Salone del Mobile Milano 2019 - Day 5

Today was quite a different experience as we headed into the design districts in central Milan. While the confines of a tradeshow offer convenience in terms of the number of brands you can see, stepping out into town and seeing things in a localised environment brought the products to life.

Case in point Tom Dixon, who previously had done a temporary installation, decided to invest in a permanent restaurant this year. The lease was signed on the space a mere 60 days before Milan Design Week, and The Manzoni was conceived. Tom met us at the door and welcomed us to the restaurant. It was truly an inspiring space with a small lobby shop, bar, restaurant and jungle each integrating Dixon’s new and current product range. 

There were two new super comfortable chairs – Fat and an update to Slab – and a beautiful classic-looking light, Opal, which demonstrated a move away from metallics towards a more monochromatic style. In the Jungle section of the restaurant gold Spring pendants added a touch of glamour.

The afternoon was spent visiting the institutional Rossana Orlandi and Nilufar Galleries, and surrounding pop-up exhibits. We found Donald Duck fishing from an Arco Lamp, Halo Edition by Mandalaki, a projection of infinite shades of colour; and a vase made from Smurfs.