43 Photos
The Ami series includes chairs, armchairs and sofas, available in both the outdoor and the indoor versions. The structure is made of stainless steel and is hand woven with many kinds of Paola Lenti’s signature materials, from technical cords to tubular knits. The base features a satin finish or a matte or gloss varnishing. The seat cushion is fixed or removable depending on the item: it is made of Aerelle blue polyester fiber and stress-resistant polyurethane. The upholstery cover is available in all the outdoor and indoor fabrics in the collection. © PAOLA LENTI SRL/SERGIO CHIMENTI
The Ami series includes chairs, armchairs and sofas, available in both the outdoor and the indoor versions. The structure is made of stainless steel and is hand woven with many kinds of Paola Lenti’s signature materials, from technical cords to tubular knits. The base features a satin finish or a matte or gloss varnishing. The seat cushion is fixed or removable depending on the item: it is made of Aerelle blue polyester fiber and stress-resistant polyurethane. The upholstery cover is available in all the outdoor and indoor fabrics in the collection. © PAOLA LENTI SRL/SERGIO CHIMENTI
The Ami series includes chairs, armchairs and sofas, available in both the outdoor and the indoor versions. The structure is made of stainless steel and is hand woven with many kinds of Paola Lenti’s signature materials, from technical cords to tubular knits. The base features a satin finish or a matte or gloss varnishing. The seat cushion is fixed or removable depending on the item: it is made of Aerelle blue polyester fiber and stress-resistant polyurethane. The upholstery cover is available in all the outdoor and indoor fabrics in the collection. © PAOLA LENTI SRL/SERGIO CHIMENTI
The Ami series includes chairs, armchairs and sofas, available in both the outdoor and the indoor versions. The structure is made of stainless steel and is hand woven with many kinds of Paola Lenti’s signature materials, from technical cords to tubular knits. The base features a satin finish or a matte or gloss varnishing. The seat cushion is fixed or removable depending on the item: it is made of Aerelle blue polyester fiber and stress-resistant polyurethane. The upholstery cover is available in all the outdoor and indoor fabrics in the collection. © PAOLA LENTI SRL/SERGIO CHIMENTI
Bistrò is a parasol available with a flat or a dome-shaped sunshade and with or without hinge. The structure is made of matt or gloss varnished aluminum. Fiberglass supporting rods and cast-iron ballast are varnished in finishings and colors matching the structure. The sunshade can be made with Madras or Tamil, two of the many Paola Lenti’s exclusive fabrics conceived for the outdoors. © PAOLA LENTI SRL/SERGIO CHIMENTI
Bistrò is a parasol available with a flat or a dome-shaped sunshade and with or without hinge. The structure is made of matt or gloss varnished aluminum. Fiberglass supporting rods and cast-iron ballast are varnished in finishings and colors matching the structure. The sunshade can be made with Madras or Tamil, two of the many Paola Lenti’s exclusive fabrics conceived for the outdoors. © PAOLA LENTI SRL/SERGIO CHIMENTI
Bistrò is a parasol available with a flat or a dome-shaped sunshade and with or without hinge. The structure is made of matt or gloss varnished aluminum. Fiberglass supporting rods and cast-iron ballast are varnished in finishings and colors matching the structure. The sunshade can be made with Madras or Tamil, two of the many Paola Lenti’s exclusive fabrics conceived for the outdoors. © PAOLA LENTI SRL/SERGIO CHIMENTI
© PAOLA LENTI SRL/SERGIO CHIMENTI
© PAOLA LENTI SRL/SERGIO CHIMENTI
© PAOLA LENTI SRL/SERGIO CHIMENTI
Tables and side tables with adjustable top. The base is made of aluminum, matt varnished in avorio or grafite color, and is provided with a stainless-steel warm gear for height regulation. The top is available in a wide range of exclusive materials, such as lightened concrete, Luce, Glaze, painted stoneware, Aurea Optima heartwood, Graniglia, Lias, stoneware with hand-made glass décor and Cristal. With this last top only, the base is available gloss-varnished in all the colors in the collection. © PAOLA LENTI SRL/SERGIO CHIMENTI
Tables and side tables with adjustable top. The base is made of aluminum, matt varnished in avorio or grafite color, and is provided with a stainless-steel warm gear for height regulation. The top is available in a wide range of exclusive materials, such as lightened concrete, Luce, Glaze, painted stoneware, Aurea Optima heartwood, Graniglia, Lias, stoneware with hand-made glass décor and Cristal. With this last top only, the base is available gloss-varnished in all the colors in the collection. © PAOLA LENTI SRL/SERGIO CHIMENTI
