Postmodern design was a short-lived movement that manifested itself chiefly in Italy and the United States in the early 1980s. The characteristics of vintage postmodern furniture and other postmodern objects and decor for the home included loud-patterned, usually plastic surfaces; strange proportions, vibrant colors and weird angles; and a vague-at-best relationship between form and function.
ORIGINS OF POSTMODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
CHARACTERISTICS OF POSTMODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
POSTMODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW
VINTAGE POSTMODERN FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS
Critics derided postmodern design as a grandstanding bid for attention and nothing of consequence. Decades later, the fact that postmodernism still has the power to provoke thoughts, along with other reactions, proves they were not entirely correct.
Postmodern design began as an architectural critique. Starting in the 1960s, a small cadre of mainly American architects began to argue that modernism, once high-minded and even noble in its goals, had become stale, stagnant and blandly corporate. Later, in Milan, a cohort of creators led by Ettore Sottsass and Alessandro Mendini — a onetime mentor to Sottsass and a key figure in the Italian Radical movement — brought the discussion to bear on design.
Sottsass, an industrial designer, philosopher and provocateur, gathered a core group of young designers into a collective in 1980 they called Memphis. Members of the Memphis Group, which would come to include Martine Bedin, Michael Graves, Marco Zanini, Shiro Kuramata, Michele de Lucchi and Matteo Thun, saw design as a means of communication, and they wanted it to shout. That it did: The first Memphis collection appeared in 1981 in Milan and broke all the modernist taboos, embracing irony, kitsch, wild ornamentation and bad taste.
Memphis works remain icons of postmodernism: the Sottsass Casablanca bookcase, with its leopard-print plastic veneer; de Lucchi’s First chair, which has been described as having the look of an electronics component; Martine Bedin’s Super lamp: a pull-toy puppy on a power-cord leash. Even though it preceded the Memphis Group’s formal launch, Sottsass’s iconic Ultrafragola mirror — in its conspicuously curved plastic shell with radical pops of pink neon — proves striking in any space and embodies many of the collective’s postmodern ideals.
After the initial Memphis show caused an uproar, the postmodern movement within furniture and interior design quickly took off in America. (Memphis fell out of fashion when the Reagan era gave way to cool 1990’s minimalism.) The architect Robert Venturi had by then already begun a series of plywood chairs for Knoll Inc., with beefy, exaggerated silhouettes of traditional styles such as Queen Anne and Chippendale. In 1982, the new firm Swid Powell enlisted a group of top American architects, including Frank Gehry, Richard Meier, Stanley Tigerman and Venturi to create postmodern tableware in silver, ceramic and glass.
On 1stDibs, the vintage postmodern furniture collection includes chairs, coffee tables, sofas, decorative objects, table lamps and more.
$10,814 / item
La Belle Stripes Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D.
Located in Geneve, CH
La Belle Stripes Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D. Dimensions: W 243 x L 300 cm. Materials: Wool, silk. Available in W140 x L220, W170 x L240, W200 x L300, W230 x L300, W243 x L300 cm. Atel...
Wool, Silk
$10,814 / item
Whitney Caccia Campolieti Edit Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D.
Located in Geneve, CH
Whitney Caccia Campolieti Edit Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D. Dimensions: W 243 x L 300 cm. Materials: Wool, silk. Available in W140 x L220, W170 x L240, W200 x L300, W243 x L300 cm. Ate...
Wool, Silk
$10,807 / item
Silver Lake Vermentino Modello Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D.
Located in Geneve, CH
Silver Lake Vermentino Modello Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D. Dimensions: W 243 x L 300 cm. Materials: Wool, silk. Available in W170 x L215, W190 x L235, W210 x L245, W243 x L300 cm. Ate...
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$10,807 / item
Silver Lake Valentina Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D.
Located in Geneve, CH
Silver Lake Valentina Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D. Dimensions: W 243 x L 300 cm. Materials: Wool, silk. Available in D200, D240, W140 x L220, W170 x L240, W200 x L300, W230 x L300, W243...
Wool, Silk
$10,807 / item
Whitney Caccia 22 Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D.
Located in Geneve, CH
Whitney Caccia 22 Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D. Dimensions: W 243 x L 300 cm. Materials: Wool, silk. Available in D200, D240, W140 x L220, W170 x L240, W200 x L300, W243 x L300 cm. Atel...
Wool, Silk
$10,807 / item
Silver Lake Terra Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D.
