From extravagant Rococco to sleek contemporary, Italian furniture has a rich heritage. Fragments of ornate, decorated furniture were found in the ruins of Pompeii, while hundreds of years later Italian designers were among the first to embrace modernism. From the country that produced Leonardo da Vinci, Puccini and Ferrari, the best modern Italian furniture is beautifully made with a nod to its traditional origins. We’ve tracked down 10 of the best-known Italian furniture brands for your next investment piece.
1. poltronesofà
Established in Forlì in 1995, poltronesofà (which literally translates as ‘armchairssofa’) is now one of the leading Italian furniture brands producing and retailing sofas and armchairs. Its wide range of products are all handmade in Italy, which fabric sofas being produced in the Forli and Faenza districts, and leather sofas being produced in Apulia.
2. Molteni&C
Founded in 1934, Molteni&C are one of the globally recognised Italian furniture brands. They have around 600 stores dedicated to their Dada, UniFor and Molteni&Cs brand including shops in London and New York. They produce both mass-market pieces and unique, handcrafted items and have a solid tradition of craftsmanship and quality.
3. Natuzzi Group
Founded by Pasquale Natuzzi in 1959, the Natuzzi Group designs, produces and retails ‘padded furniture’ such as armchairs, sofas and living room accessories. It’s the largest furniture house in Italy and its best known brand is Natuzzi Italia, a high end, made in Italy collection of living room seating, lamps and home furnishings.
4. Provasi
The Italian furniture brand Provasi was started in 1970 in Brianza by four brothers: Enrico, Giovanni, Roberto and Paolo. The company has a solid base of high quality cabinetry and is renowned for the quality of its furniture. In the past few decades, the Provasi range of products has evolved and transformed, bringing their modern twist on a classic style to the whole world while retaining a focus on traditional quality.
5. Fendi Casa
You’ve probably heard of Fendi as a fashion brand – but did you know that they also had their own homewares line, Fendi Casa? In fact, they were one of the first fashion houses to enter the homewares space, back in 1989. They now have a number of different collections, many by famous designers such as Karl Lagerfeld, including outdoor, contemporary and icon (classic) collections.
6. Marioni
Set up in Florence in 1966 by Paolo Marioni, this luxury Italian furniture manufacturer is still run by the third generation of the same family. Marioni’s furnishings have an emphasis on colour combinations, finishes and decoration and are all made in Italy. Today, they offer a wide range of wooden and padded furniture, lighting and home accessories.
7. Selva
This luxury Italian furniture brand comprises three different product lines: Selva Timeless Beauty, Philipp Selva Home and Epoca by Selva. They offer a wide product range, including furniture for dining rooms, bedrooms and living rooms. Everything is still made by hand in their workshops near Verona, and ‘quality craftsmanship’ is a hallmark of the brand.
8. Capital
Capital was set up than 40 years ago by Paolo Viscovich, and the name has become synonymous with luxury furniture sector. It’s another of the Italian furniture companies with several brands under one umbrella. Capital products use only materials produced or grown in Italy, and use artisan craftsmanship and experience to create their high end furniture. They produce wooden furniture such as sideboards and bookcases; padded furniture such as armchairs and a range of accessories including mirrors, carpets and lighting.
9. Foppapedretti
Famous for wooden furniture, Foppapedretti began in 1945 when founder Ezio Foppa Pedretti began to make toys with the remnants from his uncle’s umbrella factory. The company diversified into nursery furniture and then into garden furniture. Now, they specialise in simple wooden furniture for modern lifestyles, still with a strong emphasis on nursery furniture.
10. Alivar
Since 1984, Alivar has been producing furniture they describe as ‘contemporary and discreetly luxurious’. Another Italian furniture brand who only use Italian production and resources, their furniture is made by hand in Tuscany. They have strong eco credentials and focus on producing furniture that will be handed down for generations rather than subscribing to a ‘throw away’ culture. Their range includes both padded and solid furniture.
We know we said 10, but it was a tough choice, so here’s one more top Italian furniture brand we can’t resist including…
11. Martini Mobili
Furniture factory Martini Mobili was founded in the 1960s in Verona, a region famous for its traditions of wood-working. They specialise in bespoke cabinetry for kitchens and fitted wardrobes, but also make some smaller pieces such as tables and chairs.
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