They say if you want to succeed, just pick a craft you love and stick with it – and this was the simple truth we found in below 11 furniture brands. These names have proven to be living legends who have managed to stay relevant decade after decade. What binds these success stories isn’t just longevity, but an unwavering dedication to their founding craft. In times of economic uncertainty, this single-minded devotion to craft – over profit – rings especially true. Here are our top picks:
BONALDO
Style and class with modern furniture designs
Founded in 1936 by Italian blacksmith Giovanni Vittorio Bonaldo, Bonaldo’s handcrafted modern Italian furniture has evolved to stay aligned with contemporary trends while incorporating the latest technological innovations. The brand’s in-house designers believe in rigorous research and work to combine the best of classical Italian style with contemporary materials and aesthetics.
An example of this design approach is apparent in Bonaldo’s The Big Table. Designed by Brussels-born, award-winning designer Alain Gilles, this eye-catching dining table has sculptural legs that create a visual dialogue between space, object and user. Available with a wooden or ceramic top and metal legs in different colours, this Bonaldo product is a true icon of contemporary design.
The inclination of the table’s laser-cut-steel legs, which come in different sizes and shapes, evokes a strong sense of formal dynamism, while its top, available in veneered or solid wood, ceramic or marble, and in a fixed or extendable version, brings streamlined gravitas to the dining room. To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the table’s design in 2019, Bonaldo launched a “special edition” Big Table with a Saint Denis marble top. The gorgeous emerald green colour and intricate veins of the Saint Denis brings added luxury to this design icon that will elevate any space.
Shop 2B, G/F, Horizon Plaza, 2 Lee Wing Street, Ap Lei Chau, Hong Kong
www.bonaldo.com
CASSINA
An Italian design powerhouse that offers authorised editions of iconic 20th century furniture designs
Founded in the town of Meda, Italy, in 1927, Cassina combines traditional craftsmanship with avant-garde technological expertise to deliver innovative new renditions of iconic mid-century modern furniture designed by modernist master architects and designers.
The brand’s star products include the 2 Fauteuil Grand Confort, the Cab chair, Capitol Complex Chair, Maralunga sofa, and the Utrecht armchair. Designed by Charlotte Perriand, Le Corbusier, and Pierre Jeanneret, Cassina’s 2020 version of the 2 Fauteuil Grand Confort, which is available in a regular and petit model, is made with recycled materials and polyols derived from organic sources for improved sustainability. The Cab chair, designed by architect Mario Bellini, is covered in self-supporting saddle leather skin for a truly luxurious feel. The Pierre Jeanneret-designed Capitol Complex Chair features a “V” shape structure with a sleek seat-back sequence in woven Viennese cane and coplanar legs. A winner of a Compasso d’Oro award, and designed by Vico Magistretti, the Maralunga sofa comes with a hidden mechanism in its backrest that offers better back support both in a high and low position. Designed by Gerrit Thomas Rietveld, the Utrecht armchair juxtaposes orthogonal elements created by the intersection of the backrest and seat and the armrests which become a support structure.
G/F Wilson House, 19-27, Wyndham Street, Central, Hong Kong
www.cassina.com
FENDI CASA
Fashion for interior excellence
They say fashion and furniture are intertwined and this rings especially true for FENDI, the iconic Roman fashion house that expanded its creative vision into home furnishings in 1987, spearheaded by Alberto Vignatelli and Anna Fendi. Today, under Silvia Venturini Fendi's creative direction, FENDI Casa continues to push boundaries while staying true to its roots by blending innovation with the house's signature elements such as the FF logo and Pequin pattern.
The brand's latest collection perfectly exemplifies this fusion of fashion and furniture. The F-Affair modular sofa by Controvento reimagines FENDI's iconic FF logo as three-dimensional interlocking elements, bringing the brand's visual identity into the third dimension as functional art for modern living spaces.
Similarly, the Sohoft sofa by Toan Nguyen elevates the popular Soho line with sophisticated refinement. While maintaining modular versatility and customisation options, its design introduces a more relaxed aesthetic. The sofa's linear structure, complemented by plush goose down filling, creates an inviting silhouette. True to FENDI's fashion DNA, luxurious details such as leather base straps and micro leather piping add that distinctive touch of elegance.
FENDI Casa
www.fendicasa.com
HERMÈS
Six generations on, the world’s most prestigious luxury fashion house keeps innovating while honouring its roots
In 1837, master harness-maker Thierry Hermès opened his Paris workshop on rue Basse-du-Rempart with a singular vision: craft France's finest horse harnesses using exceptional materials and precise craftsmanship. Today, these founding principles still guide the maison's creations – from fashion to furniture, accessories to objets d'art – all while keeping its equestrian soul intact.