The Harbour series includes an armchair, a three-seater sofa, modular elements with right or left armrest, a central element, a chaise longue and a pouf. The structure is made of stainless steel and natural or wengé dyed sassafras heartwood treated to be oil and water repellent. The upholstery is fixed and made of Maris fabric. Seat, back and loose cushions are padded with Aerelle blue polyester fiber and stress-resistant polyurethane. The upholstery cover is removable and available in all the outdoor fabrics in the collection. the Harbour series has been awarded the Red Dot Award 2021 in the Product Design category. © PAOLA LENTI SRL/SERGIO CHIMENTI
The Harbour series includes an armchair, a three-seater sofa, modular elements with right or left armrest, a central element, a chaise longue and a pouf. The structure is made of stainless steel and natural or wengé dyed sassafras heartwood treated to be oil and water repellent. The upholstery is fixed and made of Maris fabric. Seat, back and loose cushions are padded with Aerelle blue polyester fiber and stress-resistant polyurethane. The upholstery cover is removable and available in all the outdoor fabrics in the collection. the Harbour series has been awarded the Red Dot Award 2021 in the Product Design category. © PAOLA LENTI SRL/SERGIO CHIMENTI
The Kabà series includes an armchair, a two-seater sofa, many sectional seating elements and a pouf. the structure is made of steel rods and plate and can be matt or gloss varnished in all the colors in the collection. Seat and back cushions and armrests are padded with Aerelle blue polyester fiber and stress-resistant polyurethane. The upholstery cover is removable and available in all the Paola Lenti’s exclusive signature outdoor fabrics. Kabà has been awarded the German Design Award 2017 in the Gardening and Outdoor Living category. © PAOLA LENTI SRL/SERGIO CHIMENTI
The Kabà series includes an armchair, a two-seater sofa, many sectional seating elements and a pouf. the structure is made of steel rods and plate and can be matt or gloss varnished in all the colors in the collection. Seat and back cushions and armrests are padded with Aerelle blue polyester fiber and stress-resistant polyurethane. The upholstery cover is removable and available in all the Paola Lenti’s exclusive signature outdoor fabrics. Kabà has been awarded the German Design Award 2017 in the Gardening and Outdoor Living category. © PAOLA LENTI SRL/SERGIO CHIMENTI
The Kabà series includes an armchair, a two-seater sofa, many sectional seating elements and a pouf. the structure is made of steel rods and plate and can be matt or gloss varnished in all the colors in the collection. Seat and back cushions and armrests are padded with Aerelle blue polyester fiber and stress-resistant polyurethane. The upholstery cover is removable and available in all the Paola Lenti’s exclusive signature outdoor fabrics. Kabà has been awarded the German Design Award 2017 in the Gardening and Outdoor Living category. © PAOLA LENTI SRL/SERGIO CHIMENTI
The Kabà series includes an armchair, a two-seater sofa, many sectional seating elements and a pouf. the structure is made of steel rods and plate and can be matt or gloss varnished in all the colors in the collection. Seat and back cushions and armrests are padded with Aerelle blue polyester fiber and stress-resistant polyurethane. The upholstery cover is removable and available in all the Paola Lenti’s exclusive signature outdoor fabrics. Kabà has been awarded the German Design Award 2017 in the Gardening and Outdoor Living category. © PAOLA LENTI SRL/SERGIO CHIMENTI
Net is a modular rug for exterior and interior environments created by joining elements in Maris fabric. The rug’s surface is composed of two layer of parallel bands that are orthogonally overlapped and joined with Punto Zigzag. The floor can be seen through the gaps between the elements created by this crossing system as well as through the fabric weave. Net is available in the Net 10 and Net 20 versions: the elements composing the Net 10 rug are 10 cm wide each, while the ones composing the Net 20 rug are 20 cm wide each. © PAOLA LENTI SRL/SERGIO CHIMENTI
This series consists of large linear or rounded seating elements completed with backrests and corner backrests which can be positioned as desired. Orlando is available in both the outdoor and the indoor versions. The structure is made of varnished steel and is provided with elastic belts and plastic spacers or matte varnished stainless-steel bases. Orlando elements are padded with stress-resistant polyurethane and feature an additional, comfortable seating area in a mix of Aerelle blue polyester fiber and polyurethane. Backrests are made with same materials and feature an inside ballast. The upholstery cover, both for seating and backrests, is removable and available in all the outdoor and indoor fabrics in the collection. © PAOLA LENTI SRL/SERGIO CHIMENTI
