International committee blog, april 2014

As Spring arrives we think of the new collections and innovations that the new season will present. As a regular visitor to design events in London and abroad I have been lucky enough to visit several of these over the years. Some well known, such as Salone in Milan and Decorex in London, some one-offs like Qubique in Berlin and some lesser known, but still important shows like Abitare Il Tempo.

I was invited to attend the Abitare Il Tempo event in Verona last Autumn. Coming after the London Design Festival, it was held in mid-October so as not to clash with this huge event and just before the slow down to Christmas. 

Verona is a stunningly beautiful city that is full of tradition, culture and world class opera of course. This city is well worth a visit in its own right, with its infamous balcony of Romeo & Juliet, and a church on almost every corner providing superb examples of Renaissance architecture.

As a Roman city in the North of the country, Verona has Italian delights in abundance, and is very easy to get to (from £39 one way with British Airways or Easyjet from Gatwick Airport).  The numerous cobbled and travertine lined streets are a haven for designer shopping and charming restaurants.  Sitting in Piazza della Signoria and watching the lights come up and the world go by was truly magical.

I'd compare the show to Architect @ Work exhibition that was recently staged at Earls Court 2. The comparison may seem far-fetched but both shows have the feeling and presence of much larger events but on a more intimate scale. Abitare Il Tempo takes place amongst the exhibition halls just outside the walls of this beautiful city. On show are very high quality products displayed in 3 large halls with an emphasis on craft and creation. There was furniture, lighting, art, finishes and soft furnishings with a programme of invited speakers including simultaneous translation. The show will grow if it is advertised and fully promoted to designers and architects. Despite its boutique size, just 250 companies, the Abitare Il Tempo in Verona is a show not to be missed if you want to be fully aware of the diversification of Italian design.

Hopefully the pictures show an event that has potential for something a little different.

This year Abitare Il Tempo will take place from 24th – 27th September 2014, closely following the London Design festival, so plan your trip to Verona now as an antidote to the hectic London schedule. 

http://www.abitareiltempo.com
http://www.takreview.com

Images and text by Simon Hamilton