Italian Contemporary
This aesthetic balances classic elegance with pure modernism. Furnishings are often on a grand scale and crafted of luxurious materials such as marble and leather, and upholstery is low, deep, and lounge-y. Rooted in the work of Gio Ponti and the Italian rationalists, this style shares DNA with the Bauhaus movement, but it doesn’t shy away from the occasional flourish of ornate pattern and texture.
Elements of the style
Timeless, luxurious materials such as leather, marble, stone, and elegant wood veneers
Low, lounge-y sofas and chairs that balance modern lines with deep comfort
A black and neutral palette accented with chrome and lacquer
Classical forms juxtaposed with pure modernist ones
Occasional flourishes of ornate pattern, bold color, and texture
“The most resistant element is not wood, is not stone, is not glass. The most resistant element in building is art. Let’s make something very beautiful.” — Gio Ponti
Defining designs
Como Sofa
The definition of Italian luxury, Como blends plush comfort with sleek lines. It’s anchored by a steel frame and angled cast-aluminum legs with ultra-soft goose feather and foam cushions.
MR Chaise
Though it has Bauhaus roots, the classic MR Chaise, designed by Mies van der Rohe in 1927, slips effortlessly into Italian contemporary interiors with its graceful cantilevered tubular steel frame and quilted leather cushions.
Saarinen Table
The chameleon nature of the classic Saarinen Table allows it to work with a wide range of styles. Here, in an oval Carrara marble top and sleek pedestal base in black, it exudes Italian-inflected elegance.
Nest Bed
Marrying pure comfort with ingenuity, the Nest Bed features a soft upholstered headboard and base with a platform that smoothly rises on gas pistons to reveal a generous storage compartment.
Lecco Sofa
This sumptuous Italian-made seating collection is lavished with extra-deep seats, abundant pillows, and plush down fill. The sink-in-soft cushions rest on a polished cast-aluminum base.
Beetle Chair
In luxe velvet or leather, this elegant chair’s curved, sheltering shell cradles the sitter in comfort while casting a striking silhouette.
Cesca Chair
Designed by Marcel Breuer in 1928, the Cesca Chair pairs its iconic cantilevered, tubular steel frame with natural woven cane.
Lína Swivel Chair
The Nordic-designed, Italian-made Lína’s continuously curving frame, impeccably tailored seams, and carefully concealed swivel base make it very much at home in the Italian contemporary room.
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