Travel through Salone del Mobile

A touching journey where creativity meets identity and roots become stories to share with the world.

Milan — For the second year in a row, I had the pleasure of attending Salone del Mobile as a contributor to Italia Living. And once again, I felt like I had entered a world of creativity, beauty, and innovation.

Founded in 1961, Salone has become the world’s most important design fair, welcoming more than 300,000 visitors from more than 160 countries. From furniture to lighting, kitchens and outdoor living, it’s a true celebration of the way we design and live in our spaces.

Walking through the fairgrounds feels like traveling through different cultures. So many languages, so many ideas, all connected by a shared love of beauty and design. Yes. That’s a lot of walking… But every step reveals something new, something inspiring.

This year felt even more personal as I started visiting Gruaro’s Oikos stand, established just a few minutes away from where I was born. I was excited to visit them just a few weeks ago when they opened their new showroom, Made in Italy Arsenale.

Sitting down again with Mario Biancolin, one of the founders, I felt like I was reconnecting with a story that was deeply local and beautiful, global. It’s always inspiring to exchange ideas with someone with real vision.

For the second year in a row, Oikos returned to Salone as a doors-only company. This is a strong confirmation of the vision that began several years ago when Mario and his partners set out to create something different.

Oikos transformed the concept of doors into so-called “entrance architecture”. It’s not just a functional element, it’s a statement that tells you who you are before you even step inside.

In a world where many people are adapting, they decided to create something completely new that turns doors into experiences. Be fearless and unique. Even if it’s not the easiest path, it’s something that stands out. Because daring to create something that doesn’t exist yet or seeing things in a way that others don’t – that’s where the most beautiful things are born.

That vision still lives on today. You can see this not only in their creations, where design, beauty, durability and identity come together, but you can also see it in the people behind them who have the energy and pride to make you understand that the company is more than just a company. It is a shared belief.

Their deep connection to the Venetians and their land can be felt in every detail. Inspired by beauty, craftsmanship, resilience and even the heritage of the Arsenale di Venezia, their pieces reflect the perfect balance between elegance and strength.

And of course, we couldn’t help but capture that moment before moving on to the next step. It was a bit of a re-enactment of Roman Holiday with the Vespas on display at the booth. Some moments simply deserve to be memories.

After this inspiring journey, I continued to explore the fair, a never-ending journey through creativity and discovery.

As I walked through the Salone, I realized how many places I came from in life within this global arena. It is deeply moving to see your roots reflected in an event of this scale. I feel like Made in Italy is close to my heart, but even more so when a global brand is located just a few kilometers away from where I was born.

Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia are one of Italy’s most important design and manufacturing regions, world-famous for their kitchens, furniture and especially chairs. But more than the product, what truly defines it is its craftsmanship, passion and identity.

I was particularly fascinated by the sheer number of brands from our region. I really enjoyed the collaboration between Veneta Cucine and Electrolux Group at EuroCucina, where the kitchen becomes a flexible and connected space. Designed for well-being as well as functionality, with soft, natural tones and a deeply human approach to design.

There were many familiar names near my birthplace, such as Calligaris, founded in 1923 in Manzano’s Friuli Venezia Giulia (the world-famous chair district). The company has grown from a single chair to a global brand while staying true to its roots.

We also stopped by Pedrali, famous for its stylish, modern furniture that beautifully combines design and functionality.

And Midj is another brand that brings our local excellence to homes around the world. What’s especially meaningful to me is that we’re based in Córdovado, where I was born and just minutes from where I got married.

Like Veneta Cucine, I also visited Berloni, originally from Pesaro and now based in the Treviso region. It’s a reminder that Italian design continues to evolve, travel and reinvent itself.

And then something unexpected happened.

I discovered Fógher. The name felt instantly familiar. In my dialect toothpaste Hearth – means a place of warmth and connection. To JJ it sounded almost Nordic, but to me it felt unmistakably Venetian.

We were curious so we asked. Yes, they were from Belluno in the Veneto mountains.

When speaking with Fabio Raveane, you could immediately feel the passion behind the brand. He shared how it all started. Although he and his sister faced challenges at a very young age, they were guided by a clear vision of changing the way people experience outdoor cooking and creating something truly unique.

Today, this is the standard for outdoor kitchens. Although they have adjusted the accent of their name to sound more international, their collection is deeply connected to their land. They are often named after local trees, a beautiful tribute to their roots.

Moments like these remind us how powerful curiosity can be. Every story and every encounter enriches your life.

The weather was absolutely perfect. It was one of those brilliant spring days that make everything lighter, brighter and more alive. We set the tone for an experience that unfolds seamlessly between indoors and outdoors. Inside the pavilion, you will be immersed in extraordinary furniture and design objects that are true expressions of originality and innovation. Then, as you move from one pavilion to the other, the outdoor atmosphere continues with cafés, restaurants, gelato and coffee shops, as well as elegant displays from event sponsor Maserati. You can pause in the sunlight and take it all in, or go inside for quieter, more intimate moments. Everything flows naturally and becomes part of one beautiful experience.

After hours of walking and discovering, one thought remained. I thought it was worth the three hour drive.

Because Salone del Mobile is not just an event, it is an event that shares creativity, identity and the beauty of design with the world. And perhaps most of all, it reminds us to be proud of our roots. I know.

And today, more than ever, I felt how meaningful it is to be together where I was born and wherever I go.