Its recent collections showcase this heritage beautifully. Crafted by Studio Hermès, the Diapason d’Hermès lounge chair – constructed with hammered aluminium, and a seat and back in unlined bridle leather – is a radically elegant modernist chair that combines contrasting materials with a formal, structural aesthetic.
Inspired by equestrian equipment such as lunge reins, riding crops and show-jumping poles, the Voltige d’Hermès lamps celebrate Hermès’ equestrian heritage with a slender braided two-tone leather stem, slub linen shades with leather piping, and a patinated base with a bronze-style finish. Saddlery and leather were used to create the colourful Derby blanket baskets, buckets and table centrepieces.
Its Spring-Summer 2025 collection continues this dance of old and new. The Ancelle armchair by Danish designer Cecilie Manz pairs solid oak with saddle-stitched leather in an elegant restraint. The Théorème Hippique box by Jochen Gerner plays with jockey silk motifs in lacquer and gold leaf. And the hand-painted porcelain Jeu d'Adresse vase features exquisite brushwork that reproduces a design by American artist Evan Hecox that forms the characters of “Hermès 24” in tribute to the 24 Faubourg Saint-Honoré store.
Hermès Hong Kong Central Flagship
Ground Floor, Landmark Prince’s, 10 Chater Road, Central, Hong Kong
www.hermes.com
KNOLL
Avant-garde and ergonomics collide for a better living
Since its inception in 1938, Knoll International has been synonymous with modern design, intertwining aesthetics with functionality to create environments that resonate with people. This American brand recently took a reflective, yet forward-thinking stance, unveiling an impressive suite of products that celebrate both heritage and contemporary living.
Among the highlights is the Perron Pillo Sofa, a whimsical, yet refined design, that invites relaxation. With its oversized pillow-like form, the sofa embodies an ethos of comfort and creativity.
The brand also revisited the Tugendhat Chair, a timeless piece by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, originally conceived in 1929. With its elegant cantilevered design, the chair speaks to Knoll’s commitment to enduring style, effortlessly adapting to today’s lifestyles.
KNOLL
www.knoll.com
MOROSO
Italian furniture that doubles as art
Founded in 1952 by Agostino and Diana Moroso, the brand has long been synonymous with the art of furniture making, where industrial precision meets artisanal craftsmanship. Today, Moroso stands at the forefront of haute couture furniture design, renowned for innovative upholstered creations that demonstrate their relentless commitment to creativity and quality throughout every production phase, from material selection to logistics.Moroso's product range showcases collaborations with illustrious designers and artists like Ólafur Elíasson and Marina Abramović, enhanced by partnerships with prestigious institutions including MoMA and the Victoria and Albert Museum. Recent highlights include the Pebble Rubble modular sofa, resembling natural rocks polished by rain and wind and draped in plant layer. The Manifafuoco coffee table, aka fire-eater, features an enamelled surface with striking hues achieved through high-temperature copper firing. Its round edge remains natural, creating an effortless touch—the imperfections making each piece uniquely attractive.
Lane Crawford
www.lanecrawford.com.hk
MINOTTI
The guardian of Made in Italy quality
What began as a modest workshop in Meda, Italy in 1948 has evolved into a furniture powerhouse reaching 80 countries worldwide. Minotti, now a third-generation business, has maintained its position in luxury furniture with a portfolio of premium indoor and outdoor pieces, catering to discerning clientele in the residential, hospitality, and yachting sectors. By carefully balancing traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design approaches, the brand stands as a guardian of Made in Italy quality, and its Yves sofa system, is a case in point.
Drawing from 1970s aesthetics, the collection features flowing seats with varying depths and architectural backrests. The design allows for modular configurations while incorporating practical elements like integrated table spaces and ottoman placement options. Technical details show attention to manufacturing precision: asymmetrical seams dictate the aluminium feet placement, while segmented backrests prevent the heavy, monolithic look common in large sectionals. The collection offers two seat variants - a traditional cushioned version and a more contemporary single-piece design.
Shop A & D, G/F, Ruttonjee Centre, 11 Duddell Street, Central, Hong Kong
www.minotti.com
ROCHE BOBOIS
The guardian of Made in Italy quality
Born in 1960, French brand Roche Bobois is known for its vibrant furniture creations imbued with the joy of French art de vivre. The brand’s newest collection – “Bamboo Mood” by Shanghai-born artist and designer Jiang Qiong Er – explores the intersection of French and Chinese aesthetics, with a collection that includes screens, a console, sofas, cocktail tables and rugs, all inspired by bamboo – the Chinese metaphor for life.
