Each and every sofa sets the scene for a medley of different uses,’ says Italian maestro Antonio Citterio – and he should know, having designed dozens of different models for Italian luxury brand Flexform over the last 40 years. His latest, the ‘Harper’ seating system presented during Salone del Mobile 2021, has an innately elegant appeal thanks to its balanced proportions, neat upholstery and exquisite handcrafted details.
Named after the harp, it is designed as a delicate and welcoming sofa, ‘like a lullaby created by the sophisticated sound of the stringed instrument’.
What really sets the sofa apart is a distinctive console armrest, made of thin metal sheet clad in leather. Available in two widths and 13 different colours (including Dark Brown, Olive and Bulgarian Red), it is big enough to store throws, books, remote controls or even your collection of Wallpaper* magazines. Combined with generously padded modular seats, corners, armchairs, ottomans and terminal elements that come in three depths (99cm, 111cm and 126cm), it can be configured to fit to perfection whatever the space available.
Entirely made by Flexform’s craftspeople at the company’s factory in Meda, it comes with refined construction details and a relaxed, casual silhouette that are designed for open-plan living, where the back of the sofa is as much on view as the front.
Set on a wooden frame clad in polyurethane foam padding, the premium seat cushions are filled with goose down and inserts in crush-proof material, while the upholstery is available in hundreds of different exclusive fabrics (including cashmere, cotton, linen and velvet) and leathers. We’re particularly fond of the gros-grain piping detail, available in a range of different colours, but you could also pick your own favourite fabric to create a completely unique sofa.
‘Talking about my relationship with Flexform means talking about a group of friends who have shared visions and experiences,’ says Citterio. ‘It also means talking about a big part of my life, given the fact that we have been working together for over 40 years.’ Here’s hoping that special relationship continues for years to come.