This series consists of large linear or rounded seating elements completed with backrests and corner backrests which can be positioned as desired. Orlando is available in both the outdoor and the indoor versions. The structure is made of varnished steel and is provided with elastic belts and plastic spacers or matte varnished stainless-steel bases. Orlando elements are padded with stress-resistant polyurethane and feature an additional, comfortable seating area in a mix of Aerelle blue polyester fiber and polyurethane. Backrests are made with same materials and feature an inside ballast. The upholstery cover, both for seating and backrests, is removable and available in all the outdoor and indoor fabrics in the collection. © PAOLA LENTI SRL/SERGIO CHIMENTI
This series consists of large linear or rounded seating elements completed with backrests and corner backrests which can be positioned as desired. Orlando is available in both the outdoor and the indoor versions. The structure is made of varnished steel and is provided with elastic belts and plastic spacers or matte varnished stainless-steel bases. Orlando elements are padded with stress-resistant polyurethane and feature an additional, comfortable seating area in a mix of Aerelle blue polyester fiber and polyurethane. Backrests are made with same materials and feature an inside ballast. The upholstery cover, both for seating and backrests, is removable and available in all the outdoor and indoor fabrics in the collection. © PAOLA LENTI SRL/SERGIO CHIMENTI
This series consists of large linear or rounded seating elements completed with backrests and corner backrests which can be positioned as desired. Orlando is available in both the outdoor and the indoor versions. The structure is made of varnished steel and is provided with elastic belts and plastic spacers or matte varnished stainless-steel bases. Orlando elements are padded with stress-resistant polyurethane and feature an additional, comfortable seating area in a mix of Aerelle blue polyester fiber and polyurethane. Backrests are made with same materials and feature an inside ballast. The upholstery cover, both for seating and backrests, is removable and available in all the outdoor and indoor fabrics in the collection. © PAOLA LENTI SRL/SERGIO CHIMENTI
Poufs available in different shapes and dimensions. The padding is made of polypropylene microspheres contained in a fixed, three-dimensional polyester fabric cover. The upholstery cover is removable and sewn with a spiral-like pattern using Rope cord, in solid or in two-color combinations, or Twiggy cord in mélange colors, both Paola Lenti’s exclusive materials conceived for the outdoors. © PAOLA LENTI SRL/SERGIO CHIMENTI
Poufs available in different shapes and dimensions. The padding is made of polypropylene microspheres contained in a fixed, three-dimensional polyester fabric cover. The upholstery cover is removable and sewn with a spiral-like pattern using Rope cord, in solid or in two-color combinations, or Twiggy cord in mélange colors, both Paola Lenti’s exclusive materials conceived for the outdoors. © PAOLA LENTI SRL/SERGIO CHIMENTI
Series of side tables available in different dimensions. The structure is made of matte or gloss varnished aluminum. The top can be made of same material and finishing; this kind of top may also feature a Rope cord handle matching the structure. Top is also available made of Esmal enameled copper. The edge of the copper tops is not enameled, to allow the material to naturally oxidize over time, passing from a bright red color to an intense brown, up to the classic oxide green. © PAOLA LENTI SRL/SERGIO CHIMENTI
Series of side tables available in different dimensions. The structure is made of matte or gloss varnished aluminum. The top can be made of same material and finishing; this kind of top may also feature a Rope cord handle matching the structure. Top is also available made of Esmal enameled copper. The edge of the copper tops is not enameled, to allow the material to naturally oxidize over time, passing from a bright red color to an intense brown, up to the classic oxide green. © PAOLA LENTI SRL/SERGIO CHIMENTI
The Sunset series includes dining and side tables. The structure is made of steel, matt varnished in avorio or wengé colour. The top is available in sassafras wooden slats, treated against stains and water with water-based products, natural or wengé dyed as to match the structure. © PAOLA LENTI SRL/SERGIO CHIMENTI
