“b.d barcelona is one of the few truly international contemporary yet historical design brands born from Barcelona culture. It is a brand that consistently produces pieces that mediate between the classic and innovative. This position is difficult to maintain for a customer base that desires the creativity of the artistic yet demands the tried and true performance of tradition. Grasso is an intuitive and immediate response to both aspects of BD’s heritage and culture. In many ways, the concept of extreme visual comfort is both a starting point and an end goal. Pushing away from the foundation of the exaggerated expression of traditional overstuffed upholstery allowed us to find an unexpected place of abstraction where the voluminous form not only recalls the traditional smoking lounge chair but also expresses something of the artistically absurd. Both, in the upholstered furniture pieces and in the ceramics, there is a feeling of forms reaching the limit of expressiveness. As the collection evolved, we found new ways to overstuff the strict tubular steel frame, which is left intentionally bare in contrast to the luxurious feeling of the puffy leather surfaces. Together, the lounge chair, footrest and bar stools create an impression of radical elegance rarely seen in this typology, as only BD can present it.” / Stephen Burks