"How I Travel" With Furniture and Lighting Designer Henry Wilson

The furniture and lighting designer, who visits Milan’s Design Week every year, unearths the hidden gems of the true “local’s city”.

What do you love most about Milan?

It feels like a real working Italian city; you get the cadence of daily life and can feel like a local.

Ah, but there’s the matter of packing. Are you a pre-planner or do you leave it to the last minute?

I think about it for a week then I pack in a panic at the last minute.

What about garment care while you’re away?

I lean into the crease!

If you could only take one pair of shoes they’d be…

Blundstone boots. I can do upwards of 20,000 steps a day in Milan and last time I was there it rained nonstop. My Blundstones take me from casual to slightly dressy to safe scooter-riding attire.

Nice. And the one thing you always pick up at the airport?

Fess sinus spray.

Sexy! Do you spend the flight asleep or do you like to pass the time reading, for example?

I read Brian Eno’s Diary: A Year With Swollen Appendices on my most recent long-haul. Eno is a master of observation, which is a good travel habit to foster.

What about after you land – itinerary or wing it?

I discovered the concept of “contrast travel” in a book by A.A. Gill recently – you slum it for a couple of nights then go somewhere extravagant to heighten the sensory experience.

So where is the last amazing place you stayed?

In Milan, I love 3Rooms at 10 Corso Como. It’s hard to snag one of the rooms in busy times as they’re blocked out for fashion weeks and design fairs but it’s one of those “who you know” situations.

What do you do to make your hotel room feel homey?

I ask for a top sheet – EU hotels insist on only providing a doona. Favourite home-away-from-home places to eat? The more lace and kitsch imagery on the walls, the better the food is. Latteria San Marco (Via San Marco, 24, San Marco; +39 02 659 7653) fits the bill – they don’t take bookings and you’ll be greeted by a couple of nonnas who’ll serve you a huge plate of tomato pasta.