quote

Where the spirit does not work with the hand there is no art.
~Leonardo da Vinci

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

La Bellezza di B&B Italia


Via Durini, 14.  Milan, Italy.  Here's a glimpse inside the showroom of B&B Italia as we take a tour along with New York-based Regional Sales Manager of B&B (and my dear friend), Kevin Woodard-- now viewing 2012's newest items and some classics too!

 
Theo for B&B Italia:  The Theo chair is designed by Vincent Van Duysen and like his fellow Dutch inspiration for the chair, Theo Van Doesburg, Vincent is an artist that blurs the line between art and architecture.  The chair is a well balanced combination of comfort and design.  Just the right scale and pitch that most would be hard pressed to deny its comfort.  Also with its cantilever seat design Vincent Van Duysen has created a modern classic that can work in the office or home with timeless appeal.


Mini Papilio for B&B Italia (modeled by Laura, JMI's web designer):  The Mini Papilio by Naoto Fukasawa is a new birth in the growing Papilio family for B&B Italia.  It is a unique collection that has done well on many levels, and the Mini Papilio provides the little seat that was missing.  It is a fun little swivel chair with 360 degree rotation or an option of auto-return.


Husk and Husk Outdoor for B&B Italia:  As with Patricia Urquiola’s original lounge design, she wanted to create a chair that looks as comfortable as it feels, opposite I know, with the idea of a hard outer shell replicating the softer interior.  As in nature, how the exterior outer husk reveals a softer interior.  Also, she wanted to create a modernity in the design with the combination of soft pillow style seat, hard plastic recyclable shell with environmental features, and strong metal base in different colors.  Now the story continues with the Husk dining chairs that were introduced for interior or exterior.



Beverly Chair for B&B Italia:  Inspired by Joseph Beverly Fenby, Antonio Citterio wanted to design a truly elegant modern day folding chair… yes, it folds.  The Beverly chair is a study in engineered metal working to create a frame of jewelry quality and hand crafted leather tooling for the upholstery.  Modern elegance is seen and felt in this beautiful and truly comfortable chair.


Eracle Bookcase for Maxalto:  Pulling from the wood working roots of Maxalto, the Eracle collection is a beautiful modern day storage collection with options of the free standing bookcase shown.  Available in different wood finishes, the Eracle collection blends soft metal details to achieve a transitional modern look.


Febo Chair for Maxalto:  As with Maxalto in general, the Febo collection is a softer look.  An elegant seating collection from dining chairs, sofas and  lounge chairs as shown.  The classic French inspiration of the lines has helped the continues development and success of the Febo family.



J.J. for B&B Italia:  The J.J. lounge chair by Antonio Citterio has been updated with the new contemporary blend of metal, wood and textured fabric.  The new designs, available in low or high-back, are now available with a seat pad in textured diamond-shaped pattern.  The functional and design accent bands on the back and armrest can be in dove grey, black or orange for a punch of color.


Tufty Time for B&B Italia:  The Patricia Urquiola has been a success in the collection, but it is now being offered in the new Kleo open grain leather.  The soft supple hand of the leather tufts and wraps the lines of the sofa beautifully, which is only matched by the comfort and feel.  Although the Tufty Time is available in fabric as well, it is the new Kleo leather that elevates it to another level.

 
Landscape for B&B Italia:  Jeffrey Bernett’s classic chaise has been a modern classic for B&B Italia.  Ten years since its debut and no less popular, the Landscape offers a sensation of movement with its thin airy lines.  With options of a sled or rocking base everyone can find their position and comfort with the optional three-dimensional seat pad.


Mart Lounge for B&B Italia:  Antonio Citterio’s design for the Mart was born out of a snow day with his children.  While out playing in the deep snow, one of his kids fell back and left an imprint in the snow that would later inspire the shape of the chair.  Often seen as a leather chair, the Mart offers the same fluid line with a softer touch as shown in fabric.


The TABLE Table and Iuta Chair for B&B Italia:  Considered by many architects to be the perfect table, Monica Armani’s The TABLE is now available with marble top.  Used in many ways with a glass or wood top the marble now offers a solid richness in material only achieved with stone.  In the above photo the chairs paired with The Table are Iuta by Antonio Citterio.  Updating what Citterio has once said as being one of his favorite designs, the swivel chair is now offered in a bronzed nickel finish with a special new nano-ceramic glossy bronze base developed for B&B Italia.  A beautifully engineered chair design. 

Grazie mille, Kevin!!






1 comment:

  1. Congrats B&B Italia! ;) Nice work!

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