De Padova – A design story

It all began with Fernando and Maddalena De Padova importing American and Scandinavian furniture, and continued with the production of furnishings which, starting from the 1980s, defined the style of an era.

De Padova contrasted the lightness and luminosity of welcome modern furniture to the antique furniture, in dark wood, and the somber homes of the Milanese bourgeoisie of those years. And it hasn’t stopped since.

BoffiDePadova InteriorsWorldwide Vol.2 Pagina 005 Immagine 0001

The origins of De Padova

In the 1950s, Fernando and Maddalena De Padova began their entrepreneurial activity by importing Scandinavian furniture and objects for the first time in Italian history.
In the 1960s, during a trip to Basel, Maddalena De Padova discovered the Wire Chair by Charles Eames by chance and, in a few months, acquired from the American company Herman Miller the license to produce in Italy the products designed by Charles Eames and George Nelson. ICF De Padova is born, specialized in the production of Herman Miller office furniture in Italy.
In the 1970s, after Fernando’s death, Maddalena De Padova took over the reins of the company, supervising its production and distribution and kicking off the long collaboration with Vico Magistretti.
One decade after another, the history of DePadova is a list of great achievements and awards, both for the company itself and for the world of high-end Italian design in general. But it was in the 1980s that, after having sold the ICF brand, the brand launched for the first time a line of furniture and objects under the De Padova brand.
“Edizioni De Padova” was born, which later became “è De Padova”, and, with it, its collaborations with great designers of the caliber of Achille Castiglioni and Dieter Rams and, later, Renzo Piano, Patricia Urquiola, Nendo, etc.
In 2014 Maddalena De Padova won the Compasso d’Oro for her career and today her story continues under the direction of her children Valeria and Luca, and Roberto Gavazzi, CEO of the Boffi | DePadova group.

Iconic designs

De Padova is distinguished by its clean and modern design, a chic look made up of a diverse range of furnishings. From sofas and other upholstered pieces, to chairs, tables, lighting and various complements, the catalogue is full of timeless solutions to choose from.

Square 16

The Square 16 couch is a modern and well-balanced re-edition of the De Padova historical archive, with geometric features and squared lines.

It has slim steel feet with a 1960s vibe, a soft, regular seat that is especially comfy, and edges with unusual seams. It is the ideal choice for diverse living room arrangements, both the fabric and leather versions, and especially in the modular combinations.

DePadova_Square-16-1
DePadova TAttomi 1

Tattomi

Bed, chaise longue, and armchair. The full package in a single concept. Designers Ingo Maurer and Jan Armgardt created the Japanese-inspired project; the position of the various frame components can be adjusted and tilted for reading or napping, for an unexpected overnight visitor, or merely for watching a movie, alone or with others. It’s incredibly cozy in every situation.

Louisiana

Excellence in design, artisanal craftsmanship, and raw materials. Vico Magistretti created Louisiana, an armchair that was modeled after a saddle. The leather ages well, and the stitching mimics the saddle’s rounded contours.

The detachable inner lining is finished with cotton tape. The world’s most comfortable relaxing area is right at home, created with an armchair and a pouf.

DePadova_Louisiana
De Padova elementi

Elementi

A collection of spheres with various circumferences, freedom in composition, and flexibility in hierarchy and installation.

The collection’s components, whether used separately or in combination, flow freely around a thin metal rod that has been matte-black lacquered.

They produce warm light and can be muted whether used as a table lamp or suspension lamp.

Rokumaru

Japanese designer Nendo uses oriental symbolism and the combination of the Japanese words roku (six) and maru to interpret nature as six branches that resemble the rays of an imagined perimeter (circle).

The Rokumaru coat rack is a metaphorical tree, with angled “branches” just waiting for coats and jackets to hang on them.

De Padova-rokumaru

Present and future

In 2015, De Padova together with Boffi decided to create a group aiming at being a reference point in the field of luxury design.

Today, this “holding” counts the presence of:

  • DePadova, contemporary and timeless furniture solutions, both indoor and outdoor;
  • Boffi, for kitchens, bathrooms and wardrobe systems;
  • ADL, for everything door-related;
  • Time & Style Edition, a collection of contemporary Japanese furniture;
  • MA/U Studio, modular shelving systems with a modern Scandinavian aesthetic.

Recent collaborations with outstanding architects and designers – the most recent one being the collection “Everyday life by Paul Smith” – are focused on giving to the refined understatement that distinguishes DePadova an always different, yet sleek and coherent, twist.

Are you in love with De Padova?
Contact us to get your quote
Share this article!
You’ll also like
Subscribe to the newsletter and stay up-to-date on design
Latest articles

Ask for your quotation

Spoil yourself with the pieces you love!

Book an appointment.
When would you like to receive counseling?

Subscribe to our newsletter

Follow the current trends for a timeless furniture, learn more about the most interesting designers and discover the best projects to look up.

Upload your list

Personal information
Project information