Cassina Maralunga Sofa, Cool Since 1974 (more or less) — The Design Edit

The people at Cassina want you to believe that their Maralunga sofa has been cool since 1974. Hmmmm, I'm not sure I buy into that 100% — didn't we all want slim, trim tailored sofas just 5 or 7 years ago? But now it's 2016 and I think we can all agree that the coolness factor of this beauty is back at zenith.

The Maralunga was designed by Milanese architect Vico Magistretti. Italian furniture manufacturer Cassina began production of the Maralunga in 1974. Magistretti's key design innovation is the clever convertible back and arms, which allow the piece to have a low profile or be unfolded for a higher back and arms for more support as desired. The design evolved to its final form thanks to a famous punch. Cassina chief Cesare Cassina punched the back of the sofa prototype and actually broke it, forcing/inspiring Magistretti to reimagine the design to boost durability and comfort. In 1979 the Maralunga won the Compass d'Oro design award and was added to the MoMa permanent collection.

At the Salone del Mobile in Milan in 2014 and 2015 Cassina re-released the Maralunga with edited edge stitching details, new colours and fabrics as well as removable covers and the option for leg supports in two new shades of grey. This new version is spawning just as many imitators as the original — remind me to do a post on knockoffs, That's a post that needs writing.

Join me for a Maralunga appreciation visual tour.

A Cassina press image. I'd move right in here.

Another Cassina image. Love the use of the photo studio "apple box" as a side table.

The beautiful styling work of Glen Proebstel

Maralunga chairs! (via Cassina)

In moss green velvet. Be still my heart.

In merlot velvet. Yum.

It's ALIVE! It's the venus flytrap of sofas.

I can't help thinking these vintage ones must just reek of cigarette smoke.

Well, Hello Mr. Flynn, fancy meeting you on my Maralunga Google image search. According to accompanying text this is in fact Brian Patrick Flynn testing out a Maralunga somewhere in Barcelona. You should follow him on Insta here

For the Maralunga experience here in Toronto, your primary source is ItalInteriors. I haven't been in the showroom in a few months so I'm not sure if they have one in the showroom. But happily I did find one available on 1stdibs that is right here in Toronto at Decorum.

This one is a 1990s version but has been reupholstered. That buff coloured leather is quite sexy. Price is $5,843. Seems right to me. Snap it up on the Decorum 1stdibs page.

And I leave you with this very fun vid produced by Cassina to celebrate the 40th birthday of the Maralunga. Music, outfits!