B&B Italia : Modern Italian Furniture with Integrity

In today's market, high-end clothing and furnishings are becoming as popular in the US as they have always been in Europe. Americans have practically been conditioned to go for quantity over quality, and it ends up costing them more in the long run. If many US consumers were to go into a high-end furnishing store and see a simple chair they loved, but saw that it was $1,500.00 dollars, they may turn around and walk right out.

A European would inquire about the chairs quality, durability, warranty, and versatility, then weigh its attributes against a cheaper version that cost half as much. Most often the cheaper version will be similar in looks, but the original version will last 5 times longer than the lower quality copy. In theory, the European consumer just saved over double the higher-end chairs worth.

An example of one such high-end company is the brand B&B Italia. As the name obviously suggests, these gorgeous modern furnishings are made with pride in Italy, and exported all over the world. I once worked for a showroom that sold this particular brand, and the attention to detail is impeccable. They come with high price tags, but the quality put into them is made to last. I have had customers that literally inherited pieces from their relatives, and came in to order new covers to fit the frames. That is why I like to call them "investment-pieces", because these furnishings never really lose their value, and limited edition or hard to find pieces can actually be worth more in time.

The structural elements of B&B Italia's furnishings are made of steel, which assures that they can stand the test of time, and use. Padded furnishings are created by placing the steel frame in a mold and enclosing it in a cold-foamed polyurethane. This base assembly is then covered in a bonding fabric, which is ready to accept any covering it is ordered in. Only pieces ordered in leathers are permanently covered, all fabric upholstery is bonded to the assembly using bonded velveteen that the Velcro can be applied to. What this essentially means is that fabric covers are removable and replaceable. If you invest $8,000.00 plus in a sofa, and your kids/pets/time wear it out, you don't need to purchase another sofa, just order another cover at a fraction of the price.

Pricing these high-end items can be tricky, because there is not always a set price for each item. If you want to purchase a chair, like the "Metropolitan Chair" by Jeffery Bernett, several options must be considered.

Among the options:

• What type of fabric? You must choose from category A, B, E, S, L or from leathers A, G, K, etc... All of them are different price points, and the headrest may be ordered in the same, or a contrasting fabric.
• With or without the back cushion?
• Which base would you like? Chrome or black varnished? The spoke base as above, or the disk base shown below:

All of these factors make it difficult for other companies to compete with their prices, because to actually get a quote you must either go to a showroom, or have firsthand knowledge of the product and be able to ballpark it. My estimation for the Metropolitan shown here is around $3,500.00 without the ottoman.

Below are finished examples of the art pieces that B&B commissioned from fabulous designers with various backgrounds:

Terminal, by Jean Marie Massaud, is a creative take on a day bed. The form looks as if it can cradle your body while floating in mid-air. The plastic body of the bed is upholstered with leather, and is held above a metal frame. In order to create a monochromatic effect, the same color is used on all parts of the piece. It is available in 4 basic colors: white, anthracite, camomile, and petrol.

The "Lazy Night Bed", designed by Patricia Urquiola, is a great example of B&B's unique attitude toward furnishings and life. The piece is fun, yet functional, changeable, and yet classic. It comes in single and double (as above) configurations that are adjustable in height. The cushions are held in place by elastic straps, and can be adjusted for your preference, and are available in three colors.

The striped chair above, Up5, is from the Up 2000 series. The series was designed by Gaetano Pesce, and the forms have been around since 1969. Up5 is the most recognizable of the collection, and is reminiscent of a female figure. It is tied to a spherical ottoman by a cord that bonds them together. As with most items that have come from the era, there is a meaningful symbology used in this sculptural design, it was created to symbolize "the shackles that keep women subjugated". The piece is available in black, red, blue, green, yellow, and the orange and beige stripe above. There are also a number of special edition green and white striped Up5's out there, these will be highly prized for collectors.

The "Charles Sofa" was designed by one of B&B's favorite designers, Antonio Citterio, a native of Italy. He creates many beautiful pieces, but the Charles Sofa has been a huge success. Its clean lines and welcoming form have made it a classic. The colors can be fun and bright, like the magenta sofa above, or they can be neutral and blend with everything. The sofa lends itself to both styles. The ottoman in the forefront can also be used as a soft coffee table, as the picture displays. Pillows are considered accents, and can be the same as the sofa, contrasting, or a mix of the two. It is available in all of the fabrics and leathers the line offers.

Wall systems are very popular in Europe, as the take up little space, and yet store or display things so very well. The model above is called "Shift", and is shown in light oak with black interior. The unexpected slants and movement make it unique from the usual clean lined, straight forms that make up B&B's other systems. Also shown is the "J.J. Armchair" in Congac colored oak and white leather (possibly cow hide). Patricia Urquiola is responsible for Shift's design, while Antonio Citterio created the J.J. Armchair.

B&B Italia was founded in 1966, and has helped to shape the contemporary furnishings industry, by leading the way with inventive design. A quote, taken directly from their website sums up their effect on the market perfectly, "The Company's ability to reflect contemporary culture, to sense and anticipate trends, to respond to changes in taste and living needs, has resulted in a collection of world-famous furnishings, which account for a crucial chapter in the history of Italian design."