The Manico armchair tells the story of rural Italy’s past and future

New Manico armchair, the fourth collaboration between It’s a great design and designer Giuseppe Arezzioffers an inspiring backstory as well as a place to relax and unwind.

“I designed the Manico armchair in 2012 for a design competition organized by a historic furniture store in Catania. The designers, exclusively Sicilian, were invited to present the design of a piece of furniture inspired by Sicily,” explained Arezzi: “I decided to tell the story of the transition from traditional agriculture – which used manual tools, such as hoes and rakes – to contemporary agriculture, which uses increasingly sophisticated machinery. Manico armchair, built with the handles of tools that are no longer used, is now the new chair of the farmer who cools off under an olive tree, looking at the machines that work for him: an ode to the authentic and simple Sicilian culture. “

The new Manico armchair is, of course, made in Italy. Using an ash wood frame, natural leather straps, a few stainless steel parts and a cotton/linen blend fabric, it comes to life. Choose from blue, green, yellow and white cushions to make your rural Italian dreams come true.

To learn more about the Manico chair, visit greatdesign.fr.

Photograph by Natale Leontini

Kelly Beall is an editor at Design Milk. The Pittsburgh-based graphic designer and writer has had a deep love of art and design for as long as she can remember and enjoys sharing her discoveries with others. When she’s not distracted by great art and design, she can be found messing around in the kitchen, consuming as much information as she can, or on the couch with her three pets. Find her @designcrush on social media.