By Rosa Bertoli
last updated

Thousands of design disciples from across the globe made their annual pilgrimage to Milan for the 51st edition of the Salone del Mobile in April
(17th – 22nd). The fairground gates swung open and galleries, museums, stores and villas across town opened their doors for a week of design exhibitions and parties. Highlights included Tom Dixon’s design fun fair at the Museum of Science and Technology, Fabrica’s show at the historic Villa Necchi, and – of course – our own blockbusting Wallpaper* Handmade exhibition at Brioni HQ. Didn’t make it to all the events? Don’t fret. We lapped the city to bring you all the wonders the design world has to offer for 2012…

Chair attached to a box

(Image credit: TBC)

'R18 Ultra chair' by Clemens Weisshaar and Reed Kram for Audi. The chair incorporates crowd sourced data acquired through thousands of testing sessions using advanced industrial sensors

Chameleon sculpture

(Image credit: TBC)

The Louis Vuitton store on via Montenapoleone has been invaded by a swarm of imaginary creatures, conceived by British artist Billie Achilleos, using Louis Vuitton small leather accessories

Silver motorhood

(Image credit: TBC)

Motorhood from 'Colour One' for MINI by Scholten & Baijings

Interior of pub

(Image credit: TBC)

Designer Lee Broom brings the good old British pub to Milan - Ventura Lambrate to be precise

Red cube robot

(Image credit: TBC)

'Cubebot' Sculpture by David Weeks Studio, on show at MOST

Patterned panel

(Image credit: TBC)

Acoustic panel by Anita Johannssen

Oval mirror with trunk base

(Image credit: TBC)

'Iconic Mirror' by Dan Yeffet and Lucie Koldova, as part of the La Chance exhibition at MOST

Yellow painted music box

(Image credit: TBC)

Musikbox by Werner Aisslinger

Yellow and green bubble chair

(Image credit: TBC)

Chairs from the Mutation Series, by Maarten De Ceulaer

Different sized bubble light fittings

(Image credit: TBC)

Lights by Nika Zupanc

Brown ornaments

(Image credit: TBC)

Ombre Collezione by Mario Ferrarini for Bitossi

Crystal glass set

(Image credit: TBC)

Still life glass by Tadeáš Podracký

Shelving unit and light fitting

(Image credit: TBC)

Pieces from th 'Necessity of Other' collection by Hanna Krüger and Jakob Gebert

Woven circular objects

(Image credit: TBC)

'Dala' outdoor collection by Stephen Burks for Dedon, woven by artisans in the Philippines, using a fibre created from recycled packaging

Large white arrow like sculpture

(Image credit: TBC)

The Molteni & C stand, featuring a giant interpretation of Ron Gilad's Grado collection

Multiple wooden floating shelves

(Image credit: TBC)

Shelves by Ron Gilad for Molteni & C

Small tables at different heights

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Small table by Ron Gilad for Molteni & C

Two arm chairs

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'Sol' by Constance Guisset for Molteni & C

Modern style green and blue day beds

(Image credit: TBC)

'O/K' day bed by Rodolfo Dordoni for Kartell

Wooden chairs with curved seat

(Image credit: TBC)

'Zartan' by Philippe Starck for Magis

Grey light fittings

(Image credit: TBC)

New collection by Normann Copenhagen

Bold painted small tables

(Image credit: TBC)

'Candy Table' collection by Sylvain Willenz for Cappellini

Dark sofa

(Image credit: TBC)

'La Mise' sofa by Luca Nichetto for Cassina

Wooden desk and chair

(Image credit: TBC)

...and desk

Thick padded white chair with black frame

(Image credit: TBC)

New pieces from the Prouvé Raw collection have been put into production by Vitra, including this chair...