"Bamboo has always fascinated me," Jiang says. "I designed this new bamboo-inspired collection as an invitation to travel; an inexhaustible source of inspiration, poetry, and dreams."
Jiang, who has known about Roche Bobois for 20 years since its arrival in China, says: "It is our first collaboration, and it helps diversifying the cultural and creative inspiration of the French brand, but it also celebrates the anniversary of their presence in China."
With its primarily coral and celadon colours, the series — marking 60 years of Sino-French diplomatic relations, the collection takes cues from bamboo — is upholstered in meticulous bamboo fabrics, presenting sleek silhouettes and artisanal craftsmanship, while evoking the feel of a forest oasis.
G/F, Horizon Plaza 2 Lee Wing Street, Ap Lei Chau, Hong Kong
www.roche-bobois.com
STELLAR WORKS
Japanese heritage that speaks to global audience
Since opening its doors in 2012, Stellar Works has grown into a powerhouse Japanese furniture brand with showrooms and offices dotting the globe. Staying true to their roots, Stellar Works crafts pieces that respect Japanese design heritage while speaking to a modern, global audience. This notion has been further promoted to the world through partnerships with leading designers and lifestyle brands, most recently showcased in their first joint venture with Australian designer Tom Fereday and Lane Crawford. The resulting Crawford Collection was born after Fereday claimed victory at Lane Crawford's Creative Call Out Sydney in 2018, it delivers a complete home solution – from plush lounge chairs and sofas to striking beds and dining sets. A blend of East and West, the series highlights the rising influence of Asia Pacific design with Fereday's touch is evident throughout – each piece showcases fine natural materials, inviting textures, and thoughtful details that whisper rather than shout.
Lane Crawford
www.lanecrawford.com.hk
WEWOOD
A Portuguese heritage joinery offering premium wood furniture since 1964
In 1964, two brothers laid the groundwork for what would become a legacy in furniture design within a modest joinery workshop in northern Portugal. This small enterprise evolved into Móveis Carlos Alfredo, a name synonymous with the finest solid wood furniture, deeply rooted in the rich traditions of Portuguese craftsmanship. Móveis Carlos Alfredo embodies a commitment to quality that is woven into the very fabric of its operations. The longevity of its workforce speaks volumes; many artisans dedicate their entire careers to the craft, bringing generations of knowledge and expertise to each piece they create.
In 2012, the next generation of the founding family launched Wewood – Portuguese Joinery, a venture that continues this tradition of excellence. Wewood's vision is clear: create furniture that transcends fleeting trends and which is destined to be cherished and passed down through generations. It uses the finest of materials, ensuring durable construction and embracing timeless designs. One of Wewood's recent triumphs is the Botero Lounge Chair, a collaboration with Brazilian designer Fabricio Ronca. This striking piece blends comfort, lightness and modern sophistication, featuring a solid wood frame upholstered in premium natural leather.
The name "Botero" itself carries a delightful resonance, evoking both the artisan who adorns wine, oil, and vinegar and the humble boatman. This rich interplay of meanings finds expression in the chair’s design, inspired by the world of docks and boat hulls. Leather accents, intricate string details, and meticulously sculpted wooden elements evoke a rustic charm.
Lane Crawford
www.lanecrawford.com.hk
ZANOTTA
Where heritage, Italian craftsmanship, pioneering design collide
Since its founding in 1954 by Aurelio Zanotta, the brand has earned global recognition for its exceptional furniture and accessories, created through collaborations with leading design masters. Its comprehensive portfolio spans from sofas and beds to chairs, tables, and decorative accessories. Many Zanotta pieces have become icons of Italian design and are now displayed in prestigious museums worldwide.
Among their signature creations is the William sofa, which showcases innovative three-tier construction: a supportive elastic base, polyurethane foam middle layer, and premium goose down top layer, all seemingly floating on elegant die-cast aluminum legs.
The brand's versatile portfolio also includes the Giuno armchair, by Milan's Calvi Brambilla studio. This vibrant seating solution combines practicality with sustainability, featuring an eco-friendly recycled polyester-filled seat cushion and a completely removable fabric cover. Taking cues from aviation engineering, Zaven's Zavolo collection stands out with its distinctive inverted Y-shaped cross structure. The series encompasses coffee tables and consoles in various dimensions, ranging from 30cm-high coffee tables to 75cm-high consoles, creating an intriguing play of geometric forms.
Meanwhile, building upon the success of Damian Williamson's 2011 Talamo bed design, the brand has introduced the Talamo Box – a bed that maintains the original's well-proportioned aesthetics while incorporating practical storage functionality through a lift-up bed base mechanism.
Lane Crawford
www.lanecrawford.com.hk
