The Design District

Posted By Rachel DeSchepper on 04/14/2008

I am so thrilled to announce that we’re going to have a guest blogger at the Design District throughout the next few weeks. Damon Johnstun, design director of Portland’s LIT Workshop (a retail design firm) is covering the highly esteemed International Furniture and Accessories Exhibition in Milan, Italy, (Salone Internazionale del Mobile), which runs April 16-21. Just for us!

Photo by Saverio Lombardi Vallauri

Images of the 2007 Salone Internazionale del Mobile

I’m green with envy that Damon is going to the fair; it’s the best furniture show in the world. These are the most prolific designers showing off their amazing designs. Not to namedrop (ahem), but Damon will rub elbows with Versace, Starck, and Giorgetti, just to name a few. These are designers who don’t go by trends, they set trends, by using materials and designs that will probably trickle their way into the US market years from now, but serve as incredible inspiration.

Photo by Saverio Lombardi Vallauri

But, lucky for those of us who cannot attend, we all get to see the fair through Damon’s eyes. He has more than 17 years of design experience, and has lived in Rome, Seoul, and Tokyo. At LIT, he works with clients such as Converse, Nike, Hurley, GAP, and Starbucks. This’ll be his third time visiting and covering the Milan fair.

Photo by Saverio Lombardi Vallauri

So stay tuned this week and through the end of April for some of the “best-of” the fair. Damon will be our eyes and ears, showing us the most unusual and the most trend-setting designs. And we’ll keep an open dialogue; don’t be shy if you have questions or comments. I, for one, can’t wait!