Great new designs from Bonaldo – and always a good back story

Posted on June 11, 2013 by Go Modern Furniture

We’re still buzzing from our trip to Milan’s Salone del Mobile and all the incredibly inspiring new designs … lot’s of striking exhibition sets and new products – including Italian furniture-maker supreme Bonaldo.  And one of the things that we love about Bonaldo (we know, we know – we’ve mentioned ‘love/Bonaldo’ in the same sentence before) is that there’s always an interesting little back story to everything they do.

Their Octa table (Octa’s Greek for eight… but you knew that…) is also the number of  legs supporting this fabulous new table, with a look, we’re told, inspired by the traditional game of Mikado or pick-up sticks!  Definitely a major game player as far as we’re concerned.

Octa dining table

Bonaldo Octa dining table

We see no ships… well we do with the Prora table!  A great re-working of Maurio Lipparini’s classic for Bonaldo with a metal base, curved to look like the bow of a ship! This version has a fixed top with a new finish in beautiful natural walnut or greige walnut. Totally inspired, slightly mad but we love it and it’s a real show-stopper!

Prora dining table from Bonaldo

Bonaldo Prora dining table

In the bed department… designer Alain Gilles (remember the great Welded table from him – Red Dot Award/Best of the Best?) has come up with Contrast.  And we think he’s got yet another award-winner with this incredible ‘Alice-in-Wonderland’ style super-sized headboard – and very, very cleverly designed so that you can change the headboard cover whenever you like. What a great idea … a bed with multiple personalities. Now that’s different!

Contrast bed from Bonaldo

Bonaldo Contrast bed

And then there’s Joe.  Simply Joe.  A beautiful bed designed using one perfectly calibrated curve, connecting the headboard with the base.  So simple, and according to the designer (clever old Lipparni again) “without ostentation or over-design”. We like it – although being Italian there’s always room for a little bit of ostentation, and Joe has a piped perimeter border which ever-so discreetly says: “hey, take a look at my curves!”

Joe bed from Bonaldo

Bonaldo Joe bed

Wondering if ‘sartorial stitching’ has had it’s day?  Absolutely not.   We spotted it in Milan a couple of years ago and it’s still going strong and used beautifully here on the Eureka bed.  Great big, over-sized zig-zag stitches run around the perimeter of the headboard adding a touch of colour (or just great detail if you go for a matching colour) and enhancing the luxurious quilted effect.  Gorgeous!

Eureka bed by Bonaldo

Bonaldo Eureka bed

Click here to see more of Bonaldo’s great designs. And keep an eye out for our newsletter, coming soon, which will have a special 10% off all Bonaldo voucher in it.

Posted in Bonaldo Designer Furniture, contemporary beds, Contemporary Furniture, Designer Furniture, Dining Room Furniture, Go Modern, Saloni Mobili (Milan) | Leave a comment

Tonelli Design 2013 News – glass furniture wizardry

Posted on June 6, 2013 by Go Modern Furniture

Stand out gorgeous at the Milan furniture fair was Italian designer/manufacturer Tonelli, who make superb high quality glass furniture.  World famous for their research and experimentation, Tonelli are way ahead of the field with innovative glass design.

These masterpieces in ‘glass art’ (they really are!) not only look stunning but feature perfectly mitred joins, seamless glass panels and shatterproof glass – and in the five years we’ve worked with them we have never had a breakage!

Among the Milan highlights for us were the eye-catching Bakkarat glass side tables  designed by D’Urbino for Tonelli, with a thick central twisted glass post and mirrored base. And when you look at them from above you get the amazing illusion of looking down at a crystal.  Pretty cool!

Bakkarat glass side tables

Bakkarat side tables

Also pretty cool was the Penrose glass console table by Isao Hosoe – a fabulously angled asymmetric table that comes in a clear or extra-clear (with less of a green tinge) glass.

Penrose glass console table from Tonelli

Penrose console table

And from the European king of design Karim Rashid (anyone catch his talk at the May design Series last weekend?) the Veer coffee table.  It’s got a perfectly shaped oval glass top and a really unique design feature to the base – a choice of plain edges or lacquered white or yellow highlights, which very cleverly picks out the shape.

Veer glass coffee table from Tonelli by Karim Rashid

Veer coffee table

Looking for a pretty sideboard?  Then the  Liber glass sideboard should do it!  With a smart T shape, the coloured drawers are optional and come in white matt lacquer or name your RAL colour (we’re quite partial to the pink). And cleverly, this sideboard has no ‘back’ or ‘front’ so the drawers can open on either side.  There are also some great Liber storage units available with the same clever styling.

Liber glass sideboard from Tonelli

Liber sideboard

And…. we’re very excited about this.  The showpiece of Tonelli’s stand at Milan and designed to commemorate their 25 years in business (*small drum roll*) VU 200.  A fabulous mirror/stunning piece of wall art by Giovanni Tommaso Garattoni.  If you’re looking to creates the illusion of more space or reflect tons of light in a cunning way, this is a great piece of design.  It’s made of extra clear strips of glass welded and positioned by hand, side-on to a mirror back.  Love it! And if this size isn’t quite right for you there are lots of different size options to choose from.

Tonelli Vu 200 mirror

VU 200 mirror

To see the 2013 collection click here. 

Posted in Contemporary Furniture, Designer Furniture, Go Modern, Interior Design, Living Room Furniture, Modern Furniture, Saloni Mobili (Milan), Tonelli Design, Uncategorised | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Grand Designs Live and our Modulo sideboard!

Posted on May 15, 2013 by Go Modern Furniture

We popped along to the Grand Designs Live exhibition at the weekend, as top interiors stylist Lizzie Chambers had borrowed our Modulo sideboard (the white matt lacquer with the oak top) to use in one of her interiors sets. It was a very buzzy show with some interesting exhibitors but the interiors sets were the highlight for us. Lizzie had gone for a white, turquoise and beige colour palette in the dining room piece, creating a calming effect, using muted background tones and colourful highlights in pattern and some of the smaller details.  She’d also mixed contemporary furnishings (our sideboard!) with vintage pieces creating a relaxed feel. Superb.

Modulo Sideboard, Grand Designs Live

Modulo Sideboard at Grand Designs Live Exhibition

As well as white matt lacquer, you can choose to have the top of the Modulo in walnut or keep to all matching matt white lacquer.

Modulo Sideboard

Modulo Sideboard

The Modulo sideboard is made by Tema Home, one of Portugal’s most popular contemporary furniture makers, who make a large range of furniture for dining rooms, living rooms and bedrooms.  Tema Home has plenty of matching designs, to see their entire collection click here, otherwise click here to see all of our sideboards.

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When is Italian furniture not Italian?

Posted on May 8, 2013 by Go Modern Furniture

Did you know that many of the collections of contemporary furniture that are ‘Made in Italy’ by Italian brands are not even made in Italy? Without naming names one of the biggest manufacturers of Italian sofas actually make a lot of their sofas in China. And another huge contemporary furniture brand have furniture made in China, & parts made in Romania & Bulgaria. We don’t sell any of these ‘Faux Italian’ brands, & probably never will but it’s certainly food for thought.

There is a ’100% Made in Italy’ certification, but it’s not widely used in furniture yet. At the moment the only way you can tell is price. Theres no such thing is inexpensive Italian furniture, just like theres no such thing as a free lunch!

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The Manutti Zendo collection – still stunning

Posted on May 6, 2013 by Go Modern Furniture

Belgian manufacturer Manutti recently released several new designs for 2013, which we loved (& duly blogged about), but their most popular is still the ground breaking Zendo range, which we introduced to London at the Chelsea Flower Show in 2010. With ultra modern, clean lines & anodised aluminium bases Zendo was a revolutionary new syle of contemporary garden furniture – it looked like it belonged indoors yet was fully waterproof & weatherproof! The collection includes seating & a sunlounger & although, like all of Manutti’s outdoor furniture it’s not cheap it’s been our most popular ever collection.