Located in Geneve, CH
Silver Lake Terra Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D. Dimensions: W 243 x L 300 cm. Materials: Wool, silk. Available in D200, D240, W140 x L220, W170 x L240, W200 x L300, W230 x L300, W243 x L...
Wool, Silk
$14,230 / item
Saint Aignan, Le Dessin #38, Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D.
Located in Geneve, CH
Saint Aignan, Le Dessin #38, Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D. Dimensions: W 243 x L 350 cm. Materials: Wool, silk. Available in D200, D240, W140 x L220, W170 x L240, W210 x L300, W243 x L35...
Wool, Silk
$13,395 / item
l'Arrivée 1976 Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D.
Located in Geneve, CH
l'Arrivée 1976 Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D. Dimensions: W 243 x L 300 cm. Materials: Wool, silk. Available in W140 x L220, W170 x L240, W210 x L300, W230 x L300, W243 x L300 cm. Atelie...
Wool, Silk
$7,966 / item
Rue de la Mire 1975 Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D.
Located in Geneve, CH
Rue de la Mire 1975 Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D. Dimensions: W 140 x L 300 cm. Materials: Wool. Available in W100 x L250, W120 x L270, W140 x L300 cm. Atelier Bowy C.D. is dedicated to...
Wool
$8,538 / item
Berkeley Albe Edit Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D.
Located in Geneve, CH
Berkeley Albe Edit Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D. Dimensions: W 240 x L 300 cm. Materials: Wool, silk. Available in W170 x L215, W190 x L235, W210 x L245, W240 x L300 cm. Atelier Bowy C....
Wool, Silk
$8,349 / item
Berkeley Runner Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D.
Located in Geneve, CH
Berkeley Runner Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D. Dimensions: W 110 x L 435 cm. Materials: Wool, silk. Available in W90 x L360, W100 x L400, W110 x L435 cm. Atel...
Wool, Silk
$12,419 / item
Berkeley A5 Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D.
Located in Geneve, CH
Berkeley A5 Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D. Dimensions: W 240 x L 300 cm. Materials: Wool, silk. Available in D170, D200, D240, W140 x L220, W200 x L200, W170 x...
Wool, Silk
$12,419 / item
Berkeley A4 Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D.
Located in Geneve, CH
Berkeley A4 Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D. Dimensions: W 240 x L 300 cm. Materials: Wool, silk. Available in D170, D200, D240, W140 x L220, W200 x L200, W170 x...
Wool, Silk
$12,419 / item
Berkeley A6 Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D.
Located in Geneve, CH
Berkeley A6 Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D. Dimensions: W 240 x L 300 cm. Materials: Wool, silk. Available in D170, D200, D240, W140 x L220, W200 x L200, W170 x L240, W200 x L300, W240 x L...
Wool, Silk
$8,349 / item
Isley Masego Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D.
Located in Geneve, CH
Isley Masego Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D. Dimensions: W 243 x L 300 cm. Materials: Wool, silk. Available in D170, D200, D240, W140 x L220, W170 x L240, W200 x L300, W200 x L350, W243 x ...
Wool, Silk
$13,324 / item
Lurna Calibea Crosby Edit Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D.
Located in Geneve, CH
Lurna Calibea Crosby Edit Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D. Dimensions: W 243 x L 300 cm. Materials: Wool, silk. Available in W170 x L215, W190 x L235, W210 x L245, W243 x L300 cm. Atelier ...
Wool, Silk
$10,807 / item
Etienne Dolet Passo Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D.
Located in Geneve, CH
Etienne Dolet Passo Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D. Dimensions: W 243 x L 300 cm. Materials: Wool, silk. Available in W170 x L215, W190 x L235, W210 x L 245, W243 x L300 cm. Atelier Bowy...
Wool, Silk
$8,349 / item
Isley Masego Dùe Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D.
Located in Geneve, CH
Isley Masego Dùe Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D. Dimensions: W 243 x L 300 cm. Materials: Wool, silk. Available in W140 x L220, W200 x L200, W170 x L240, W200 x L300, W243 x L300 cm. Atel...
Wool, Silk
$10,807 / item
Etienne Dolet Deja Vu Edit Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D.
Located in Geneve, CH
Etienne Dolet Deja Vu Edit Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D. Dimensions: W 243 x L 300 cm. Materials: Wool, silk. Available in W170 x L215, W190 x L235, W210 x L 245, W243 x L300 cm. Ateli...
Wool, Silk
$8,349 / item
Santa Boyar 93 Night Edit Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D.
Located in Geneve, CH
Santa Boyar 93 Night Edit Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D. Dimensions: W 243 x L 300 cm. Materials: Wool, silk. Available in W140 x L220, W170 x L240, W200 x L300, W243 x L300 cm. Atelier ...
Wool, Silk
$12,419 / item
Berkeley Senses Edit Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D.
Located in Geneve, CH
Berkeley Senses Edit Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D. Dimensions: W 240 x L 300 cm. Materials: Wool, silk. Available in D170, D200, D240, W140 x L220, W200 x L200, W170 x L240, W200 x L300,...
Wool, Silk
Costa Bassa Crosby Modello Raw Edit Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D.
Located in Geneve, CH
Costa Bassa Crosby Modello Raw Edit Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D. Dimensions: W 243 x L 300 cm. Materials: Wool, silk. Available in W170 x L215, W190 x L235, W210 x L245, W243 x L300 cm....
Wool, Silk
$9,773 / item
Calvin Lake 88 Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D.
Located in Geneve, CH
Calvin Lake 88 Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D. Dimensions: W 243 x L 300 cm. Materials: Wool, silk. Available in W170 x L240, W200 x L300, W200 x L350, W243 x L300 cm. Atelier Bowy C.D. i...
Wool, Silk
$12,807 / item
Costa Bassa Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D.
Located in Geneve, CH
Costa Bassa Edit Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D. Dimensions: W 243 x L 300 cm. Materials: Wool, silk. Available in W140 x L220, W170 x L240, W200 x L300, W243 x L300 cm. Atelier Bowy C.D....
Wool, Silk
$9,773 / item
Calvin Lake 87 Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D.
Located in Geneve, CH
Calvin Lake 87 Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D. Dimensions: W 243 x L 300 cm. Materials: Wool, silk. Available in W170 x L240, W200 x L300, W200 x L350, W243 x L300 cm. Atelier Bowy C.D. i...
Wool, Silk
$8,349 / item
Maistre Dardi Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D.
Located in Geneve, CH
Maistre Dardi Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D. Dimensions: W 240 x L 300 cm. Materials: Wool. Available in W140 x L220, W170 x L240, W210 x L300, W230 x L300, W240 x L300 cm. Atelier Bowy ...
Wool
$12,289 / item
Guéret, Le Dessin #101, Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D.
Located in Geneve, CH
Guéret, Le Dessin #101, Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D. Dimensions: W 243 x L 300 cm Materials: Wool, silk. Available in D200, D240, W140 x L220, W170 x L240, W210 x L300, W243 x L300 cm. ...
Wool, Silk
$12,289 / item
Talmont, Le Dessin #32, Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D.
Located in Geneve, CH
Talmont, Le Dessin #32, Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D. Dimensions: W 243 x L 300 cm. Materials: Wool, silk. Available in D200, D240, W140 x L220, W170 x L240, W210 x L300, W243 x L300 cm....
Wool, Silk
$12,289 / item
Vitré, Le Dessin #149, Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D.
Located in Geneve, CH
Vitré, Le Dessin #149, Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D. Dimensions: W 243 x L 300 cm. Materials: Wool, silk. Available in W140 x L220, W170 x L240, W210 x L300, W243 x L300 cm. Atelier Bow...
Wool, Silk
Noyers Sur Serein, Le Dessin #41, Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D.
Located in Geneve, CH
Noyers Sur Serein, Le Dessin #41, Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D. Dimensions: W 243 x L 350 cm. Materials: Wool, silk. Available in D200, D240, W140 x L220, W170 x L240, W210 x L300, W243 ...
Wool, Silk
Épernay, Le Dessin #122, Deja Vu Edit Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D.
Located in Geneve, CH
Épernay, Le Dessin #122, Deja Vu Edit Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D. Dimensions: W 243 x L 300 cm Materials: Wool, silk. Available in W170 x L215, W190 x L235, W210 x L245, W243 x L300 cm...
Wool, Silk
Saint Girons, Le Dessin #39, Passo Edit Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D.
Located in Geneve, CH
Saint Girons, Le Dessin #39, Passo Edit Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D. Dimensions: W 243 x L 300 cm. Materials: Wool, silk. Available in W140 x L220, W170 x L240, W210 x L300, W243 x L300...
Wool, Silk
$12,289 / item
Dieppe, Le Dessin #27, Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D.
Located in Geneve, CH
Dieppe, Le Dessin #27, Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D. Dimensions: W 243 x L 300 cm Materials: Wool, silk. Available in D200, D240, W140 x L220, W170 x L240, W210 x L300, W230 x L300, W243...
