In a world where iconic furniture is constantly being replicated, it pays to know which brand makes which.
To help you, we’ve listed down some of the top furniture brands of the 20th century.
B&B Italia
B&B Italia has been one of the world’s leading contemporary brands since 1966. The Italian furniture company has won Italy’s most prestigious design award, the Compasso
Distinct Design: As a leader in modern interiors, B&B Italia specializes in refined minimalist furniture in innovative materials.
Iconic Pieces: Serie Up 2000 by Gaetano Pesce, Le Bambole armchair by Mario Bellini,
Fast Fact: Many of B&B Italia’s pieces have appeared in the James Bond film series.
B&B Italia is distributed by Focus Global, 24th Street corner 7th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City.
Cassina
Founded in 1927, Cassina was created by brothers Cesare and Umberto Cassina. The Italian brand’s product lineup includes sofas, chairs, tables, cabinets, beds, and other home accessories.
Distinct Design: Cassina innovates through fine project research. Another distinct feature is the brand’s creative mixing of traditional and contemporary aspects of design.
Distinguishable Differences: The brand is known for its unique shapes, unconventional
Iconic Pieces: LC 4 Chaise Longue by Le Corbusier, 280 Zig Zag Chair by Gerrit Thomas Rietveld
Fast Fact: Cassina was a pioneer in industrial design in Italy during the ’50s.
Cassina is distributed by FURNitalia, 30th Street corner Rizal Drive, Bonifacio Global City.
Edra
Italian company Edra was founded in 1987. The brand specializes in furniture that’s unique and crafted to adapt to any space.
Distinct Design: Edra is known for its aesthetically adventurous design.
Distinguishable Differences: Both high-tech and hand-made, Edra’s uniqueness lies in its innovative yet still manual approach to furniture.
Iconic Pieces:
Fast Fact: The name Edra is derived from a Greek word which means a place for philosophical discussion.
Ethan Allen
Nathan S. Ancell and his brother-in-law Theodore Baumritter started Ethan Allen as a housewares manufacturer in 1932. Currently, it operates more than 300 stores across the world.
Distinct Design: The American furniture company is known for its high quality, handcrafted pieces and its wide assortment of products.
Distinguishable Differences: Classic and traditional design elements and colonial-inspired furniture
Fast Facts: Ethan Allen was the first to showcase its products in gallery-type showrooms. The brand also pioneered free interior design services.
Ethan Allen is distributed by Focus Global Inc., 9th Floor, Twenty-four Seven Building, 24th Street corner 7th Avenue, McKinley Parkway, Taguig.
Giorgetti
In 1898, Luigi Giorgetti established his own design and furniture company using quality materials.
Distinct Design: Giorgetti started by making functional pieces and has since evolved to making products for
Distinguishable Differences: The manufacturer sets itself apart through its wood craftsmanship.
Iconic Pieces: Progetti armchair by the Giorgetti Research Centre, Spring chair by Massimo Scolari
Fast Fact: In 2018, Giorgetti celebrated 120 years since it was first established.
Giorgetti is distributed by FURNitalia, 30th Street corner Rizal Drive, Bonifacio Global City.
George Smith
At the start of the 19th century, George Smith was known for its cabinets and upholstery. Today, the brand makes sofas, chairs, chaises, and stools all made in workshops in the North of England. The British manufacturer specializes in bespoke furniture, with each detail uniquely decided by the customer.
Distinct Design: Classic yet contemporary with an English twist
Iconic Pieces: Jules sofa
Fast Fact: Customers of the iconic furniture designer include kings and queens, celebrities, and socialites.
Ligne Roset
Ligne Roset began as a manufacturer of walking sticks in 1860. Today, the French company has evolved to produce high-end contemporary furniture and home accessories such as lighting, rugs, and textiles.
Distinct Design: The furniture company is known for its collaboration with established and up-and-coming talents in the industry.
Distinguishable Differences: Ligne Roset’s pieces are modern in a luxurious sense.
Iconic Pieces: Togo sofa
Ligne Roset is distributed by MOs Design, 9th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City.
