Must-See Milan Destinations - Design Bureau

 

Milans Old Town

fferrone headshot PHOTO BY by Maia Harms

 

Leave a Reply

Must-See Milan Destinations

Friday, March 21st, 2014

Photo by Maia Harms

Visiting Milan for the Salone del Mobile (or just a personal vacation)? Be sure to hit these favorites of multidisciplinary designer Felicia Ferrone, who—before launching her international namesake label, Fferrone Design—began her career in Milan and lived in the city for six years, apprenticing with some of today’s most influential architects and designers. Ferrone’s licensed piece for Boffi was first shown at the Salone in 2012, but this year marks her 19th consecutive year in attendance—so listen up!

 EXPERIENCE

Castiglioni Museum (01)—Having always been a huge fan of industrial designer Achille Castiglioni, I had tears in my eyes minutes after a tour of his studio, lead by his wife, began. The studio is intact just as it was before he passed away—full of prototypes of his most important pieces, drawings, and his many collections of oddities and everyday objects from eyeglasses to bristle brushes, all providing clues into the master’s mind. Piazza Castello 27

Spazio Rossana Orlandi (02)—This is the premier gallery to visit during Salone to see the up-and-coming and established designers from around the world. Rossana Orlandi has introduced the world to such greats as Front Design, Maarten Baas, and Nacho Carbonell, and selected students of The School of the Art Institute of Chicago have been showing there as well since 2010. Via Matteo Bandello 14

Castello Sforzesco (03)—Truly hidden in plain site, the Rondanini Pietà, Michelangelo’s unfinished sculpture on which he was working just days before his death, is housed within the Museum of Ancient Art, which is found in the Sforza Castle. Also within the museum are frescoes by Leonardo da Vinci in the Sala delle Asse. Piazza Castello 

EAT/DRINK

Cova (04)—Founded in 1817, well before Italy became a nation-state, Cova is the place to get an espresso among the well-heeled Milanese and be a part of history. It’s the perfect break while shopping your way down Via Monte Napoleone, the most renowned luxury-label street in the world. Via Monte Napoleone 8

Pizzeria la Fabbrica (05)—You can’t go to Italy without having pizza, and this has been a local favorite for years, with good reason. There are several around the city, and all are rustic and simple loft-like spaces with endless pizza choices from the traditional to the more adventurous combinations. Alzaia Naviglio Grande 70

Peck (06)—A true temple to gourmet food since the early 1900s. Though there may be Dean & DeLuca and Eataly, Peck is the archetype. The meat, cheese, and prepared-food counters are more like jewelry cases at Cartier, filled with the most impressive selections you ever will find. Everything there is so impeccable that it is impossible to not want to ditch your hotel for an apartment with a kitchen at your disposal. Via Spadari 9

SHOP

10 Corso Como (07)—Curated by Carla Sozzani, former editor-in-chief of Vogue Italia, this is perhaps one of the most stimulating places on the planet. Be it the shoes, bags, clothing, perfumes, or accessories, each piece transmits the sense that it was painstakingly hand-selected to create something greater than the sum of its parts. Located above the showroom and café restaurant is the bookshop and music floor, with an adjacent art gallery of ever-inspiring shows. For the lucky few, there also is the possibility to stay in one of three hotel suites. Corso Como 10

Design Supermarket (08)—Located in the lower level of Italian department store La Rinascente, Design Supermarket contains the who’s-who of all things design, from small objects to books to stylish rubber rain shoes by Kartell. The top floor has an impressive selection of gourmet foods like truffled salt, incredible chocolates, and other delicacies while providing an upclose view of the Duomo di Milano’s ornate spires. Via Santa Radegonda 3

Tagged with: