Modern Commercial Seating

Venice, the land of gondolas, canals, romance. That isn’t to say it’s a perfect lovers’ paradise, what with its share of dark history, but still there’s no denying it evokes feelings and images of romance. Apparently it has served as inspiration for some furniture designers too, like local designer Paolo Favaretto, who launched his Venezia chair in 2006.

What was it about Venice that had Favaretto naming his chair after the city? It isn’t shaped like a gondola, though the gondola plays a large part in Favaratto’s design process. In fact, it’s the chair’s slatted back that has a connection to the famed Venetian watercraft, because according to Favaretto, it reminds him of a gondola’s bow iron. Looking at the chair, though, my first impression was that it wouldn’t be very comfortable because of how the slatted back seemingly curves. It looks like it would make the user lean forward. I was mistaken; the back curves in such a way that it both embraces and flows away from the user. In addition, the ends of the chair rail are perfectly situated to act as arm rests.

According to Design Within Reach, the Venezia chair is made of plastic and polypropylene that has been reinforced with fiberglass. It measures 30.5 inches high, 21 inches wide, and 20 inches deep. The seat height is 17 inches. The chairs can be stacked and are suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. The bright and clear colors would certainly enliven any café or restaurant atmosphere.

With its unusual shape, it could not have been easy to mold. Yet that perhaps is part of Favaretto’s design philosophy. Whether it’s restaurant chairs or modern bistro tables, his objective is to take design beyond normal standards – but without compromising their comfort and functionality at all.