Spanish-born, Milan-based architect Patricia Urquiola doesn’t lack for commissions these days, and, unlike the work of many other high-concept architects, her projects tend to get constructed, envelope-pushing though they sometimes are. And when she’s not imagining covetable creations for contemporary furniture houses — including B&B Italia, Driade and Cassina, where she was named art director in 2015 — Urquiola makes headlines by designing some of the world’s most aesthetically ambitious hotels, such as 2016’s Il Sereno on Lake Como in Lombardy, Italy.
Born in Oviedo, in northern Spain, Urquiola grew up in a family that valued creativity. Everyone in the house, she says, talked and cared about design. She fondly remembers her mother going to London in the 1960s and ’70s and coming back home with a Mary Quant this, a David Hicks that. When it came time to go to university, Urquiola decided that her place was architecture school, first at the Polytechnic University of Madrid and then at the Polytechnic University of Milan, where she completed her design thesis — a felt carpet with a panel that connected to a home’s electricity source and telephone line so that you could plug, say, a table lamp and your phone into it — under the direction of legendary Italian industrial designer Achille Castiglioni.
Today, Urquiola has become a go-to when it comes to avant-garde product, hospitality and retail design, working with such blue-chip international furniture, fashion and hotel companies as Alessi, Baccarat, Salvatore Ferragamo, Kvadrat, Mandarin Oriental, Panerai, Rosenthal, W Hotels and Louis Vuitton, among many others. Her residential projects, meanwhile, though few and far between, stretch from such far-flung locations as Punta del Este, Uruguay, and Melbourne, Australia, to closer-to-home Udine, in northeastern Italy, where she designed the two-story, largely open-plan glass-and-cedar home of Patrizia Moroso, creative director of the family-owned design company that bears her last name.
Over the course of a long-term and highly productive collaboration spanning some 20 years, Urquiola has created dozens and dozens of Moroso-branded products. A chair from her 2001 Fjord line of seating, tables and poufs for the company sits in the collection of New York’s Museum of Modern Art, and Moroso debuted (love me) Tender, her modular sofa system upholstered in jersey, during Milan’s Salone Internazionale del Mobile in April of 2014.
Find Patricia Urquiola furniture on 1stDibs.
The Michigan-based furniture maker Steelcase has a long and distinguished history, but collectors focus on its vintage office furniture and desk chairs from the 1950s to the ’70s, when, along with such companies as Knoll and Herman Miller, the firm helped define the aesthetics of American mid-century modernism.
Steelcase was founded in Grand Rapids in 1912 as the Metal Office Furniture Company, promoting steel desks and other furnishings as safer, fireproof alternatives to wooden pieces at a time when smoking in the workplace was common. Boston’s first skyscraper — the 32-story Customs House — was furnished by the company in 1915. Frank Lloyd Wright, an American architect and furniture designer whose work had a profound influence on the shape of modern life, turned to the firm in 1937 to fabricate the enameled metal chairs and desks for his Johnson Wax Headquarters in Racine, Wisconsin.
In the 1950s, when Steelcase formally adopted the name it still uses today, the company developed a sleek and functional style employing rectilinear chrome frames for glass-topped tables and upholstered seating pieces. The look is similar to that of the minimal, Bauhaus-inspired designs of Florence Knoll, another icon of furniture design who helped shape the ethos of the postwar business world.
By the 1970s, Steelcase had enlivened its styling, offering such pieces as chairs and side tables designed by Gardner Leaver, with circular bases and curving supports. As you will see on these pages, Steelcase designs offer a perfect foundation for a modernist decor, with a touch of flair.
Find vintage Steelcase furniture on 1stDibs.
Modern Patricia Urquiola for Coalesse Hosu Chaise Lounge Chair with Ottoman
By Steelcase, Coalesse, Patricia Urquiola
Located in Secaucus, NJ
Fabulous Hosu convertible chaise lounge chair with ottoman and lumbar pillow by Coalesse. Hosu is a habitat to relax, work, think and read, ...
Fabric, Polyester, Plywood
Modern Axel Enthoven for BuzziSpace BuzziMe Swivel Lounge Chair with Ottoman
By Axel Enthoven
Located in Secaucus, NJ
The BuzziMe lounge chair combines functionality and ergonomics, built with dense high performance acoustic sound absorbing materials. Its unique design has been developed intentionally to reduce external noise and peripheral vision. It creates private areas in open spaces a place to retreat in peace and quiet. The 360-degree rotating base adds an element of fun and privacy. Please note the price listed is for 2 items "1 lounge and 1 ottoman" Description: Internal upholstery: Wool blue color External upholstery: Contrasting fabric in charcoal dark grey and green color Shell is comprised of birch plywood Seat and back cushions are made of acoustic foam 360 degrees metal swivel base powder coated in grey "please note the ottoman base don't swivel" Model: BuzziMe lounge chair with headrest and ottoman # HCBZ-MEL1-HN2C Style: Modern Made by: BuzziSpace Designer: Axel Enthoven...
