Nina Yashar is without question Milan's top design dealer and her Nilufar Gallery in Via della Spiga has pulsed as the epicentre of achingly expensive mid-century gems and the hottest contemporary designs for the last 15 years.
But what goes on behind the elegant windows in the small, well-curated rooms of her famous gallery is only a tiny sliver of Yashar's full design stash. The real booty has been stockpiled over the last 30 years in a 1,500 sq m warehouse north of the Garibaldi train station. Up until now, the ex-industrial space was closed to the public and used just for Yashar's own sourcing purposes. But now she is flinging open the doors for the first time to Nilufar Depot: a three-storey treasure trove featuring 3,000 pieces of historic and contemporary design, conceived by many of the young designers that Yashar has championed over the years.
Designed by Milan-based architect Massimiliano Locatelli (whose furniture she has frequently shown in her Via della Spiga gallery), the interior configuration was inspired by Milan's famous Teatro alla Scala. A central cement floored atrium is surrounded by three storeys of black metal balconies in which small furniture scenes are illuminated by neon lights designed by Marco Rizzuto.
The space is imposing, dramatic and yet practical. The configuration permits an easy scan-viewing of the massive stock from below, while curtains made from a techno-plastic material swathe each stall, just like the booths at the famous ballet theatre. 'I don't like décor as an end in itself,' says Yashar. 'Function is what interests me.' The location, which features a stage with a 6m-tall brass curtain designed by artist Leonor Antunes, has been conceived to host exhibitions, art and artists going forward.
The launch event, a dinner which took place last night at the beginning of Salone del Mobile, featured table scenes designed by Martino Gamper, another Nilufar gallery protégé. Each table was adorned with enormous 19th-century napkins, avant-garde glasses and menus signed by the designer.
The opening dinner took place in the cement-floored atrium, around which three floors of black metal balconies contain small furniture scenes, illuminated by Marco Rizzuto. Photography: Lodovico Colli di Felizzano
The collection ranges from features historic pieces as well as contemporary design. Pictured here is a Gio Ponti console table from the 1950s. Photography: Ruy Teixeira
The interior configuration was inspired by Milan's famous Teatro alla Scala, the famous ballet theatre. Yashar enlisted Massimiliano Locatelli to design her booth-like spaces. Here, two geometric Gio Ponti tables stand in front of Andrea Branzi's Gritti bookcase from 1981. Photography: Ruy Teixeira
Each of the small spaces appears like an individual mise en scène, providing distinctive narratives and themes at every turn. Photography: Lodovico Colli di Felizzano
Featuring 3,000 pieces, the booty has been stockpiled over the last 30 years. Photography: Ruy Teixeira
Michael Anastassiades' lighting installation outside the Depot. Photography: Lodovico Colli di Felizzano
Bethan Laura Wood's 'Shrine' candelabra takes centre stage in this scene, which explores the connection between candles and worship by borrowing references from miniature temples, created as portable altars. Photography: Ruy Teixeira
The Moët & Chandon bar at last the opening dinner. Photography: Lodovico Colli di Felizzano
INFORMATION
For more information, visit the Nilufar website
ADDRESS
Nilufar Depot
Via Lancetti 34
20158 Milan
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