Milan design week ignites brera: casa milana’s new rugs and a return to craft
Milan’s Brera district is pulsing with anticipation as Design Week approaches, transforming the city into a vibrant hub of creativity. But nestled within a beautifully crumbling 1920s limestone building, Casa Milana is offering a distinctly different perspective – a fusion of New York sensibilities and Italian craftsmanship.
A new york native’s italian dream
Co-founders Gabriella Campagna and Mario Milana, both transplants from New York, have built their studio on a foundation of contrasting aesthetics. Campagna, a former actor, brings a somatic grounding to the design process, while Milana, with a background in Brooklyn studio work, leans into technical precision. Their story began with a deliberate escape to Italy, seeking a slower pace and closer connection to artisans – a move that ultimately shaped the Casa Milana identity.
“It’s the one time of year here that feels like New York,” jokes Campagna, highlighting the energetic atmosphere that pervades the neighborhood during Design Week. Their latest collection, showcased during Salone del Mobile, includes a capsule of Beni rugs, Laguna~B drinking vessels, and innovative shelving systems – all reflecting a commitment to both functionality and a touch of playful eccentricity.
Craft and connection: the beni collaboration
The collaboration with Beni proved particularly fruitful. Robert Wright, a co-founder of Beni, recalls a chance encounter during a Casa Milana-hosted breakfast – a brief respite amidst the frenetic pace of the Salone. “Gabriella was pouring coffee, there were interesting people sitting around chatting, and it created this rare moment of pause,” he explains. This initial connection sparked a shared vision for the Unione rug collection, inspired by the terrazzo floors of their apartment and rooted in Moroccan weaving traditions.
“To develop something, you have to have that in-person time,” Milana emphasizes. “It’s really about the connection with the artisan.” The rugs, meticulously handwoven in Morocco, are a testament to this philosophy, showcasing a dedication to material and technique rarely seen in contemporary design. Tiberio Lobo Navia, another Beni co-founder, notes, “They brought us the challenge of taking something hard, fixed, and architectural and translating it into something soft, warm, and full of movement.”
Beyond the rugs, Casa Milana’s offerings extend to sculptural glass vessels – a collaboration with Venetian brand Laguna~B – and a new furniture line, including the oxidized iron Velum table and the Vertebra chair. The chair, originally inspired by a snake vertebra, exemplifies the studio’s focus on tactile experiences and adaptable design. “You look at the chair, and it looks like, I don’t know, a torture device,” Milana admits with a laugh, “but it’s actually very comfortable.”
Finally, the Frequenza shelving system, designed to mimic the flexible layouts of mid-century library systems, underscores Casa Milana’s commitment to presence and interaction. “The idea here is presence and interaction,” Milana explains, “This wave [shape] accommodates different shelves so that you can mix it up. No nails—you can just pick them out and move them, almost like a drawer.” With an eye toward understated luxury and a deep appreciation for traditional craftsmanship, Casa Milana is undeniably a force to watch.