Where Design Meets Identity: A Journey Through the Salone del Mobile

An inspiring 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 the Salone del Mobile as a contributor for Italia Living—and once again, it felt like stepping into a world where creativity, beauty, and innovation come together.

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

Walking through the fair feels like traveling across cultures. So many languages, so many ideas, all connected by a shared love for beauty and design. Yes, it is a lot of walking… but every step reveals something new, something inspiring.

This year felt even more personal, as I began my visit at the stand of Oikos, a company founded just minutes from where I come from, in Gruaro—a place I had the pleasure of visiting only weeks ago, when they opened their new showroom, the Arsenale of Made in Italy.

Sitting again with Mario Biancolin, one of the founders, felt like reconnecting with a story that is both deeply local and beautifully global. It is always inspiring to exchange ideas with a true visionary.

For the second year in a row, Oikos returns to the Salone as the only company entirely dedicated to doors—a powerful confirmation of a vision that began years ago, when Mario and his partners set out to create something different.

Oikos has transformed the concept of a door into what they call “entrance architecture.” Not just a functional element, but a statement—something that tells you who you are before you even step inside.

In a world where many adapt, they chose to create something entirely new—transforming doors into experiences. To be unique without fear. To stand out, even when it is not the easiest path. To dare to create what does not yet exist—or to see things in a way others do not—because that is where the most beautiful things are born.

That vision is still alive today. You can see it in their creations—where design, beauty, durability, and identity come together—but also in the people behind them, with an energy and pride that make you understand this is more than a company. It is a shared belief.

Their deep connection to Venice and to their territory can be felt in every detail. Inspired by its beauty, craftsmanship, and resilience—and even by the legacy of the Arsenale di Venezia—their work reflects a perfect balance between elegance and strength.

And of course, before moving on, we couldn’t resist capturing the moment—recreating a little bit of Roman Holiday on the Vespa displayed at their stand. Some moments simply deserve to become memories.

After this inspiring stop, I continued exploring the fair—an endless journey through creativity and discovery.

Walking through the Salone, I realized how much of the place I come from lives inside this global stage. There is something deeply emotional about seeing your roots reflected in an event of this scale. I feel all of Made in Italy close to my heart—but even more so when global brands are just a few kilometers from where I was born.

Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia are among the most important design and manufacturing regions in Italy, known worldwide for kitchens, furniture, and especially chairs. But beyond the products, it is the craftsmanship, the passion, and the sense of identity that truly define them.

I was particularly fascinated to see so many brands from my region. I truly enjoyed the collaboration between Veneta Cucine and Electrolux Group at EuroCucina, where the kitchen becomes a fluid, connected space—designed not only for functionality, but for wellbeing, through soft, natural tones and a deeply human approach to design.

There were also many familiar names from near my birthplace, like Calligaris, founded in 1923 in Manzano, in Friuli Venezia Giulia—the world-famous chair district—which grew from a single chair into a global brand while staying true to its roots.

I also made a stop at Pedrali, known for its refined contemporary furniture that beautifully blends design and functionality.

And then Midj—another brand bringing the excellence of my region into homes around the world. What makes it especially meaningful for me is that it is based in Cordovado, just minutes from where I was born—and also the place where I got married.

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

And then, something unexpected.

I came across Fógher—a name that immediately felt familiar. In my dialect, foghér means hearth—a place of warmth and connection. To JJ, it sounded almost Northern European, while to me it felt unmistakably Venetian.

Curious, we asked… and yes, they were from Belluno, in the mountains of Veneto.

Speaking with Fabio Raveane, you could immediately feel the passion behind the brand. He shared how it all began—very young, together with his sister, facing challenges but guided by a clear vision: to change the way people experience outdoor cooking and create something truly distinctive.

Today, they are a point of reference in outdoor kitchens. They adapted the accent in their name to sound more international, yet their collections remain deeply connected to their land—often named after the trees of their region, a beautiful tribute to their roots.

Moments like these remind me how powerful curiosity is. Every story, every encounter enriches your life.

The weather was simply perfect—one of those luminous spring days that makes everything feel lighter, more vibrant, more alive. It set the tone for an experience that unfolded seamlessly between indoors and outdoors: inside the pavilions, you are immersed in extraordinary furniture and design objects, true expressions of creativity and innovation. Then, as you move from one pavilion to another, the atmosphere continues outside—alive with cafés, restaurants, gelato and coffee spots, and even elegant displays by Maserati, among the sponsors of the event. You can pause in the sun and take it all in, or step inside for a quieter, more intimate moment. Everything flows naturally, becoming part of a single, beautiful experience.

After hours of walking and discovering, one thought stayed with me: it was absolutely worth the three-hour drive.

Because the Salone del Mobile is not just an event—it is a celebration of creativity, identity, and the beauty of design shared with the world. And perhaps most of all, a reminder to be proud of our roots. I know I am.

And today, more than ever, I felt how meaningful it is to carry the place I come from with me—everywhere I go.