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When we got an invitation to Designer Block Milan, we knew none of us Fabulistas would be close enough to sample the design show's yummy Italian wares. So we tapped one of our lovely readers in Italy, Nathalie Boisard-Beudin , to pop over and get us the scoop. Here are some of the highlights.
DesignerBlock 2008 took place at the Argelati outdoor swimming pool, a cool venue if ever there is one - and suitable for an Off-Off design fair in the margins of Milano's Designer Week, even if the abundant rains on Friday did threaten to fill in the pool...
1. The Italian Alice Rosignoli was presenting lamps for tiny or much reduced interiors: When your home is too small to allow the use of a standing lamp, Alice has the solution. A cleverly designed vinyl sticker, a bulb and some fixings and there you go. More pictures (and other projects) on her site: www.alicerosignoli.it. The lamps are available for sale, directly from the site.
2. Polish designer Katarzyna Okinczyc brings new ideas into your home. I was particularly partial to the Bannerina line which aims at making use of discarded billboard pictures. I had assumed that these were made of paper but Katarzyna explained (with a few samples) that they are actually made of heavy duty supple perforated plastic sheets and therefore highly suitable for alternative uses. The studio made lamp shades from it, a perfect example of recycling. More projects on her site: www.okinczyc-design.com
3. I had to love the Milk gone Bad lamps from the Italian team of anAtomic Factory (the objects) in collaboration with Bombo (who provided the illustrations). Have a look at the individual items (also for sale) over at anAtomic Factory's site: www.anatomicfactory.com
4. However, as far as fun design is concerned, I think my favourite was that of Marcella Foschi for Private Circle. This clever girl designed lamp fixings to accomodate garments from sweaters to trousers to underwear and smaller items still: It was about time we found an artful use for those single socks or gloves that are plaguing our lives and drawers. Get your own key to luminous fashion statements from her site: www.privatecircle.it
The weather was glorious on Saturday but it had been raining copiously on Friday and the young designers much suffered from the cold and damp, in particular those who were camping on the swimming pool's grounds. The only ones who must have felt nice and toasty were the Scotts from ROAM, with their lovely cashmere knitted blankets. Not only were the samples ever so soft – I had difficulties keeping my hands still - but you can actually order your own design from their knitting machine. Time to get creative! Visit them (and shop) at: www.studioroam.co.uk
5. Matthias Froböse from Berlin has delightful porcelain cups and lamps but my favourite item was a slender wall vase. All the items are polished to a silky soft touch and glazed on the inside. This item and more (also to purchase) from Mathias's site: www.froboese.info
6. Lina Meier's latest creations are also in the area of improving our stressed life. She prepared easy to use design for our cupboards, from leasurely eating bowls – allowing you to enjoy a meal from the comfort of your couch – to clever and stylish picnic sets for this mind appeasing outdoor excursion. Visit her site www.lm-design.co.uk for more information.
Stay tuned this week for more from Designers Block!
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