Metal
Modern Axel Enthoven for BuzziSpace Blue BuzziMe Swivel Lounge Chair and Ottoman
By Axel Enthoven
Located in Secaucus, NJ
The BuzziMe lounge chair combines functionality and ergonomics, built with dense high performance acoustic sound absorbing materials. Its unique design has been developed intentionally to reduce external noise and peripheral vision. It creates private areas in open spaces a place to retreat in peace and quiet. The 360-degree rotating base adds an element of fun and privacy. Please note the price listed is for 2 items "1 lounge and 1 ottoman" Description: Internal upholstery: Wool blue color External upholstery: Contrasting fabric in charcoal dark grey and blue color Shell is comprised of birch plywood Seat and back cushions are made of acoustic foam 360 degrees metal swivel base powder coated in grey "please note the ottoman base don't swivel" Model: BuzziMe lounge chair with headrest and ottoman # HCBZ-MEL1-HN2C Style: Modern Made by: BuzziSpace Designer: Axel Enthoven...
Metal
Modern Contemporary Edgar Reuter for Coalesse Khaki Pasio Lounge Chairs, a Pair
By Steelcase, Coalesse
Located in Secaucus, NJ
The Pasio lounge is well constructed with high-end quality materials and craftsmanship, Very comfortable and the contemporary modern design make this lounge appropriate for residential and commercial use, Please note the price listed is for a Pair "Two chairs" Specifications: Upholstery: Multiple densities of polyurethane foam and polyester fiber on seat, back and arms Fabric: 100% Polyester, Color Beige Khaki and Brown Solid maple legs dark mahogany finish with non-adjustable glides Frame: Plywood tab construction Model: Pasio Lounge # 263 Designed by: Edgar Reuter...
Fabric, Polyester, Maple, Plywood
Contemporary Scott Wilson for Coalesse SW_1 Gray High-Back Lounge Swivel Chair
By Steelcase, Coalesse
Located in Secaucus, NJ
The Modern beauty and elegant design of the SW_1 high-back collaborative swivel lounge chair fits seamlessly into any environment and among mid-century classic designs. The breathable mesh back provides increased comfort for long work sessions. A swiveling base and open arms expand the view. An elegant yet contemporary masterpiece that's comfortable and well designed, well-crafted beauty for the modern home. Appropriate for home and workplace interiors. Please note I have two chairs available, selling them individually (the price listed is for one chair) Specification: The seat and upper back are upholstered in medium gray color fabric with a quadrilateral pattern in white, yellow, and tomato red. Lower back: 3D Knit mesh in ivory color, provides back support and breathability. 4-star base aluminum matte polished. Frame: steel tube The swivel base has an automatic return-to-center mechanism. Glides: aluminum with non marring easy gliding plastic insert. Style: Contemporary/Modern Designed by: Scott Wilson...
Aluminum
Modern EOOS for Coalesse Joel Blue Swivel Lounge Chairs by Walter Knoll, a Pair
By EOOS, Coalesse, Walter Knoll
Located in Secaucus, NJ
Fabulous pair of Joel blue swivel lounge chairs by Walter Knoll. The modern beauty and smart design of the Joel lounge chair is a new take o...
Steel, Chrome
Reupholstered ‘Alky’ Lounge Chairs in the Style of Giancarlo Piretti
By Giancarlo Piretti
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Lounge chairs, wool "Fuse" Raf Simons by Kvadrat, aluminum, Italy, 1970s These lounge chairs strongly remind of Giancarlo Piretti’s ‘Alky’ lounge chair (1969), yet they feature char...
Aluminum
Tacchini Costela Lounge Chair & Ottoman Designed by Martin Eisler
By Tacchini, Martin Eisler
Located in New York, NY
Ottoman and Lounge chair- upholstered in starting fabric Walnut or grey stained Costela Designed by Martin Eisler Costela is an armchair with an unmistakable history: elegant and inf...
Upholstery
Customizable F518 Lounge Chair with Ottoman by Geoffrey D. Harcourt RDI
Located in New York, NY
ottoman dimensions: 42cm H D: 65cm W: 54cm The F518 Lounge Chair, designed by Geoffrey D. Harcourt, is part of the iconic F500 series by Artifort and stands as a refined expression ...
Upholstery
Customizable Moroso Redondo Lounge Chair by Patricia Urquiola
By Patricia Urquiola
Located in New York, NY
Injected flame-retardant polyurethane foam and polyester fiber over internal frame in steel. Feet in plypropylene. The fabric used for upholstering the collection is quilted on parti...
Upholstery
2010s Pair of Hollow Lounge Chairs by Patricia Urquiola for B&B Italia in Fabric
By Patricia Urquiola, B&B Italia
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a pair of ‘Hollow’ Lounge Chairs, designed by Patricia Urquiola for B & B Italia in 2006. This particular pair was manufactured in Italy C. 2010. The listed price includes bo...
Steel
Exquisite Pair of Artifort Alky Chairs by Giancarlo Piretti
By Artifort, Giancarlo Piretti
Located in Voorburg, NL
These Sculptural Alky chairs are designed by Giancarlo Piretti in the ‘70s for Artifort. Piretti is renowned for his innovative and functional furniture designs, particularly in the realm of ergonomic seating. The Alky chair...
Aluminum
