From its unorthodox beginnings, Italian manufacturer Arflex grew into one of the leaders of 20th-century furniture design. Its furniture came to be known for its integration of new materials and bold appeal, and today a variety of vintage Arflex chairs, sofas and tables are emblems of mid-century modernism.
Arflex was established in Milan in 1947 by Pirelli employees Carlo Barassi, Pio Reggiani, Renato Teani and Aldo Bai. Barassi, a Milan Polytechnic graduate and visionary engineer at the Italian tire manufacturer, explored innovative technology and new uses for synthetic materials in domestic products (for Kartell, he codeveloped a ski rack for automobiles). The four founders partnered with a young architect named Marco Zanuso, who also desired to create furniture that featured an application of novel materials such as elastic tape and polyurethane foam.
One of Arflex’s inaugural pieces was Zanuso’s Lady armchair, a seat made of polyurethane foam that was manufactured in pieces and assembled at the very end of the production process. It won a gold medal at the 1951 Milan Triennale. A couple of years later, Arflex collaborated with Studio BBPR to create the office-chic Elettra and Neptunia chairs. The flourishing furniture company quickly established a reputation for compelling products and attracting and working with up-and-coming designers such as Roberto Menghi, who created Hall, a luxurious line of seating that would earn the Compasso d’Oro – Honorable Mention in 1959.
In the 1960s, Arflex continued to welcome the use of new and cutting-edge materials. Popular designs from this decade include Carlo Bartoli's fiberglass and polyester resin Gaia lounge chair and Cini Boer’s Bobo Relax lounger, one of history’s first seating pieces made of polyurethane foam (it has no internal frame). Boer, a pioneer of furniture design in Italy, also created the Strips sofa for the brand in 1972. Part of a plush modular seating system, the Strips sofa became an Arflex icon and was awarded the Compasso d'Oro in 1979.
Arflex continues to work with innovative designers to this day. Among their more recent collaborations is with Swedish design studio Claesson Koivisto Rune. The company's legendary creations are also on display at museums worldwide. The Lady chair, for example, is in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.
On 1stDibs, you can find a collection of vintage Arflex lounge chairs, armchairs, coffee tables and other furniture.
Established in 2006, Morentz has a team of approximately 55 restorers, upholsterers, interior advisers and art historians, making it a gallery, workshop and upholstery studio, all in one. Every day, a carefully selected array of 20th-century furniture arrives from all over the world at the firm’s warehouse, where the team thoroughly examines each piece to determine what, if any, work needs to be done. Whether that means new upholstery or a complete restoration, Morentz's aim is always to honor the designer’s intention while fulfilling the wishes of the client. The team is up to any challenge, from restoring a single piece to its original glory to furnishing a large-scale hotel project.
Pierre Paulin for Artifort Sofa in Blue Upholstery
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Pierre Paulin for Artifort, sofa model '442/3', fabric upholstery, chromed steel, The Netherlands, 1962 This modest sofa is based on a solid construction featuring clear lines and g...
Steel
Florence Knoll for Knoll International Sofa in Blue Upholstery and Steel
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Florence Knoll for Knoll International, sofa, model '67A', steel, fabric, United States, design 1958, production 1960s/70s This sofa model 67A is designed by Florence Knoll for Knol...
Steel
Folke Jansson 'Tellus' Sofa in Blue Upholstery
By Folke Jansson
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Folke Jansson, sofa model 'Tellus', fabric, wood, brass, Sweden, 1956. Exquisite sofa designed by the Swedish designer Folke Jansson, featuring graceful lines that captivate the eye...
Brass
Mauro Lipparini for Saporiti 'Ellypse' Sofa in Grey Upholstery
By Saporiti
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mauro Lipparini for Saporiti, 'Ellypse' sofa, fabric, lacquered wood, chrome, Italy, 1970s Mauro Lipparini, an Italian designer, has created the 'Ellypse' sofa for Saporiti, which s...
