Poltrona Frau: A Century of Italian Craftsmanship
For over a century, the master makers behind Poltrona Frau have shaped the quiet language of Italian furnitureāguided by human hands, exceptional materials, and a devotion to longevity. Known for leather upholstery of rare finesse and timeless form, the atelier produces pieces that elevate interiors through precision and architectural clarity.
Celebrated for its heritage craftsmanship and Italian leather furniture, Poltrona Frau has become synonymous with elegance that endures.
Founded in Turin, Rooted in Tolentino
Established in 1912 by Renzo Frau, the original workshop in Turin quickly became known for its craftsmanship and refined structure. From the deeply tufted Chester One to the sculpted folds of the Archibald, each piece reflects a culture of making where design is embedded into every seam, stitch, and silhouette.
Today, the atelier remains centred in Tolentinoāan environment shaped by artisans, upholsterers, and engineers who approach furniture as a living craftāshaped through time, touch, and technique.
The Art of Leather, Reimagined
Poltrona Frau is inseparable from its material of choice: Pelle FrauĀ® leather. This full-grain leather, developed in the Tolentino workshop using proprietary techniques, is renowned for its buttery softness, nuanced colouration, and graceful ageing. Expertly stitched by hand, every surface becomes a tactile landscapeāechoing a century of Italian tradition.
The Tolentino atelier is home to generations of artisans who work side by side with tanners and designersāa culture of making refined over time, where each piece carries the mark of both innovation and inheritance.
Whether commissioned for private residences, cultural spaces, or luxury automotive interiors, Poltrona Frauās atelier-made upholstery and heritage craftsmanship represent the pinnacle of Italian leather furniture.
Designs That Move Between Worlds
The makerās philosophy extends far beyond the living room. Poltrona Frauās open-air pieces reinterpret indoor precision through materials that meet the demands of weather without compromising comfort or integrity. Weather-resistant leathers, solid teak, and architectural metals are selected for their material intelligence and ability to harmonise with natural surroundings.
Collections such as Boundless Living offer a natural continuation of interior quality outdoorsāwhere the same quiet elegance found in a living space is mirrored on a shaded terrace or garden veranda.
A Meeting of Masters: Poltrona Frau Ć Ceccotti
In a rare union of Italian disciplines, Poltrona Frauās leather expertise meets the sculptural woodcraft of Ceccotti Collezioni. First revealed in Milan in 2021, their shared exhibition space resembled a private homeāblending seating, cabinetry, and lighting into a single, seamless concept.
The collaboration deepened with the launch of the DUO Collection by Roberto Lazzeroni. Inspired by 1950s drawing rooms, DUO celebrates curved forms, generous comfort, and fluid hospitality. Each pieceāwhether sofa, sideboard, or consoleāis crafted with Ceccottiās signature joinery and Poltrona Frauās upholstery finesse, offering a holistic expression of modern Italian making.
This collaboration reflects a shared philosophyāwhere two ateliers merge process, history, and vision into a collection that feels lived-in from the start.
Craft in Context
The same makers who build heirloom seating also craft bespoke environments beyond the home. Poltrona Frauās leatherwork features in the interiors of Ferrari, private jets, and superyachtsāwhere each commission demands precision and resilience.
In cultural spaces such as La Fenice in Venice, Romeās Auditorium Parco della Musica, and theatres across Asia and the Middle East, the Custom Interiors division creates architectural furniture tailored to both space and useāalways with the same rigour, proportion, and material fluency.
From custom interiors to architectural seating, each commission reflects Poltrona Frauās ability to adapt craft to scale without compromising soul.
Each of these contexts reflects the same core principles: meticulous hand-finishing, timeless silhouette, and materials chosen to age with dignity.
A Living Discipline
Poltrona Frauās world is one of discipline and discretion. These pieces are designed to age in placeābecoming part of the architecture of living. From the Times bed to the Turner bookcase and Peek-a-Book desk, the collection speaks to a way of life grounded in structure, tactility, and purpose.
At Everything But Ordinary, we honour this tradition as a design legacyāan ongoing dialogue between material, maker, and space. Each piece is a record of knowledge and careāinviting you to live with clarity, comfort, and continuity.
To learn more about the makerās history, materials and philosophy, visit the official Poltrona Frau website.
