Baxter is one of the most unique businesses in the Italian interiors industry, specializing in premium leathers. Its history is as fascinating as its creative outputs. Founded in 1990 in the heart of Brianza’s furniture-making region, Baxter emerged as a symbol of Italian quality. The company is based in Lurago d’Erba, where a rich tradition of craftsmanship intersects with highly specialized local skills, enabling this family-run business to realize its full potential.
From its inception, Baxter has focused on the quality of materials, particularly saddle leather sourced from traditional tanneries in Toscana and Veneto. This dedication to using the finest leathers is central to Baxter’s identity, infusing each piece with a unique blend of luxury, aesthetics, and functionality. The company’s collections are known for their great emotional appeal, characterized by exquisite craftsmanship and innovative designs that resonate with a sophisticated audience. Today, Baxter continues to uphold its commitment to excellence, offering design items that are not only visually striking but also embody the rich heritage of Italian artistry.
In 2020, the Italian company Baxter celebrated its 30th anniversary. From its beginnings as a small factory in Brianza, Baxter has grown into a globally renowned furniture brand, collaborating with prominent designers. The company’s journey began with classic leather sofas and two names – Luigi and Paolo Bestetti, an uncle and nephew duo who have propelled the factory to new heights over the past three decades. The centerpiece of Baxter’s creations is natural leather, which consistently presents new challenges to the designers.
For instance, the story of the Alfred sofa began with an unconventional leather supplied by a local producer. The leather was exceptionally thick – 4 mm – making it seemingly difficult to work with. However, at Baxter, designer Marco Milisich embraced the challenge, crafting a truly brilliant Chesterfield-style sofa, a genuine tribute to leather in every sense.
Central to Baxter’s identity is its expertise in leather, a material that not only defines its products but also presents ongoing creative challenges. The brand is known for experimenting with different types of leather, including unique finishes like embossed, printed, and pearlized varieties. This focus on leather craftsmanship is complemented by the use of other luxurious materials, such as natural woods, marble, and precious metals.
A distinctive feature of Baxter is its use of aged leather, which gives each sofa a truly cozy and familiar feel. This idea came to Paolo Bestetti after an incident at the ABC store in New York City. In 1996, Paolo was shocked to see his new sofa in the store window looking worn out. The store manager had instructed workers to jump on the sofa until it achieved a “used” appearance, believing this look was more appealing to customers than a stiff, brand-new piece straight from the factory. Paolo took this feedback seriously, leading Baxter’s lab to begin experimenting with leather aging techniques.
Over the past 25 years, Baxter’s sofas have become renowned for conveying emotion and providing tactile pleasures. The leather aging process takes time, but it ensures that every crease and wrinkle makes the furniture exceptionally cozy and unique. The names of the sofas and armchairs, like Casablanca, Sorrento, Capri, and Brigitte, evoke a sense of relaxation and comfort. Baxter’s designs are crafted by both its in-house design studio and renowned guest designers, including Paola Navone, Draga & Aurel, Studiopepe, Federico Peri, and Pietro Russo.
Currently, the brand offers a highly diverse range of products, including sleek modern designs as well as interpretations of classic, colonial, and Art Deco styles. The company avoids confining itself to a single design direction.
Regardless of the style, the brand’s products consistently exhibit impeccable quality. The creation of upholstered furniture involves the use of carefully selected materials such as natural wood (solid beech or poplar), a wide variety of textiles, and nearly 100 types of leather. This includes unique leather finishes, such as embossed, printed, and pearlized options. Luxurious materials like natural stones, crystals, marble, precious metal alloys, and fur are also used for decorative elements.
Today, Baxter continues to uphold its commitment to quality and innovation, offering a diverse array of products that blend traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design. The brand’s dedication to using the finest materials and its emphasis on unique leather finishes have made Baxter a leader in the world of luxury furniture, synonymous with Italian elegance and sophistication.
