MARVELOUS DESIGNS, SERIOUS CRAFTSMANSHIP || A Look Inside Promemoria and Bottega Ghianda's Latest Collection at Milan Design Week 2024
In the bustling city of Milan, renowned for its historical richness in fashion and art, Milan Design Week 2024 brings a stunning exhibition of luxury and craftsmanship from two of Italy's most prestigious design houses, Promemoria and Bottega Ghianda.
The sister brands, stalwarts of bespoke interior elegance, unveiled their latest collection, "Meraviglioso & Meravigliosa," which translates to "Marvelous" in English—an apt descriptor for an assembly of pieces that echo both the splendour of traditional craftsmanship and the innovative edges of modern design.
A Tradition of Excellence: Promemoria and Bottega Ghianda
Promemoria’s journey began in 1988 under the visionary Romeo Sozzi, who named his venture a tribute to the art of preservation—celebrating the handmade, the extraordinary. Rooted deeply in the picturesque milieu of Lake Como, Promemoria’s creations are a regular feature in the lavish interiors of global connoisseurs known for their custom-made and limited-edition masterpieces.
Just as steeped in history, Bottega Ghianda has been at the forefront of fine woodworking since the 19th century. The workshop collaborates with exceptional designers to bring creative visions to life, courtesy of its master craftsmen. Known for its precise and detailed woodwork, Bottega Ghianda's products are more than furniture; they are pieces of art that reflect the apex of woodworking artistry.
The 2024 "Meraviglioso & Meravigliosa" Collection
This year, the brands have outdone themselves by collaborating with celebrated architect Álvaro Siza, who brings his touch of minimalist elegance and functional beauty to the collection. Siza, a Pritzker Prize laureate, designed three pivotal pieces of the lineup, including the ethereal "Desencontro" table and the sculpturally sinuous "Capri" chaise longues.
Featured Pieces by Álvaro Siza
The Desencontro Table
Photo Credits: Desencontro Table, Álvaro Siza
This masterfully crafted table features asymmetrical legs supporting a delicate top of maple or birch wood. Its design plays on the mismatched theme—challenging traditional aesthetics and encouraging a freer, more dynamic approach to space arrangement.
Capri Chaise Longues
Photo Credits: Capri Chaise Longue, Álvaro Siza
The Capri is a testament to the gravity-defying possibilities of modern woodworking, featuring two curved, press-bent sheets of birch plywood that conjure the image of sails in the wind. This piece is finished in polished hues of strawberry burgundy and dark blue seafoam, enhancing its visual impact.
Innovations from Romeo and Davide Sozzi
The Battista Coffee Table
Inspired by the abstract geometries of Piet Mondrian, this table features a vibrant play of colours and shapes, utilizing various wood essences inlaid into the tabletop—a visual metaphor for Mondrian’s iconic compositions.
Gelosie Bench
Photo Credits: Gelosie Bench, Romeo Sozzi
A reimagined version of the classic trunk, this bench integrates storage with style. Its leather upholstery and oak structure make it not only a functional piece but also a focal point in any room.
The Hugo Wardrobe
Photo Credits: HUGO, Romeo Sozzi
Designed by Romeo Sozzi, this wardrobe combines materials like gray eucalyptus, cypress wood, and leather, with glass doors that offer a peek into the customizable interior, which can be tailored in wallpaper, upholstery, or kept as bare wood for a rustic look.
"Meraviglioso & Meravigliosa" is more than just a furniture collection; it showcases how traditional techniques can merge with avant-garde design to create future classics. This exhibition reaffirms Promemoria and Bottega Ghianda's legacy in the luxury furniture market and redefines it, pushing the boundaries of design, luxury, and artistry.
