The iconic brand B&B Italia launched in Italy in the 1960s during a time of huge leaps in furniture and manufacturing innovation. Working closely with designers Gaetano Pesce and Joe Colombo, then Antonio Citterio, Patricia Urquiola and Piero Lissoni, the brand rose to cult status producing pieces that pushed boundaries and opened up new design possibilities. The ‘living landscape’ became the catch-phrase for a new way of relaxing, interiors alive with furniture that focused on social connection, comfort and iconic design. We asked creatives in Australia and Singapore what B&B Italia means to them, and the collections that continue to inspire.
Eternally Yours – B&B Italia forever...
Rebecca Caratti, Editor-in-Chief, VOGUE Living
An iconic brand recognised for transforming the furniture industry in the 60s, what does B&B Italia represent to you?
B&B Italia epitomises contemporary culture through design. They are leaders in iconic design who not only innovate through craftsmanship and impeccable quality, but also have a sense of humour and playfulness that brings joy to a home.
Which piece in the B&B Italia collection is on your go-to list and why?
Le Bambole sofa by Mario Bellini. It ticks all my design boxes: it's a statement piece that's both practical and comfortable, and it acts as a sculpture in any setting.
How important is furniture designed and made to last a lifetime?
I only invest in forever furniture. My home is a collection of pieces that I love and have a deep connection with. They all tell a story.
Gwen Tan, Principal Designer and Founder, Studio iF
An iconic brand recognised for transforming the furniture industry in the 60s, what does B&B Italia represent to you?
B&B Italia is a revolutionary brand that uses its technological advancement in furniture making to not only keep better built iconic and timeless furniture designs of yesteryears available, it also plays a pivotal role in launching new, original pieces that are tomorrow’s timeless icons.
Which piece in the B&B Italia collection is on your go-to list and why?
It’s so hard to only pick one, so it will be a list! For the classics, Le Bambole, designed in 1972, is a timeless piece that delivers effortlessly casual chic. I love the fact that the new editions are also very sustainable, each piece is made with recycled materials and designed for easy recycling.
The icon of icons, the Up Series ‘Big Mama’ launched in 1969, is a super ergonomic piece and a fashion statement for any space. Behind its dramatic appearance is a controversial narrative by its creator Gaetano Pesce, so it could be good ‘material’ for dinner table debate.
An all-time favourite is the Husk series of chairs first launched in 2012. The entire collection for indoor and outdoor delivers great comfort, product details and features. The shell and seat pads are detachable via buttons and the colour combinations between components makes it interesting when configuring a space. It has such a timeless appeal and more than 10 years on, we still find it attractive and relevant.
How important is furniture designed and made to last a lifetime?
Quality designs have a timeless appeal. We have clients whose favourite pieces move with them from house to house and those pieces are doing great nearly 20 years on. I have a deep penchant for furniture and I love well made, ergonomic pieces that are not only a treat for the body, but also a feast for the eyes. It’s very important to invest in good furniture pieces and I like the idea of a growing eclectic collections of furniture, art and plants that are often reorganised in new permutations whenever a new ‘member’ joins the clan.
Claire Delmar, Director, STUDIO CD Design
An iconic brand recognised for transforming the furniture industry in the 60s, what does B&B Italia represent to you?
B&B Italia represents pure timelessness, designs that capture the essence of modernism and elegance. Simplicity with bold experimentation, new materials, shapes, and concepts. The clean, simple, and functional creations truly stand out, and they deserve their respected position as a design leader.
Which piece in the B&B Italia collection is on your go-to list and why?
I can’t go past the Camaleonda designed by Mario Bellini in 1970. With its curved, sculptural form and distinctly retro style, the Camaleonda remains relevant and appealing today. As a stylist, the modular and versatile pieces are always a priority when specifying furniture. The ability to rearrange or customise them to fit different spaces is invaluable, it allows for adaptability and growth.
How important is furniture that is designed and made to last a lifetime?
Why settle for anything less than pieces designed to last a lifetime in both quality and style? Investing in furniture that not only enhances the living space but also contributes to sustainability, supports craftsmanship, and builds an emotional connection.
Miriam Fanning, Principal and Founder, Mim Design
An iconic brand recognised for transforming the furniture industry in the 60s, what does B&B Italia represent to you?
B&B Italia have contributed significantly to the legacy of interior design. By integrating technology, innovation and collaboration to create enduring designs, their iconic pieces of furniture continue to remain relevant today, transcending time and trend.
Which piece in the B&B Italia collection is on your go-to list and why?
The Gaetano Pesce UP Series armchair. Not only is it comfortable, it carries meaning and metaphor within its design. Referencing the female figure and womb-like comfort in its shape, the spherical ottoman attached to the armchair conjures a juxtaposing and thought-provoking sentiment. The chair is a lasting example of how design can move so far beyond form and functionality.
How important is furniture designed and made to last a lifetime?
I believe that every piece of furniture should hold meaning. Much like art, furniture can be incorporated into a space in the same way as a curated art collection; each piece representing a period of time, statement and feeling. Enduring design is a core part of our design philosophy. In all of our projects, we draw on robust materials and skilled craftsmanship that endure in both style and quality. Not only are the B&B Italia pieces iconic but they stand the test of time, making them sustainable in both their manufacturing processes and their stylistic approach that eschews trends.
Heidi Dokulil, Editor, More Space and Author, Sydney Brutalism
An iconic brand recognised for transforming the furniture industry in the 60s, what does B&B Italia represent to you?
How can you not fall for a brand who, with Gaetano Pesce, designed the UP5 armchair in air-sensitive foam so it could be squeezed into a small pizza box and when opened, magically expanded to the joyful gasps of the crowd at Milan Design Week in 1969. I mean how much fun is that. I don’t think there is any other brand quite like B&B Italia. Their ability to wrap design and innovation with the spirit of the moment is powerful. Plus they work with the most interesting designers in the world to produce collections that transcend time.
Which piece in the B&B Italia collection is on your go-to list and why?
The Alanda table designed by Paolo Piva for B&B Italia in 1980. We found ours at 50/60/70 before B&B Italia put the collection back into production a few years ago. When Lucy Feagans featured our house in The Design Files, it was the one piece that everyone gravitated to. It’s definitely the little black dress of the furniture world, you can layer it up and transform it in so many ways. It’s a beautiful chameleon!
How important is furniture designed and made to last a lifetime?
Furniture tells a story. What we collect and gather becomes a time capsule of our lives, loves, explorations and experiences. I remember spotting the Alanda table back in 2007. Its geometry, its size, its play on weight and weightlessness held something special, and the fact it can hold so many books! It has joined mirrored glass balls (seen in every room of Luis Barragán’s extraordinary house in Mexico City), grassy green Vico Magistretti chairs found caked in dirt on a street in Newtown, and pieces of sentimentality collected over the years. Including a lure shaped from an old champagne cork and spot-painted in fluro orange by an 80-year-old fisherman in Burrill Lake. It's a lovely gesture of material respect. I love having beautiful and interesting things around us that we know we’ll have forever. Like our grandparents who never wasted anything, reducing our impact on the planet’s resources is hugely important.
