Nilufar Depot

Milan’s Nilufar has been a reference point in interior design since the late 1970s, when Nina Yashar first established Nilufar Gallery, then specialised in antique carpets. 

At the time, she was only 21 years old, but found inspiration in the work of her father, who was a rug-dealer.

Soon, the business evolved into a series of shows, aimed at putting the spotlight on beautiful, well-made carpets, with varieties from Kilim to Gabbeh and Aubusson.

Around the turn of the millennium, Nilufar Gallery moved to via della Spiga, where it became a platform for the merging of historical and contemporary design. 

The addition of furniture to the business happened organically, through a visit to Stockholm. In Sweden, Yashar found furniture by designers such as Bruno Mathsson, Hans Wegner and Alvar Aalto, which she brought with her back to Milan.

Since then, design classics have been an important part of the gallery, as has the continuous discovery of young designers, such as Audrey Large, Bran Vanderbeke, Carlo Lorenzetti, and Johan Viladrich. 

Nilufar Depot, on viale Lancetti, is something else, but overlaps in many ways with Nilufar Gallery. 

Located slightly outside of the city centre, in a former silverware factory, it opened its doors in 2015. 

With its 1,500 square metres, and an open layout arranged over three levels (and inspired by Teatro alla Scala), the space holds part of Yashar’s design collection. 

In this way, the Depot and the Gallery are engaged in dialogue with one another, joined by Yashar’s interest in aesthetics and sense of style. 

A visit to Nilufar Depot explains the context of the gallery, while also pointing forward, revealing visions of what is to come. 

Nilufar

Milan, Italy