Originally Published: 2006-12-31

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Harry Bertoia's famous Diamond chair is echoed in the recent Leaf chair by Treviso furniture manufacturer Arper. Designed by Spanish firm Lievore Altherr Molina, the chair takes its inspiration from nature and presents a leaf motif in an all-steel construction with finishing options including chrome or matte green. The Spanish design team also created Arper's popular Catifa series of seating, a product line that defines modern design with its minimalist use of polypropylene and steel.
Bergamo-based Baleri Italia recently produced the unique Littlebig chair, a design by New York's Jeff Miller. The chair frame is oversized and a plywood seat and back are cantilevered from the frame's front edge. Littlebig appears as a modern version of a very traditional chair type. Another innovative chair from a small manufacturer is the Trace chair by Desalto. Created by London-based designer Shin Azumi, the recent Desalto model features a minimalist seat and back of engineered polymer supported on a stainless steel frame.
Although these smaller Italian furniture companies are less known outside industry circles, their innovative work can challenge the major players and strengthen the sector as a whole. For consumers, the benefits may be design solutions that get ever closer to reconciling form with function.

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