1950 Meda, Italy: a pioneer in furniture design was born. One of the most under-stated designers in the business today, Citterio continues to design countless objects that most designers could only dream of creating.

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Citterio graduated in architecture at the Politecnico di Milano and since 1972 continues to design for most of the leading furniture and accessory manufacturers world-wide, such as B&B Italia, Flexform, Flos, Iittala, Kartell, and Vitra. B&B Italia’s Maxalto collection is designed and coordinated exclusively by Antonio Citterio.

He has also been engaged in architectural works, dealing with construction projects and interiors, both in Italy and abroad. Citterio holds lectures and conferences and his work has been extensively exhibited and published.

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Armchairs: Morgan, Jenny and Margaret

He has won numerous prizes, among which, the prestigious Compasso d’Oro twice: in 1987 (for the Sity seating system) and 1995 (Mobil container system). His products have been inducted into the MoMA’s  permanent collection, as well as the Centre Georges-Pompidou in Paris.

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The new Charles outdoor collection for B&B Italia

Citterio’s design approaches seem practical, straight-forward, traditional. They are indeed all of those but upon closer inspection, you will discover the aesthetic characteristics and underlying attributes that set him apart from the rest and exemplify the care and attention to detail that the Italian industrial design community has demanded of their creatives for ages.
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Groundpiece, ABC and Lifewood for Flexform

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Citterio talks about the new Beverly folding chair for B&B Italia_

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Citterio has a kind and honest face, he wears an understated attire and when he speaks, he is not afraid to show humility and a ‘down-to-earth’ attitude. You won’t see him proudly flashing a new over-priced watch, sunglasses or rolling up to a red carpet in a million dollar sports car… by all means, he could but he has no need and likely no desire to. Citterio is a perfect model to argue that, to be a successful industrial designer, you don’t need to be a celebrity, you simply need to create beautiful, long-lasting objects – at the end of the day, public image comes second to the quality of ones work.

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For Iittala: Collective Tools spoon, Citterio 98 series cutlery and Collective Tools pepper mill

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Citterio’s Factory kitchen system for Boffi

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He may not be the most famous or glamorous designer known today but he is  by far the most accomplished. In a league of his own, Citterio’s presence in the design community generates admiration and great respect within even the most celebrated furniture designers.

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Skape, Axess Plus, AC4, and the new ID chair

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You could say that Mr. Citterio is one of few true industrial design masters of our time. To a lay person, he may seem like just another big designer – to many designers, Citterio creates pieces through substance and logic, he is a trailblazer and a creative magician of sorts.

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Eileen side table, Infinity shelf and Mobil

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I find his work far from ordinary yet somehow familiar. Highly original yet obvious.  Often, when I see new Citterio pieces I have those “why has this not been done before?” moments. It’s hard to imagine a future in design where Citterio’s legacy does not continue to echo and reemerge, expectantly.

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Additional interviews:
2010 Architonic Interview
2011 during Salone del Mobile

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This year, we have decided to individually select our ideal gifts from our current stock and to share as to why we love these pieces.
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Flo
by Marcello Ziliani for Magis | Selected by Rupert

$532.00

I love it because it is the perfect domestic ladder. It folds perfectly flat and compact for storage.  When open it has a very handsome secure look and feeling about it. It also has a very unique handle to hold and steady yourself when you are reaching for a high cupboard. This is a great feature for older people or anyone who has a glass of wine while preparing dinner and needs that special serving dish from a top cupboard for instance…? I just can’t decide between which colour I like more either the orange or the anthracite.

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iPhone Pouch
by Isaac Reina | Selected by Thea

$189.00

Understated and elegant this Parisian based leather maker creates bags and small leather goods of impeccable quality. He has worked for acclaimed fashion houses such as Hermes, Antonio Miro and collaborated with Martin Margiella. All of the pieces are handcrafted in Paris.

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Standard
by Artek | Selected by Michael

$100.00

Unisex fragrance made in collaboration with Comme les Garçons. Intended to provoke the feeling of being in the forests of Finland – Standard’s subtly sweet oak scent makes it ideal for most any occasion.

