– 11 years ago
Creative Italian design masters Giulio Cappellini and Tessa Valdés next to the Wanders tulip armchair
To call the Proust Geometrica armchair a special piece of furniture would be an understatement. This work screams “Tessa” all over it, and it was this piece by Cappellini that immediately caught my eye. Colorful and whimsical, this stunning piece is the centerpiece of his window display at the new Cappellini showroom in Bonifacio Global City.
Created by Alessandro Mendini, this hand-finished armchair with a wooden frame and multi-colored upholstery is just one of the many home furnishings offered at Cappellini. Iconically designed modular furniture, home accessories and container systems fill the recently opened spacious showroom under Italian owner Giulio Cappellini.
Suyen Corp., the name behind Bench and Dimensioné, is the exclusive distributor of Cappellini in the Philippines. Ben Chan, founder of Bench, and his team decided to open his own Cappellini monobrand showroom in BGC after stocking a few Cappellini products in their Dimensage shop a few years ago. Ta. Bench Vice President Brian Lim is pleased to represent the Italian design firm in Italy, France, the United States and other key locations as well.
In our pleasant conversation at the beginning, we learn that, apart from all his successes and accomplishments in the design field, Giulio is very family-oriented and really enjoys being with his wife and children. He said his youngest daughter has expressed an interest in furniture design.
Colorful and whimsical Proust Geometrica armchair by Alessandro Mendini
trendsetter
He spoke of the team of designers who helped turn the company into one of the world's biggest “trendsetters.” This Milanese architect has been active since his 1979 and is widely recognized as an international design tastemaker.
Time magazine even hailed him as one of the top ten trendsetters of our time, and one of the most charismatic leaders in the design field. Cappellini helped launch the careers of award-winning designers including Jasper his Morrison, Marcel Wanders, the Bouroullec brothers, Nendo, and Tom Dixon. Many of Cappellini's designs have become iconic pieces, exhibited in museums around the world, including the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, the Museum of Modern Art in New York, and the Center Pompidou in Paris.
Local showrooms display important works by several of Cappellini's designers. Marcel Wanders' Wanders Tulip armchair is displayed at the entrance of the store. The tulip-shaped armchair has a shiny swivel base made of black varnished metal that provides support that mimics the stem of a flower.
Org's cool table by Fabio Novembre is a real hit. A structural coffee table made of flexible polypropylene rope legs and rigid legs with a steel internal structure covered with white, red or black rope. Architect Miguel Pastor and I had fun figuring out which of the rope legs were real supports or just decorative pieces.
Exciting living set with cotton flower lamp by Marcel Wanders and cloud book case by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec
Shiro Kuramata's rotating cabinet is one of the units I desperately need to store all my accessories. The chest of drawers has 20 drawers made of red glossy acrylic material and rotates around vertical metal supports.
Exploring design between imagination and reality, Cappellini's designs transform original pieces and evolve them into contemporary pieces. Cappellini's products are perfected with respect for the traditional “sartorial'' productive aspects.
As I experienced each piece in the store, I felt that it wasn't just the Proust Geometrica armchair that screamed “Tessa”, but almost all of Cappellini's innovative and interesting pieces. It will definitely be on your Christmas list this year.
stylish christmas decorations
As Christmas approaches, check out Cappellini and its neighboring shop, Dimense. There are colorful trees and decorations that match the Christmas theme.
ORG table by Fabio Novembre, anthracite satinate vase, single vase, Lorenzo bowl
For more stylish Christmas decorations, stop by Our Home Shop, your one-stop shop for Christmas lights, garlands, decorative pillows, and more. The theme for our family's Christmas decorations this year was Paris, so we were able to purchase Paris-inspired tree ornaments, napkins, and table runners.
SM North Mall's home shop also carries exquisite Indian and Tibetan furniture. A beige marble-topped coffee table and silver-leafed armchair are on display.
SM North Mall's furniture section houses a variety of shops ranging from traditional Pinoy furniture and lighting. It's great to have all your furniture options locally. Happy shopping.
Follow @tessavaldes on Twitter or email seaprincess@inquirer.com.ph.
