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Top 10 Design Icons, English Version

Over the last few months we have published 25 design icons that have marked the history of furniture in the twentieth century.

We offer you a ranking with our 10 favorites (Italian version).

10th place: Ninfea chair

Designed by Gio Ponti and built by the Reguitti Brothers in 1958.
Just like the flower from which it takes its name, the Water Lily is a summer session, to be opened during the day, under the sun, and to be closed at nightfall… A chair to use after the emergency of these days to be clear.

Ninfea chair, top 10 design icons

9th place: Cubosphere

Designed by Alessandro Mendini and built in 1968 for Fidenza Vetraria, the Cubosfera is one of the many masterpieces of the eclectic Milanese architect.

Cubosfera Alessandro Mendini, top 10 design icons

8th place: Soriana sofa

Designed by Mr. and Mrs. Scarpa, this timeless icon was awarded the Compasso d’Oro in 1970 for the “complexity of the image achieved with constructive and technical means of remarkable simplicity and consistency”.
One of our absolute favorite sofas that combines beauty and comfort.

Soriana Afra and Tobia Scarpa sofa, top 10 design icons

7th place: Chest of drawers DC 154

Designed by Carlo de Carli in 1963, it stands out among the most successful and interesting elaborations of those years.
The DC 154 is a refined piece of furniture with a clean and classic line; At the same time it has an eccentric and contemporary side that is revealed in the small details.

Chest of drawers DC 154 Carlo de Carli for Sormani

6th place: P40

Designed by Osvaldo Borsani and built by Tecno, the P40 is a “moving furniture” equipped with mechanisms that morphologically change their appearance according to the needs of the user.
Great classic, we love it.

Armchair P40 Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno

5th place: RR 126 Brionvega

Designed in 1965, the radiofonograph is characterized by a style as unique as it is inimitable. Probably one of the most beautiful pieces of industrial design ever made by the Castiglioni brothers.

Radiofonografo rr126 Brionvega, top 10 design icons

4th place: Medea

Produced since the 50s, over time they have become an emblem of Italian design of the 900.
Made of curved plywood and polished polyester, they have a special double curvature of the wood.
Almost our favorites.

Medea Vittorio Nobili chair for Fratelli Tagliabue

3rd place: Lady

Designed in 1951 by Marco Zanuso and made by Arflex, the Lady is one of the most iconic armchairs of Italian design of the twentieth century.
Awarded with the gold medal at the IX triennale di Milano, it was immediately appreciated for its innovative features.
For us it is the queen of armchairs.

Lady armchair, Marco Zanuso for Arflex, 3rd place among the top 10 design icons

2nd place: Superleggera

A chair that can be lifted with a finger (only 1,700 grams) and that is practically indestructible. This is the 699 Superleggera designed by Gio Ponti and built by Cassina in 1957.

699 superleggera Gio Ponti for Cassina

1st place: Arco

In first place in our top 10 design icons the Arco lamp designed by the Castiglioni brothers and made by Flos.
For us (and we are not the only ones who think so) Icon among Icons.

Arco lamp, n°1 among the top 10 design icons

Gabriele
I colleghi mi chiamano Baffo. Adoro giocare a calcio balilla in pausa pranzo e il design anni 50 e 60.

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