Most people know Berluti as a fashion brand but actually, the maison has been designing furniture since the 1960s.
It started with the Club Chair, designed by Talbinio Berluti for optimal comfort and perfect foot placement during the shoe fitting process. The Venezia leather armchair was a hit with customers, who started ordering it for their homes.
Since 2015, the furniture and lifestyle branch has grown to include tables, ottomans, sofas as well as art objects and games, such as a table football and pool table.
One of its recent collections, however, comes full circle. The Marbeuf line is a contemporary take on the first Club Chairs. Taking its name from the maison's historical Parisian location on 26 Rue Marbeuf, it features a more spacious version of the chair.
There are nods to the brand's classic Alessandro shoe. Embracing the same no-stitching principle, it uses Venezia hides. Any stitching is purely decorative. The exposed legs are made from wood - traditionally used on bespoke shoe lasts - and their notched details, rims and dovetail joints pay homage to the brand's shoe-making artisanship.
A matching desk and office chair will also be available at a later date.
The second collection, Swann, is meant for shared living spaces. Its streamlined and contemporary lines easily blend with all interiors, as do its materials: a mix of wood, Venezia leather and cashmere or wool.
The salon chair, ottoman and two- and three-seater sofas can be upholstered in smooth Tiepolo wool or soft Sherpas cashmere. Four tables - a console, two coffee tables and a side table - combining Italian marble and Venezia leather, complete the collection.
Both Marbeuf and Swann can be personalized. Customers can choose from a variety of fabrics, colors, patinas and Scritto-embossed details for the upholstery and different types of wood for the frame - which can be natural or dyed in black or brown.
A stand-out piece is a boldly colored version of the Marbeuf Club Chair. Inspired by the rich hues of the northern Indian city of Chandigarh, it has vibrant patinas of Utopia Blue, Nespola Orange, Pinjore Garden Green and Sukhna Sunset Purple, among other shades.
The collections are available by special order.
ivy.ong@singtaonewscorp.com
