Brand producing: B&B Italia
Hardly any brand embodies the Italian spirit as much as B&B Italia: spirited and brimming with ideas. Everything about the brand leaves you wanting more. Bold, innovative, and visionary, B&B Italia has long since become a centerpiece of Italian design culture.
It all began in 1966, when Piero Ambrogio Busnelli, after leaving the family business Fratelli Busnelli, founded the Cassina & Busnelli (C&B) brand together with Cesare Cassina. Shortly thereafter, they developed a new foam technology with the German company Bayer AG, in which the upholstery core was directly molded into the mold – a small revolution that replaced traditional springs and hand-stuffed upholstery. The result: furniture with perfect seating comfort and clean lines that were durable, precise, and aesthetically completely new.
The next milestone came in 1972 with the launch of "Le Bambole" by designer Mario Bellini. The sofa became famous not only for its shape, but above all for Oliviero Toscani's controversial and provocative advertising campaign. In 1979, "Le Bambole" was finally awarded the prestigious Italian industrial design prize, the Compasso d'Oro.
In 1973, the new company building in Novedrate was built, designed by architects Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers. With its striking steel and glass tubular structure, it set new standards for modern architecture. That same year, Busnelli bought Cassina's shares and jokingly changed the company name from B&C to B&B Italia – the first 'B' stood for the banks ('Banche') that had supported him, the second for his own surname: Busnelli.
In the 1980s, B&B Italia continued its innovations with modular designs such as the “Sity” sofa by Antonio Citterio, which was once again honored with the Compasso d'Oro.
The brand’s innovative strength was also evident in 1991, when a joint venture with Costa Crociere was established to provide high-quality equipment for cruise ships. And since 2007, B&B Italia has surprised everyone with its own outdoor collection —an unusual expansion for premium designer furniture. The brand is brimming with new ideas and possibilities!
With a view to sustainability Since 2019, B&B Italia has been increasingly pursuing the principles of the circular economy : furniture is designed to be easily disassembled and recycled, with a clear focus on environmental friendliness and durability. "Le Bambole," for example, is already 81% recyclable.
Today, under the leadership of Busnelli’s sons, B&B Italia continues to produce consistently “Made in Italy” – with carefully selected, predominantly local materials and a clear commitment to sustainability and quality. The brand remains a visionary trendsetter that continually breaks new ground.
B&B Italia represents the perfect symbiosis of Italian joie de vivre, technical innovation, and timeless elegance – a clear statement for a conscious and beautiful life, both indoors and outdoors.
Below this blog post, you'll find my personal highlights from our current B&B Italia selection. And of course, more unique furniture pieces await you in our new collections !
Our B&B Italia Highlights
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