Milan Design Week 2019

An annual event we always get excited about, the 58th edition of Salone del Mobile was no exception. The world’s biggest international design fair, Milan Design Week showcases the very best highlights from across the design world. Over three days the Nest team joined the creative crowds to explore new releases from our favourite brands, discover the best collaborations and absorb the creativity at the heart of Milan.

Take a read below for our top picks from Salone del Mobile 2019 and the surrounding design events.

A spectacle of light

With 2019 being a Euroluce year – the international lighting exhibition which only runs every other year – the lighting brands really stepped up their game at Milan in 2019. One of the stand-out parts of Salone del Mobile was the interactive tunnel leading to Flos and Louis Poulsen, which graphically represented the history of the companies through some of their most iconic designs.

One of our stand out lighting finds… we loved the Dipping light pendants by Marset. Designed by Jordi Canudas, these pendants are an evolution of the Dipping Light series which was previously only available in two sizes of table lamp.

Perfect darkness

At the heart of the Brera Design District in Milan, ‘Perfect Darkness’ was an apartment installation bringing Italian and Danish designers together to showcase a new concept for the home. A collaboration between H+O, the House of Finn Juhl, Frama, Menu and Kinfolk just to name a few, the team fell in love with the rich colours and bold architectural features within the apartment. It was fascinating to see mid-century style furniture such as that from the House of Finn Juhl being used in such a contemporary setting.

Homes for wellbeing

Muuto Linear Oak

One of the most talked about Milan offerings was Muuto’s collaboration with Google Design Studio, 'A Space For Being'. Wearing wristbands to monitor their subconscious reaction to different spaces, participants were invited to spend time exploring a number of spaces curated by Muuto. The exhibition hoped to identify how different kinds of space affect our wellbeing in different ways.

Featured in one of the spaces, the new Linear Oak dining table caught our eye. Following on from the success of their outdoor series of Linear designs, released in January, the Danish brand have expanded the collection for indoors with a wooden finish. Designed by Thomas Bentzen, the clean, simple lines of this design are definitely one to watch.

Our favourite new finds

The freshest new releases … now ready to shop.

Balancing the past and the future

JH97 Lounge Chair, Fritz Hansen x Jaime Hayon

Unveiling a new brand identity at Milan, Fritz Hansen have been embracing colour within their styling to create a more contemporary feel to the brand, something very evident at Milan.

The latest collaboration with Spanish furniture designer Jaime Hayon, the JH97 is a modern design that gives a nod to the mid-century Scandinavian design Fritz Hansen are known for. With its decorative, rounded joints, this lounge chair exudes elegance from every angle and the exaggerated armrests and generous cushions make it exceptionally comfortable. We think this one is a future classic in the making.

A Nest x Vitra exclusive

Vitra Organic Chair in Sheepskin

Originally designed by Eero Saarinen and Charles Eames in 1940, Vitra have created a limited-edition sheepskin version of the iconic Organic Chair. First developed as a compact reading chair, we think it is pretty much perfect for a bedroom or hallway too. An irresistible, welcoming resting place - this limited-edition finish is exclusively available at Nest. Go on, embrace cosy.

Watercolour designs

Francis Mirror Table, Petite Friture

Designed by Constance Guisset for Petite Friture – the iconic Francis Mirror is now available in a series of tables. Each unique watercolour finish is hand-painted by the designer before being altered digitally and printed onto the base of the mirrors. A distinctive design that oozes poetic flair – this is a coffee table sure to spark a conversation.

Inspired by these designs? Shop all of our new arrivals here. Did you have a favourite moment from Milan Design Week 2019? Share your highlights with us on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter.