With its first-ever Outdoor Collection, Italian furniture-maker Poliform extends its signature modern style to the outside. Bringing a sophisticated synergy between indoors and outdoors, the new multi-piece collection also highlights a connective link between human beings, nature and scenery.
A collaboration with four eminent designers – Jean-Marie Massaud, Emmanuel Gallina, Marcel Wanders and Soo Chan – the furniture in the Outdoor Collection from Poliform includes pieces for dining, gathering and lounging, all with some serious modern lifestyle leanings.
For the Ketch series, French architect Jean-Marie Massaud took inspiration from the nautical world, developing a cohesive offering that includes sofas, armchairs and coffee tables. With the sofas and armchairs, a solid iroko wood structure supports a flexible fabric backrest akin to a pair of sturdy masts hoisting a boat’s sail, lending the pieces a combination of hard and soft elements.
The low-profile coffee tables feature a similar base framework and can be topped with slatted iroko wood or sand-cast glass. All the wood components in the Ketch family are available in Nero and Naturale stains and the fabric backrests can be one of four earthy neutrals, Ghiaccio (Ice), Nocciola (Hazelnut), Oliva (Olive) and Testa di moro (Brown); multiple fabric options are offered for the upholstered volumes.
Massaud also contributed an outdoor-ready version of his iconic Le Club armchair, which maintains the original’s sinuous lines but renders them in a new knit upholstery fabric (that is treated with a water-repellent liquid finish) that provides an interesting tactile expression. A coordinating ottoman completes the lounge set. Three colourways are offered: Ecrù, Notte (Night) and Visone (Mink).
Magnolia by French designer Emmanuel Gallina brings a family of seating – an armchair, a sofa and a sunbed with reclining backrest – inspired by the delicacy of curving branches, graceful falling leaves and other small wonders from nature. The open design is such that the lightness of natural wood – and the expert craftsmanship – shines through the understated and refined structures. Soft and plump cushions add a layer of comfort. Offered in Nero and Naturale finishes as well, along with a wide range of upholstery fabric options.
The Monolith collection of tables by Gallina, meanwhile, nods to the monumental ancient architecture of Dolmens. Ultra-thin Cementoskin (in Grafite/Graphite, Crema/Cream or Tortora/Turtledove) or basalt stone tabletops have organic and irregular forms that are placed on bases comprised of one, two or three chunky pedestal legs.
Adapting his charmingly sophisticated Mad collection for the outdoors, Marcel Wanders developed the Mad Out series of armchairs and sofas using a hand-woven rope backrest that envelops the sitter while allowing air and light to filter through. The accompanying three coffee tables place a lava stone top (in two shades that are dependent on the high firing temperatures) that can be enhanced with glass powder to achieve a luxe matte-gloss contrast. The rope backs of the armchair and sofa can be Mattone (Brick), Testa di moro (Brown) or Sabbia (Sand); the metal legs of the coffee table – in three sizes – can be powder-coated in the same three colourways with an opaque finish.
Singapore-based architect Soo Chan adds a veritable island to the mix with his Soori day lounge, a destination for total relaxation. The rounded day bed has a laid-back appeal, with an elegant braided rope headboard and generous upholstered cushion.
