Market

Annie Block and Karen D. Singh -- Interior Design, 7/1/2007 12:00:00 AM

Bold or Fold

Jake Phipps's collapsible Isis continues the tradition of ingenuity, functionality, and beauty established by Michael Thonet in the 19th century. If origami could be furniture, it would look like this: Closed, Gebrüder Thonet Vienna's chair is an eminently storable, flat rectangle; open, the form is stylishly grasshopperlike. The solid beech frame and plywood seat and back panels can be varnished orange, black, white, or blue. 2 Via Pietro Cossa, 20121 Milan, Italy; 39-02-7780-7701; thonet-vienna.com. circle 309

Meritalia

Like an unzipped sleeping bag, Gaetano Pesce's Shadow is perfect for napping. The chair is made of a technologically advanced polyurethane that expands in response to each sitter's shape, then stiffens to hold that form. Upholstery is cotton, metallic polyester, or PVC—in sizes for adults and children. 76/78 Via Como, 22066 Mariano Comense (Como), Italy; 39-031-743100; meritalia.it. circle 310

Cappellini

Jasper Morrison's Lotus collection blooms to include new versions of the armchair. There are now three back choices: low, medium, and high, the latter with a sleek pillow headrest. The prong base comes with or without castors. A companion ottoman, available in two shades of brown or gray leather, sports contrast stitching. 152 Wooster Street, New York, NY 10012; 212-966-0669; cappellini.it. circle 311

Arper

When Jean-Marie Massaud isn't daydreaming about his Manned Cloud airship-hotel, his practical mind turns to task chairs. Evidence his slim, balanced, comfortable Aston Office. The polyurethane seat and back can be upholstered in 15 colors of leather or COM. The aluminum base comes four- or five-star, the latter on castors. "Direction" and "conference" styles also available. 16 Via Lombardia, 31050 Monastier di Treviso, Italy; 39-0422-791902; arper.it. circle 312

Domodinamica

No need to jump through hoops for eye-catching seating. Stefano Giovannoni and Francesco Paretti's Hula Hoop ottomans connect via an iron arm attached to the base; wheels make any configuration a breeze to move. Polyurethane covers the thermoformed plastic shell, which is 25 inches across and 13 high. 23 Via Molise, 40060 Osteria Grande (Bologna), Italy; 39-051-945896; domodinamica.com. circle 313

Moroso

No man is an island, but seating can be. Toshiyuki Kita's three-piece Saruyama Islands, a spin-off from pieces he designed in 1989, offers seating modules that work independently as loungers, love seats, and ottomans or attach to create a free-form sectional. Moroso at Moss, 146 Greene Street, New York, NY 10012; 212-334-7222; moroso.it. circle 314

Gufram

Cast aside all thoughts of pink flamingos, and instead consider Cactus to ornament lawns. Channeling the rugged vibe of Southwest desert succulents—newly available in white—this surrealist piece is anything but prickly. 27 Via Fraschetti, 10070 Balangero (Turin), Italy; 39-0123-346910; gufram.com. circle 315

Fiam Italia

Lighting was architect Paolo Rizzato's first passion: He cofounded Luceplan in 1978. Since then, he's moved on to furniture. The Virgola cocktail table is rendered in ½-inch-thick curved glass—either clear glass on its own, clear glass back-painted white, or smoked glass back-painted black. The piece measures 40 inches wide by 16 high. 1 Via Ancona, 61010 Tavullia (Urbino), Italy; 39-0721-20051; fiamitalia.it. circle 316

Bonaldo

For two years, Karim Rashid has been refining the facets of the Poly chair. Made of injection-molded polycarbonate, this lightweight indoor-outdoor stacker is manufactured in a wide variety of finishes: fully transparent colorless; semitransparent pink, lime, orange, and smoked; and high-gloss opaque black and white. 3 Via Straelle, 35010 Villanova (Padua), Italy; 39-0499-299011; bonaldo.it. circle 317

Frighetto

Mark Naden, a partner at the architecture firm TODA, looks at design from all angles. He calls his Pouf Pot chair "an exploration of geometries expressed on both sides." It comes in two versions: One is shaped steel, encased in foam and covered with fabric or leather; the other is rotation-molded polypropylene in white, black, green, orange, or gray. 70 Via Santa Rosa, 36016 Thiene (Venice), Italy; 39-0445-389611; frighetto.it. circle 318

Poly Chromatic

With polyethylene fashioned into lighting, watts not to love? Such is the bright idea behind Marc Sadler's Duemilasette outdoor lamps for Serralunga. With names that sound like a coterie of charming spinsters, the pieces are scored with reveals that allow light to slip through. The Lady Jane and the more petite Miss Jane have traditional lamp silhouettes, the larger version being 21 inches in diameter and 82 inches high versus 15 ¾ inches and 59 inches. Lotuslike Lady Mary stands 82 inches tall and measures 27 ½ inches at her widest point. Resembling an oversize vase, Grand Mary is 26 ¾ inches across and 27 ½ high. A pendant fixture, Aunt Jane, has dimensions of 21 ½ inches in diameter and 27 ½ in height; the articulating floor-lamp version, Dear Jane, is 75 inches wide. All are offered in solid matte red, yellow, or neutral as well as in combinations of glossy black, white, or gold on neutral or red or green on yellow. 9 Via Serralunga, 13900 Biella, Italy; 39-0152-435711; serralunga.com. circle 319

