Highlights from the Heart of Italian Design
By Luisa Manfredini
Each April, the world’s design community converges on Milan for Salone del Mobile — the largest furniture and design fair of its kind. This year, M+M Architects had the opportunity to attend, explore, and connect with suppliers, creatives, and fellow architects across a full week of exhibitions, showroom visits, and industry gatherings.
From the official fair at La Fiera — a vast exhibition complex 30 minutes outside the city — to the countless satellite events and installations across Milan known as Fuori Fiera, the city itself became a stage for design innovation.
We kicked off the week with a warm and welcoming evening hosted by Fanuli Furniture at El Porteño Gourmet restaurant. This event brought together members of the Australian design community with Fanuli’s key suppliers, including Flexform and Crystalia. It was a great way to begin the week, reconnect with familiar faces, and preview what was to come.
Hosted by Winnings Australia, we toured the Fantini showroom in Milan before travelling to their headquarters on the edge of Lake Orta. There, we met Daniela Fantini, current director and granddaughter of the company’s founder. Her passion for ethical manufacturing and water safety stood out — particularly Fantini’s pioneering work in lead-free tapware, well ahead of European regulations.
We explored the factory, heard the company’s history, and shared lunch overlooking the lake. A boat tour of Lake Orta capped off the day — a rare blend of design, heritage, and hospitality.
Fantini’s stainless steel and ultra-low lead taps reflect a long-term commitment to health, sustainability, and product longevity. More on Fantini’s quality standards here
Back in Milan, we explored the Fuori Salone exhibitions, starting with the Rossana Orlandi Gallery, always a standout for lighting and experimental design. Later that evening, we joined Winnings again at Amura Furniture, where we heard from the director about their process — rooted in their hometown of Puglia and inspired by natural forms like stone and rock.
We began the day with a breakfast and talk hosted by Euroluce Gio Atelier. Speakers included Genevieve Wild, a Sydney-based lighting designer we often collaborate with, and a Venetian architect who shared a remarkable story of restoring one of Venice’s oldest buildings into a hotel — a meticulous project that took years.
Later, we visited several stand-out showrooms:
De Marchi Verona – for refined Italian tile collections
Ross Gardam – Melbourne-based lighting design, beautifully executed
Dornbracht – known for their precision-crafted German bathroom and kitchen fixtures
We ended the day with drinks at La Scala’s foyer, hosted by Gineico Lighting, showcasing Buzzi & Buzzi lighting in a dramatic setting.
Thanks to Franco Umberti Marble (FUM), we travelled 30 minutes South to Carrara to see where some of the world’s finest marble is extracted. Our visit included the excavation sites, factory, and showroom — a powerful reminder of the craft and scale behind these timeless materials. More on FUM here
We closed the week at Salone Milano, the main event at La Fiera. Lighting design was a particular highlight this year, with new forms and materials pushing boundaries across every hall.
Our final day included a visit to the remarkable Villa Necchi Campiglio, designed in the 1930s by Milanese Rationalist architect Piero Portaluppi. A serene escape in the heart of the city, the house is surrounded by gardens and features Milan’s first private residential swimming pool — groundbreaking for its time. The architecture itself is restrained compared to the decorative styles of the period, showcasing Portaluppi’s progressive design philosophy. We were particularly struck by the triple-track window system — internal, external and shutter glazing — that slides into cavities, combining elegance with innovation.
This trip has deepened our appreciation for the makers, thinkers, and materials behind so many of the products we specify. From innovative sustainability at Fantini to artisanal craftsmanship in Carrara, every moment reminded us why design matters — not just in form, but in purpose.
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