Milan has an edge. Its relationship with design does not depend solely on the Salone del Mobile: it is woven into a network of galleries, manufacturers, architects, and collectors that is hard to replicate. The Quadrilatero della Moda may seem like fashion territory, but at 32 Via della Spiga lies Nilufar, the gallery founded by Nina Yashar, one of the figures who has best managed to erase the border between historic furniture and collectible design.
The second stop requires heading to 34 Viale Lancetti. Nilufar Depot occupies about 1,500 square meters of an old industrial building and operates as a museum that, conveniently, allows you to buy what is on display. Gio Ponti, Lina Bo Bardi, Italian pieces of the 20th century, and contemporary designers appear mixed together without too much reverence.
Another indispensable name is Rossana Orlandi, at Via Matteo Bandello, 14, housed in an old tie factory near Santa Maria delle Grazie. Orlandi turned the place into a succession of courtyards and rooms where you can find everything from emerging designers to experimental pieces and limited editions.
To complete the route it is worth moving around Brera, especially Via Solferino, Via Palermo, and the areas around Via San Marco. During Design Week everything explodes; the rest of the year, it’s better to shop.
