Meeting both needs has always been the aim of Paola Lenti, a furniture manufacturer based in Meda, Italy, where research has almost become an obsession. Over the years, continuous experimentation with technology and sustainability has led to the creation of a veritable library of technical materials for outdoor furniture, from wood to metals, stone and fabric. The research continues today, with the evolution of the mono-material yarn, Twiggy; the patented structural material, Diade; new furnishings in glazed porcelain stoneware, Glaze; and the exclusive use of natural fibres.
Mono-material yarn Twiggy
Resistant to the most demanding weather conditions, waterproof and easy to maintain, Twiggy is a single- material yarn without chemical additives and totally recyclable, conceived to assure all the necessary performances an outdoor high-tech material should guarantee and fine-tuned thanks to an Italian industrial supply chain.
The production processes applied enhance its functional and aesthetic qualities, giving life to rugs, cords, braids, and contemporary upholstery fabrics Tela and Maris. The over 150 colour hues available are coordinated with the other collection fabrics and materials.
The several seating pieces that can be upholstered with the fabrics and materials produced with Twiggy, are completed by cushions made of Aerelle® blue, a recycled polyester fiber derived from the processing of disposable plastic collected before it reaches rivers and oceans. In 2020, Paola Lenti introduced this fiber to make its indoor and outdoor seating collections sustainable.
Structural material Diade
Diade is a patented structural material that is waterproof, sanitizable and easy-to-clean, durable and resistant. It does not retain humidity and can be used outdoors even in very harsh conditions.
The yarn is loom-woven to create Tela and Maris fabrics that, once unified with Diade’s rigid and supporting surface, give the products an unparalleled textile appearance.
Diade is completely recyclable and available in dozens of colours.
The Harbour sofa and the Sun chaise longue are made with the evolved version of the Twiggy yarn and the Diade technical material.
Glazed porcelain stoneware Glaze
To Luce, Venice and Opus tops, Glaze has been added, a new material that combines the charm of the “made- by- hand” with strict quality specifications required for outdoor use.
Glaze tops are created by hand-enameling elements in porcelain stoneware, a material produced by mixing exclusively natural components, free of harmful substances, like clay, kaolin and quartz, through a production cycle which has low environmental impact and is pollutant-free. The very high temperature single-firing technique combines these basic materials with enamel, so that surfaces do not absorb greasy substances, are resistant to corrosive substances, easy to wash and sanitize, as well as particularly resistant to impact and atmospheric agents.
The colours selected for Glaze are coordinated to the existing finishes and several upholstery fabrics. The slight differences between one top and another give value to the material and highlight the handcrafted characteristics of the production process.
Glaze porcelain stoneware gives shape to the Altopiano table and the Plano bookcases.
Natural fibres Eres
The Eres Collection therefore promotes the use of completely natural materials. Linen, hemp and abaca, rustic and resistant fibers, accompany bamboo, sassafras and igusa, tenacious plants, with rapid and spontaneous growth, which do not require the use of fertilizers and pesticides.
Great attention was also paid to the padding made of latex, wool, cotton and hypoallergenic and water-repellent vegetable fibers, a 100% natural combination that transmits the typical pleasantness of vegetable fibers and at the same time guarantees the comfort and performance of the padding made of synthetic products.
The Frei sofa, the Shibui garden beds, the Shibusa armchair and the Hiro garden armchair are part of the new Eres seating collection.
