Milan, 2010: Day One

After a rousing breakfast consisting largely of assorted meats and thick, black coffee, we decided to kick off our Milanese adventure by visiting some of the showrooms on Via Durini. Here, Jordan and Sam test out Naoto Fukasawa's new Titikaka bench, just outside of B&B Italia.

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Naoto Fukasawa takes his turn posing on his Titikaka bench, which features undulating teak slats and an aluminum frame. In conversation with Sam Grawe, the designer said the sinuous form, as well as the name, was inspired by the traditional straw boats of Peru and Bolivia.

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Just down the way from B&B Italia is Porro, where designer Piero Lissoni created an installation entitled Still Life, Moving Life. There are several room vignettes, each setting swathed in a different vibrant hue.

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Here, Lissoni's new Neve chair is shown inside a pink bedroom configuration.

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Lissoni's blue room, installed at Porro on Via Durini, seemed appropriately melancholy.

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After visiting a few more destinations on Via Durini, we took the Metro to the Zona Tortona design district. We just happened to glimpse this huge watering can sculpture, just visible from the street through a narrow aperture between two massive doors, on Via Savona.

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We visited Dutch architect and designer Piet Boon, who traveled from Amsterdam to set up temporary shop on Via Savona. After sitting down with Sam, he gave us a tour of both new pieces and old favorites from his earlier collections.

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Inside the dining area, Piet Boon's tufted leather Kekke chairs surround a highly polished stone table. His Hot Kroon chandelier, which is dipped in half-melted plastic, hangs above.

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Next we ducked into Local, a design collective that carries works created and manufactured in the United Arab Emirates. One piece that caught our eye was the Mow Chair by Lebanese architect and designer Fadi Sarieddine. Produced in Dubai, it's available in configurations of one to three seats.

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Just outside the entrance to Local, another piece by Sarieddine, the concrete-and-metal Dubai Syndrome chair, is displayed next to the Cheap & Best lamp by Dubai-based designer Rami Farook.

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Next stop was Superstudio Piu, where Tom Dixon set up shop to showcase his new collection, Industry.

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Inside Tom Dixon's booth, a group of Flash Factory workers assemble the perforated-brass Etch lamp in real time; the pieces are available for purchase on-site.

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A collection of silver, brass, and copper Void Lamps by Tom Dixon.

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Also at Superstudio Piu was Soft Architecture, a lighting installation by Flos. Here, a phalanx of Wall Piercing fixtures by Ron Gilad glow royal blue.

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Diesel's installation of home products, Dreamscape, was also on display at Superstudio Piu.

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One of the last stops of the day was Dedon, where Sam sat down to interview designer Philippe Starck about his new outdoor collection for the company.

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A pair of Bishop Chairs, designed by Philippe Starck for Dedon.

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Starck demonstrates the lightweight heft of his new outdoor chairs for Dedon. Look for Sam's interview with him soon.

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Assistant Editor Jordan Kushins, laden with a day's worth of press kits, waits patiently to cross the street. Stay tuned for Day Two!

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