Ooh La La

Philippe Starck has never been a prude about inanimate objects, and his mojo-driven Privé line for Cassina is no exception. The furniture equivalent of a spinster librarian by day, pole dancer by night, the pieces initially appear conservative with such Miesian details as leather button tufting and cylindrical polished-aluminum legs. The daybed has flip-down back cushions as well as rotating oversize arms that multitask as places to rest a laptop or a drink; the same arm reappears with the sofa, lounge chair, and ottoman. But watch out. Sofa, lounge chair, and daybed are all offered with optional loops perfect for attaching handcuffs and harnesses. Meanwhile, the Passion and Caprice guest chairs welcome that about-last-night chat. For upholstery, select from four grades of leather. 155 East 56th Street, New York, NY 10022; 800-770-3568; cassina.com. circle 320

Bonacina Pierantonio

This sunny sliver of a tubular-steel-framed chair is ideal for cafés and other outdoor venues. Both the seat and back are woven nylon reinforced with Rolon, an easy-to-clean material that won't fade even after basking in the hot sun all day. Offered in red and black as well as white. 20A Via San Andrea, 22040 Lurago d'Erba (Como), Italy; 39-031-699225; bonacinapierantonio.it. circle 321

Poltrona Frau

Every lady needs a dressing table, and most will covet Andrée Putman's Feluca. Its leather-wrapped top opens like a compact to reveal baubles, potions, and other personal effects. Four leather straps keep brushes and the like in place. A rotating mirror flips up, a discreet drawer stores jewelry, and a leather accordion file holds invitations—or love letters. 145 Wooster Street, New York, NY 10012; 212-777-7592; frauusa.com. circle 323

Driade

Drink in the goblet shape of Moore, an indoor/outdoor nylon seat affixed to a nylon-covered plinth base. If you choose the opaque bronze-colored seat, you can select a base that's either matching or lead gray. Or opt for the all-white high-gloss version. 12 Via Padana Inferiore, 29012 Fossadello di Caorso, Italy; 39-0523-822360; driade.com. circle 322

Arturo Álvarez

Among those in the spotlight at Euroluce were this designer and his limited-edition Nevo table lamp. Handmade in blue or white silicone on a steel frame, no two are alike. The lamp stands 28 inches high and takes either incandescent or fluorescent bulbs. Floor, sconce, and pendant styles round out the collection. 9 San Miguel de Sarandón, 15886 Vedra A Coruña, Spain; 34-98-181-4600; arturo-alvarez.com. circle 324

B&B Italia

Had Mr. Spock a bachelor pad, the Moon seating system would be front and center. Zaha Hadid continues to ride her trademark contours with this race car of a sectional look-alike—actually a single upholstered form, plus ottoman. Ideal for large open spaces, upholstered in out-of-this-world metallic acrylic. 150 East 58th Street, New York, NY 10155; 800-872-1697; bebitalia.it. circle 325

Costantini Pietro

Architect Giorgio Soressi's Jazz buffet is a syncopated composition of striated ebony veneer, with four doors opening to reveal a drawer and two shelves. At 86 inches wide by 30 high by 21 deep, the piece sits on stainless-steel feet. 5 Via Remis, 33050 San Vito al Torre (Udine), Italy; 39-0432-997660; costantinipietro.com. circle 326

Maoli

If only Goldilocks had encountered Alessandro Loschiavo's Walking Family curved-legged tables at those shaggy bears' house. Of the three sizes, including a console and side versions, one is sure to fit just right. All are made of rosewood, ebony, or mahogany, with a natural sealant. 19 Via Arnaldo Agnelli, 21013 Gallarate, Italy, 39-0331-777598; maoli.it. circle 327

Molteni & C

The darling of Paris and, lately, New York, Jean Nouvel brought his talent for sculptural innovation to Milan with the Skin sofa. The 7-foot-wide piece features double-sided black leather with self-modeling geometric incisions, a tubular-steel frame, and a steel base. Available next spring. 50 Via Rossini, 20034 Giussano (Milan), Italy; 39-03-623591; molteni.it. circle 328

Euga Design

Eugenio Gargioni and Paola Traversa made their mark in Milan with a cheeky sofa sticking out its red "tongue." More restrained, their complementary Twin chairs were inspired by a tree trunk. The structure is veneered in oak; the seat, molded from oak scraps, wedges into place without any hardware. Similarly hardware-free is the compact form the chairs make together. 4 Via Malaga, 20124 Milan, Italy; 39-02-3656-0931; eugadesign.it. circle 329