture pieces. The former factory was turned into a creative retail space in 2002, along with a gallery to showcase art and design pieces. There’s also a charming courtyard cafe decorated with an eclectic collection of furniture.
Room Mate Guila
A visit to Milano isn’t complete without an aperitivo, and that usually means a nightcap at Bar Basso, where everyone inevitably congregates, negroni in hand. Before you leave, we suggest a quick hotel recce: Room Mate Guila (pictured) designed by Patricia Urquiola are certainly the rooms to book for next year’s edition.
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