Milano. Beyond the Duomo and Da Vinci’s Last Supper it offers many off-path venues for the design hunters. You only have an afternoon and a night free to immerse? Here we go.

All about design – reception at Nhow Milano Hotel

If you think there is no place on earth where one can be in past, present and future at the same time, then just listen. Set at the edge of Parco Sempione, design museum La Triennale di Milano (Viale Alemagna 6.) is definitely like that. Displaying works of contemporary and modern artists, the diverse forms of art, dreamlike music, and aromas in the air made me forget about the hustle and bustle of life for a good two and a half hours. Richness and poverty, flashes of past, moments of present and future vision. All are demonstrated by the current exhibition the museum is housing right now.

The past is revived by the stunning works of Piero Fornasetti, an artist blessed with diverse skills. Fornasetti created art on any material and objects possible. Lithography on umbrella stands and doors, self-portraits, redesigned furniture, paintings of body parts and many more are on show to amaze. Anything inspired him, an apple he ate or his dreams. Provokingly beautiful artworks, ‘100 years practical madness’.

Colorful umbrella stands by Piero Fornasetti

Metal tray by Piero Fornasetti

Italian opera singer – Lina Cavalieri – whose face was featured on more than 11 000 objects by Fornasetti

Piero Fornasetti’s creative self-portrait

Going up on the first floor the secrets of another world uncovers in front of our eyes. Poster size photos, videos on flat screen, all taken in the Mathare slum of Nairobi, giving a reality slap on our face. This one of a kind exhibition – Made in slums – curated by Fulvio Irace demonstrates present, the world we live in and we know so little about. With highly touching series of photography Francesco Giusti and Filippo Romano introduce you to the kids on the road, street traders in over worn clothes, and rappers as role models. Toys, tools and everyday objects are designed by the residents themselves and made of waste the tide brings along every now and then. The jaw-dropping end products are also showcased at the exhibition.

Below poverty line – Mathare slum in Nairobi

Selling whatever they can – street trader in the Mathare slum in Nairobi

A fast switch from poverty to wealth, from present to rather future. Syndrome of Influence is revealed in a high-tech area where designers demonstrate their interpretation of the world-famous Italian brands and design. Products of Alessi, B&B Italia and Kartell as well as post-war Italian designers are featured.

Model train transports the perfectly designed products of Alessi  – Alessandro Mendini

Universal thinking at Danese Milano by Matali Crasset 

If you don’t want to leave your passion for design behind for the night, there is a place where it accompanies you even past your bedtime. Nhow Hotel in Milano is where design and fashion meet business during the week, but hipsters’ and trendy young folks’ paradise at weekends. Colorful and playful Italian design in the lobby, high-tech gym and a Turkish-bath, and 246 eclectic guest rooms, all exclusively designed. Set in a more silent part of town but just a stone’s throw away from nightlife hub, Navigli district the top-notch hotel is a place to fall in love with immediately. If budget allows take one of their 19 junior suites, equipped with room-size bathrooms. The experience worth it all. Don’t even want to get out of the room? Truly understandable. Order room service, pop into the bathtub with a glass of wine and just muse about the dynamic vibe of the most fashionable city in the world.

Colofrul designer chairs at Nhow Milano

When modern design meets comfort – Nhow Hotel Milano

Never enough of Italy?

• Check out Northern Italy off the beaten track
• Discover the hidden treasures then wine & dine in Vicenza
• Dream organic in Bio Hotel Hermitage
• Avoid mass tourism in Toscana
• Conquer winds and waves at Lake Garda