Highlights from Milan & the Venice Biennale

Above, a visit by boat to the Fortuny fabric mill in Venice

Returning home from a recent trip to Italy, the Colorado mountains and meadows are lush with green, and we find ourselves similarly filled with fresh design inspiration.

We visit Milan regularly to immerse ourselves in the city's passion for furniture, fashion, architecture and interiors. The creative synergy among design disciplines is exhilarating, and always ahead of the curve.

On this trip, we also attended the opening of the Architecture Biennale in Venice. While there, we visited the home of AD 100 designer and architect, Vicenzo De Cotiis, a newly remodeled palazzo on the Grand Canal that merges past and future in an awe-inspiring way.

Scroll below for a few favorites from our trip. We hope you find this international mix of beauty and innovation as invigorating as we do!

Collectible Design at Nilufar Galleries

For us, no visit to Milan is without a visit to Nilufar, an impeccably curated gallery of collectible vintage and contemporary furnishings. The current show at the Via Della Spiga location features delicate organic chandeliers by Maximilian Marchesani. The larger Nilufar Depot gallery on the outskirts of town exhibits an array of etherial acrylic tables, gorgeous vintage lighting, a fabulous new elliptical sofa line.

Emerging Artists at Rossana Orlandi

Another gallery we enjoy visiting on the outskirts of Milan is that of design curator, Rossana Orlandi. We admire her focus on emerging designers and artists, with a particular emphasis on sustainability.

This time, we were enthralled by a lighted wood and resin cabinet by Manu Crotti that feels like a portal to wonderland. We also loved the elegant organic porcelain lights by Vezzini & Chen, and the colorful acrylic lights and tables by Draga & Aurel. Photos courtesy of Rossana Orlandi Gallery.

Palazzo Vicenzo De Cotiis

In Venice, we were delighted to attend an opening party at the personal residence of architect and furniture designer, Vicenzo De Cotiis, and his wife, Claudia. The couple's newly remodeled 15th century palazzo overlooking Venice's Grand Canal is a truly visionary work of art, masterfully infused with the ground breaking mix of materials that is his signature.

For a few years, we have swooned over the raw sculptural glamour and power of De Cotiis' furniture pieces, but immersing in the complete vision of his own private home, was an experience we will never forget. We highly recommend checking out this month's AD cover story, which features the couple's Venice residence.

Insights from the Venice Biennale

At the Venice Architecture Biennale, we were moved by exhibits from architects and designers from around the world addressing issues such as climate change, plastic pollution, homelessness and habitat loss.

We particularly enjoyed participating in a symposium on Trans-Species Design, which focused on designing structures not only for human wellbeing, but for the wellbeing of other species upon which we depend.

Our longtime local friend and colleague, Aspen architect, Sarah Broughton, spoke at the symposium. She and her husband, John Rowland, of Rowland + Broughton, also exhibited a spectacular new home they are working on at the base of Aspen mountain that makes major advances in sustainability.

What’s Up Next?

Back home in Colorado, we are busy working on projects in Aspen, Boulder and Palm Beach. Our Boulder office continues to grow, and our Aspen office on Main Street serves as an inspiring hub for our local team who will soon be installing waves of furniture in several newly remodeled homes.

Over the coming months we are excited to photograph a handful of completed Aspen projects. And soon, we will be sharing the photos of our project on Lake Shore Drive in Chicago, a spacious residence with wraparound views, imbued with a serene and playful spirit. Stay tuned!

Wishing you a happy start to summer,
Joe & Matthew