Manutti Zendo Armchair

Manutti Zendo Armchair

The Manutti Zendo armchair in white Nautic leather. Great if you haven’t quite got space for the Zendo sofa, or just prefer relaxing in an armchair to a sofa. £1770 inc VAT.

Manutti Zendo Sofa In Nautic Leather

Manutti Zendo Sofa In Nautic Leather

The larger of two fixed size (non modular) sofas, the Manutti Zendo sofa could so easily pass for one of our classy Italian made contemporary sofas – but make no mistake this is as ultra hard wearing garden sofa. £4580 inc VAT

Manutti Zendo Garden Sofa in Pebble

Manutti Zendo Garden Sofa in Pebble

The most popular sofa in the Zendo range, the Manutti Zendo Modular Garden Sofa consists of different sized units that can be combined to suit. The sofa here is seriously large, but most of the Zendo sofas we sell are a little smaller! POA

Manutti Zendo Sun Lounger in Speckle

Manutti Zendo Sun Lounger in Speckle

Finally the Manutti Zendo sun lounger. With fully integrated upholstery this is one comfortable sun lounger! Not to mention stylish. £2240

We love good quality contemporary furniture, & as far as garden furniture goes this is pretty much the top of the market, & if you are looking for similar pieces to match (dining chairs etc) take a look at the Manutti Liner range. Many of Manutti’s garden tables have anodised aluminium legs too, to match the Zendo/Liner bases. See our whole Manutti collection here, or on Archello.

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Manutti at Salone Internazionale del Mobile

Posted on April 26, 2013 by Go Modern Furniture

We love the Milan Furniture Fair – its absolutely enormous, & right at the cutting edge of the market. If its going to happen, it will happen here. We visited all of our wonderful contemporary furniture suppliers, several of whom presented shiny new collections that are actually ready to buy now! First up is Manutti Outdoor Furniture. We sell an awful lot of Manutti outdoor furniture (we are their largest UK dealer) & have been working with them for a few years now. New for 2013 are several collections.

First up is Elements, a sleek white modular collection with option LED lighting. The top plate is quartz composite, the cushions are magnetically attached to the backrests, & the backrests can be adjusted.

Manutti Elements Sofa

Manutti Elements Sofa

Next is Loop. Covered in Nautic Alcantara (as used by BMW) or Nautic Terry (as in terry towelling!) Loop is comfortable as well as beautiful, & of course fully weatherproof/waterproof.

Manutti Loop chair

Manutti Loop chair

Then there is Helios. A full collection of chairs, sun loungers & bar stools Helios is a new version of Enyo, in slightly different colourways with a few extra pieces added. This style never goes out of fashion, & quality like this is always worth having.

Manutti Helios Chair

Manutti Helios Chair

Finally, the beautiful Squat collection is available in a new colourway, with dark powder-coated metal frame & taupe/grey fabric. This fabric is incredible, we sat on it at the show & none of us could believe how soft it was – exactly like indoor fabric! Also new are the headrests shown here, perfect for a little extra comfort.

Manutti Squat Garden Sofa

Manutti Squat Garden Sofa

Manutti sell all over the world too, so if you are in Canada find it at our friends Jardin de Ville, in NZ at Dawsons.

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This Month We Love … Bonaldo!

Posted on April 4, 2013 by Go Modern Furniture

We actually love all our wonderful contemporary furniture designer/manufacturers equally, honestly we do! They are all brilliant in their own way, each offering something different. What they all share is an attention to detail and a love of quality – and so do we.