The Sunset series includes dining and side tables. The structure is made of steel, matt varnished in avorio or wengé colour. The top is available in sassafras wooden slats, treated against stains and water with water-based products, natural or wengé dyed as to match the structure. © PAOLA LENTI SRL/SERGIO CHIMENTI
The Telar series includes chairs with and without armrests, a lounge chair, a two-seater sofa, a chaise longue, a sun bed and a pouf. The structure is made of gloss varnished stainless steel, the upholstery is fixed and hand woven using elastic belts of different dimensions covered with a braid in Rope yarn. This structural weave is available in two different versions, which are produced with elastic belts with two different dimensions. The Telar series has been awarded with the Red Dot Best of the Best Award and has been finalist for the NYCxDesign Awards, both in 2020. © PAOLA LENTI SRL/SERGIO CHIMENTI
The Telar series includes chairs with and without armrests, a lounge chair, a two-seater sofa, a chaise longue, a sun bed and a pouf. The structure is made of gloss varnished stainless steel, the upholstery is fixed and hand woven using elastic belts of different dimensions covered with a braid in Rope yarn. This structural weave is available in two different versions, which are produced with elastic belts with two different dimensions. The Telar series has been awarded with the Red Dot Best of the Best Award and has been finalist for the NYCxDesign Awards, both in 2020. © PAOLA LENTI SRL/SERGIO CHIMENTI
The Telar series includes chairs with and without armrests, a lounge chair, a two-seater sofa, a chaise longue, a sun bed and a pouf. The structure is made of gloss varnished stainless steel, the upholstery is fixed and hand woven using elastic belts of different dimensions covered with a braid in Rope yarn. This structural weave is available in two different versions, which are produced with elastic belts with two different dimensions. The Telar series has been awarded with the Red Dot Best of the Best Award and has been finalist for the NYCxDesign Awards, both in 2020. © PAOLA LENTI SRL/SERGIO CHIMENTI
The Telar series includes chairs with and without armrests, a lounge chair, a two-seater sofa, a chaise longue, a sun bed and a pouf. The structure is made of gloss varnished stainless steel, the upholstery is fixed and hand woven using elastic belts of different dimensions covered with a braid in Rope yarn. This structural weave is available in two different versions, which are produced with elastic belts with two different dimensions. The Telar series has been awarded with the Red Dot Best of the Best Award and has been finalist for the NYCxDesign Awards, both in 2020. © PAOLA LENTI SRL/SERGIO CHIMENTI
The Telar series includes chairs with and without armrests, a lounge chair, a two-seater sofa, a chaise longue, a sun bed and a pouf. The structure is made of gloss varnished stainless steel, the upholstery is fixed and hand woven using elastic belts of different dimensions covered with a braid in Rope yarn. This structural weave is available in two different versions, which are produced with elastic belts with two different dimensions. The Telar series has been awarded with the Red Dot Best of the Best Award and has been finalist for the NYCxDesign Awards, both in 2020. © PAOLA LENTI SRL/SERGIO CHIMENTI
Series of pouf available in different dimensions with removable cover made by hand weaving elements in tubular knit. The padding is made of polypropylene microspheres and features an insert in expanded polyurethane; both are covered with a polyester three-dimensional fabric. The upholstery is removable and hand made using a tubular knit padded with Aerelle® blue polyester fiber. © PAOLA LENTI SRL/SERGIO CHIMENTI
Series of pouf available in different dimensions with removable cover made by hand weaving elements in tubular knit. The padding is made of polypropylene microspheres and features an insert in expanded polyurethane; both are covered with a polyester three-dimensional fabric. The upholstery is removable and hand made using a tubular knit padded with Aerelle® blue polyester fiber. © PAOLA LENTI SRL/SERGIO CHIMENTI
Series of pouf available in different dimensions with removable cover made by hand weaving elements in tubular knit. The padding is made of polypropylene microspheres and features an insert in expanded polyurethane; both are covered with a polyester three-dimensional fabric. The upholstery is removable and hand made using a tubular knit padded with Aerelle® blue polyester fiber. © PAOLA LENTI SRL/SERGIO CHIMENTI
