Via Garibaldi 12 in Genoa: One of the Best Design Shops in the World

Last year, when I was writing my book I wanted to put together a list of the best design shops around the world that I had personally visited and experienced myself. And while writing, photographing, editing and working with my publishing house, the summer came and my family and I embarked on a trip to the Ligurian Coast in Italy. And it was then when I discovered Via Garibaldi 12 and I fell in love with it.        

Via Garibaldi 12 is located in a 16th-Century Palazzo in the city of Genoa (strategically located between the fashion and design mecca that is Milan and the extraordinary resort of Portofino). I don't lie when I say that I have never seen anything like it.  A palace that was designated as part of Unesco's World Heritage's buildings, houses this chic store that carries some of the most coveted pieces of contemporary furniture ranging from Established & Sons to Tom Dixon and a section dedicated to plates and dinnerware including some of my favorite names such as Seletti, Richard Ginori and Bernardaud. 

Richard Ginori's plates in collaboration with Paola Navone.  

The Bagnara family owns the store and Lorenzo, with whom I've been in touch, is fun, smart and quick.  He loves what he does and feels that the heritage of his parents, the city of Genoa, the surroundings and the extraordinary display of design that they have at Via Garibaldi, makes the store a very difficult place to resist, although some tourists still confuse the place with a Museum.  

These are the ceilings of the store, with frescoes from the Punic War that go back five centuries in time

I love the contrast of contemporary design and furniture against such a regal setting.  

Anyone who is in Milan or Portofino should not miss Via Garibaldi 12.  In the meantime, these images will serve as sufficient incentive and motivator.