Homes are defined by what we put in them, and Molteni&C has been crafting luxury interiors for nearly a century now. With a history of innovation, research and collaboration, the leading Italian brand stands as a paragon of authenticity and quality. Andrea Molteni, third-generation scion of the founding family, talks to Christian Wan about designing for Hong Kong’s distinct needs

For italians, artisanship and living are inseparable – one cannot exist without the other. Nowhere is this better exemplified than in Molteni&C’s decades-long tradition of refined intention, where chairs and tables are transformed from mere furniture into bespoke experiences. Rather than simple functionality, each product is designed to fulfill.

Founded in 1934, the brand has grown from humble origins into a symbol of its own mission. Retaining an identity of polished elegance across years of leadership in industrial design, it has only further cemented its standing as a true pioneer in the field.

Molteni&C just turned 90. What’s the one thing from this long history you most want Hong Kong readers to know?

Condensing 90 years of history in one question is difficult, but I think the essence is that we’ve been in this industry for such a long time. We’re a third-generation family business, but even today we are still driven by the same passion for quality, commitment to detail and powerful vision as my grandfather was. Although we are still evolving – having an international presence, distributing globally and focusing more on lifestyle – we keep that original DNA close to our hearts.

Hong Kong flats can be tiny but taste levels are sky-high. How does Molteni&C help turn small spaces into grand living?

We’re very adaptable – our systems are modular, meaning they can be scaled to different environments that suit both massive villas and miniscule apartments. Of course, we also ensure that the detail and quality of the products stay consistent. This allows us to elevate any space with a luxurious experience, no matter the size. With a lot of items from our collection, whether it’s an adaptable system or finishing touch, we produce a very subtle wall-cladding mechanism to attain a complete design feeling. Other examples would be our heritage icons. Even those that are used in very specific contexts like the Gio Ponti designs can both highlight and give real value to any kind of residential area.

Many of Hong Kong’s top property developers, chefs and architects are longtime clients of your retail partner Kitchen Infinity. With Molteni&C now in the mix, how do you foresee the new definition of luxury living in the city?

We absolutely hope to become the longstanding reference for highend luxury projects here. Not only that, but I think it would give the Kitchen Infinity team many more opportunities. Today, Molteni&C as a group has so many different product lines that can be inserted into so many varying projects. We’ve dipped our toes in systems, living rooms, sofas, dining areas, outdoor furniture. For Kitchen Infinity, it would be like having a whole palette of colours and more notes to play to build a beautiful symphony of harmonious design and quality. It would be lovely to give this to our partners.

Palazzo Molteni opened in Milan in 2025. Any chance Hong Kong will become a “Molteni city” in Asia?

Hong Kong has quite a unique tradition for being a melting pot of peoples. Its rich history of mixing all these cultures together is very similar to that of Milan. As you might know, our city is a big mess of French, Austrian and Spanish influences. We take in and reimagine everything that comes in from outside, making it our own – very similar to Hong Kong! This reflection is one of the main reasons we decided to set up here: the similarities as a place of crossroads and connection, which I also believe will help us grow in this region.

If you were buying a flat in Hong Kong tomorrow, how would you design it using only Molteni&C pieces?

I get asked this a lot, but I can’t answer. It would be like asking someone which of their children is their favourite – you can’t pick only one! But to answer this hypothetically, the smaller spaces are certainly a concern. Our approach would be to design with a 360° philosophy in mind. Using our expertise in the layout, we would use our furniture to build a cohesive environment. I’m picturing something that connects the kitchen to the living room and wardrobe. After that, highlighting certain spots with historical pieces like the Jean Nouvel bookcase, the Graduate and some Gio Ponti seats would give this flat a really timeless, classic aesthetic.

What’s the surprise bestselling or most-loved Molteni&C piece among Hong Kong clients?

The fastest-rising one is our kitchen plug-in system. It’s probably the fastest plug-in system today, so given its nature, it isn’t that much of a surprise. After that, our more iconic pieces like the Cinnamon armchair from Naoto Fukasawa have been very well received on the market. Fukasawa is a Japanese architect, so the design has an Oriental touch. It mixes together that signature Italian quality and Asian artisanship, so I think that’s one reason for its popularity.

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