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Le Corbusier Polychromie Architecturale – re-edition
edited by Arthur Rüegg | Selected by Sherry

$412.00

3 Volume set of Le Corbusier’s writings and colour selection edited by Arthur Rüegg, was published in 1997 and updated in 2005. Le Corbusier’s sophisticated colour theories were influenced by his experiences as both an artist and an architect.
The colour palettes he selected for Salubra were systematized in chromatic ‘keyboards’ with accompanying cut-out cards to isolate colour combinations. The LC 32 series are organized into groups based on mood, from which a smaller palette of three to five harmonious colors can be selected. The stronger colours of the LC 43 series appear on one page, with colour proximity and the cut-out cards enabling selection of two to three vividly contrasting colours.

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Kivi
by Heikki Orvola for Iittala | Selected by Todd

From $15.00

Available in a very large assortment of colours, these simple tea light holders can be festive and playful as holiday decorations but also suitable for use year round.

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Heima Collection
by Francis Cayouette for Normann Copenhagen | Selected by Lizzy

From $64.00

Simple and elegant, as well as being a fresh approach to candle holder design, the craftsmanship and durability is outstanding.

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Kitchen Centric
by Mick De Giulio | Selected by Cynthia

$75.00

This book showcases real kitchens in real homes so I know that they’re functioning as well as great design inspiration. Includes large scale well lit photos that allow the details to be easily seen, floor plans are also included for each kitchen.

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Loop
by Jacob Wagner for B&B Italia | Selected by Edward

From $679.00

B&B Italia is known for their meticulous designs and unparalleled manufacturing techniques. The Loop tray is no exception – Wagner has taken the classic tray form to a new level. He didn’t fix what was not broke, he did make it better however.

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Architects’ Sketchbooks
by Will Jones | Selected by Barbara

$55.00

I’m excited by seeing where architectural designs originate – understanding where architects’ ideas come from and how they develop into beautiful structures.

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Wooden Dolls
Alexander Girard for Vitra | Selected by Kyle

$195.00/ea.

Girard’s dolls are just plain cute. Blurring the line between art and design and suitable for just about anyone with a flare for Deco.

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Steel Matte
Jean Nouvel for Georg Jensen | Selected by Noah

$112.00/5pc.

It has been said that you should put more value towards your dining room chairs than your dining table. The same can be said for cutlery vs plates. I would love to receive the 5 piece cutlery gift set designed by Jean Nouvel. This set is pure and simple, designed by the renowned French architect.

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Koppel Clock
Henning Koppel for Georg Jensen | Selected by Daniel

$173.00

Great as an oversized bed-side clock, for blurry awakenings.

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Eames Hang-It-All, Limited Edition
Charles & Ray Eames for Herman Miller | Selected by Stephanie

$236.00

A classic with a new twist the walnut version looks great in any space. Everyone should own a piece from Charles & Ray Eames!

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Inform is located in the oldest commercial district of Vancouver – Gastown. Circa 1900, Water Street (then called Front Street) was where Vancouver first started to become a city. Many of the building’s facades have been maintained and kept true to the spirit of old Gastown.

Gastown in the early 1900s.

In honour of our rich history, Inform’s B&B Italia showroom at 97 Water will soon have a copper crown moulding once again.

Referenced archive photo of 97 Water, the current work in progress at 97 Water.

Niels and Nancy Bendtsen, the owners of Inform, have a vested interest in the restoration of the area. They have been in the neighbourhood for decades, with it’s history, beauty and promise.

(Above, clockwise)Custom hydro-press moulding tool, bottom sections prepped and ready to be installed and a new sheet of copper, to be formed.

Drawings of the final product.

Blending new technologies and methods with a traditional sensibility and highly skilled craftsmenship, CMM Industries is responsible for restoring 97 Water Street to it’s former glory. For more information on CMM Industries visit www.cmmindustries.com.

The moulding process, in progress.

Sheets of copper are sealed to the custom tool bed then formed using pressurized water.

We are excited by how the project is moving along and can’t wait to proudly show our brand new yet very old red-gold cornice.

Gastown has clearly taken a turn for the better in the last few years; beautiful boutiques, cafés and shops have been popping up all over, enriching Gastown’s charm and uniqueness even further.

VIDEO: Tourism Vancouver’s spotlight on Gastown

For a truly historical Vancouver experience, you must come and see the neighbourhood for yourself.

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