(smow) in Milan 2010: Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec

Having sold everything, including our kidneys and the neighbours cat, we can finally afford to pay for a hotel in Milan.

“Is it really worth it?” ask the pensioners, students and lawyers who gather in front of the (smow)blog flat every March to buy our possessions and so help us finance the life of luxury enjoyed by that special class of bloodsucker that is the Milanese hotelier.

“No” answer we.

“But what are we to do?”

And indeed what are we to do.

One need only look at the press photos from Studio Bouroullec that landed in our inbox this afternoon.

Lighthouse by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec

Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec are always among the most active designers in Milan; some years they even mange to make Philippe Starck appear like a tired old man.

For Milan 2010 Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec are presenting new products for Established and Sons, Venini, Bitossi and Magis.

Last years Established and Sons product was the Quilt Sofa – a product which, if were honest disappointed us an awful lot. Looked great, sat awful and is pre-programmed to cause all manner of mishaps.

The 2010 effort looks a lot more promising.

Lampalumina by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec

Lighthouse by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec for Established and Sons is produced in conjunction with Murano glass manufacturer Venini. A table lamp in an over-sized candle effect, Lighthouse comes with the most gorgeous, retro-70s Murano glass shade.

Le Freres Bouroullec have also designed a lamp for Italian ceramics producer Bitossi. An almost religiously minimalist piece in white ceramic Lampalumina looks a little bit like a goose and undoubtedly does what it says on the label.

Central by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec

For Magis the Bouroullec Brothers have created two tables: The die cast aluminium central is a “classic” bistro table, albeit in a three-legged version and the somewhat humorously named Baguettes is class and aluminium dining table. In both cases we are of the opinion that the effect is much better in “real” then in photos. the smooth, almost indiscernible lines of the tables promising a wonderfully unobtrusive yet defining presence.

And that is why we sell all we own.
And the neighbours cat.

Saloni Milnao 2010 runs from May 14th until May 19th

Daily coverage here at (smow) in Milan, on (smow)twitter, (smow)book and vimeo.

Baguttes by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec