When design tells stories

Nina Yashar believes in valuing design to tell stories. She founded Nilufar Gallery in Milan in 1979. Originally located in Via Bigli and specialised in antique carpets, a passion she inherited from her Iranian parents, the gallery soon launched a series of pioneering shows to bring both Oriental and European carpets, such as Kilim, Gabbeh and Aubusson, into the Italian and international spotlight. By the end of the 1990s, the gallery, now located in Via della Spiga, ventured into modern and contemporary furniture, showcasing the work of mid century masters alongside unusual carpets, cutting-edge furniture and pieces by emerging designers. In 1999, the gallery expanded its headquarters with a project led by Italian designer Giancarlo Montebello. The first decade of the new century witnessed a series of experiments which strengthened the gallery’s reputation as a reference point for design lovers.