Fine lines: Longhi’s 2019 collections

High-end Italian brand Longhi is synonymous with a metropolitan, eclectic style of furniture fashioned from opulent materials and luxe finishes, such as suede, leather, marble and brass. Longhi, which was established 60 years ago, has attended the Salone del Mobile for the last 50 years. This year, it unveiled two new furniture lines – its new collections by Ben Wu and Giuseppe Viganò, which embody the brand’s polished aesthetic.

Ben Wu, who is considered to be one of China’s top 10 architects, has dreamt up his new Rhythm collection, which encompasses sofas, dining tables, coffee tables, chairs and consoles. All of these can be customised with individual finishes, rendering each design unique. Appropriately, the caressing sound of melodious music is the inspiration behind Rhythm’s inviting, tactile forms.

Asked to explain the influences behind Rhythm, Ben Wu says, ‘Through the centuries, the rhythm of music has been integrated into Eastern and Western cultures. The elegance in those sounds is enthusiasm for life itself. Like music, having rhythm is such a fundamental aspect that I wanted to include it in my collection, thus making every form fluid and harmonious.’ Rhythm exhibits many classic tropes of Chinese design in the form of curvaceous contours and flowing lines.

The second collection, by Giuseppe Viganò, is similarly sophisticated, combining timeless, minimal lines with rich finishes, all handcrafted by Longhi’s experienced, in-house artisans. Variety is achieved through subtly contrasting details, for example, brass-trimmed upholstery or stitching on upholstery that suggests quilting or through pairing soothing neutrals with energetic bursts of brighter hues, from cherry red to Prussian blue.

Attention to detail in both collections is paramount, elevating the quality of all designs to the extraordinarily exquisite.

© Architonic