Italian furniture sets the global benchmark for luxury, and the brands behind it shape every serious high-end residential project. Solomia Home, recognised as a top modern interior design company with awards in Dubai, specifies these manufacturers across penthouses on Palm Jumeirah, Downtown Dubai and Dubai Hills. This guide profiles ten houses every buyer should know, what they make, who designs for them, and where they fit.
Why Italy still leads luxury furniture
The Lombardy and Veneto regions of northern Italy concentrate centuries of cabinetry, upholstery and metalwork knowledge. Salone del Mobile in Milan, held every April, is the global trade benchmark, and the brands launched there set residential and hospitality direction worldwide.
The ten brands
1. B&B Italia
Founded by Piero Ambrogio Busnelli in 1966 in Novedrate. Its archive includes the UP series (Gaetano Pesce, 1969), the Camaleonda sofa (Mario Bellini, 1970, reissued in 2020), and current Charles, Le Bambole and Tufty-Time families.
2. Cassina
Established 1927 in Meda. Holder of the official rights to manufacture Le Corbusier, Charlotte Perriand and Pierre Jeanneret pieces, the LC2, LC3, LC4 chaise longue and LC6 dining table. Contemporary lines come from Patricia Urquiola, Rodolfo Dordoni and Konstantin Grcic.
3. Minotti
Family-run since 1948, based in Meda. Long-term collaboration with Rodolfo Dordoni (creative director until 2024) shaped the Andersen, Hamilton, Daniels and Lawson sofa families. Known for tailored seating, leather and bronze detailing.
4. Poltrona Frau
Founded 1912 in Turin by Renzo Frau. Famous for Pelle Frau leather and the Vanity Fair (1930) and Chester One armchairs. Supplies cabin interiors for Ferrari, Maserati and Pagani.
5. Molteni&C
Started 1934 in Giussano. Holds the rights to the Gio Ponti archive, D.150.5 chair, D.235.1 sofa, D.555.1 sideboard. Strong in modular wall systems (505 Up, Pass-Word).
6. Flexform
Founded 1959 by the Galimberti brothers in Meda. Antonio Citterio has designed for Flexform since 1979, Groundpiece (2001), Lifesteel, Zeno, Asolo. Restrained silhouettes, extensive textile programme.
7. Edra
Based in Perignano (Tuscany), founded 1987. Sculptural pieces by Francesco Binfaré (Standard sofa, On the Rocks, Boa) and the Campana brothers (Vermelha, Cipria).
8. Giorgetti
Founded 1898 in Meda. Walnut joinery is the signature, Progetti, Aida, ION. Architect Carlo Colombo has shaped recent collections.
9. Poliform
Established 1942. Covers seating, beds, dining, and the Varenna kitchen line. Signature pieces include the Onda sofa and the Ubik wardrobe system.
10. Maxalto
The Antonio Citterio collection inside B&B Italia, separate brand since 1993. Lower-key palette, fumé eucalyptus, smoked oak, polished bronze. Best known for the Apta and Selene programmes.
Specifying these brands for a UAE residence
All ten ship to the UAE through authorised dealers in Dubai Design District and Sheikh Zayed Road showrooms. Lead times for upholstery typically run 10–16 weeks; bespoke wood pieces 14–22 weeks. As an established interior design company in Dubai, Solomia Home coordinates direct factory visits in Italy when a project warrants it.
Specifying these brands together
The names above are not interchangeable. B&B and Cassina dominate iconic seating; Molteni and Poliform cover joinery and storage; Poltrona Frau leads on heritage leather; Edra and Giorgetti deliver sculptural and craft pieces. A serious specification mixes them.
