Description

Provenance and Background Info

Written in 2017. This B&B Italia suite sold immediately for $2350 through iNVISeDGE in 2017. If I got this exact suite again I’d price it at significantly more than this.

A 2-piece chaise lounge by Italian maker, B & B Italia. This is from the “Sity” range- this is design at its most prestigious and best. You can get prestigious design that really isn’t that good- this lounge suite though ticks every box. It looks amazing but is not over-the-top- it would nestle in well into any space. The fabric on the cushions is not original- many of the Memphis-style fabrics used on these lounges have been replaced over the years. The “Sity” design was released in 1986 (so most of these suites are about 30-years old). This was when 80’s pop-culture was peaking- modernist shapes combined with bright colours. The interesting thing is this new “minimalist” fabric still works very well … such a versatile design! This design responds best to the psychedelic Memphis-style fabrics from the 80’s. (See the screen-shot included in this listing. Note that the suite in the screen-shot is priced at GBP 7029, the equivalent of AU $11 850! (Use the enlarge tool.) The listing on 1^st Dibs clearly states it needs full re-upholstery as well- the lounge on offer here does NOT.) I used to be baffled why people re-upholstered Parker lounge suites in these “busy” 80’s fabrics. Now I understand. These fabrics look so sensational on the 80’s designs (such as the “Sity”) that people thought they’d look just as great on Parker- but they just don’t translate. These designs are not on the same page and in fact in a different book altogether.

Antonio Citterio’s “Sity” lounges were designed in 1986 and won B&B Italia the Compasso D’Oro- Italy’s most prestigious Design award. Sity suites were available through SPACE furniture in Australia for some time and this ensemble would have set you back about AU $20 000 new. These are really well made- steel sub-structure and moulded foam. This suite is about 30 years old but underneath it looks virtually like it did when it was new. Under the moulded foam is springs (that’s my educated guess anyway)- the base has springiness to it and the moulded foam provides plushness but nice support also. This is comfort at its best. You can lie all over it and it has been designed to put your feet up on as well. Its casual comfort- suited for both sitting and “slothing about”. The new seat fabric is very practical- it’s a high-quality suede fabric and very easy to keep clean. (I’d say this is why it was chosen.)

The above should make the investment appeal of this suite obvious but if you peruse 1^st Dibs you’ll see various pieces in this design that have MUCH heftier price tags on them. (This suite is labelled as well- embossed with the B & B Italia label in the leather of each armrest.) There’s no reason I can see why this won’t be worth more when you come to sell it in the future. I can’t think of any better way to buy …well you’re not really buying- you’re investing. The best vintage design retains its value or will increase in value as you get to use it plus these items have been built to last. If you research the Sity design there are NO online complaints about the design and workmanship- none- (after being out over 30 years). There’s no better way to invest in your home and reduce landfill.