The Vespucci series includes an armchair, two- and three-seater sofa. The structure is made of stainless steel and sassafras wood, which is treated with water-based products that limit the absorption of liquids and greasy substances. The upholstery cover is structural, removable and made of Rope M or Aquatech, Paola Lenti’s signature fabrics. Seat and back cushions and armrests are padded with Aerelle blue polyester fiber and stress-resistant polyurethane. The upholstery cover is removable and available in all the Paola Lent’s exclusive signature outdoor fabrics. © PAOLA LENTI SRL/SERGIO CHIMENTI
The Vespucci series includes an armchair, two- and three-seater sofa. The structure is made of stainless steel and sassafras wood, which is treated with water-based products that limit the absorption of liquids and greasy substances. The upholstery cover is structural, removable and made of Rope M or Aquatech, Paola Lenti’s signature fabrics. Seat and back cushions and armrests are padded with Aerelle blue polyester fiber and stress-resistant polyurethane. The upholstery cover is removable and available in all the Paola Lent’s exclusive signature outdoor fabrics. © PAOLA LENTI SRL/SERGIO CHIMENTI
The Vespucci series includes an armchair, two- and three-seater sofa. The structure is made of stainless steel and sassafras wood, which is treated with water-based products that limit the absorption of liquids and greasy substances. The upholstery cover is structural, removable and made of Rope M or Aquatech, Paola Lenti’s signature fabrics. Seat and back cushions and armrests are padded with Aerelle blue polyester fiber and stress-resistant polyurethane. The upholstery cover is removable and available in all the Paola Lent’s exclusive signature outdoor fabrics. © PAOLA LENTI SRL/SERGIO CHIMENTI
Zoe is a rug for exterior and interior environments created with a Rope, Aquatech or Twiggy cord. This rug is available in many versions: it can be created by sewing together 30 x 30 cm modules – winded up in spiral-like designs which are then sewn with an orthogonal placement or with a non-orthogonal positioning which creates a geometric pattern – or consisting of a single round element which is created by winding up the cord. This last version can be also produced with a contrasting border. Upon request, it is possible to create rugs joining round modules with custom dimensions into personalized configurations. © PAOLA LENTI SRL/SERGIO CHIMENTI
Zoe is a rug for exterior and interior environments created with a Rope, Aquatech or Twiggy cord. This rug is available in many versions: it can be created by sewing together 30 x 30 cm modules – winded up in spiral-like designs which are then sewn with an orthogonal placement or with a non-orthogonal positioning which creates a geometric pattern – or consisting of a single round element which is created by winding up the cord. This last version can be also produced with a contrasting border. Upon request, it is possible to create rugs joining round modules with custom dimensions into personalized configurations. © PAOLA LENTI SRL/SERGIO CHIMENTI
Zoe is a rug for exterior and interior environments created with a Rope, Aquatech or Twiggy cord. This rug is available in many versions: it can be created by sewing together 30 x 30 cm modules – winded up in spiral-like designs which are then sewn with an orthogonal placement or with a non-orthogonal positioning which creates a geometric pattern – or consisting of a single round element which is created by winding up the cord. This last version can be also produced with a contrasting border. Upon request, it is possible to create rugs joining round modules with custom dimensions into personalized configurations. © PAOLA LENTI SRL/SERGIO CHIMENTI
When Italian furniture designer Paola Lenti first met Jack Lenor Larsen, she immediately recognized him, but not in the conventional way.
She saw their shared love of color — palettes of bright, outrageous hues mixed with subtle, lower tones. There was a refined elegance and similar sensibility in subtraction, texture and creation between them, from his textile design to his vision at LongHouse Reserve, a 16-acre sculpture garden oasis in East Hampton.
“A sincere understanding immediately formed between us,” she said, “based on a common vision of nature, its importance for humans, the benefit derived from enjoying art in all its expressions, and the role of craftsmanship as a privileged means to give soul to things.”
Ever since Larsen died in 2020 at age 93, the staff at LongHouse Reserve has navigated a long road toward rediscovery, according to Director Carrie Rebora Barratt — finding its new identity while honoring what came before.
