Maxalto, the luxury of refined craftsmanship protagonist in the living room
Modern living rooms that with sophisticated touches look to the past, enhanced and made timeless by furniture with clean lines and precious materials. These are just a few of the characteristics that distinguish the style of Maxalto, an Italian company that was founded in 1975 and joined B&B Italia in defining its own precise identity in the specialized production of highly handcrafted furniture.
A quest for excellence stated right from the name: Maxalto from the Venetian dialect “high mass,” stands for meaning “the highest.” From the very beginning, from a formal point of view, they look to the past through an approach of which Afra and Tobia Scarpa are the interpreters, at the origins, who make wood the protagonist through the use of ancient and rare processes typical of cabinetmaking and violin making, giving life to sculptural furniture such as the Africa chair, from the Artona line and the New Harmony collection.
Since 1993 to bring a breath of fresh air to Maxalto has been architect Antonio Citterio, whose designs initially draw on the early 20th century, then find references in the typologies and language of French design between the two wars, making these aesthetic trends contemporary.
Maxalto is for Antonio Citterio a production laboratory where he puts into action the research and production of a collection of “modern neo-classics” that look at the home as a homogeneous and coherent environment, without ever giving up comfort and conviviality.
Since last year, Maxalto has rethought its identity, proposing a warm ambience and a lighter aesthetic, renewed but still consistent with and in harmony with that initial idea of a Déco environment sought by Antonio Citterio.
The new color schemes, namely the lighter tones of wenge and oak left natural, the bronze and chrome finishes for metals, the warm nuances of leathers and fabrics, and the textile proposal, inspired by the 1920s and the work of Jean-Michel Frank, help define a sophisticated atmosphere and an idea of reasoned luxury.
Apollo by Antonio Citterio, the curvilinear sofa in the service of comfort
Curvilinear but still rigorous forms for Apollo, the sofa designed by Antonio Citterio, a symbol of harmonious and balanced aesthetics. The design of the backrest, generous seat depth, anatomical shapes and soft upholstery make Apollo an extremely cozy and comfortable proposition that also counts on a rich range of fabric or leather upholstery. Fabric versions are further embellished with raised stitching, while leather versions boast elegant “envelope” stitching. The structure is highlighted by a painted aluminum border available in a range of refined colors.
Astrum, the iconic table that combines wood and marble
Lightness and solidity. It sounds like an oxymoron, but actually these are some of the special features of Astrum, one of the iconic tables by Maxalto. They are distinguished by their distinctive “trestle” base. The support structure consists of a single upright made of painted die-cast aluminum, which, depending on the shape of the table, and is composed of two or three elements to form trestles: two elements connected by a crossbar form the base for rectangular tables, while three elements connected to the base by a steel ring form the support for round tables. The triangular section of the upright, rising from the ground with a slight slope, gives the structure lightness and solidity at the same time. Table tops are provided in different wood, gloss and marble finishes. Only for round versions can a rotating tray be inserted.
Lithos, the coffee table that holds memories and precious objects
Intended for storing and displaying the most precious objects with great elegance, Lithos low tables are ideal for both home and retail spaces. Also to be placed in the middle of the room, with sofas around, leaving the contents visible for perfect storage and easy removal. They are available in two sizes and combine clear glass tops with metal frames painted in refined shades. The intermediate top and pull-out trays provided are made of wood to be chosen from a variety of finishes. The trays are embellished with a leather bottom in colonial or dark brown colors.
Tesaurus, a sinuous example of high cabinetry
Precious, unique, a symbol of craftsmanship, the Tesaurus containers designed by Antonio Citterio are made by master cabinetmakers. The form emphasizes its high quality craftsmanship, starting with the curved wooden doors that open to reveal slightly protruding shelves, characterized by a profile that follows the sinuosity of the entire volume. At the base is a die-cast aluminum structure borrowed from the design of the Caratos seats, while the overlying element is a top in black Marquinia, white Calacatta or Emperador marble. The interior is completely made of a sought-after frisé maple essence. Craftsmanship excellence is expressed in the luxurious parchment or wood paneling. The oak or Chilean Tineo veneer is always made with a pattern of staggered checker elements with crisscrossing veins. The intricate workmanship of Tesaurus makes each piece virtually unique, difficult to imitate, authentically exclusive.
