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Issue 61 - Vintage Modern Issue

Issue 61

Vintage Modern Issue

The breadth and scope of Habitus has always been extraordinary. With how we live at heart of every issue, we have stepped it up with Guest Editor David Flack of Flack Studio shaking the ‘how’ and looking at new ways to make a house a home. With Vintage Modern as the issues theme, we look at the way iconic design has stayed with us, how daring pieces from the past can add the wow factor and how architecture and good design defy the pigeon hole of their era.

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The epitome of exquisite craftsmanship
ProductsAlex Wright

The epitome of exquisite craftsmanship

In the hands of Baxter, leather is more than a material – it is a canvas for transformation, where traditional craftsmanship and bold experimentation converge in an alchemy of design.


Renowned the world over as the definition of Italian luxury – Baxter is a furniture brand with an unwavering reputation for artisan skill and innovation – all underpinned by a deep respect for leather.

At the heart of Baxter’s process is a unique philosophy, described by co-founder Luigi Bestetti as a journey of exploration: “The tannery turns into an alchemist’s lab. You try, you experiment, sometimes you are wrong, but then you start again. We study the full potential of materials which have become the core of Baxter’s research.” This experimentation is not just a metaphor but a guiding principle, inspiring the brand’s artisans and collaborators to unlock the essence of leather through trial, error and reinvention.

There is a sensory experience to a piece of Baxter furniture. This philosophy extends to the collaborations Baxter fosters with celebrated designers such as Paola Navone, Piero Lissoni and Studiopepe.

Navone, whose long-standing relationship with the brand has produced some of its most iconic pieces, reflects on her collaboration with Baxter: “We can say that the ideas to develop new collections are born from a synthesis between the research that Baxter continuously does on treatments, colours and touches of these leathers on the one hand, and our desires to experiment with new forms and different directions on the other hand.”

Central to Baxter’s innovation is its tactile exploration of leather. Colours, textures and treatments are meticulously researched and refined to achieve finishes that are as versatile as they are distinct. This material mastery enables designers to imbue their pieces with personality and depth, as seen in the sculptural yet inviting So Good Armchair by Studiopepe. With its chrome frame and voluptuous leather folds, it exudes both modernist elegance and a welcoming familiarity.

The brand’s catalogue reads like a study in aesthetic dualities: timeless yet contemporary, structured yet soft. The Miami Soft Sofa, with its modular roller backrests, redefines relaxation. While the Aegates Tables draw inspiration from natural archipelagos, blending organic forms with architectural precision. Each design reflects a dedication to marrying curiosity with beauty.

As one of the last family-run furniture companies in Italy, Baxter remains deeply rooted in personal connections. Bestetti describes the brand as “the story of encounters, ideas, but above all of people.” This sentiment is reflected in the collective spirit of the Baxter team – a “large and not so ordinary family” of over 100 artisans, tanners and designers whose skills bring each creation to life.

Whether it’s the relaxed sophistication of the Piaf Sofa, or the striking, sensual lines of the Lazy Bones Chair, Baxter’s pieces invite an experience of comfort. Each creation tells a story – of materials transformed, ideas realised and a timeless pursuit of perfection. It’s not just furniture, it’s the art of living beautifully.

Baxter is available exclusively from Space Furniture.


About the Author

Alex Wright

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BaxterfurnitureLuigi BestettiSpace Furniture


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Issue 61 - Vintage Modern Issue

Issue 61

Vintage Modern Issue

The breadth and scope of Habitus has always been extraordinary. With how we live at heart of every issue, we have stepped it up with Guest Editor David Flack of Flack Studio shaking the ‘how’ and looking at new ways to make a house a home. With Vintage Modern as the issues theme, we look at the way iconic design has stayed with us, how daring pieces from the past can add the wow factor and how architecture and good design defy the pigeon hole of their era.

Order Issue