I was exposed to a plethora of inspiring elements, with one of the most powerful and memorable being the use and abundance of color!  I soaked up as much as I could from my favorite furniture design brand, Minotti, enjoyed all that Moroso had to offer, and got swept away by the airy-ness of MissoniHome’s presentation. The exhibition at Universita degli Studi di Milano was one of my favorites, and La Rinascente, the Design Supermarket topped it all off on my last day.

Even though the emphasis was on the convention, a handful of the outside events promoted by independent magazines and stores were what I found to be the highlights! Surrounded by architectural inspiration, art, furniture and design, I came away feeling a creative surge that I am so excited to channel into my work.

Join me as I walk you through my vibrant, inspiring, delicious week in Milan!

color
With color being one of the strongest influences during this visit to Milan it was one of the things that also impressed me the most. I don’t have much color in my DNA and I noticed that the way in which it was used really took me by surprise. The presentation helped me to see it in a whole new realm and left me feeling invigorated and eager to use it in my work. It was interesting to note that one of the most popular colors used was yellow. Perhaps it’s a tipping point to happier times, more vibrant times.. but also a throw back to the 60s when it was so widely used in mid-century modern design. I admired that the use of color was smart, functional, and straight forward. Even monochromatic suppliers seemed to be favoring the bright color this year. Needless to say, I came away feeling a color revival about to take place in my work!

Minotti
One of my favorite furniture design brands, Minotti Designs, is usually very monochromatic and I find that they use a lot of my favorite color, which happens to be gray. That changed this year, as Minotti introduced color to this year’s collection!  Their new collection drew inspiration from the contemporary style of the 50′s, which Minotti revisited with a fresh, creative spin, to formulate a concept that is both highly graphic and modern. It was helpful and fun to see how my favorite furniture brand is moving forward with regards to implementing bright colors in their work!

Moroso
Curated by Patricia Moroso, the Moroso collection was stunning and I really felt that its pieces were among the best and most unusual of the iSalone. Celebrating its 60th anniversary this year at the fair, Moroso displayed a vast selection of new and old furniture upholstered in candy colors mixed with pastels. Once again, the use of color was so refreshing and invigorating! The combination of bold colors infused with pastels and then applied to different types of furniture was great! I can’t wait to use Moroso in my work!!!

MissoniHome
Another aspect of the show that really influenced me was not only MissoniHome, but the setting in which they presented their collection. MissoniHome was shown in a space that was bursting with light and perfectly airy, not to mention colorful!  I was swept away by the balance between the use of bold colors and a necessary sense of openness. The collection now includes sofas, tables, lights, and pillows.  I found it all to be very dramatic, but simultaneously very livable, which is a fabulous and of course, practical combination.

Universita degli Studi di Milano
My favourite exhibition was at Universita degli Studi di Milano where there was an art show sponsored by the Magazine Interior Legacy. On display were high impact visual projects with the common goal of proposing their concepts to Italian and international designers with a theme in mind. The theme was that of cultural heritage in relation to contemporary research. My favorite example is that of Patricia Urquiola, who constructed a beautiful art installation for Missoni Home. It was breathtaking to say the least! To accompany these visual stories was a great crowd made up of both the general public and designers alike.

La Rinascente
La Rinascente was a fun experience that I got to enjoy later on in the trip. The department store was nicely merchandised with clothing, household and beauty products, and housed on the lower level was my favorite spot… what I like to refer to as the design supermarket. This wonderful emporium is the brainchild of Vittorio Radice. Among the goods was a sprawling line of Pantone products including, my favorite, coffee cups and chairs.  It was very cool, extremely efficient and beautifully laid out.

On my last day I enjoyed a delicious lunch on the rooftop of La Rinascente, where stands the restaurant, MAIO, overlooking the Duomo. This is hands down the most stunning view of Milano you will find. What a perfect opportunity to let all of the sights, tastes and experiences of this trip come to a beautiful close. It was time to go home and explore my new ideas!

The importance and history of floor and ceiling design can be traced all the way back to the Middle ages when Italian floors were ornately decorated with marble and other hand-made decorative tiles. It was during the 12th and 13th centuries when the Pope had a direct influence on the tiling industry. As a result marble-tiled decorative flooring was a chief feature of the papal city.

Specific designs were created and applied to various locations. From geometric designs in churches to herringbone and a classic brick wall arrangement, artistic expression soared. The beauty from this era still lives on and provides a magical setting and a tangible piece of history that set the scene for much to come.

After being captivated by the stunning floors and ceilings, I discovered another visual element, which presented itself in a fascinating way. What I find most intriguing about the use of stripes is the subliminal message. For example, a horizontal line would be used to evoke a sense of calmness. Like the horizon, horizontal stripes broaden the space and also create an illusion of something being shorter than it actually is, thus less overwhelming and more peaceful. On the contrary, vertical lines heighten, extend, and narrow a room, thus creating a more formal atmosphere.

In Tuscany I had a private tour of the Castello di Brolio which dominates the southern Chianti Classico countryside and has done so for over ten centuries. Located on top of an isolated hill, the castle has Lombardic origins and has been property of the Ricasoli family since1141.

On the grounds was a small chapel with a fascinating reference to horizontal stripes, and also the most beautiful compilation of patterns that I have ever seen. I am really looking forward to incorporating these special elements in my work and transforming a space with this powerful visual tool.

Above all unique and artistic floors and ceilings, and the imaginative and powerful use of stripes lies the most important, all encompassing detail, which is artisan work and history combined. Yes, a floor can be beautiful and appealing, but the story of it is what I find most special. An Italian floor in one’s home comes with a past and comes rich with history. It provides an opportunity to keep centuries of traditional artisan work alive and breathe new life into something that may otherwise have been forgotten. The thought of re-purposing something so special that was made with raw talent and craftsmanship is a truly special act.

Taking these strong elements into my world of design and applying them in clients’ homes is where the ultimate reward lies.

Savior Vivre…. this phrase can be loosely translated as the knowledge of life. The French word, savoir, means “know” and vivre means “life.”

While the definition of “savoir vivre” is rather simple, its meaning is much more romantic and thoughtful. It does not simply mean one knows how to live. Rather, it means one knows how to live well, get the most joy out of life, and live life to the fullest.

I love this theory so very much because it is something that has to be attained; it does not come without effort. I have grown to practice this joy of life through learning about myself and my environment, and I have found a place where I am comfortable and happy in who I am and what I create.

When I decided to embark on this blog journey, I felt that the most powerful place to begin would be where I come from and where I learned how to live life to the fullest and to find joy in the things that surrounded me. This place is Rio. Rio is embedded in my soul and shapes the visions I have on a daily basis. Without that foundation, I know that my aesthetic would be completely different.

Our living spaces affect us deeply-- the colors, shapes,textures,lighting, and materials reveal the sacred landscapes of our souls ... our truths! What I do, how I feel, what I see, and what I create comes from a place deep within that has been cultivated over time through my experiences.

From a birds eye view, my hometown is a series of patterns and shapes. Its individual pieces play off one another to become a whole entity, which is the pattern that for so long surrounded my life. The Burle Marx sidewalks along the beach in Rio are laid out in famous patterns that are etched in my mind.

The combination of gray, blue and white will always be inspiring to me. The juxtaposition of all of these elements has helped me understand balance and composition.

Rio, with its abundant natural beauty and implemented style has shaped who I am today and what I love to do most. Interior Design.