Italian furniture brand Baxter has always been a true original. Founded in 1990 and family-run ever since, it is known for its expertise in luxury leathers, collaborations with a roster of stellar design talent and exquisite products, from beds to seating and accessories – all crafted at the company’s factory near Como.
So, it makes sense that for Milan Design Week, the new 2023 collection is being launched, not only at the Salone del Mobile furniture fair but in the real-life, relaxed residential setting of La Casa Sul Lago, too. A 20th-century villa on Lake Como, it has been reimagined in a daring 1970s aesthetic, and transformed into an elegant show home.
A must-visit for design professionals (and a refreshing change from the typical white walled, gallery-like showroom), La Casa Sul Lago makes an immediate impression with a Wave lamp by Federico Peri in the hallway, set against a backdrop of bold, electric blue and cognac striped wallpaper.
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Turn right after entering and you'll see key pieces from past Baxter collections, including the Milano leather sofa (part of the eponymous series by Paola Navone), the Greta Special Edition Printed armchair and curving Nuvola fibreglass ceiling lamps (both by Draga & Aurel) sitting in a small sitting room. To the left is a study with an ancient fireplace and the Parsec writing desk by Pietro Russo for Baxter.
A contemporary, modular Libelle bookcase by Pietro Russo divides the living area, while the dining room is dominated by Christophe Delcourt’s new Kate table in a precious Grand Antique d’Aubert marble finish (the French designer often takes inspiration from architectural elements or a particular material). The latter complements the diamond patterned wallpaper (geometrics are the red thread that runs throughout the house) that covers the top half of the walls.
French windows overlook the patio where there are a pair of Nairobi tables and Himba Lounge armchairs in a new, black weather-resistant Iroko finish. Designed by Italian Roberto Lazzeroni to be used both indoors or outside, both borrow from the primitivism of African art and oriental Zen in their sculptural, compact forms.
Upstairs, the two bedrooms have knockout views of the lake. In one, a new Clara bed by Christophe Delcourt takes centre stage, in the other is Paola Navone’s Miami Soft bed, and beyond, a brass-finished portal — an updated version of the sink-into leather sofa.
From here, doors open onto an outdoor terrace where it’s easy to imagine reading, relaxing and unwinding with friends in the sunshine as the occasional seaplane flies overhead. Here you'll find some much-loved outdoor furniture pieces in alternative finishes, like Studiopepe’s Dharma table (last year’s pieces in this collection were informed by the 1970s and David Hockney’s colour palettes) and some Linfa chairs finished in black iroko.
The final space to discover is the annexe, which is wrapped in rich shades of chocolate, powder pink and deep lagoon green, and furnished with the modular Juliette sofa by Christophe Delcourt and the new Isamu table by Roberto Lazzeroni. The outline of Como cathedral can be glimpsed through the window in here, far into the distance.
Beyond the scented herb garden is the greenhouse, which is decorated with hand-painted wallpaper reminiscent of 1970s tiles, and Paola Navone’s now iconic Chester Moon sofa in stunning aquamarine.
Yet perhaps, the most scenic spot of the villa is the swimming pool — a new three-seater, modular version of the Narciso sofa by Studiopepe sits in the shade of an olive tree by the pool, while another version, upholstered in eye-catching Tressage Vert fabric, bridges the prickly pear tree and the lemon grove. It's an exciting new collection, ready to be viewed in an innovative Italian setting. Simply perfection.
Discover the new collection at Salone del Mobile, Pad. 5, Booth H01 H11 L08 L10 L08
