Austin Way Magazine - GreenGale Publishing - There is a place beyond the crowds, beyond the ropes, where dreams are realized and success is celebrated. You are invited.
Issue link: http://digital.greengale.com/i/692367
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF B&B ITALIA CIAO, LUXE! B&B ITALIA'S GRAND NEW AUSTIN SHOWROOM IS THE IDEAL SHOWCASE FOR THE ICONIC UP CHAIR AND OTTOMAN, DESIGNED IN 1969 BY GAETANO PESCE. During its half-century of high-end design, luxury furniture maker B&B Italia, which opened its spacious Austin showroom this year, has produced memorable pieces that stand the test of time. Among the store's best-sellers are two pieces from the iconic Up Series, originally designed in 1969 by legendary artist and architect Gaetano Pesce, which not only celebrate the techno- logical advances of that time but make a political statement as well—one that still resonates today. The voluptuously curved, womb-like Up5 chair and the round Up6 ottoman represent Pesce's sympathy to the plight of strong women as prisoners of society's preju- dices and fears. "Along these lines, I liked the idea of giving this armchair a feminine shape with a ball and chain, the traditional image of the prisoner," Pesce says. In 2000, the chair and ottoman set were reproduced with updated upholstery and new manufac- turing techniques, and a few years ago B&B unveiled the Junior version designed for children ages three and up. Consider it the ultimate mother and child reunion. 1009 Sixth St. Suite 120, 512-617-7460; bebitalia.com . AUSTINWAY.COM 111 B&B Italia's Up Series armchair and ottoman, called "Woman and Child" as a set, $5,421, was designed by Gaetano Pesce (BACKGROUND). SPACE REAL ESTATE & DESIGN