It’s the start of design week here in Milan, and our first event was an off-site exhibit at one of our favorite galleries: Nilufar. Run by Nina Yashar, the gallery-cum-high-end-design-boutique specializes in antique design masterpieces as well as newly commissioned works by young designers. The standout at this year’s exhibition, however, was a bit old and a bit new. The designer Barnaba Fornasetti, son of the legendary Piero Fornasetti, has made newly commissioned pieces out of some of his father’s classic collaborations with the famed designer Gio Ponti. Instead of making these pieces in the high-gloss lacquer that is a Fornasetti trademark, these new works are covered in the original zinc lithographic plates that papa Fornasetti used to print his famous designs. The matte gray zinc is embellished in a black etched patchwork of flowers, trompe l’oeil books, faux bois and more. The zinc plates are attached to the wooden construction of the furniture by way of utilitarian yet decorative nail heads. The collection consists of two desks, a tall secretary desk, a chair, a chandelier and a wardrobe (in which Barnaba has even placed some of his own idiosyncratic Fornasetti printed suits, vests and shirts). All of the pieces are unique and are destined to become instant, if remixed, classics.