Poltrona Frau: A Century of Italian Craftsmanship
For over a century, the master makers behind Poltrona Frau have shaped the quiet language of Italian furniture—guided 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 Tolentino—an environment shaped by artisans, upholsterers, and engineers who approach furniture as a living craft—shaped through time, touch, and technique.
The Art of Leather, Reimagined
Poltrona Frau is inseparable from its material of choice: Pelle Frau® 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 landscape—echoing a century of Italian tradition.
The Tolentino atelier is home to generations of artisans who work side by side with tanners and designers—a 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 Frau’s atelier-made upholstery and heritage craftsmanship represent the pinnacle of Italian leather furniture.
Designs That Move Between Worlds
The maker’s philosophy extends far beyond the living room. Poltrona Frau’s 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 outdoors—where the same quiet elegance found in a living space is mirrored on a shaded terrace or garden veranda.
A Meeting of Masters: Poltrona Frau × Ceccotti
In a rare union of Italian disciplines, Poltrona Frau’s leather expertise meets the sculptural woodcraft of Ceccotti Collezioni. First revealed in Milan in 2021, their shared exhibition space resembled a private home—blending 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 piece—whether sofa, sideboard, or console—is crafted with Ceccotti’s signature joinery and Poltrona Frau’s upholstery finesse, offering a holistic expression of modern Italian making.
This collaboration reflects a shared philosophy—where 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 Frau’s leatherwork features in the interiors of Ferrari, private jets, and superyachts—where each commission demands precision and resilience.
In cultural spaces such as La Fenice in Venice, Rome’s Auditorium Parco della Musica, and theatres across Asia and the Middle East, the Custom Interiors division creates architectural furniture tailored to both space and use—always with the same rigour, proportion, and material fluency.
From custom interiors to architectural seating, each commission reflects Poltrona Frau’s 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 Frau’s world is one of discipline and discretion. These pieces are designed to age in place—becoming 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 legacy—an ongoing dialogue between material, maker, and space. Each piece is a record of knowledge and care—inviting you to live with clarity, comfort, and continuity.
To learn more about the maker’s history, materials and philosophy, visit the official Poltrona Frau website.
