The Manzoni — Milan, Italy

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View of the interior of the restaurant with huge green plants, black shelves on the concrete walls, and large golden chandeliers.
(Image credit: TBC)

Tom Dixon is making it official with Milan. After skipping 2018’s Salone del Mobile, the British designer is doubling down on his presence in the city with a permanent location in the form of restaurant and showroom concept The Manzoni, opening in May after its Design Week preview.

Following a similar format to Dixon’s recently opened Coal Office flagship in London, The Manzoni first and foremost acts as a platform for the studio’s designs. ‘We need a place where people slow down and experience our products in a live setting,’ Dixon explains of the project. ‘There is nothing dustier than a conventional furniture and lighting showroom.’

Conventional, it certainly is not. Upon entering the space, a roughly cut granite bar sets the tone for a typically Dixon experience. Moving inwards, a procession of moulded foam and black lacquer FAT chairs, cork dining tables and lave stone tiles define the pale grey room, which is lit overhead by OPAL, a glowworm-like string of translucent globes. The narrow dining hall then empties out into the plant-filled Jungle room and small private courtyard, scattered with green marble Primavera tables and all-new SPRING lamps, made of twisted strips of reflective brass.

Though the project’s focus leans more heavily on design, food is in no way an afterthought. Modena-based chef Marta Pulini has devised a menu of creative takes on classic Southern Italian dishes featuring seasonal and locally sourced ingredients.

View of the interior of the restaurant with dark brown tables, black chairs, concrete floors and walls that are covered with black art.

(Image credit: TBC)

View of the interior of the restaurant with gray cabinets on the walls and white tile flooring.

(Image credit: TBC)

View of the interior of the restaurant with dark brown tables, black chairs, concrete floors, and long light gray curtains.

(Image credit: TBC)

ADDRESS

Via Alessandro Manzoni 5
520121 Milano

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Laura May Todd

Laura May Todd, Wallpaper's Milan Editor, based in the city, is a Canadian-born journalist covering design, architecture and style. She regularly contributes to a range of international publications, including T: The New York Times Style Magazine, Architectural Digest, Elle Decor, Azure and Sight Unseen, and is about to publish a book on Italian interiors.