Hurray Supplier Series: B&B Italia and Maxalto
Focus Global Inc., established in Manila since 1991, has built a reputation not only for its high quality products and excellent after-sales service, but also for its complimentary design assistance. Whether you are building a new house, renovating, or simply looking for a few accents and furniture pieces to add to your home, Focus Global is the ideal partner to provide you with what you need to make a truly beautiful home. Over the years, it has become the destination for design inspiration, building their portfolio with premium brands for the most discerning tastes — from furniture, wardrobe systems, window treatments, bathroom fixtures, kitchen cabinets, and home appliances.
Tell us something about the brands that you carry and a little history about the brands (and maybe about how you ended up carrying them in the local market)
Founded in 1966 by the visionary Piero Ambrogio Busnelli, B&B Italia is a leading Italian company in the international world of designer furniture for both home and contract divisions. Based in Novedrate (Como), north of Milan, the company sets itself apart from its competitors by pioneering an innovative industrial approach to manufacturing while still blending the artisanal craftsmanship that the area is known for. Its uniqueness lies in an unrivalled blend of creativity, innovation and industrial potential. It is a brand for enthusiasts of contemporary design centered on tradition.
B&B Italia also carries two other collections focused on outdoor furniture and commercial-grade designs that can withstand high-traffic areas. If you’ve been to the Mandarin Oriental in Milan or the Bulgari Hotel in Dubai, you may have seen some familiar pieces like the Canasta series by Patricia Urquiola. Maxalto declares the value of “made in Italy” with unmistakable timeless elegance. The collection, which has been solely curated by Antonio Citterio since 1993, expresses the company's unique style and sophisticated interiors. Its name is from the Venetian dialect, "massa alto" which means "the highest." By seeking the highest quality standards in materials and processing methods, Maxalto aims at design par excellence.
In 2015, Focus Global became the exclusive distributor of both brands in the Philippines. We did so because we wanted to offer contemporary furniture pieces that epitomize style, heritage, excellent craftsmanship, and value.
What makes these brands premium and desirable to our clients?
Behind every B&B Italia iconic piece is a riveting story; each design is treated as a work of art and not just as mere furniture. For example, Gaetano Pesce’s Serie Up - fondly known as the Mama Chair - is a metaphor of a large comfortable womb combined with a more figurative image of a woman with a ball and chain on her foot. To pay homage to its 50th Anniversary, B&B Italia adapted another perspective, the lasting connection between mother and child. Other world-renowned designers such as Antonio Citterio, Naoto Fukasawa, and Zaha Hadid work with B&B Italia's Research & Development Center to bring different stories to life.
B&B Italia also continues to create sleek, modern, innovative pieces designed to enhance any given space. Throughout the decades, the brand has expanded its impressive portfolio of furnishings to decorate every kind of space, from interior spaces to outdoor areas. With an impressive range of products, B&B Italia easily becomes a prime choice of the most discerning of tastes.
Service-wise, what can clients expect?
Here at Focus Global, we make it personal. As we strive to provide the best products, services and solutions, we ensure that each client has an enjoyable experience with us as we help them build their dream home. You can expect us to be with you every step of the way.
We are also proud to share that Focus Global has made some incredible feats in adjusting to the NEW NORMAL. Focus Global launched a digital booking platform that allowed clients to book exclusive (or private) showroom visitations with any of our Home Furnishing brands. We also introduced the first-ever interactive 3D virtual showroom tour to allow clients to still visit/experience our showroom floors.
Suggestions for our clients and readers on how to create a premium home or workplace (where applicable)
When designing a space, it’s easy to get caught up in different trends that come and go. The secret to a well-executed design is investing in timeless pieces that transcend fads and crazes. Take for example the Charles sofa by Antonio Citterio: who would have thought that this sleek and modern design is over two decades old? Speaking of decades, also consider the quality of the pieces you’re getting. Great quality may come at a premium price, but lasting materials and a solid structure exude a sense of luxury that also make for a great return of your investment.
Stay true to your personal style and choose designs that speak of your character. No one wants to live in a house that doesn’t feel like home. Do you like muted and subdued colors, or rich tones mixed with metallic accents? Does a traditional look appeal to you more than a relaxed contemporary vibe? Whichever style feels right for you, have fun with it and make it your own.
HURRAY SUPPLIER SERIES is a series of features about our partners. We at Hurray work with quality and premium suppliers to help us deliver our joint vision to our clients.