Out is the new in: Minotti

The traditional divide between indoor and outdoor living in the furniture industry may persist but in 2013 Minotti sought to abolish this by introducing its first outdoor furniture collections, confident that these could match its indoor products in terms of quality and good looks. Risky perhaps, but a growing trend for outdoor living has in fact seen homeowners capitalise on their outdoor spaces, treating them as outdoor rooms.

Minotti’s outdoor furniture was well-received and over the years the brand has added more ranges that are as stylish as their indoor counterparts. These, too, feature exquisite craftsmanship, tactile upholstery fabrics and precise stitching.

Minotti’s new outdoor furniture collection includes Brazilian architect Marcio Kogan’s Daiki collection, which complements his Daiki indoor collection. While both are stylistically identical, the outdoor collection is, out of necessity, made of hard-wearing, weather-resistant teak. Otherwise, both collections are a paean to Japan, a country the architect has visited several times. During his last trip there in 2019, he was once again utterly seduced by its culture – its appreciation of architecture, fashion, fusion of tradition and modernity and refined gastronomy. On the same trip, a visit to an iconic modernist hotel in Tokyo, which opened in the early 1960s, provided him with the inspiration for the Daiki collection.

Also exemplifying this mirroring of indoor and outdoor furniture is GamFratesi’s Fynn collection since it is available as an outdoor version, too. The armchairs from both versions boast the familiar, characterful swooping, elongated armrests, and this elegant collection features slender silhouettes associated with Scandinavian functionalist furniture. Soft seat and backrest cushions provide comfort. In addition to the version with the saddle-hide seat, the armchairs can be upholstered with a jacquard-weave fabric featuring on-trend tropical plant motifs more commonly found in living rooms.

Other elements in the collection include a dining table, benches, footstools and equally slimline coffee tables with a subtly curvilinear frame enclosing a top that hints at luxury since it is made of Pietra del Cardoso sandstone. However, as you might expect, this outdoor furniture is made of weather-resistant teak.

Design inevitably evolves to meet changing social needs and outdoor furniture is no exception: take Rodolfo Dordoni’s new Sunray collection which presciently addresses a growing demand for compact furniture suitable for smaller outdoor spaces, such as urban balconies and patios. Yet this family is extensive, generously comprising an armchair, sofa, chaise longue, loveseat, daybed and coffee tables. Juxtaposing teak with polished bronze, the seating can be personalised thanks to a wide selection of upholstery fabrics.

Ultimately, Minotti’s 2020 Collections consolidate the company’s belief that outdoor and indoor furniture are virtually interchangeable. When combined, they form a satisfyingly seamless whole in any environment, be it a home and garden or hotel and terrace overlooking the ocean.

© Architonic