1919 Ultime Notizie armchair by Poltrona Frau, with leather upholstery and artisanal details, timeless classic design

1919 Ultime Notizie | Armchair

Fornasetti x Poltrona Frau

The 1919 padded armchair, with a load-bearing structure made of solid seasoned beech, is a comfortable bergère with large proportions, hand-covered in leather with a complex workmanship that reaches its climax in the pleated volutes of the armrests and in the famous capitonné pattern of the backrest. In the capsule collection created in collaboration with Fornasetti, the bergère 1919 armchair is covered in Pelle Frau® Leather printed with one of the most characteristic patterns of the Fornasetti archive, the "Ultime notizie (breaking news)" decoration. It is a trompe-l'œil pattern consisting of butterflies fluttering on a carpet of newspaper clippings, reporting news from around the world.

1919 Ultime Notizie | Armchair

Fornasetti x Poltrona Frau
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Concept and Design

A seating that made the history of the company: 1919 is a bergère armchair made capitonné leather, in the catalogue for over a century. A classic article that for a hundred years has summed up the very essence of Poltrona Frau. Spacious, comfortable, welcoming, the 1919 leather armchair comes with a classic and timeless design. The "1919 Ultime Notizie" version is the brain-child of the partnership between Poltrona Frau and Fornasetti, another brand known worldwide for the design and decoration of unique and timeless furnishings. Created in 1950 by Piero Fornasetti, his son Barnaba redesigned, changed and breathed fresh life into the "Ultime Notizie" pattern. A playful trompe-l'œil that beckons the viewer to an "active" and imaginative vision: leather looks like paper and the paper had been initially conceived to be printed on silk. The visual lightness of the print is also an invitation to conceptual lightness: “Don't dwell on the news, because the news is volatile". 

renzo frau
Designed by
Fornasetti x Poltrona Frau

Poltrona Frau and Fornasetti: an unprecedented joint effort by two historical Made in Italy brands. A partnership between high-end craftsmanship and Italian creativity to take the luxury interior design industry to greater heights.

Right from the early 50s, Fornasetti’s unique style took the interior decoration industry by the storm: a refined and unique visual language, with traits of refined and metaphoric classicism alongside surreal humor. An ode to freedom of expression transforming furniture and furnishing objects into mysterious meaningful household items. 

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01 1919 ultime notizie armchair 5145111
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The “1919 Ultime Notizie” armchair is the result of the meeting between two icons of Made in Italy excellence: Poltrona Frau and Fornasetti. While its form and structure recall the famous 1919 bergère, a timeless symbol of comfort and Italian craftsmanship, the upholstery in printed Frau® leather featuring Fornasetti’s “Ultime Notizie” motif transforms this seat into a true piece of applied art, capable of capturing attention and sparking conversation in any setting.

 

The print, depicting fluttering butterflies over a collage of newspaper clippings, is not merely decorative, but an invitation to lightness, irony, and expressive freedom. The leather resembles paper, paper becomes silk, and the furnishing object turns into a visual and tactile experience that goes beyond function. This makes the armchair perfect for those who wish to surround themselves with unique pieces capable of telling a story and conveying emotion.

 

In a modern living space, the “1919 Ultime Notizie” becomes the focal point of a conversation area, engaging with contemporary or vintage furnishings and adding a note of color and creativity. In an art gallery, an architecture studio, or a representative office, the armchair stands out as a statement piece, expressing the personality of its owner and enhancing the space with its strong visual presence. Equally evocative is its placement in fashion boutiques, showrooms, design hotels, or exclusive suites, where international audiences seek objects that combine art, history, and design.

 

The armchair also appeals to lovers of eclecticism who wish to create spaces where art and design intersect, or to those who want to enrich playful, surreal, or ironic interiors in which trompe-l’œil details take center stage. In a signature home, it can be placed in a reading corner beside a bookcase or a large window, offering not only comfort but daily inspiration. Enthusiasts of iconic pieces, limited editions, and collaborations between historic brands will find in this armchair a choice that goes beyond mere furniture, becoming a true cultural and aesthetic investment.

 

This armchair is also ideal for photo shoots, advertising campaigns, film productions, or settings that require a strong visual identity. It can be a prestigious gift, designed for important celebrations or for people who already have everything and desire something truly unique. In public spaces dedicated to culture and creativity—museums, foundations, cultural centers—the “1919 Ultime Notizie” stands as a symbol of dialogue between past and future, tradition and innovation.

 

Lastly, this armchair speaks to those who love Made in Italy, artisanal care, and the search for precious materials, as well as to those who want their domestic or professional environment to be a place of stimulation, storytelling, and expressive freedom. An object that, while preserving the comfort and charm of tradition, opens itself to new aesthetic and narrative interpretations, becoming the protagonist of every space it inhabits.