Launching an entirely new category as a heritage furniture company requires both respect for one’s roots and a vision for the future. Molteni&C’s creative director, Vincent Van Duysen, certainly had this in mind while working on the brand’s debut outdoor collection.
For Van Duysen, Molteni’s extensive archives were a huge source of inspiration: An entire seating line arose from Luca Meda’s Palinfrasca sofa, originally designed in 1994, while Gio Ponti’s classic D.150.5 chaise longue and the D.154.2 armchair have been reissued with an eye to sustainability.
The Palinfrasca daybed.
Van Duysen also looked to contemporary designers Foster + Partners and Ron Gilad to reinterpret, respectively, the Arc dining table in a cement finish and the Panna Cotta side tables in iron and lava stone. Van Duysen’s own suite of furniture, Timeout, consists of a sofa, lounge, and dining furniture with elements of woven poly-propylene rope.
The D.150.5 chaise longue.
“The collection is defined by an innate sense of savoir faire,” chief marketing officer Giulia Molteni says. “There is a strong emphasis on craftsmanship, delving into the rich tradition of Italian design.”
By striking the right balance between legacy and modernity, Molteni&C’s migration outdoors is poised for success, Italian style.
This story originally appeared in the May 2023 issue of ELLE DECOR. SUBSCRIBE
Style Director, ELLE Decor
Parker Bowie Larson is the Style Director for ELLE Decor, covering everything interior design-related ranging from tabletop to furniture to kitchen and bath, and has previously worked for Architectural Digest and Cottage Living.
