GHIDINI1961: brass design for life through contemporary creative expressions

building upon more than 50 years of excellence in brass design and craftsmanship, GHIDINI1961 came into being in 2016 under the art direction of stefano giovannoni. with the aim of enhancing the properties of the material, GHIDINI1961 has since developed a collection of extraordinary items of furniture and accessories for daily life.

the brand’s origins are rooted in ghidini bosco — brass manufacturing specialists who combine advanced technologies and rapid prototyping with traditional craft skills. the company boasts a catalogue that includes thousands of products ranging from lighting fixtures to furnishing items, decorative items and handles. the entire production cycle takes place in-house and is characterized by a meticulous attention to detail.

upon these solid foundations, giovannoni put together a diverse creative team to propel this rich, warm and prestigious material into the contemporary spotlight with GHIDINI1961.

a living room composition that includes seating from the ‘frame’ series by stefano giovannoni

brass design for life — the company philosophy of GHIDINI1961 — is an expression of history, expertise, and future-forward thinking. the brand’s creative team, led by stefano giovannoni, has developed an extensive collection of items for daily use, ranging from luminaires to large furniture pieces. created by acclaimed italian master designers including aldo cibic and alessandro mendini, as well as some of the scene’s most engaging protagonists, such as nika zupanc and the campana brothers, the brass work boasts sculptural and artistic qualities suitable for domestic settings, as well as boutique hotel rooms and executive offices.

‘frame armchair’ by stefano giovannoni

from andrea branzi’s illuminated console to elisa giovannoni’s large ceiling lighting fixture, GHIDINI1961’s exceptional attention to detail is evident throughout the collections. this approach was manifested at the 2019 edition of salone del mobile.milano, where GHIDINI1961 created an immersive home environment for contemporary living. here, every space of the home was represented. giovannoni’s rabbit-shaped door stopper, with its skillfully rounded profile, complements studio job’s surreal champagne cooler realized in the shape of a giant thimble. elsewhere, jackets can be hung on the delicate brass butterflies of a richard hutten-designed coat hanger.

‘flowers coffee table’ by stefano giovannoni

this year, new GHIDINI1961 furnishings from branch creative, setsu & shinobu ito, estudio campana, richard hutten, stefano giovannoni, and paolo rizzatto have been unveiled — reaffirming the company’s core message of brass design for life. highlights include giovannoni’s ‘frame’ collection, which comprises sofas, armchairs, dining and coffee tables, bookshelves, and cabinets. the collection is characterized by organic junctions that create structures that are at simultaneously minimal, compact, and powerful. small tables and storage units integrate different materials, such as glass, wood and marble, while the sofa has a leather structure and fabric cushions.

the ‘frame’ sofa, pictured in grey, is characterized by organic junctions

another product taking center stage is the ‘katana’ sofa by paolo rizzatto. referencing the classic chesterfield sofa, ‘katana’ features gently curving legs that work in harmony with the rest of the couch. the design acts in dialogue with other GHIDINI1961 products, including rizzatto’s ‘zuan’ collection — a reinterpretation of traditional chinese cabinets and 18th-century english ‘chests’. drawn according to the golden ratio, the upper part of the cabinet is divided into four sections, which is then divided into smaller niches.

pieces from the ‘frame’ series are minimal, compact and powerful structures

although GHIDINI1961’s products are very much at home in domestic environments, many of the pieces also lend themselves to other settings, such as hotels, halls, and important meeting rooms and offices. from salt and pepper shakers to sofas, and upholstered furniture, mirrors, and bookshelves, every object in GHIDINI1961’s collection exudes the signature craftsmanship of a brand rooted in excellence.

the ‘katana’ sofa by paolo rizzatto