As one of the many people in the design community who were not lucky enough to make it over to Milan for the fair, I am forced to rely on the opinions and experiences of peers and colleagues.

Something heard from several attendees this year is that the Spain Playtime – Fresh Air in Spanish Design exhibition in the Hotel Nhow foyer, was an absolute pleasure and a distinct highlight of the fair.

Lets see what was on display that had the world saying "felicitaciones".

Exhibition: Spain Playtime – Fresh air in Spanish Design
Tunnel of the Hotel NHOW, Via Tortona 35, Milan
From 16 to 21 April 2008

JOQUER Low by Werner Aisslinger, 2006
LOW is more than just a horizontal looking sofa, Werner Aissinger has conceived LOW like a relax and multimedia island. The tray on the side is the perfect lid to hide the clutter of wires and connections of those electronic objects that surround us: lap tops, MP3, cell phones, etc.
Company: Joquer Tapicerías S.A. www.joquer.com. Dimensions: 316 x 100 x 75 cm. Weight: 60 kg.

GANDÍA BLASCO Merendero by José A. Gandía Blasco, 2006
The name MERENDERO refers to the popular spaces in Spain where friends meet to share and enjoy food. This self-standing shelter offers protection from the sun while providing a small intimate meeting space. Suitable for 4 persons, produced in anodized aluminium, polyethylene and plastic fabric.
Company: Gandia Blasco S.A. www.gandiablasco.com. Dimensions: 180 x 120 x 200 cm

RS Guerilla Containers by Stone Designs Eva Prego y Cutu Mazuelos, 2007
These containers, space separators or seats for the ground take their name from the kitbags that are used for the trenches. They reinterpret this item for war, to transform it into something homely and friendly piece.
Guerrilla Containers are made and sewn by hand with the same technique as sacks of coffee. Upholstered polyurethane foam and plywood.
Company: RS (by Stone Designs) www.rs-barcelona.com. Dimensions: Box 15 x 42 x 36 cm; Cover: 23 x 83 x 50 cm. Weight: 4 Kg.

BD BARCELONA Multileg Cabinet Showtime by Jaime Hayón, 2006
Hayón says that the SHOWTIME Collection is inspired on classical MGM musicals. The MULTILEG CABINET exhibits passion for finding ways were things that are not supposed to match, coexist in elegance. The legs inspired by different styles and periods can be combined and placed where the user decides. Shiny lacquered doors and exterior sides. Inside and back panel are matt lacquered. Legs in turned alder wood / lacquered shiny.
Company: BD Barcelona 1972 S.L. www.bdbarcelona.com. Dimensions: 81 x 100 x 50 cm. Weight: 40 kg.

VICCARBE Shape by Jorge Pensi, 2007
SHAPE Jorge Pensi, 2007
SHAPE is an elegant, abstract and multifunctional object that can be used as a stool or auxiliary table…. Mix of fiberglass and MDF lacquered in high gloss lacquers.
Company: Viccarbe Habitat S.L. www.viccarbe.com. Dimensions: 45 x Ø 38 cm.

RS Wall Champions4 by Rafael Rodríguez Sevillano, 2005
Manufactured in stainless steel bar, varnish covered beech wooden handle and aluminium injected players covered with polyester painting and hand painted in the colours chosen by customers. The WALL CHAMPIONS hanger has given a lighter touch to an ordinary object, in an attractive packaging well becoming a very original and functional gift.
Company: RS www.rs-barcelona.com. Dimensions: 13.2 x 66.7 x 9.1 cm. Weight: 1.9 kg.

NANIMARQUINA News by Martí Guixé, 2006
The use of a graphic element of great visual impact, very common in commercial communication, means that the visibility of the News rug comes from its formal topology rather than applied graphics. In doing so, the qualities of visual impact and associated elements are heightened. Color: red.
Company: Nanimarquina www.nanimarquina.com. Dimensions: Ø 150 / Ø 250 cm. Weight: 4 kg/m2