Exciting evolution of shapes

3-SEATER sofa exquisite in leather

Metamorphosis happens when a designer takes one element and transforms it into another. This exciting evolution of shapes is evident in the signature pieces of Moroso, one of Italy’s top premium home furniture brands. Check out www.moroso.it .

SILVER LAKE is a Patricia Urquiola creation that offers us an architectural memory inspired by the Californian modernism of the ’50s. It is a continuous geometric interplay of solids and voids, with volumes creating many-sided polyhedral forms.

Moroso, founded in 1952, is on a yearlong celebration to mark its 60th anniversary. Many diverse events are underway to show off the different facets of the brand.

Patrizia Moroso, from the second generation of the family, is the art director of Moroso. She is transforming the family-owned company into a globally prestigious design powerhouse. The Italian firm now works with 35 designers worldwide, including Patricia Urquiola, Tord Boontje, Tokujin Yoshioka, Rod Arad, Antonio Citterio, Edward Van Vliet, and Doshi and Levien.

Casa Bella Home and Living represents Moroso in the country. Upon the invitation of partners Joseph Tay and Stephanie Coyiuto-Tay, Patrizia decided to visit our country. She was delighted to see their creations appreciated and beautifully blending with Philippine architecture and interior design.

THE GENTRY sofa was a result of Patricia Urquiola’s study of sober, orderly comfort to produce a snug shape with a hint of distortion. It is characterized by large independent seat and backrest cushions that can be arranged for sitting comfortably in a conventional position or with a relaxed posture.

Thus, Casa Bella hosted “Metamorphosis” at the Conservatory of the Manila Peninsula a couple of days ago. The event celebrated change and was attended by the country’s top architects and interior designers.

Well-loved creations

On display were some of Moroso’s well-loved creations, such as the Gentry sofa, Smock armchair, Rich armchair and O-Nest chairs by top global designers Patricia Urquiola, Antonio Citterio and Tord Boontje.

MOROSO family Joseph and Stephanie Tay, Tessa Valdes and Patrizia Morosa

The Gentry sofa was a result of Patricia Urquiola’s study of sober, orderly comfort to produce a snug shape with a hint of distortion. Large independent seat and backrest cushions can be arranged for sitting comfortably in a conventional position or with a relaxed posture.

The Smock Armchair, also by Urquiola, is a true conversation piece, a chair that tells a story, a seating solution that envelopes with style and luxury.

The Rich armchair, designed by Antonio Citterio, is exquisite in leather with solid beech legs that come in cherry, walnut, mahogany, coffee or black stain.

Finally, the O-Nest Chairs, designed by Tord Boontje, are rotationally molded, polyethylene armchairs for outdoor spaces, with enveloping shapes reminiscent of a flowering bush.

MOROSO owner Patrizia Moroso and guests Silvana Fornari and Architect Ed Calma

Strong focus

Moroso is emerging to be one of the top choices in premium home furniture globally, with a strong focus on developing very elegant, comfortable design pieces. One of Moroso’s showcase homes is owner Patrizia’s house, which was designed by her close friend Patricia Urquiola.

“We want to celebrate design through its interactions with the arts,” said Patrizia at Metamorphosis. “What I particularly love about my work is what’s behind it: the power of a design and the path leading to actual production. Sometimes it’s ardous, complicated, long, tiring, stressful, depressing, seemingly without a solution. Or it’s accessible, brilliant, easy and quick. The layout of this exhibition is to stroll through time, an outside-the-box look at what has been done, and what could have been done. A story composed of ideas, prototypes, variations, additions, interpretations and mistakes—even marvelous mistakes.” Casa Bella Home and Living is at the lobby of AIC Burgundy Empire Tower, ADB Avenue corner Garnet Street, Ortigas Center. Tel. 470-1089, 470-6250.

The design hub in Asia

For the finest craftsmanship of Filipino artisans, check out the 56th edition of Manila FAME from Oct. 17 to 20 at SMX. This event is being organized by the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (Citem) of the Department of Trade & Industry.

Citem executive director Rosvi Gaetos says that Filipino craftsmen, with their innate talent and unique ingenuity for the past decades, have sparked a global interest in Philippine craftsmanship. With unparalleled design style made by Filipino hands, Philippine furniture and furnishings, and holiday decor continue to make the country the design hub in Asia.

With Citem’s new theme, “The art of the craftsman equals the soul of the Philippines,” new facets of the show will be presented, putting the spotlight on the country’s top creative professionals and local design industry brands. Some of the event features that will give buyers and visitors more reason to visit the show are the 10 design houses, garden and fashion pavilions, and the crafts and style spots.

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