• The Moroso Stand. Marvellous design, great ambiance and some really interesting products. Click here for more photos.

• No more "bouncers" at the Minotti stand. Last year, Minotti had shady looking bouncers all over their stand (with earpieces to match). Did they think visitors were going to steal the furniture? Well, this year they dispensed with them. Well done!

• Bernini "Hidden Table Set": For the second year running, this was our favourite product of the Fair. Simple, innovative, a classic for years to come.
  

• Few new ideas: In the main, there was no new trend in design or materials that could be identified in 2005. The best sellers of the past 2-3 years continue to feature prominently, in a refreshing sign that taste in good furniture doesn't go out of fashion!
  

• No need for you to go! That really is the best thing of all. Virtually everything that is actually made (as opposed to a lot of the products shown at the fair, which are only prototypes) can be bought from Europe by Net, from the comfort of your home! Why join more than 300,000 people at the check in, have to endure huge queues at the hot dog stand (yes, in Milan! - see right), and overpay for a one-star hotel, when you don't have to?
  

• Crowds, crowds, crowds. You would not believe just how packed some of the stands were! In some, it was impossible to move or even see the products (Minotti, Giorgetti, Poliform). The temperature in some other stands was well over 100F – air conditioning next time, please!

• Rolf Benz stand: The stand of this German brand was surrounded by "No Photography" signs, and warnings against copying their designs. Well, no need to worry there, dear Rolf: the products were boring to a fault! No surprise there were also no customers in the stand.

• Eileen Gray: Like Elvis Presley, Eileen Gray never quite goes away. And here she was again, at the Classicon stand, portrayed in a quasi-religious effigy overlooking her creations. In a sign that the world may finally have had enough of her ubiquitous coffee table, hardly anyone was visiting their stand, much to the salesman's dismay (Click here to view). May we suggest you shop for coffee tables by looking at Europe by Net's selection. Great designs, excellent prices and the opportunity of not owning what all your friends have!
  

• Flou's "You & Me" Bed: They must be kidding! Illuminated bedside tables with "You" and "Me" flashing on it (click here for a close up view). Consumerism at its most ridiculous! Flou is a great company, with great beds – but stick to their classics (we offer quite a few online)!

Will 2006 be different? Keep in touch and we will let you know!

In the meanwhile, enjoy the low prices and great customer service that Europe by Net offers. Thank you for your support!