This season, the institution has finally arrived there, she said — and it’s, in part, thanks to Lenti.
As of June, almost all of the Larsen furniture will be packed up and put away, replaced by over 100 signature armchairs, sofas, poufs, tables and parasol umbrellas from the Paola Lenti furniture company, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year.
The curated arrangements, which are on view across five areas at LongHouse, feature natural woods, rich textures, organic color palettes, as well as weather-resistant fabrics and eco-friendly fibers, which are visually striking, durable, and sustainable, Barratt said.
“I’m just sitting here now and it’s so beautiful,” she said. “We feel like having a show like this is really a tribute to Mr. Larsen’s legacy, a tribute to what he would have wanted. He would be so happy.”
In Lenti’s eyes, design is the synthesis between beauty and functionality. It is made to be comfortable and blend harmoniously with the environment, she said — though part of its function at LongHouse will be to add color to the largely green summer landscape, Barratt said.
“I think people in the world now really need more access to beauty — beauty in art, beauty in nature, beauty in fashion,” she said. “This is beauty in color and furniture, and to actually be able to touch it and sit on it, lounge on it, to come for a day with your family, is an experience.”
Lenti’s relationship with color began as a child. Even then, it was a passion, she said — “born with me, as far back as I can get, I always remember myself involved and attracted by them.”
“One of my personal, earliest memories is that of me as a child playing with two sheets of colored paper,” she said, “one light blue and one orange, two contrasting yet complementary colors.”
Through the years, Paola Lenti — as a brand — has built a “library of colors,” its founder explained: a chromatic alphabet that allows space for both existing and new products to coexist so easily.
“It is hard to explain, but it’s like before I get certain shades, I already picture them as real in my mind,” she said. “This, of course, unless the color derives from the very nature of the materials.”
The outdoors are also an important source of inspiration, Lenti said — “You just need to know how to listen to it to perceive the inexhaustible wealth of information it can give,” she explained — but she often turns to a good book, a work of art, architecture or design from the past, and “thoughts that arise from inner silence and tranquility,” too.
“I’m an inquisitive person,” she said, “and always want to understand the true nature of what I am interested in for my work.”
Her evolution as a designer begins in the early 1990s, when Lenti was predominantly working with felt, which she used to make rugs. It was an interesting fabric, she said, but it had one major limitation: its two-dimensionality.
She wanted to experiment — and add a dimension.
“Materials have always caught my attention,” she said. “Whether it was fabric, paper, or wood, I wanted to explore their potential and find new applications.”
Lenti’s focus shifted to yarns and fabrics, creating new shapes, color combinations and materials altogether. Her research led to an innovative, high-tech synthetic yarn, which she called Rope. It is 100 percent recyclable and resistant to ultraviolet rays, water, mold and bacteria — perfect for outdoor furniture design.
And it would launch the small furniture company into a global brand.
“In 1998, at Maison & Objet in Paris, we presented two indoor seating pieces for the first time: the Atollo sofa and the Linea chaise longue, which received unexpected success,” she said. “I would say everything started from there.”
At Milano Design Week 2024, held in April, Lenti presented the newest evolution of Moss, which will also be on view in the lounge area at LongHouse, by way of the Ami armchairs. In the garden’s pavilion and breezeway areas, the warm and natural tones of the Kabà, Orlando, Harbour and Vespucci sofas will complement the orange-bordeaux accents of the Telar armchairs and the cushions in Maglia Rasata, echoing the chosen woods for the Giro table tops.
Outside, Paola Lenti products will create informal spaces among the gardens. Otto poufs and Telar armchairs in shades of green will circle the pool overlooking the entrance of the house, while near the large pond, other Telar armchairs — with vibrant yellow, fuchsia and orange accents — will complement their surroundings.
And under the “Fly’s Eye Dome,” the sculpture designed by Buckminster Fuller, the Otto poufs, in various shapes and sizes, will punctuate the bright green of the lawn with shades of blue, cyclamen, and purple — bringing another type of life to the gardens, Barratt said.
“Maybe you don’t have a fancy backyard,” she said. “Come to LongHouse and just relax on this extraordinary Italian furniture. I can’t wait to see people relaxing by the pond or sitting by the pool.”
Michelle Trauring on Jun 19, 2024