Milanese design week ignites: casa milana’s new rugs and a return to craft
Milan is ablaze with the energy of Design Week, and at the heart of it all is Casa Milana, a studio born from a New York transplant and fueled by a deep appreciation for artisanal craftsmanship.
A new york state of mind, italian roots
April’s warming sun and the promise of Salone del Mobile have transformed Brera into a vibrant hub, reminiscent of New York’s frenetic pace. “It’s the one time of year here that feels like New York,” jokes Gabriella Campagna, one half of the creative studio, Casa Milana, a native New Yorker and partner to designer Mario Milana. Their studio, nestled within a 1920s limestone building along Via Palermo, is now a focal point of the design scene.
The couple’s relocation from Brooklyn to Italy a few years ago marked a significant shift, trading the relentless energy of the city for the country’s more relaxed rhythm. This move provided access to the skilled artisans they collaborate with, a critical factor in their design process.
“To develop something, you have to have that in-person time,” explains Mario Milana. “It’s really about the connection with the artisan.”
Casa Milana’s debut collection at Salone del Mobile showcases a range of innovative pieces, including a capsule collection of rugs with Beni, featuring terrazzo designs inspired by their own apartment flooring, and sculptural drinking vessels with Laguna~B. The studio is also unveiling its first shelving system, Frequenza, designed for unparalleled flexibility – shelves that can be repositioned with ease, eschewing traditional nails and screws.
Highlights of the collection include:
- Unione Rug Collection (Beni collaboration)
- Laguna~B Glassware ( Madre de Agua collection)
- Velum Table (Oxidized Iron)
- Vertebra Chair (Dining Version)
- Frequenza Shelving System
Beyond the tangible products, Casa Milana’s ethos centers on conviviality and functionality. The Giro dining table, with its rotating discs, exemplifies this approach – a playful solution for everyday gatherings. The Vertebra chair, born from a childhood fascination with a snake’s vertebra, adapts to the user’s movements, offering a uniquely comfortable experience.
The collaboration with Beni is particularly noteworthy. Robert Wright, a co-founder of Beni, recalls a chance encounter at Casa Milana’s Design Week breakfast, amidst the usual Salone chaos. “Gabriella was pouring coffee, there were interesting people sitting around chatting, and it created this rare moment of pause,” Wright explains. The Unione rug collection, woven in Morocco, draws directly from the couple’s terrazzo floors, transforming a fixed architectural element into a dynamic textile.
Further solidifying their commitment to tactile experiences, Casa Milana has partnered with Beni on meditation mats, woven at an elevated pile height and designed to be stacked on custom wooden bases. These circular rugs, imbued with the couple’s daily rituals, represent a minimalist yet profoundly personal gesture. The collection also features intricately designed glassware, the Madre de Agua, featuring a nipple design to ensure a perfect fit with its wooden base.
Casa Milana’s approach to materials, particularly metal, is evident in the Velum table, whose oxidized finish mimics the appearance of wood. “It’s such a pure, beautiful material that gives you so many options in expressivity,” Milana asserts. With its focus on both form and function, Casa Milana is redefining design with a distinctly Italian sensibility.