In a world where information is at your fingertips, how do you discern the best from the rest? It is said that online shopping may one day replace physical stores – but we don’t think that’s true, and not for furniture anyway. Purchasing a piece of furniture still requires first-hand visual and tactile contact, which makes furniture showrooms a crucial part of the design and lifestyle industry.  

Established in 2014 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysian furniture retailer Studio216 is a purveyor of some of the best furniture the design world has to offer. Passionate about contemporary design and luxury living, Studio216 offers curated collections of interior furnishings from leading Italian brands with an established heritage of craftsmanship, such as Cierre, Porada and Flexform.

Porada, world-renowned for its solid wood furniture, dates back to 1968 and is headquartered in the famed Italian furniture district of Brianza. The brand is one of the select few that have maintained complete control of its production processes – from sourcing the wood (sustainably) to applying the finishing touches.

Porada’s know-how and dedication to quality are apparent in its exquisitely crafted wood pieces. Examples are the Circe dining table by David Dolcini and the OPS 1 mirror by Umberto Asnago. The table features a sculptural base made of Canaletta walnut while the frame of the mirror features a playful combination of Canaletta walnut and natural maple woods.

What is more classic in a living room than a comfy leather sofa? Cierre has been in the business of leather for over 40 years. The company houses over 130 skilled craftspeople who translate generations of leathercraft know-how into some of the most comfortable and timeless leather-clad furniture, like the sensuous Flower curved sofa with laser-engraved cushions and the plush Crystal bed, which features leather-clad base and headrest.

Design aficionados and collectors of iconic pieces will be delighted with Flexform’s collections. One of the pioneers of modern Italian design, Flexform offers iconic pieces designed by some of the most renowned names in the industry, like the Groundpiece and the Magister sofas designed by Antonio Citterio for example.

First launched in 1982, Magister is a modern and timeless interpretation of the classic chesterfield sofa. With a revolutionary proportion that includes a comfortable depth and a generous cushion hovering just over the floor, Groundpiece continues to be the brand’s bestselling sofa since it was launched in 2001.