Designer Cristina Celestino has taken over Milan’s Tennis Club Milano Bonacossa for an exhibition of pieces using materials and forms drawn from the sport.

Entitled Clay Court Club, the show invites the public inside the 93-year-old building as part of Celestino’s ongoing mission to uncover some of the city’s striking but lesser-known pieces of architecture.

She’s taken direct inspiration from the traditions of tennis, using colours and fabrics that evoke long, hot days on the court. Pieces range from glass coffee tables, supported by a latticework that’s reminiscent of racquet strings and netting, to chairs with woven arm supports and sofas that double as planters. There’s also Celestino’s Parasol bench, which is topped with a patterned sun shade.

The whites and greens of the furniture are contrasted by the deep, plush carpet that lines the space – chosen to resemble the rich colours of clay tennis courts. Visitors to the exhibition can stop off at the Clay Court Club restaurant pop-up – located appropriately beneath a gridded mirror ceiling that feels very much like an oversized tennis racquet.

‘Clay Court Club’ runs at Tennis Club Milano Bonacossa, Via G. Arimondi 15, Milano, until 23 April 2023

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