Off site

Hi - so off site in Milan is like no other place...it is truly the only place (a bit in London too) that works. Via Tortona has been a "zone" where it was once only SuperStudio Piu (27). It was great to see Tom Dixon, Moooi and Marcel Wanders for Poliform, Spanish Playtime, Paola Lenti and some of the others. The Alessi kitchens were the best ever - as noted by the constant crowds. The atmosphere in the street is fun...it does get a bit "trash and burn" with beer bottles and cans all over the place...and the party people (and we know there are tons of those) just ..."partying".

My new best favorite...Rossana Orlandi. It is absolutely the most delightful place. It consists of a wonderful cafe, exhibition space mixed in with her offices and then to the right - a clothing boutique (got there) and to the left - a restaurant (didn't get there). Einhoven and Jaime Hayon were the exhibitions - and they were great. Once again, Einhoven makes you think and smile. I particularly liked the small refrigerator with the motor on the side that would heat / warm a small seat attached to it. Also the clothes line on a tension wire that would raise as the clothes dried - and when totally dry would have a bird-like sound to note that.

The store upstairs had wonderful product and a great way to house the products - in small brown boxes stacked up to the ceiling and clearly labeled (if you could read Italian). Ms. Orlandi herself made an appearance....any resemblence to the character in The Incredibles???

The Triennale was fabulous - with a great garden exhibition of Starck products fitting for outdoors - colorful and wonderfully accompanied by huge topiaries and brilliant red flowers. The Cassina exhibition of 125 iconic pieces displayed over 12,000 sq. ft. of space was beautifully done. And a BASF exhibit on materials was well done as well.

Loved the space of Established and Sons. And a great lucite lamp - lit by 9 LEDs in the base - gave great light and would be a wonderful piece of sculpture in any home/office (I'm thinking!). Rigolo Restaurant down the block capped that entire experience just perfect!