Chrome
Hans J. Wegner for GETAMA Sofa in Oak and Blue Upholstery
By GETAMA, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Hans J. Wegner for GETAMA, three-seat sofa, oak, fabric, Denmark, 1950s. This sofa is characterized by a splendid design that epitomizes a simplistic, natural and timeless aestheti...
Fabric, Oak
Italian Sofa in Vibrant Blue Velvet
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Sofa, blue velvet, metal and brass, Italy, 1950s Elegant sofa with voluptuous armrests. These wide armrests are balanced out by the slender and delicate metal legs that have a beaut...
Metal, Brass
Mario Marenco 'Marenco' 3 Seater Sofa 255 for Arflex
By Arflex, Mario Marenco
Located in Tilburg, NL
Mario Marenco 'Marenco' 3 Seater Sofa 255 for Arflex. New, current production. The unmistakable design and wide modularity still make the Marenco sofa a must-have in contemporary furniture. Designed by Mario Marenco in 1970, it is still a great classic of Italian design. With this large-rounded cushions sofa, Mario Marenco has combined strength and comfort. In 2007 the Marenco collection won the Wallpaper Design Awards Best Reissues. The Sofa is available in a wide variation of fabrics and leather upholstery. Please ask us about the possibilities. Designed by Mario Marenco (1933-2019) 1957 degree at Naples University. 1957/1960 he gained 5 awards for research at Stockholm and Chicago universities. 1960 he formed the DEWG Studio in Rome : community buildings. 1970 designer for arflex, Artemide, Bernini, B&B, Comfortline 1982 collaboration with FIAT, LANCIA, ALFA ROMEO for display stands. 1985 watches...
Fabric
Mario Marenco 'Marenco' 2 Seater Sofa 254 for Arflex
By Mario Marenco, Arflex
Located in Tilburg, NL
Mario Marenco 'Marenco' 2 Seater Sofa 254 for Arflex in fabric. New, current production. The unmistakable design and wide modularity still make the Marenco sofa a must-have in contemporary furniture. Designed by Mario Marenco in 1970, it is still a great classic of Italian design. With this large-rounded cushions sofa, Mario Marenco has combined strength and comfort. In 2007 the Marenco collection won the Wallpaper Design Awards Best Reissues. The Sofa is available in a wide variation of fabrics and leather upholstery. This listing is for a sofa with fabric upholstery. Please ask us about the possibilities. Designed by Mario Marenco (1933-2019) 1957 degree at Naples University. 1957/1960 he gained 5 awards for research at Stockholm and Chicago universities. 1960 he formed the DEWG Studio in Rome : community buildings. 1970 designer for arflex, Artemide, Bernini, B&B, Comfortline 1982 collaboration with FIAT, LANCIA, ALFA ROMEO for display stands. 1985 watches...
Fabric
Complete Eilersen Modular Sofa in Blue Fabric with Cushions
By Eilersen 1
Located in Lejre, DK
Complete modular sofa by Eilersen upholstered in blue fabric with matching cushions. The sofa consists of several modules and has a large setup suitable for a living room, lounge or ...
Fabric
Italian modern blue fabric sofa Erasmo by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for B&B, 1970s
By B&B Italia, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern blue fabric sofa Erasmo by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for B&B, 1970s Modular sofa model Erasmo covered in petrol blue. The couch is composed of two modules with armrests, w...
Fabric, Plastic
Adriano Piazzesi Sofa in Blue Marine Velvet and Chrome Frame
By Adriano Piazzesi
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
This exquisite modular sofa set by Adriano Piazzesi combines comfort, sophistication, and iconic 1970s Italian design. Upholstered in plush blue corduroy fabric and accented with sle...
Chrome
Marenco Seat System Sofa by Mario Marenco for Arflex
By Arflex, Mario Marenco
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 2000s. Italy. Green velvet fabric.
Velvet
Gunnel Nyman was known as a glass artist, but this piece is a striking example of her early training in furniture design.
With its grid-like doors and wavy trim, the 1940s design feels as fresh as ever.
