I lament the changes in Brera. A decade or so ago Brera was an artistic neighborhood, centering…read morearound the wonderful Pinacoteca Art Museum. Authenticity was evident in the bars, restaurants, shops and cafes that filled the lovely neighborhood. Today, developers have turned Brera into an ersatz mall catering to tourists and the well heeled. There is nothing real or authentic about Brera, and sadly it has transformed into a Disneyesque version of itself, not unlike the Marais in Paris. Why urban developers in Europe feel the need to transform neighborhoods into something that may cause Americans to spend money is obvious. It's crash capitalism, and that avarice will eventually ruin all travel. Culture is inherently important to a country's identity. When you lose your identity, I don't know what's left. Have pride in what you are and don't try to emulate the worst of American culture. It's tacky.

Brera is an amazing neighborhood, housing the best design studios in Milan and therefore the world!…read moreIt's truly amazing to see the latest in fashion and interior design. Wander in to courtyards holding multiple design houses and you'll see incredible bathroom fixtures, lamps, furniture, and clothing. We love Milan and Brera is definitely one of the many reasons!

Annabel's assisted us to find a wonderful new mocha pot, a bag of Classico coffee, and four tiny…read morecaffè cups. Great store with great staff!

Mine is a love/hate relationship with Ikea. What I love about it of course is the low prices…read morecoupled with modern style; this is exactly what Ikea aims to deliver and it does so "alla grande". From a corporate standpoint, Ikea lives and breathes its philosophy, from the flat, economized packaging to the do-it-yourself delivery and assembly, and even to the cheap but tasty food court. Few institutions live such a coherent and consistent image, and fewer still can boast employees that seem genuinely happy to be there. The "hate" side probably relates to the very things that make Ikea so great. Other reviews indicate that people like to get lost in Ikea, wandering through the maze of displays and discovering something new. I detest having to work my way through the store; the Ikea layout people want me to see every single display item and map the path accordingly. I, on the other hand, feel manipulated. In addition, if I know exactly what I want, I hate zig-zagging through the throngs on a Saturday afternoon. Nonetheless, LIVE ON Ikea!

I HATE Ikea with all my heart. Whenever my friends ask me to drive to pick up something, I pretend…read moreto have been suddenly struck by senile dementia. I HATE that they make you walk through the entire loop of the store to find some mundane stupid item like light bulbs, since Ikea lamps have the nasty habit of accepting ONLY Ikea light bulbs. Also, their pretty-bad-quality furniture is so annoying to assemble, the instructions having been written by a monk living in solitude in the most secluded Tibetan temple. It's not so cheap once you add all the INDISPENSABLE accessories for an item. Also, I grow bored with its style, which once I deemed original until I started seeing it in restaurants with a good reputation but bad sitting. Luckily my son is very apt at assembling everything explained visually or I'd not be sleeping in my comfy bed since years. Their mattresses and Xmas glühwine being the best items to purchase in this hellhole. To be avoided at all costs at Xmas time. You could get stomped by the mad crowd. Stay ALERT. Be SAFE.