Thick wooden floating shelves

(Image credit: TBC)

'Corniches' by the Bouroullec brothers for Vitra

Comfy turning arm chair and pouf

(Image credit: TBC)

'Grand Repos' chair and ottoman by Antonio Citterio

Wooden chairs in different shades

(Image credit: TBC)

'Medici' chairs by Konstantin Grcic for Mattiazzi

White mesh sun lounger

(Image credit: TBC)

Lounger by Jasper Morrison for Kettal

High back arm chair

(Image credit: TBC)

'Take a soft line for a walk' chair, with detachable cover by Alfredo Häberli for Moroso

Low rise tables

(Image credit: TBC)

'Chandigarh' tables by Doshi Levien for Moroso

Light padded chair with metal frame

(Image credit: TBC)

'Zabuton' chair by Nendo for Moroso

Set of bowls

(Image credit: TBC)

Bowls by Milia Seyppel studio at the 'Some German Designers' stand, SaloneSatellite

Set of stacked boxes

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Boxes by Sarah Böttger at the Fresh from the Mint stand, SaloneSatellite 

Set of tables

(Image credit: TBC)

'Skale' by Sarah Böttger at SaloneSatellite

Lamps with large shades

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'Parasol' table lamps by Jonas Forsman, at SaloneSatellite

Colourful memory sticks

(Image credit: TBC)

Memory sticks by Big-Game at SaloneSatellite

Thin steel ornaments

(Image credit: TBC)

'Three Thin Lines' in spring steel by Ron Gilad for Dilmos

Sequence of chair frames decreasing in size

(Image credit: TBC)

'The Square Birth of a Chair' (detail) in enameled sterling silver by Ron Gilad for Dilmos

Vanity set

(Image credit: TBC)

Vanity Set designed by Fabrica and produced in collaboration with Agape for an installation in Villa Necchi, built in the 1930s

Stack of books

(Image credit: TBC)

Colour - Based On Nature wallpaper and book by Irma Boom for T.E., at Rossana Orlandi

Blue shiny table light

(Image credit: TBC)

'Vader' table light by Luca Nichetto, made from ceramic cushions for David Design at Rossana Orlandi

Cape lamp shades

(Image credit: TBC)

'Cape' lamp by Constance Guisset at Rosanna Orlandi

Table lamp with pencil holder

(Image credit: TBC)

'Const' lamp by Ploypan Theerachai of Thinkk Studio at Rossana Orlandi

Different light fittings

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Collection by Daniel Rybakken at Rossana Orlandi

Abstract chandeliers

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'38 series' of chandeliers by Omer Arbel for Bocci at Rossana Orlandi

White modern lamp design

(Image credit: TBC)

'Angelina' lamp by Constance Guisset at Rossana Orlandi

Isometric circular mirrors

(Image credit: Lisa Klappe)

'Isometric' mirrors by Design Academy Eindhoven graduate Germans Ermis. Photography: Lisa Klappe

Abstract shaped metal light fitting

(Image credit: TBC)

'CMYK Corner' by Design Academy Eindhoven graduate Dennis Parren

Yellow balance lamp

(Image credit: TBC)

'Balance' lamp by Nathalie Dewez

Wooden triangular stools

(Image credit: TBC)

'Diaphragm' stools by Michael Bihain, part of the Belgium is Design exhibition at the Triennale

Two vases

(Image credit: TBC)

'Merging top' vases by Thinkk Studio

Containers and vases

(Image credit: TBC)

'Out', a collection of containers-cum-vases by Pedrita, with Nico Toniolo and Sartori Marmi

Cupboard unit

(Image credit: TBC)

'Sept apartments' by Fabrica for the Objet Préféré project, in association with Grand Hornu, at the Triennale

Pavilion with curved glass

(Image credit: TBC)

Inspired by 'nature's fluidity', the pavilion comprises 24 self-standing crystal panels

Pavilion with water running down glass

(Image credit: TBC)

Liquidkristal pavilion by Ross Lovegrove for Lasvit

Thick wooden table and stools

(Image credit: TBC)

A collection by Fred&Juul

Modern small round tables

(Image credit: TBC)

Tables at Classicon

Set of glass vases

(Image credit: TBC)

Brazilian architect Guto Requena shows a new set of vases at the Brazil S/A exhibition at Piazza Mercanti

Bold design on rug

(Image credit: TBC)

Graphic illustrating the new rug collection by Vincent Darré at Palazzo Durini