With so many products jostling for space to be seen at the annual design festival in Milan, the little things can often get lost amongst the larger furniture launches. This is why we’re dedicating this edit to tabletop pieces, ornaments and textiles – what we like to call the small but mighty.
‘Oba’ soap and dish, Matias Moellenbach
When Deoron, the young design platform that showcased this soap bar in Milan, posted an image of the sugary accessory on its Instagram page, it sent the internet into a frenzy and with good reason. Sitting just on the right side of kitsch and gimmicky, the spherical soap rests on a resin base. Both come in delectable hues that can be mixed and matched. £36, matiasmoellenbach.com
Matias Moellenbach
‘Modernism Net’ coaster set, Frette
London-based interior designer Tara Bernerd drew on Frette’s longstanding history of decorating dining rooms and intimate family tables with linens for decades for this joyful range. Her iconic motifs are translated as intricate borders on placemats, napkins and these coasters – the perfect complement to alfresco lunches this coming summer. Approx £148, frette.com
Courtesy Frette
Blanket, Laila Gohar for Arket
Heading abroad this summer? Planning a picnic in the park? Or simply in the market for a new throw for your boudoir? Laila Gohar has got you. Part of her popular first collection for Arket (which also includes clothing), this multipurpose throw has a simple nautical stripe on a cream background and is elevated with Gohar’s bright red initials. £55, arket.com
Arket
Candleholder, CompletedWorks
On show at Convey, an immersive exhibition featuring a wide range of designers in the centre of Milan, this candleholder was one of several delicate glass vessels the London-based studio has added to its ever-growing homeware offering. Its translucent aqueous tone gives the candles the appearance of being suspended. £215, completedworks.com
Completedworks
‘Metalia’ tableware, Natalia Criado and Laboratorio Paravicini
Marrying the Italian brand’s savoir-faire with ceramics and the designer’s signature silver-plated tableware, this collection of objects is a celebration of geometry, material contrast and the ritual of the table. From approx £43 for a plate, paravicini.it
Laboratorio Paravicini
‘The Stem Vase’, Gast Studio
Design’s recent fascination with the erotic (first came chainmail pieces, then came latex) expands into punky spikes, as evidenced by Gast Studio’s gothic vase. Available in either chrome or black resin, it makes for a rather striking centrepiece. Approx £203, gast.studio
Gast Studio
‘Oiva/Kukasta kukkaan’ espresso cup and saucer, Marimekko
Floral patterns were everywhere at cult Finnish design house Marimekko’s ‘Osteria Fiori’, its pop-up aperitivo bar. While stopping by for spritzes, visitors could peruse cups and plates enlivened with artist Erja Hirvi’s new ‘Kukasta kukkaan’ prints. £41, marimekko.com
Courtesy of Marimekko