But …top marks to the clever Bonaldo team this month for making the headlines. Not once but twice. All down to their sheer good looks and personality…

Top title and admirer of everything uber cool, Living-etc featured the Bonaldo Big Table in an inspired article styled by Sophie Brown entitled ‘Tribal Gathering’ as shown here. Sophie used one of the season’s key looks, taking influence from Africa, and blending coloured furniture, pattern and hand-crafted treasures. “Part Masai, part safari chic, bold, bright and beautiful.” And boy did it look good: beautiful translucent chairs, a chunky beaded chandelier, brightly coloured ceramic bowls and some striking artwork. Taking centre stage … our big, bold and beautiful Bonaldo Big Table. So, how did this Italian masterpiece fit in? Well, the Living-etc team borrowed our American walnut top version with the multi-coloured, lacquered steel legs (it’s had pride of place in our showroom and been much admired). Ten out of ten – great bit of styling!

Bonaldo Big table

Bonaldo Big Table from Go Modern

And, another Bonaldo piece from us hitting the headlines, this time in April’s Grand Designs . The Bonaldo dragonfly chair armchair, designed by the multi-talented Karim Rashid (over here next month for the May Design Series at Excel don’t miss him). Italian design at its best; sophisticated, elegant and oh so clever – an armchair to chaise longue in one simple movement.

Dragonfly armchair

Dragonfly armchair

Keep doing what you’re doing Bonaldo – WE LOVE IT! If you do as well you can find our whole collection here.

Posted in Bonaldo Designer Furniture, Contemporary Furniture, Designer Furniture | Leave a comment

Not wishing to blow our own trumpet but..

Posted on March 28, 2013 by Go Modern Furniture

Not wishing to blow our own trumpet, but go on we will …!

The fab Ideal Home Show (amazingly, 2013  is the 105th one!) is taking place at the moment and it’s a show we’ve partnered with a few times in the past.  This year we were asked to loan two of our designs for two separate features within the show.

Architect George Clarke’s ‘Elastic Living’ set featured one of our bio-ethanol fires.  The idea was to show how designs can have ‘elasticity’ and be portable from one room to another or even from indoors to outdoors.  Cue our bio-ethanol fires.  George borrowed the World Fire by Decoflame, ultra modern, totally portable, flueless and with real flames that give out heat equivalent to an open fire, burning for up to six hours.  As you know we love these fires and we’ve had one burning in the show room all winter, and a second one heating our office.  It was the one from the office that George borrowed so, as you can imagine, with temperatures the way they are at the moment, we’ll be keen to have it back as soon as the show is over! To see our stunning range of bioethanol fires click here.

Deco Flame World Fire

Deco Flame World Fire

On the garden front the clever horticultural team from Writtle Horticultural College in Essex won Silver for their entry into the ‘Young Gardner of the Year’ competition, supported by the Prince’s Foundation and visited by HRH Prince Charles no less.   The garden design was superb ‘bringing the tranquility of the countryside’s natural landscape into the city’.  The guys created a bespoke willow hedge and used some of our Selva chairs (you know the ones with the clever, sculpted, tree designs in the back-rests) to dress the set.   It looked stunning – well done team!

Selva garden arm chairs

Selva garden armchairs in the Silver award winning garden from Writtles College

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Summer is coming – our first batch of new garden furniture releases

Posted on March 5, 2013 by Go Modern Furniture

Summer is on it’s way – well it was the other day – we were the height of daring in the showroom and some of us ventured out without coats! And it will be summer again in a few months … definitely … it really will arrive at some point, which is why we don’t think it’s too early to talk about our latest collection from Spain.

With a few new concepts and a few additions to an existing range, designs take their cues from Japan and Africa, and include distinctive origami inspirations to stunning, colourful tribal patterns. Of course everything is made to order, and whilst lead times on garden furniture are slightly shorter you will still need to allow a good four weeks – and with summer starting in May (it really will!) nowadays ordering soon is probably a wise decision.

How about some garden origami – seriously…the striking crisp, sharp lines of the new Pinata range are incredible (although it goes without saying a lot heavier than the paper sort) as they’re made from weather resistant acrylic, and like all our garden furniture they can stay out in all weathers, they’re UV resistant and totally cleanable.

