A&B LIVING || A Collection Where Exquisite Craftsmanship and Design Complete Each Other
A collection where exquisite craftsmanship and design complete each other.
After a brief hiatus from the pandemic, A&B living has presented its second collection at Milano Design Week 2022. The eclectic project stems from the strong artistic relations that have been built up with Luca Barengo and Francesco Citterio, and a new collaboration developed with renowned French designer Philippe Nigro.
Philippe Nigro has designed a modular collection of room dividers, shelving and cabinets romantically named Marechiaro. A composition of triangular-section slats is lined up or placed in a wave to effortlessly break up the space within the home. Add the shelving system to house your cherished collectibles and display items. Out of this modular collection, we’ve got our eyes on the cabinet, which features two alternating types of straw marquetry with a chevron motif.
Luca Barengo’s design vision confirms the successful fusion of liquid metal and straw marquetry: an exquisite material twinned with a humble one that has been expertly crafted and thus elevated to create an extraordinary finish. The Capsule collection consists of a sideboard and a tall cabinet, in which geometrically shaped elements come together to create an almost sculptural figure.
Francesco Citterio’s design flair has given rise to Madame, a distinctly feminine mirror with a generous, curvy frame dressed in stunning grey parchment, breaking from the traditional shape and form.
Through this collection blending innovation and traditional craftsmanship, one can look to the future of design while being able to fall back on the expert knowledge inherited from traditional techniques that have been passed down with passion and brought into the 21st century.
MARECHIARO
shelving system, room divider, screen — Philippe Nigro.
This elegant collection caught our eye with its stunning colour gradients. The surface is treated with blended inks that have been applied by hand so that a multitude of shades are possible. The elegant form of the shelving system makes for the perfect spot to house your cherished collectibles; for this purpose, the designer has attentively created picture and accessory holders in the same finishes to complete the look.
The dividers provide an eloquent segmentation of a room to create distinct divisions, while the slats establish an interesting visual interest with an interplay of light and shades of colour. We would place this piece in a room where the natural light and shadow evolve throughout the day to see light reflect off of the triangular slats.
MARECHIARO
cabinet design — Philippe Nigro
A solid wood frame features strips of wood covered with straw marquetry and a chevron design. Each strip has a triangular cross-section and two different colours of straw on the two outer faces. Like the screen system, this exquisite object presents an array of shades depending on the angle it is viewed from.
VOMERO
sideboard/cabinet — Philippe Nigro
The Vomero cabinet or sideboard is made of oak and hand-decorated with rye straw. Each piece of straw has been applied individually in a chevron pattern and then finished with wax. With a champagne metal base, this cabinet is a remarkable expression of craftsmanship and attention to detail. The top features extra-clear glass. We would love to have this piece in our entry corridor or living room; it is a work of art that anchors a room and draws the eyes.
CAPSULE
sideboard/cabinet — Luca Barengo
The Capsule sideboard, which already appears in A&B living collections, is transformed into a contemporary sideboard. With its liquid metal brass frame, which has been hand-oxidized and given a wax finish, and emerald green straw marquetry, Capsule is a statement piece for any room thanks to its sculptural presence and bold formal character. Rye straw has been fashioned to give this cabinet an even more distinctive, authentic, hand-crafted quality. It is this contrast between the majestic frame and the fragility of the straw base that makes this piece so unique.
MADAME
mirror — Francesco Citterio
For this large-scale, free-standing mirror, the designer used a chequerboard technique and the parchment has been applied by hand. The flowing contour of the frame is embellished with a platinum metallic finish. The closer one gets to this item, the more details can be seen that highlight its extraordinary craftsmanship. In comparison to the minimalist frames, this piece has a lot more character and boldness.