Minotti
Founded in the 1950s, Minotti was borne out of Albert Minotti’s vision to promote the best of Italian craftsmanship. You’ll find comfort and style in Minotti’s chairs, armchairs, and sofas.
Distinct Design: The furniture company has become synonymous with Italian style and elegance.
Iconic Pieces: Van Dyck table, Cortina armchair
Fast Fact: In 2018, the brand celebrated its 70th anniversary.
Minotti is distributed by Living Innovations, Fort Victoria, 5th Avenue, Corner Rizal Drive, Bonifacio Global City.
Moooi
Dutch design company Moooi was founded by Marcel Wanders and Casper Vissers in 2001. Aside from furniture, Moooi creates lighting and accessories.
Distinct Design: Moooi is known for its eclectic design and statement pieces.
Iconic Pieces: Container table, Smoke Chair
Fast Fact: The brand’s products are available in more than 79 countries.
Moooi is distributed by Abitare Internazionale, Crown Tower, 107 HV Dela Costa Street, Salcedo Village, Makati.
Poliform
Poliform, although founded in 1970, can trace its business back to 1942. The brand makes bookcases, complements, wardrobes, beds, kitchens, sofas and armchairs as well as systems and furnishing accessories.
Distinct Design: The Italian company designs furniture in a modern and contemporary style.
Distinguishable Differences: Poliform is distinguishable in the way it allows customers to customize furniture pieces.
Iconic Pieces: Bristol sofa, Wall System bookcase, Senzafine walk-in
Poliform is distributed by Stile Italia Inc., 237 Nicanor Garcia, Makati.
Poltrona Frau
Italian furniture brand Poltrona Frau was founded in 1912 by Renzo Frau. Through the years, the brand has collaborated with the world’s finest designers and artisans.
Distinct Design: Poltrona Frau brings together traditional craftsmanship and modern design to produce elegant sofas, armchairs, and chairs.
Distinguishable Differences: Aside from its designs, Poltrona Frau is known for its meticulous process including a 21-step tanning process that keeps leather scratch-resistant.
Iconic Pieces: Vanity Fair armchair by Renzo Frau, Dezza sofa by Gio Ponti, Chester sofa by Renzo Frau
Fast Fact: The brand has designed interiors for the world’s leading brands including Ferrari, Maserati, Rolls-Royce, Etihad Airway, Singapore Airlines, and Air France, to name a few.
Poltrona Frau is distributed by FURNitalia, 30th Street corner Rizal Drive, Bonifacio Global City.
Roche Bobois
The French brand was founded in 1960 by the Roche and Chouchan families. As of 2018, Roche Bobois operates in 54 countries with 329 stores.
Distinct Design: The brand’s signature is its highly creative and avant-garde designs.
Iconic Pieces: Mah Jong sofa, Bubble ottoman, Legend bookcase
Fast Fact: A number of fashion designers have collaborated with the brand: Kenzo, Missoni, Emanuel Ungaro, Jean Paul Gaultier, Sonia Rykiel, and Christian Lacroix.
Roche Bobois is located at 2100 Don Chino Roces Avenue Extension, Makati.
Walter Knoll
Walter Knoll is one of the leading manufacturers of premium furnishings. The German company’s heritage stretches back to 1865.
Distinct Design: The brand brings a fresh perspective to modern style furniture.
Distinguishable Differences: Knoll is synonymous with premium leather furniture.
Iconic Pieces: Womb Chair by Eero Saarinen, Tulip chair, Diamond chair by Harry Bertoia
Fast Fact: It is the first manufacturer to specialize in Bauhaus furniture designs.
Walter Knoll is distributed by Abitare Internazionale, Crown Tower, 107 HV Dela Costa Street, Salcedo Village, Makati.
Vitra
The Swiss furniture company is family owned and headquartered in Brisfeld, Switzerland. Vitra mixes innovative and unique designs with
Distinct Design: Vitra combines aesthetic and function using a clean, modern approach to design.
Distinguishable Differences: What sets Vitra apart is its collaborations renowned international designers and architects.
Iconic Pieces: Panton chair
Fast Fact: Vitra has its own design museum which has the largest collection of modern furniture design.
