Unexpected Welcome was precisely as the name suggests. A world unto itself dreamed up by Moooi and their long term collaborator Erwin Olaf. A series of hyper-real dramatically lit sets were accompanied by super-sized backdrops of stunning images by the master Dutch photographer. Each setting provided an escape and told it’s own story. There was a beautiful tension created by the irreverent, sometimes flirtatious styling of the furniture, props and lighting, while the haunting and enigmatic backdrops provided a real sense of grandeur and drama…

I wanted to let you know about a super exciting collaboration between Yellowtrace and Yatzer! Costas Voyatzis and I teamed up to bring you our hand-picked selection of the best installations and projects from the recent Milan Design Week 2013…

Ciao ragazzi! Guess where I am right now, like RIGHT now? High up in the sky headed towards Salone del Mobile in Milan. Woohoo! There will be so much to see. Big brands putting their best foot forward in gorgeous locations, everyone who’s anyone in the world of design together in one city, emerging talent and best design schools visiting from all over the world… The electric atmosphere in the whole entire city. Achy feet, late nights, sore head from too much prosecco… Espresso, gelato, mozzarella di bufala, cotoletta alla milanese… Waaah!

It’s no secret that, due to shit planning on Husband’s and my own behalf, instead of rubbing shoulders with the design elite and attending awesome parties at Salone del Mobile in Milan this year, I spent that same week at a maternity ward having given birth to our baby boy. In my true tragic design nerd form, I attempted to follow Milan developments from my hospital bed via various online channels (I am so sad, I know). One of the installation I bookmarked was ‘The Looking Glass House’ by Christopher Jenner – South African-born, London based furniture designer. Wowee – talk about pure visual ecstasy…

01 | Zona Tortona – Moroso, Neoreal Wonder, Foscarini, E15, Dedon, Design Junction, Moooi, Tom Dixon | MILAN 2011. 02 | Salone del Mobile | MILAN 2011. 03 | Baccarat Highlights | MILAN 2011. 04 | Bisazza, InterfaceFLOR, Established & Sons, Cassina, Cappellini, Poltrona Frau | MILAN 2011. 05 | Talking Textiles: An Initiative Curated by Lidewij Edelkoort | MILAN 2011. 06 | ‘This Way’ by Design Academy Eindhoven | MILAN 2011. 07 | Brera Highlights – Moroso, Missoni, Boffi, Nodus, Hermès, Fritz Hansen, Paola Lenti, Agape, Seletti | MILAN 2011. 08 | Spazio Rossana Orlandi | MILAN 2011. 09 | Rotor: Ex Limbo Installation at Fondazione Prada | MILAN 2011…