ALCOVA EXHIBITION SPACE / PHOTO- DSL STUDIO
After four years of covid related cancellations and date changes we were very excited to head back to Milan for Design Week 2023- the most eagerly awaited event of the year for all design lovers. MDW is held in April annually and showcases the latest collections from a huge range of interior furnishing and design brands in elaborate and inspiring displays.
The Salone del mobile is the main furniture fair but there are also exhibitions, events and installations dotted throughout the city known collectively as the Fuorisalone. Our favourite part of MDW is exploring the Fuorisalone and stumbling across unexpected installations in the many hidden courtyards throughout the city. With hundreds (a total of 949!) of brands showcasing this year we spent a jam packed two days exploring as much as humanly possible fuelled of course by strong espresso and huge mozzarella paninos!
Read on to discover some of the exciting interior brands we came across that are creating beautiful, unique and environmentally conscious designs and learn how you could incorporate them in to your own home.
Luonnonbetoni: An innovative environmentally friendly alternative to concrete and terrazzo
Pihlgren and Ritola: Traditional Scandinavian wallpapers with a contemporary twist
General Store: A carefully crafted selection of everyday domestic objects
Dimore Studio Silence Installation: A multi-sensory spatial experience mixing modern and retro design
Luonnonbetoni: An innovative environmentally friendly alternative to concrete and terrazzo
As interior designers we are always conscious of the environmental impact of the materials and products we specify so we were very intrigued when we came across Luonnonbetoni at the Alcova exhibit. Their material was used to create a large monolithic table which was the perfect backdrop to display an array of materials from other sustainable Finnish brands.
Luonnonbetoni, meaning ‘natural concrete’ in English, is a young company focused on the production and design of environmentally friendly and ethical building materials. They have developed an innovative alternative to concrete and terrazzo by combining unburned clay with natural, non-processed aggregates such as sand and crushed stone. The material can be used for floors, walls and furniture just like concrete.
No processes that release CO2 are used in the production of Luonnonbetoni unlike cement which contributes 8% to global C02 pollution. The product can also be easily removed, upcycled or disposed of as it is all natural and can therefore go straight back in to the earth. The designers took inspiration from rammed earth which is an ancient building technique that is environmentally sound, durable and naturally beautiful.
Luonnonbetoni or other rammed earth products would be the perfect alternative to concrete or microcement flooring in a kitchen and dining space.
Check out the Luonnonbetoni website here.
LUONNONBETONI AT THE EMMA MUSEUM
LUONNONBETONI WALLS FOR PAIVOLA
LUONNONBETONI PLINTH AT MDW / PHOTO- LUONNONBETONI
LUONNONBETONI DISPLAY TABLE AT MDW / PHOTO- FILIPPO BAMBERGHI VIA HABITAREMATERIALS
Pihlgren and Ritola: Traditional Scandinavian wallpapers with a twist
We were drawn to Pihlgren and Ritola’s bold use of colour and unique spin on traditional Scandinavian patterns.
This Finnish brand have been manufacturing wallpapers for over 90 years using traditional printing techniques. Many of their wallpapers are made using an old rotary printing press providing a slight variation in hue and pattern which adds a charming handmade quality to their designs. P&R always use ecological, hand mixed inks printed on real paper; their current collection includes unique patterns in trendy and surprising colourways.
Why not try using their wallpaper in a neglected cloakroom or go bold in a bedroom and cover each wall in a feature print.
You can buy Pihlgren and Ritola’s wallpapers from Finnish design shop.
PIHLGREN AND RITOLA WALLPAPER
PIHLGREN AND RITOLA WALLPAPER AT MDW / PHOTO- FILLIPO BAMBERGHI
General Store: A carefully crafted selection of everyday domestic objects
The General Store stand stood out to us because of the pared back beauty of their products and the celebration of simple, everyday items.
In our world of fast fashion and disposability, Stockholm based General store are focused on creating products that use sustainable materials and celebrate local crafts and crafts people. Their aim is to create functional everyday pieces that will be treasured for a lifetime- their qualities improving the more they are used.
Our favourite piece was the mortar and pestle with its pleasing shape and material combination and we also loved their dovetail table which highlighted the beauty and simplicity of a well crafted dovetail join.
You can see their full range of products here.
GENERAL STORE DOVETAIL TABLE
GENERAL STORE MORTAR AND PESTLE
Dimore Studio Silence Installation: A multi-sensory spatial experience mixing modern and retro design
We waited for what seemed like hours in the wind and rain to see the Dimore Studio installation but it was definitely worth the wait! This installation was our favourite experience at Milan Design Week- an incredible multi-sensory design installation that delighted and inspired us.
Dimore Studio are a Milan based architecture and interior design company that work across residential, retail and hospitality design. They also produce furnishing, textile and lighting designs under their sister brand Dimoremilano. Dimore Studio are known to create design environments that are nostalgic and emotive, referencing design from the past to create bold and unexpected spaces.
The installation comprised of a huge space with a number of large boxes with visible stud work which made us feel like we were behind the scenes on a film set. We were then guided along a path that navigated us to holes that appeared to have been punched in to each box creating a view in to a range of beautifully designed domestic spaces. Each space had a different atmosphere and the lighting, smells and music used evoked different time periods and moods. As the viewing holes were small, a queue formed to view each space which created a sense of anticipation and excitement.
Our favourite was a space inspired by the house of Yves Saint Laurent. All walls were enveloped in rich tones- rust was used on the walls and a complimentary amber was used on the ceiling. The focus was the central lampshade in oriental silk designed by Dimoremilano which hung over a dressed table surrounded by worn animalier fabric chairs, French music was playing and there was a heady perfumed scent which all combined to create a moody, sensual atmosphere.
At Studio Rey our design approach often combines old and new, contemporary and vintage to create timeless and characterful spaces. It was inspiring to see this approach done so magnificently by Dimore Studio.
Check out more of their projects here.
DIMORE STUDIO AT MDW / PHOTO- STUDIO REY
DIMORE STUDIO VIEWING HOLE AT MDW / PHOTO- STUDIO REY
DIMORE STUDIO AT MDW SILVER ROOM / PHOTO- STUDIO REY
About Studio Rey
Studio Rey is a Bristol based interior design company led by Grace King. We pride ourselves in being a friendly, accessible interior design company and find joy in helping individuals and independent businesses create their dream space throughout Bristol, the South West and London.
GRACE KING- STUDIO REY FOUNDER