“Time authenticates the
validity of the idea.”
–Antonio Citterio
on the Cestone sofa

.

In the words of the designer, time is the ultimate judge. Truly well-resolved designs will be lauded and praise for all time, while everything inauthentic and lacking will be forgotten.

The tenth anniversary of the Cestone sofa from Flexform makes it clear that this design it falls into the former category. Backed by a design concept that is still current today and demonstrating exquisitely executed construction details, it is positioned well beyond the fate of fading fashions.

Cestone in a home in Mexico City designed by Archetonic

Like many other Flexform sofas and designs from acclaimed Italian designer Antonio Citterio, the Cestone has played a key role in redefining the language of contemporary living as well as its boundaries and expression in home furnishings.

The design of the Cestone changes the typical perception of how a sofa can be placed in a room. Generally, the sofa is most often placed against a wall. But with Cestone, the sofa becomes the star player of the living area, expressly designed to sit in the centre of the room.

Designed with all sides of the sofa in mind, Cestone plays up the importance of the back and sides of the unit – parts that do not always contain value-enhancing features. The back and sides of the Cestone sofa consist of an eye-catching metal structure upholstered with woven strips of cowhide. The weave can be tight or loose to showcase a compact structure or allow the upholstery fabric to shine through.

The resulting chequered design has a strong visual impact and produces an aesthetically pleasing contrast against the soft and perfectly proportioned upholstered elements.

The Cestone sofa is available in 13 different colours, four of them in suede, and can be paired with the eponymous coffee table in Canaletto walnut or ash. Both the sofa and matching coffee table are available through the design experts at Flexform.

Catch a glimpse of the making of Cestone in our gallery: