New vintage: eclectic and original interiors thanks to 20th century design icons

27 June 2023

More than a trend, a design approach: new vintage is a new way of understanding the historicity of design and integrating it into a current interior. Here the goal is not to create a retro atmosphere but rather to identify among the icons of the 20th century the most interesting and iconic furnishings that can make the interior special and cultured. As we will see, these are projects launched in the 20th century and which still retain a significant innovative scope today. They tell the story of the era in which they were designed but at the same time fit easily into the context of the present. What’s more, thanks to the chromatic options and dimensional variations, they lend themselves to furnishing environments with different styles, blending in with them without losing their character.

Togo by Michel Ducaroy for Ligne Roset

It is said that the organic shape of the Togo sofa (on the cover) originated in Ducaroy’s mind when he observed a tube of toothpaste folded on itself. The folds are precisely what characterizes this project, introduced for the first time in 1973, the year in which the company itself was born. So it turns 50 today and it does so by showing off a dazzling shape: the Togo sofa is still very popular, welcoming and striking and thanks to the many colors and sizes in which it is proposed it is also a versatile solution for different projects.

Pà by Ico Parisi for Cassina

Designed by Ico Parisi in 1947 for a private client, the Pà console is today more current than ever. Elegant and essential, with its lines it evokes the years in which it was designed and does so in an elegant and whispered way. Its function is much appreciated: in a living area it serves as both a console and a desk, offering that versatility that can really make the difference today.

Panton Chair by Verner Panton for Vitra

The Danish designer Verner Panton began designing this seat in 1959, the idea was ambitious and he managed to make it happen thanks to Vitra and its technical department who found the solution to create a stable seat, with a cantilevered shape and in a single piece of plastic. Today the seat is even more sculptural thanks to the new color variants and the Duo version in two colours.

Vidùn by Vico Magistretti for De Padova

The name of this table translates, in the Milanese dialect, with large vine and this is precisely the protagonist element of the structure of the table designed in 1987 by Vico Magistretti. Today that element could be defined as industrial-inspired, and its versatility is appreciated, making it perfect for a dining area which, if necessary, also welcomes work moments.

Tavolino con ruote by Gae Aulenti for FontanaArte

It’s the 1980 and Gae Aulenti is the artistic director of Fontana Arte, a company dedicated to the processing of glass for lighting. The architect observes the transport of a glass plate on a warehouse trolley and it is said that in that moment she begins to imagine this table, which has become an absolute icon. The success is perhaps due to the unusual combination of an extremely technical element, such as industrial wheels, and an elegant and delicate element such as glass.

D.552.2 coffee table by Gio Ponti for Molteni&C

The D.552.2 coffee table by Gio Ponti finds its natural place in an interior design inspired by the new vintage. Designed in the 1950s for an American company, it was reissued by Molteni as part of the Gio Ponti Collection. The supporting structure is a small architecture whose shape comes from a game of joints and geometries visible thanks to the transparency of the glass top.

Valigia by Ettore Sottsass for Stilnovo

Valigia (Italian for suitcase) is a small friendly and poetic architecture. It is a light-hearted and timeless lamp designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1977 and produced by Stilnovo. For the floor or for the table, it has a handle, just like a suitcase, but also four legs that make it almost look like a pet.

Mini Coupé by Joe Colombo for OLuce

Mini Coupé is the small-scale version of the Coupé table lamp designed in 1967 by Joe Colombo. It is composed of a circular base, a thin stem and an adjustable cap that acts as a lampshade. All in metal, colored, it has a vintage and reassuring style and is perfect for both the bedside table and the desk.

Romby chair by Gamfratesi for Porro

The new vintage theme can also be interpreted in a design key. An example of this approach is the Romby chair, designed by Gamfratesi and introduced in 2020 and inspired by the shapes of the past. It consists of two distinct elements: an inverted truncated cone and a welcoming seat. This configuration makes it suitable for various uses: from the dining area to the living room, passing through the desk.

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