Wool, Silk
$12,289 / item
Saint Girons, Le Dessin #39, Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D.
Located in Geneve, CH
Saint Girons, Le Dessin #39, Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D. Dimensions: W 243 x L 300 cm. Materials: Wool, silk. Available in D200, D240, W140 x L220, W170 x L240, W210 x L300, W243 x L30...
Wool, Silk
$8,349 / item
Pavese Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D.
Located in Geneve, CH
Pavese Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D. Dimensions: W 243 x L 300 cm. Materials: Wool. Available in W140 x L220, W200 x L200, W170 x L240, W210 x L300, W230 x L3...
Wool
Yèvre Le Châtel, Le Dessin #170, Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D.
Located in Geneve, CH
Yèvre Le Châtel, Le Dessin #170, Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D. Dimensions: W 243 x L 300 cm. Materials: Wool, silk. Available in D200, D240, W140 x L220, W170 x L240, W210 x L300, W243 x...
Wool, Silk
$8,349 / item
Kimoto Frame Maggio Night Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D.
Located in Geneve, CH
Kimoto Frame Maggio Night Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D. Dimensions: W 243 x L 300 cm. Materials: Wool, silk. Available in D170, D200, D240, W140 x L220, W170 x L240, W210 x L300, W243 x ...
Wool, Silk
$10,219 / item
Grey Biondi Dardi Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D.
Located in Geneve, CH
Grey Biondi Dardi Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D. Dimensions: W 243 x L 350 cm. Materials: Wool. Available in W140 x L220, W170 x L240, W210 x L300, W230 x L300, W243 x L350 cm. Atelier B...
Wool
Kimoto Frame Mauro Night Edit Runner Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D.
Located in Geneve, CH
Kimoto Frame Mauro Night Edit Runner Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D. Dimensions: W 120 x L 465 cm. Materials: Wool, silk. Available in W100 x L320, W110 x L350, W120 x L465 cm. Atelier Bo...
Wool, Silk
$8,220 / item
Allegrini Senza Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D.
Located in Geneve, CH
Allegrini Senza Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D. Dimensions: W 243 x L 300 cm. Materials: Wool. Available in W140 x L220, W170 x L240, W210 x L300, W230 x L300, W243 x L300 cm. Atelier Bow...
Wool
$10,219 / item
Biondi Di Abola Night Edit Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D.
Located in Geneve, CH
Biondi Di Abola Night Edit Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D. Dimensions: W 243 x L 350 cm. Materials: Wool. Available in W140 x L220, W170 x L240, W210 x L300, W230 x L300, W243 x L350 cm. ...
Wool, Silk
$8,220 / item
Oddero Asti Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D.
Located in Geneve, CH
Oddero Asti Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D. Dimensions: W 243 x L 300 cm. Materials: Wool. Available in W140 x L220, W170 x L240, W210 x L300, W230 x L300, W243 x L300 cm. Atelier Bowy C....
Wool
$8,354 / item
Allegrini Modello Edit Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D.
Located in Geneve, CH
Allegrini Modello Edit Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D. Dimensions: W 243 x L 300 cm. Materials: Wool. Available in W170 x L215, W190 x L235, W210 x L245, W243 x L300 cm. Atelier Bowy C.D....
Wool
$8,738 / item
Soleil Neige Tundra Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D.
Located in Geneve, CH
Soleil Neige Tundra Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D. Dimensions: W 243 x L 300 cm. Materials: Wool, silk. Available in W140 x L220, W170 x L240, W210 x L300, W230 x L300, W243 x L300 cm. A...
Wool, Silk
Eden Park Station Golden Hour Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D.
Located in Geneve, CH
Eden Park Station Golden Hour Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D. Dimensions: W 243 x L 300 cm. Materials: Wool. Available in Muted version. Available in W140 x L220, W170 x L240, W210 x L300,...
Wool, Silk
$8,220 / item
Bevanti Fog Edit Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D.
Located in Geneve, CH
Bevanti Fog Edit Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D. Dimensions: W 243 x L 300 cm. Materials: Wool. Available in W140 x L220, W170 x L240, W210 x L300, W230 x L300, W243 x L300 cm. Atelier Bo...
Wool
$10,219 / item
Biondi Di Abola Vigne Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D.
Located in Geneve, CH
Biondi Di Abola Vigne Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D. Dimensions: W 243 x L 350 cm. Materials: Wool. Available in W140 x L220, W170 x L240, W210 x L300, W230 x L300, W243 x L350 cm. Ateli...
