Maxalto: timeless elegance

The aphorism ‘Study the past, if you would divine the future.’ is attributed to the Chinese philosopher Confucius, who believed that the best ideas came from things which already exist. This certainly applies to the world of furniture design, because the archetypes for the seats, tables, beds, and shelves we use today were defined centuries ago. Since then, we have been in a process of gradual refinement, always marked by the knowledge and skills of previous generations.

For Maxalto, the premium furniture brand founded by B&B Italia in 1975, the past is an important source of inspiration for its collection of contemporary products. Instead of following the latest trends, Maxalto pursues a timeless interpretation of style, characterised by classic silhouettes and high-quality materials. Under the direction of the Italian architect Antonio Citterio, the collection aims to ‘propose furnishings that express quality and sober luxury with the refined lines of the great masters of design’.

Citterio's work with Maxalto began as a study of the early twentieth century, later returning to the French design of the interwar period, and over the years finding new ways to interpret contemporary aesthetic trends. ‘I was following a theme when I designed the Maxalto collection,’ he says, ‘the importance of bourgeois living spaces and their tradition in the last century. Each piece tells of its function and celebrates its origin.’ This reverence for a bygone era characterised by elegance and sophistication still informs the latest products, which are tailored to the needs of contemporary living.

At this year's Salone del Mobile in Milan, Maxalto presented a series of additional pieces that make the existing collection even more varied. The new products embody Citterio's vision for the Maxalto collection by combining sophisticated craftsmanship with state-of-the-art technology. The elegant sofas, storage units, chairs, tables and headboards are complemented by extensions to the existing product ranges – with new finishes, textiles and colours that offer customers updated options for individualising their spaces.

The craftsmanship that is at the heart of the Maxalto brand is directly reflected in the Tesaurus line of storage cabinets designed by Citterio. The pieces have curved surfaces with a finish in textured parchment or natural wood. The production of the chessboard pattern with different wood veneers requires precision and expert technique, the long and labour-intensive process of producing the parchment-covered surfaces takes years to fully master. The result is a collection of unique, handmade objects made from materials that only improve with age.

The collection of Maxalto's sophisticated upholstered furniture is complemented by the new Apollo series, which comprises three sofas that connect with each other through their gently curved shapes. These curved lines of the seats and backrests surround the seated person and create an inviting form, created from a simple and straightforward interpretation of geometric shapes.

Another new addition is the versatile Caratos collection, whose simple lines and classic materials offer a wide range of applications. The collection is immediately recognisable by the die-cast aluminum bases that are used for all products. This unmistakable element can also be found in the new items, which include various types of armchairs, two stools, a bench, an ottoman and a coffee table.

In addition to the extensive range of living furniture, Maxalto also produces refined options for the bedroom. The new Dike bed has an unusual headboard made of two-meter-high panels. These panels have movable elements at both ends that can be swung inwards to create privacy as well as a particularly strong sense of comfort. The dramatic headboard is upholstered with a textured fabric reminiscent of a woven tapestry, creating constantly changing visual effects.

Each new product is the result of a design vision rooted in the past, combined with craftsmanship that can be traced back over generations and implemented with materials rich in tradition.

© Architonic