The last day in Milan, and it was off to explore the latest ‘design district’ established for the fair, set in San Gregorio, an area once known as ‘Petit Paris’. Arriving on Sunday morning it looked pretty unpromising, but it in the end I think it was my favourite district of all. Despite half of it (Wallpaper* exhibition I’m talking to you) being closed.

You know you’re at the hippest bit of town when you see that Sadie Coles gallery has decamped there to show Sarah Lucas’ latest work. It was shut, which somehow made it even cooler. Through the window I could see Lucas’ breeze-block furniture on display, as well as a chair of boobs. I can’t decide if this is more or less inviting than the Campana Brother’s similar chair of teddy bears. Depends which way your own childhood trauma falls, I guess.

Next up was an exhibition by Kvadrat, in which they’d invited designers and artists to create pieces using felt. I wouldn’t have gone to this if I hadn’t stumbled across it, but it was great. I especially liked this giant felt wall calendar. I’ve ordered one for the office…

Then to Droog. The Dutch company has a reputation for out-there design ideas, and on that front they didn’t disappoint. I even bought one of their tattoos of a 17th Dutch still life. Take that Cheryl Cole. However it was the concept they were presenting this year that I found so exciting.

The company have been working closely with Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum, recently reopened after a ten year refurbishment. The entire collection of the museum has been digitised and made available, royalty free, to the public, and Droog’s installation showed how paintings, ceramics and furniture from the archive could be adapted and used in an interiors setting.

So delft tiles were reimagined on a bathroom wall, architectural plans became the print for a rug, and ornate furniture was reproduced as glossy black wall panels. It was a smart way to democratise and make relevant the wealth of past design and art, and thrilling to see.

Lastly, a British design collective, Designer’s Block, who had taken over a disused shopping mall (below) to show the work of many emerging designers. Lots of lighting this year, including these chandelier bulbs by Mineheart, and these beach ball lights by Toby Sanders. And that was it – so tired I almost left my suitcase behind, I left high on design and excited to tell you all about it… Ciao.