#14 NEW YORK

THE BLOG - curated by Antonella Dedini

DESIGN ITALY IN THE WORLD 
NEW YORK

New York is known worldwide by the curious nickname "The Big Apple." But do you know why? It all dates back to the 1920s, where several stories have been passed down. It's said that the renowned writer Edward S. Martin was the first to compare New York State to an apple tree, with roots in the Mississippi Valley and the fruit being New York City in one of his books. Then, the horse racing journalist John J. Fitz Gerald titled one of his articles "Around the Big Apple," where "Big Apple" referred to significant betting winnings. Another contribution came from jazz music; a round, red apple was the payment musicians of the 1930s received for playing in Harlem and Manhattan clubs. In short, it's a special city, always on everyone's lips for a thousand reasons. The cultural excitement that has always driven its society continues to shape global pop culture. New York gathers the best of art, design, architecture, and music from around the world. It's a place of dreams for many, even becoming a symbol and the famous star of a perfect advertising campaign: "I ❤️ NY," created by the celebrated Milton Glaser, an embodiment of American graphic design.

In this city where the world's greatest artists reside, because of its vibrant vitality and creative fervor, we imagine a home inhabited by a curious person, a lover of art, and ingenious insights into historical and contemporary design.

THE DAY AREA

We envision an apartment in the lively and authentic Upper East Side neighborhood in Manhattan, offering much in terms of art, culture, food, and services. Let's visit a small but very bright space with light walls: extraordinary design pieces that have made history take center stage. These works almost resemble art, timeless icons well-suited to the city's spirit.

In the living area, at the center, Gaetano Pesce's "Sunset in New York" sofa, a renowned Italian artist-designer who has lived in this city since the '80s, stands out. Today, it's reproduced by Cassina in an exclusive limited series of 50 pieces, maintaining all the expressive value and relevance of the original design, clearly inspired by American Pop Art.

The sofa converses with another historical piece by Gaetano Pesce: the Feltri armchair, also produced by Cassina, which synthesizes figurative research played on the hybrid ground dear to the author between art and utility. A unique work, distinguished by its great flexibility and the possibility to cover the cushion with a wide range of fabrics and colors.

Notably present are a pair of Vanity Fair leather armchairs, among the first padded seats produced by Poltrona Frau in the 1930s. Its name pays homage to the famous American magazine born in the early 1900s and is one of the most well-known and sought-after armchairs worldwide.

Offering light to the seats is the floor lamp "Pins Reading" by La Récréation & P. Angelo Orecchioni for Marioni. To recall the lines and precious materials of Art Deco, there's the Jean coffee table by Studio 63 for Marioni, in brushed brass with a rectangular shape and rounded lines completed by an inset marble top.

THE DINING AREA

The dining area highlights color with innovative materials like cast resin. The Hotline dining table, designed by Claudio Bitetti, features a structure in matte black metal and a glass top. It boasts minimal and essential lines, leaving the scene to the Resin Chairs N. 14/20 by Paola Navone for One Off. On top of the table sits the Nugget resin vase by Gaetano Pesce for Fish Design.

As an homage to the "Big Apple," two soft Tattoo Snow White poufs by Maurizio Galante & Tal Lancman for Baleri Italia add to the setting.

On the table hangs the pendant lamp "Phil" by Uto Balmoral, imagined as a dedication to the spectacular feat of tightrope walker Philippe Petit, who in 1974 walked between the towers of the World Trade Center in New York (the ones destroyed in the September 11, 2001 attacks) on a suspended wire over 400 meters high. The intelligent wheeled Cocktail Cabinet CANTINETTA COLOR
by Barrel12, designed by Francesca Cutini for Barrel12, is made from regenerated and recycled barrels.

THE BEDROOM AREA

The Sign.Re bed by Dale Italia is in gray walnut wood with a precious leather headboard framed by two FERAL Sculpture lamps by Alessandro Zomparelli for Cyrcus Design: fire and smoke solidify through 3D printing, revealing their nature when the lamp is lit.

To stay within the Pop Art theme, the giant Mickey armchair from Studio 65, designed in 1973, stands out, complemented by the mirror with a resin frame "Round Mirror Red" by Gaetano Pesce for Fish Design.

In the bedroom, there's the functional TV unit "ADELAIDE TV METAL" by Claudio Bitetti for Mogg, designed for floor-to-ceiling installation.