Milan International Contemporary Furniture Fair 2011

BIG EXCITING NEWS…….

On April 5th my 3 designer friends and I will be on a whirlwind “leaning” tour of Italy during Italian Design Week! My number one mission for the trip… seeing the 50th Anniversary Milan International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ISaloni) and Euroluce to bring you coverage from a Canadian designers perspective on whats hot in Europe and what design trends/details/techniques etc. we can bring back to our slightly behind the design curve continent. For all the great suppliers who will be at the show: I will be there in full force with a press pass, photographer and a journal ready to fill with blog content so be sure to let me know about your product launches for the show.

It’s time to meet the Fantastic 4 (Italian Design Edition)

Courtney Barrett: Interior Designer at Wolski Design and NAIT grad Courtney Barrett is a ball of fun with a passion for the arts and Italian shoes.  She is the group member most likely to be photographed by The Sartorialist in Milan if the stars align. She is a small town girl with a big time heart and a passion for people and design- we click like sisters both being well balanced fun loving Libra’s. Courtney aspires to one day own the Achille Castiglioni Arco Floor Lamp. Her Playlist for the Italy trip will include “Walking on a Dream by Empire of the Sun” and “Sleephead by Passion Pit”. You will also be able to spot her sporting a pair of Annie hall inspired dress pants. Most excited for Biking through Tuscany and sipping Italian coffee in the mornings.

Celeste Thiesen: Interior Designer, Shaw Carpet Rep and NAIT teacher Celeste Thiesen’s hat trick of background is a powerful addition to our team Italia. This  woman has History or Art and Architecture running through her veins. She is an organizational queen and derby girl that can ring us all in to keep us all on track in our mission for design inspiration and exploration.

Simon Chu: Interior Designer at Kasian Simon Chu  a photographer wanna-be, big dreamer (mostly daydreaming) and conceptual designer. He enjoys poetry and long walks on the beach. His temporary alter-ego “ Alessandro” will be in full gear protecting team Italia one bad design at a time. He is also the one who will spot all the details, analyze the concepts and thumbs up the designs.

Laura Bielecki: And then there is me your around the clock interior designer at Kasian, blogger and design inspiration addict. I’m into shiny things and anything with a good texture or color palette. I want to be inspired, left in awe and overwhelmed. I am excited to take a look at a few design schools in Milano and Florence, hopefully meet a few of my design icons and celebrate the passionate culture of Italian furniture and lighting design. You will be sure to spot me in a few extreme boutique hotels, cycling the countryside in Tuscany and enjoying the culinary art of Italian pizza!

Some other Canadians I am aware of that are attending the show include:

• Vivid Lighting – Nick-Cole Fleshman and Beth Kennedy-Hodge
• Le Belle Arti – Orlando Milite
• Gaile Guevara Interior Design – Gaile Guevara

And for a little bit more information on the show via my go to Wikipedia:  ”The Salone Internazionale del Mobile is the International Furniture Fair of Milan and the largest decoration trade fair in the world. The annual show showcases the latest in furniture and design from international sources. It is considered by interior designers as a leading exposition for the display of new products by furniture manufacturers, designers, lighting concepts, and other design items. The show is commonly abbreviated as “Salone”, “Milano Salone”, and also “Milan Design Week”. It is held every year, usually in April, in the FieraMilano complex in the Milan metropolitan area town of Rho.”

Will you be attending the show this year? I’d love to hear from you.