Italy has been known for its significant impact in the design world through the ages and the architecture and furniture design world wasn’t excluded. In this blog, I will highlight the 10 selected pieces that captivated me personally and reflect on how they influenced the development of 20th Century Italian design.
To start with, this is the “Dixon” sofa and armchair which was designed by Nani Prina and manufactured by ABA Design, Annone Brianza, Milano, Italy in 1974.
These furniture pieces have removable cushions and they could be covered by silk or hemp, the most significant part is that the metal frame of the sofa and armchair is weather resistant.
The next piece is the “Girotondo” table lamp with a holdfast.
This piece was designed by Sergio Asti, manufactured by Bilumen, Milano, Italy. It came in two colors, either chrome-plated or painted metal. The interesting part of this table lamp is it has an adjustable arm and reflector which makes it more convenient to use for different purposes.
Another piece is the significant Culla Bambette ‘baby cot’ piece, which was designed by Vivai Del Sole, by Rosmary, Roma, Italy. This baby cot is made from bamboo wood. it was distributed as well to many countries such as U.S.A and Saudi Arabia.
This amazing chair which is called ‘London 840 model’ is another great example of Italian designs, it was designed by Silvio Coppola for Mobel Italia. it’s made from metal and wood rod to fix the chair.
This armchair is designed by De Pas, produced by Dall’Oca of Ferrara. The significant part of this chair is the ability to move it like a wheelbarrow from one place to another. Its frame is made of black metal, and both the armrests and cushions are padded with rubber and covered with either thick corduroy or leather.
The next pieces are the two series of lamps
It was produced by Zola Presdosa’s Filab. Firstly, the series ‘ Bussola ‘ which was designed by Marcello Cuneo, and they are the floor lamp – First figure from the left – which has an innovative part that includes an adjustable and sliding reflector, also the table lamp – Second figure- and the wall and ceiling versions of it- last figure-. Besides, Studio C.R designed a series of garden lamps – the third figure- which are the Rama floor lamp and the Folia wall lamp.
Another example that showed how modernism was taking place as well in the world of furniture design, these beautiful organic arched wooden bedroom furniture pieces which called, ‘ Caravan’ the containers, ‘Rialto’ Bed, ‘Brunelleschi’ wardrobe, designed by Raimondi, A.BA.CO.
Another creative furniture piece is this modular seating which was designed by Alberto Rosselli and produced by Gustiti, Besnate ‘Varese’. An innovative system designed to be able to arrange them differently around large living spaces. It contains four components which are a square base that consists of rigid support made of reinforced resin and it includes twenty-five soft cushions that vary in their foam density.
Lastly, this modernist chair model called ‘spider 700’ design Toffoloni Palange, Mobel Italy, shows as well how modernism played a significant role during the 20th century.