When international interior designer Anna Giannis speaks about design, her words weave a tapestry as textured and layered as the spaces she creates. Her most recent journey — a whirlwind across Paris and Milan earlier this year, was more than a sourcing trip. It was, as she puts it, “five nights of pure design bliss.”
Paris: “Like reconnecting with a long-lost friend”
Her trip began in Paris, a city she describes with palpable emotion.
“As the taxi approached the centre, sitting amongst architecture that makes my heart flutter, it was like reconnecting with a long-lost friend,” says Anna Giannis.
“I was suddenly overwhelmed with joy.”
She was in the French capital for her third visit to PAD Paris, one of the premier events for design collectors, held in the Jardin des Tuileries. Unlike Milan’s expansive Salone del Mobile, PAD offers an intimate, avant-garde showcase with around 40–50 galleries.
“PAD Paris is more exclusive. It’s about innovative design, art, and collectible pieces. You see emerging talents alongside high-end galleries. It’s curated brilliance,” Giannis says.
That evening, Giannis experienced another Parisian gem: dinner at the Ducasse Baccarat mansion.
“The whole night felt magical. It’s an extraordinary collaboration between Alain Ducasse and Baccarat crystal. I honestly couldn’t focus on the food because I was so bedazzled by the interiors,” she laughs. “But it’s worth making a reservation just for that atmosphere.”
Milan: “Design week is not for the faint-hearted”
If Paris is elegance, Milan is energy, she explains. The world’s biggest design week was, in Giannis’s words, “intense but unforgettable.”
“Milan Design Week is not for the faint-hearted. You walk kilometres every day, meet countless suppliers, and immerse yourself in textures, colours, and ideas. It’s exhilarating and exhausting at the same time.
This year’s theme, Connected Worlds, highlighted the links between design, life, and technology, with a strong emphasis on nature-inspired palettes and indoor-outdoor living. Lighting took centre stage.”Lighting was everywhere, architectural, sculptural, experimental. It wasn’t just about aesthetics but about sustainability and emotion. I was inspired by how light is shaping the way we experience spaces.
“Es Devlin’s Library of Light stole my heart. It combined literature, architecture, and illumination into a living, breathing installation. It reminded me why I fell in love with design in the first place.”
Giannis also connected with new suppliers, including Pierluigi Gambacorti of Gineico Lighting, who hosted a series of VIP events, and attended an exclusive showcase of the Aston Martin Home collection by Formitalia.
“It was impeccable. Italian craftsmanship and the Aston Martin philosophy of living.. A seamless blend of design and luxury,” Giannis says.
A La Scala finale
The journey ended with a dream fulfilled, which was to experience a performance at La Scala Opera House.
“I’d only ever admired it from the outside,” she says.
“Sitting inside was breathtaking, even though we missed the first act because of traffic,” she admits.
“It was spectacular, a reminder that art and design live everywhere, not just in galleries or showrooms.”
Looking ahead
Perhaps the most exciting development from this trip was the success of her curated design tour, leading a group from Australia to Milan.
“It was our first time doing this, and it was such a success that we’re already planning to recreate it in 2026. Five nights of design immersion, it’s something truly special.”
For Giannis, these journeys are not just about sourcing for clients or spotting trends. They’re about reconnecting with the essence of design itself.
“Travel feeds my creativity,” she reflects. “Every gallery, every showroom, every conversation, it all becomes part of the story I bring home to my clients.”