Pinata garden chairs

Pinata garden chairs

But if the grey of an English summer sky finally got to you last year, conjure up your own savannah  experience with the colourful  tribal inspired creations of Joaquinn Homs.  Hand-woven synthetic rattan across high-backed armchairs, side-tables and sun loungers. Go on, be daring… be queen of your own garden for a summer…

Iscpalli garden chairs

Iscpalli garden chairs

What can we say – Esther Campos’ new range cleverly entitled Nautic (because we think it summons up a bygone age of opulence, elegance and life on the ocean wave …but with our usual demand of a contemporary twist) has undulating tubular arms and is made from super long-lasting epoxy lacquered aluminium. Luxuriously comfortable and shown here in white ecoleather. There’s also a matching side table, coffee table, corner table, sofa and chair.  Keep it white or cover in a fabric of your choice (go on … be daring!)

Nautic sun loungers

Nautic sun loungers

We don’t have favourites…ok we do, sometimes, and the classic ‘U’ is probably one of them (well… until our next trip to Milan in a few weeks…).  The high-backed ‘U’ chair is just elegance personified (if a range of furniture can be personified!).  It’s pictured here indoors but… it loves being outdoors, any weather, anytime of year …so ha British summer …we don’t care – do your worst!  It loves the heat too and is cool and comfortable even in 40 degrees (well, we can dream).  Lots of lovely matching tables, side tables and a lovely sofa – have we said lovely enough yet?

'U' garden chair

'U' garden chair

So, all we need now are a few rays…

 

 

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Design Classics In Your Own Fabric? No Problem!

Posted on January 11, 2013 by Go Modern Furniture

Ever since we began in 2006 we have been selling the reproductions of the much loved design classics – the Le Corbusier LC series, the Knoll armchair & sofas, Charles Eames recliner & office chairs & of course the Arne Jacobsen Swan & Egg chairs to name a few, but as the market is now saturated with cheap, low quality versions our emphasis on these pieces has diminished.

But what most of our customers don’t know is that we now offer fully customisable versions of many of these pieces, & most are made in Italy. So you could have an LC6 table with a dove grey frame instead of the usual black, or an LC2 sofa covered in Designer Guild fabric instead of boring black or white leather. One of our customers recently had an Egg chair covered in a bold black & white zebra print & it looks amazing, so much better than a plain red, blue or orange (Foxtons & McDonalds anyone?).

Arne Jacobsen Egg Chair in Zebra Fabric

Arne Jacobsen Egg Chair in Zebra Fabric

Also customisable is the Florence Knoll sofa & chair, most cheap versions are leather but it looks much nicer in fabric, & was never designed to be made in leather. The Barcelona chair is another amazing classic that has been overdone, but our Italian made version with a perfectly engineered polished steel frame, & proper hide straps, covered in a cool fabric will never be mistaken for a £299 one.

Our Italian Charles Eames lounge chair needs to be covered in leather – but there is plenty of choice when it comes to colours, & the shell can be lacquered in any RAL colour. We have an all white version which looks lovely, if you would like a change from the Rosewood.

Charles Eames Lounge Chair in White

Charles Eames Lounge Chair in White

These pieces are classic for a reason, so if your budget doesn’t quite stretch to a licensed version from Vitra, Herman Miller etc we have some Italian made versions that are faithful to the original design, or let your imagination run wild & a truly original designer classic – where you are the designer!

They don’t take longer to make either, as long as the fabric arrives in Italy on time (we can send it or your fabric supplier can) lead times are no different. For the UK covered versions (The Egg & Swan chairs & the Florence Knoll designs lead times are shorter – usually only 2 or so weeks)

To make them easier to find we have a new Classic Designer Furniture section, but bear in mind we often don’t have photos of customised furniture so ask us if you would like something custom covered/lacquered & can’t see anything regarding customisation in the product information.

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