Exhibitions Focus on Dries Otten Text by Elisabetta Donati de Conti Add to bookmarks Manon - courtesy photo © Dries Otten Colourblocks, assertive volumes, playful details and bold contrasts: Dries Otten’s spatial poetics take in all these ingredients and translates them into spaces imbued with his vision of interior design, decidedly flamboyant but far from ostentatious Name: Dries Otten. Place where you work: Antwerp. Your Instagram account: @driesotten Describe your job: Adding a dreamlike quality to the pragmatism of furniture design, interior architecture and scenography. Where did you study? At the Henry van de Velde Institute, Antwerp. Dries Otten - photo © Rizon Parein The project you have been following/are working on at the moment: A bakery, a print shop, private mansions in Antwerp, Brussels, Lille (France) and Amsterdam (Holland)… Your dream project: A Brutalist holiday home on a cliff with a small workshop and steps down to the sea. The project (by others) that has influenced you the most: Everything Huib Hoste has ever designed. A crucial element/detail in all your projects: Pragmatism Disco Dining, Sien & Pieter Jan - courtesy photo © Dries Otten City centre or far-flung places? Cities in winter and the country in summer. Something you have at home designed by you: We live in our showroom, so at the moment I use Danzan and Altare furniture for my vinyl and my record player, there are Bastos lights dotted about the place and a prototype of the Misfit next to a Japon bench, and there are some small Tondis armchairs near the shop window. CBGB - photo © Kaatje Verschoren What do you like to collect on walks? A suntan. If you could build a secret passage in the house, where would it lead? To a sunny swimming pool or to a spa (for winter). What do you usually do on Sundays? Bike rides, go to exhibitions, meet friends and eat a lot. Your favourite place in Milan: I’ve only been to Milan once, to help a friend put his gallery show together. I remember the food was delicious. Studio MOMU, fashion museum in Antwerp - photo © Jef Jacobs DWA Studio would like to ask you: designer or anonymous furniture? Obviously I really like designer furniture, but since design is also often used as an emblem of social status, I would say that rather than design icons I prefer flea markets where I might pick up something really unusual. Would you like to ask the next interviewee a question? What would you like to drink?
Stories 10 designer hotels to stay at during the 2025 Salone In partnership with MiCodmc, a selection of establishments ripe for discovery during the 63rd edition of the Salone del Mobile.Milano, from 8th to 13th April
Stories Italian buildings ripe for rediscovery From Milan to Turin by way of the Island of San Giorgio in Venice. A journey of discovery, taking in unique places that deserve to be visited at least once in a lifetime Serena Scarpello
Stories In memoriam: David Lynch The American director has left us at the age of 78. The Salone del Mobile.Milano had the honor of working with him during its 62nd edition, hosting his immersive installation titled “A Thinking Room”. An extraordinary journey into the depths of the mind and feelings. His vision will continue to be a source of inspiration.
