Our choice of furniture and the way we use and arrange it is what turns a house into a home. A lot has been written about classic furniture but is more difficult to define the qualities that make a contemporary furniture piece a design classic.

Contemporary furniture has to fit in with our needs for modern living and has to visually work around other items. Just as we give thought into deciding what to wear, by choosing items of clothing and adding matching accessories and jewellery to compliment the outfit, the same principles can be applied to furnishing our homes. In this instance, lighting and art assume the role of accessories and jewellery.

Just as there are fashion classics that never seem to go out of fashion, for example the LBD (little black dress), the same is true for furniture. Items such as Mies van der Rohe's Barcelona chair or Charles and Ray Eames' Lounge chair and ottoman could be seen as such classic pieces which are as popular today and have never really gone out of fashion.

Furniture also has an additional role to play in the 21st century. Here in the UK we work long hours and stress has become part and parcel of modern day living. For many, creating a retreat in the form of our home offers us some comfort and protection from the pressures of day to day life. In a fast changing environment in which we are constantly exposed to big brand advertising and marketing slogans, we are turning our homes into our own private havens, creating a unique environment in which we can express ourselves and feel like an individual.

It is a great to own a well designed piece of contemporary furniture that is beautifully made, especially when you know that you will not find it in everyone else's home! Such pieces give the extra wow factor to your living space. Furniture trends tend to move at a slower pace than many other trends so if you buy a well designed piece of furniture it can give you many years of pleasure.

Italy is internationally recognised as a leader in the world of furniture design, both in terms of the quality of manufacture and the ability to create furniture that is not only functional but also beautiful. Some perceive the design scene to be available only to a select few, either the wealthy or those who know where to go.
At Design Icons we are pleased to be able to offer a range of contemporary Italian furniture from present day designers as well as offering modern classic pieces which remain timeless and fit in well with contemporary living, even some 60 years after they were originally designed.