Nilufar Depot, Milan, Italy

Nina Yashar is Milan’s top design dealer and her Nilufar Gallery in Via della Spiga has pulsed as the epicentre of achingly expensive mid-century gems and the hottest contemporary designs for the last 16 years. But the real gem is her 1,500 sq m warehouse north of the Garibaldi train station: Nilufar Depot: a three-storey treasure trove featuring 3,000 pieces of historic and contemporary design, conceived by many of the young designers that Yashar has championed over the years. Designed by Milan-based architect Massimiliano Locatelli the interior configuration was inspired by Milan’s famous Teatro alla Scala. A central cement floored atrium is surrounded by three storeys of black metal balconies in which small furniture scenes are illuminated by neon lights designed by Marco Rizzuto.