In a showcase of global design influence, Italian furniture company Paola Lenti has revealed some of its latest designs for an Australian audience in collaboration with dedece. With events in Melbourne and Sydney, the stores served as immersive platforms to highlight the brand’s newest designs alongside some best-sellers.
Rooted in a philosophy of experimentation and a revival of traditional craftsmanship, the collections are designed to evoke harmony, wellbeing and serenity. As you might expect with Paola Lenti, colour is also a standout feature.
Anna Lenti, Paola’s sister, was a nuclear engineer – yes, you read that correctly – before becoming CEO of the company in 2000. Paola, she explains, is the creative brains of the operation, while Anna runs the management and commercial aspects.
With strong roots in Milan, it’s little wonder that Paola Lenti places great emphasis on the annual Salone del Mobile and indeed the city’s design landscape as a whole. Following closely on the heels of the dual Australian stores, the company is ready to launch a permanent showroom presence this year.
Anna also draws a clear link between the company’s Australian direction and its presence in Milan, with the new permanent presence opening at this year’s Salone. “We are particularly proud of this project because it’s a very important step for us,” says Anna. “It will also have a very nice garden, which will allow for a lot of new concepts.”
Collaborating with de de ce, Paola Lenti’s exclusive distributor in Australia, the events in Sydney and Melbourne showcased an extensive array of indoor and outdoor furnishings. The Melbourne store, in particular, held significance as it marked Paola Lenti’s inaugural dedicated space in the Australian continent.
The events featured exclusive shades, including various green variations, intense magenta nuances and warm orange hues, highlighting the diverse language of colour at the core of both setups.
“The process at our company is that we start from the material, so fabric will always be a very important part of our production. We also always combine traditional techniques with hi-tech material,” notes Anna in relation to Paola Lenti’s focus on craftsmanship.
The company is has a strong international presence, with another upcoming showroom event in Tokyo. Anna, no stranger to Sydney, remarks on the character of the city in terms of its sub-tropical greenery.
“Outdoor living has always held cultural importance locally, and there’s a growing interest in design,” she adds. “Amidst heightened environmental consciousness, our commitment to eco-friendly materials and production processes, coupled with our social responsibility initiatives, can further bolster our reputation in the country.”
Paola Lenti
paolalenti.it
dedece
dedece.com
Photography
Sergio Chimenti