I have been very design-oriented this spring.

For a start I chose the week of the famous Salone del Mobile, ie Milan Design Week, to go back to Italy for the first time since I left it last summer. It’s always been my favourite week in Milan. The city really comes alive, sees an influx of “artistically-minded foreigners”, there are cocktails parties everywhere and cool happenings taking place. It’s brilliant.

The primary reason of my trip was to see my friends back there and stock up on delicatessen (bucatini! vino passito! brigante! etc), so I probably spent less time admiring lamps and chairs than other visitors to the city that week, but I nevertheless managed to catch the following:

– The Salone Satellite: the place where you can spot tomorrow’s design stars. Not to mention, the only part of the official Salone that is free of access.

– The Interni exhibition at the Università Statale: The main campus of Milan’s biggest university’s is located in a former hospital from the 15th century. Its quite spectacular courtyards provide the backdrop for an exhibition organised by Italian design magazine Interni.

The Belgian touch: This year Belgium is Design was exhibiting at La Triennale. Bonus point for Insalata Belga, a caravan offering a Belgian “aperitivo” to passers-by.

Picture of the Insalata Belga caravan found on DesignApplaus.com

Back to London: Britain’ capital has its own design week (it’s called week, although it only last 3 days). How cool is that? As they say on their website, Clerkenwell Design Week is a “catch up for Milan Design Week”, and I must say, I really enjoyed it. The fact that it is smaller (both in terms of works exhibited and of “geographical spreading”) means that it is more concentrated in good design and events than its Italian big sister. Plus the sun shone – for the first, and so far, last time this year.

I was happy to go back inside the Farmiloe building, where I had been before for Secret Cinema. Lots and lots of gorgeous pieces of furniture this time, instead of scenes from “The Third Man”.

The Farmiloe Building

The Belgian touch: Bulo* was offering a “Belgian Waffle Breakfast” at their showroom. Too bad I was working and couldn’t taste them.

*Bulo also sells Bram Boo’s Overdose collection – I think I wouldn’t mind owning one of these very cool desks…

Bram Boo’s Overdose desk