Wool, Silk
Terrazzo De Noir Deja Vu Edit Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D.
Located in Geneve, CH
Terrazzo De Noir Deja Vu Edit Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D. Dimensions: W 243 x L 300 cm. Materials: Wool, silk. Available in W170 x L215, W190 x L235, W210 x L245, W243 x L300 cm. Ate...
Wool, Silk
$10,219 / item
Biondi Dardi Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D.
Located in Geneve, CH
Biondi Dardi Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D. Dimensions: W 243 x L 350 cm. Materials: Wool. Available in W140 x L220, W170 x L240, W210 x L300, W230 x L300, W243 x L350 cm. Atelier Bowy C...
Wool
$8,538 / item
Eden Park Station Muted Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D.
Located in Geneve, CH
Eden Park Station Muted Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D. Dimensions: W 243 x L 300 cm. Materials: Wool. Available in Golden Hour version. Available in W140 x L220, W170 x L240, W210 x L300,...
Wool, Silk
$9,702 / item
Kimoto Susu Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D.
Located in Geneve, CH
Kimoto Susu Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D. Dimensions: W 243 x L 350 cm. Materials: Wool, silk. Available in D170, D200, D240, W140 x L220, W170 x L240, W210 x L300, W243 x L350 cm. Atel...
Wool, Silk
$13,583 / item
Terrazzo De Noir Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D.
Located in Geneve, CH
Terrazzo De Noir Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D. Dimensions: W 243 x L 300 cm. Materials: Wool, silk. Available in D170, D200, D240, W140 x L220, W200 x L200, W170 x L240, W210 x L300, W24...
Wool, Silk
$12,943 / item
Gabbeh & Kilim Rug by Taher Asad Bakhtiari
Located in Geneve, CH
Gabbeh & Kilim Rug by Taher Asad Bakhtiari Dimensions: W 105 x L 398 cm Materials: Wool Taher Asad-Bakhtiari (B.1982, Tehran) is a self-taught artist whose practice focuses on, but ...
Wool
$25,873 / item
Kilim Rug by Taher Asad Bakhtiari
Located in Geneve, CH
Kilim Rug by Taher Asad Bakhtiari Dimensions: W 300 x L 380 cm Materials: Wool Taher Asad-Bakhtiari (B.1982, Tehran) is a self-taught artist whose practice focuses on, but is not li...
Wool
$12,936 / item
Kilim Rug by Taher Asad Bakhtiari
Located in Geneve, CH
Kilim Rug by Taher Asad Bakhtiari Dimensions: W 105 x L 395 cm Materials: Wool Taher Asad-Bakhtiari (B.1982, Tehran) is a self-taught artist whose practice focuses on, but is not li...
Wool
$19,404 / item
Gabbeh Rug by Taher Asad Bakhtiari
Located in Geneve, CH
Gabbeh Rug by Taher Asad Bakhtiari Dimensions: W 190 x L 290 cm Materials: Wool Taher Asad-Bakhtiari (B.1982, Tehran) is a self-taught artist whose practice focuses on, but is not l...
Wool
Gabbeh Interwoven with Kilim Rug by Taher Asad Bakhtiari
Located in Geneve, CH
Gabbeh Interwoven with Kilim Rug by Taher Asad Bakhtiari Dimensions: W 100 x L 195 cm Materials: Wool Taher Asad-Bakhtiari (B.1982, Tehran) is a self-taught artist whose practice fo...
Wool
$7,761 / item
Kilim Rug by Taher Asad Bakhtiari
Located in Geneve, CH
Kilim Rug by Taher Asad Bakhtiari Dimensions: W 90 x L 200 cm Materials: Wool Taher Asad-Bakhtiari (B.1982, Tehran) is a self-taught artist whose practice focuses on, but is not lim...
Wool
$1,705 / item
Colonnade no.07 Rug by Cappelen Dimyr
Located in Geneve, CH
Colonnade no.07 Rug by Cappelen Dimyr Dimensions: D 100 x H 240 cm Materials: 100% Wool Colonnade no.07 is a hand-woven wool rug designed for narrow spaces. no.07 has a mid beige...
Wool
$3,363 / item
Abstraction 02 Rug by Spinzi
Located in Geneve, CH
Abstraction 02 rug by Spinzi Dimensions: 145 x 175 cm Materials: Wool (Artistic rug, hand-tufted, wool and viscose). Created on Lake Como, home of memories and inspiration, the ...
Wool