Angelo Molteni was a young artisan with a passion for woodcraft, whose inspiration stemmed from the guidance of his uncle, a joiner. In 1934, Molteni started his own workshop behind his house and soon gained a reputation for producing high-quality pieces. What started as a small artisan workshop would eventually become a world-class brand, whose list of achievements include being awarded the Compasso d’Oro—the oldest and most authoritative industrial design award worldwide—and praised for its “constant dignity, guaranteed quality and a broad vision of the cultural context”. Ever since such humble beginnings, Molteni&C has been at the forefront of Italian designer furniture and continues to set the standard for home furnishing excellence.
The Molteni&C flagship opened in early 2024 in The Gardens Mall Kuala Lumpur, and has further contributed to the brand’s dynamic growth on the global stage of contemporary design. The store was launched through a collaborative partnership with Stanzo Italia, a luxury furniture gallery renowned for its commitment to offering imported furniture with contemporary design and craftsmanship that’s built to last.
“Molteni&C has made it easy for interior designers with its design flexibility, range of components and massive material choices,” said Yoong Low, general manager of Stanzo Italia. He asserts that Molteni&C has been the only brand that is capable of fulfilling every vision that a designer has conceived for every project. And as Molteni&C solidifies its stance as a key contender in the Malaysian market, esteemed interior design companies such as WO Atelier have also found immense satisfaction in collaborating with the brand. “Wayne (Yap, executive director of WO Atelier) was so surprised that a single brand was able to fulfill his design needs so effortlessly,” Low said.
WO Atelier recently worked on a project for a client’s home featuring the exceptional offerings of Molteni&C. The core design concept of the residence is to establish a serene oasis amid the bustling city. Catering to the needs of the homeowners’ career-centric lifestyles who navigate through the daily rigours of high-intensity work, the house was designed with an emphasis on simplicity to provide them with the best quality of life. “Molteni&C furniture is well known for its timeless elegance and sophisticated design,” Yap said. “Each piece serves as a statement piece, yet it fits seamlessly into the space without overpowering the design.”
Wardrobe wonders
Take, for example, Gliss Master, a wardrobe system designed by Vincent Van Duysen. Crafted with a sleek and minimalist design with exquisite detailing, Gliss Master wardrobes offer a selection of internal accessories and finishes, enabling some degree of personalisation and enhanced customisation. The Gliss Master-A Filo, for instance, integrates an invisible handle set into the door structure, which allows for a wide variety of configurations, such as hinged, sliding or flush doors in wood or even glass finishes. It cleverly conceals storage solutions, combining an innovative fusion of functionality and discretion.
Meanwhile, Gliss Master-Glass Door stands out as an aesthetic focal point, visually imparting a sense of expansiveness. The glass doors are made with 180-degree hinges built into the sides—a Molteni&C exclusive—enabling it to completely fold back for convenience and space optimisation. The Gliss Master series also comes with a patented sliding system with technologically advanced solutions, such as a flush sliding mechanism. It also features a system of magnetic shock absorbers that cancel out noise when in use, requiring less force to open or close the doors, which thus improves sliding fluidity.
Another iteration is Gliss Master-Skin Door. Covered in elegant eco skin, this door makes a distinctive statement piece thanks to an aluminium frame that gives the surface unique square patterns. This variant, however, is only available in the hinged configuration.
In the Malaysian climate, the aircube system introduced by Molteni&C is an essential, with avant-garde solutions that guarantees the best environmental quality in wardrobes. The air purification and perfuming system ionises and ozonises wardrobe interiors to prevent harmful agents such as bacteria, mould and allergens, while at the same time releasing a delicate fragrance for a refreshed atmosphere.
In the kitchen
The VVD kitchen series was also designed by Van Duysen, featuring clean lines and sleek appearances that help to elevate the home’s culinary spaces. Generous pull-out trays, open-ended drawers and under-top trolleys maximise functionality and storage space within a confined area. Other details such as built-in LED strip lights and an aluminium profile—which discreetly integrates with the door for an understated handle design—contributes to the enhancement of the overall ambience. Thanks to the Briht wall units, with transparent glass doors and soft-closing micro-hinges, the kitchen also emanates an open and airy feeling.
View more of the kitchen series
The open floor plan of the home seamlessly connects to the dining area, leading to another highlight piece by Van Duysen—the Janet chair. It is one of the latest designs in Molteni&C’s wide and varied collection of exquisite chairs, which sets itself apart thanks to its timeless aesthetic and gentle appearance.
Outdoor opulence
In the home’s al fresco areas are the Palinfrasca sofa and armchair, which are from Molteni&C’s Landmark Collection, curated by famed designer Luca Meda. The iconic curved, angular shape of the Palinfrasca sofa is inspired from his past works dating back to 1994. The essence of teak that is interpreted in its designs are featured not only in an unprecedented and contemporary way, but also in the most exhaustive representation of Molteni&C’s savoir-faire and material research.
Phoenix and Regent coffee tables from Van Duysen’s Timeout Collection complements the Palinfrasca pieces, presenting an elegant offering by the smooth forms inspired by modernist architecture. Phoenix is a large low table that is perfect for intimate or convivial outdoor settings. Available in either teak slats or Etna lava stone, the table boasts great durability that will make for a lasting centrepiece.
View more close ups of the outdoor furniture
Meanwhile, the Regent coffee table comes in three top shapes—round, oval and square—and is available in varying heights. Its ring-shaped base adds a touch of refined elegence to its overall design. Unlike the robust detailing of the Phoenix coffee table, the Regent exhibits a sleek and slender profile, yet when paired together, showcases a harmonious integration of styles that work in tandem.
Throughout the home, each piece by Molteni&C forges a captivating narrative whether on its own or viewed together as a whole. Every element, detail and build encapsulates a compelling tale filled with innovation and sophistication, which defines the quintessential Molteni&CÂ experience.
