Maxalto
Maxalto is the warmer, quieter side of the B&B Italia family: solid wood, rich leather, and proportions that feel settled the day they arrive. BeDESIGN is an authorized Maxalto dealer in Houston, Texas, carrying the full collection. Every piece is designed by Antonio Citterio, and the point of Maxalto is furniture you buy once and keep, rather than replace every few years. Visit our Houston showroom to see and sit in the collection, or request a custom quote.
About Maxalto
Maxalto was founded in 1975 as a companion to B&B Italia, with a distinct mission: create furniture where artisan craft and contemporary design meet. The name comes from the Venetian dialect, “massa alto,” meaning “the highest.” It was a declaration of intent.
The brand’s first chapter was written by Afra and Tobia Scarpa, who designed collections using rare, ancient woodworking techniques drawn from cabinet making and lute construction. Their Artona collection, including the Africa chair, had a sculptural presence that set Maxalto apart from its parent brand immediately. The New Harmony collection continued this exploration of wood as an expressive material.
Antonio Citterio: sole designer since 1993
In 1993, Maxalto entered a new era when Antonio Citterio became its sole designer. His first collection arrived in 1996, and he has shaped every piece since. For Citterio, Maxalto became a workshop for “modern neo-classics”: forms filtered through the contemporary eye of an Italian architect, but referencing the warmth and proportion of classical furniture traditions.
Where B&B Italia is architecturally precise, Maxalto is architecturally warm. Citterio uses solid wood, rich leathers, and considered proportions to create pieces that feel lived-in from day one. The Lutetia bed, the Febo armchair and chaise, and the Abseo table in Chilean tineo wood exemplify this approach: modern lines, natural materials, enduring presence.
The Heritage Perspectives collection
In 2021, Citterio introduced Heritage Perspectives, a re-elaboration of Maxalto’s core identity with lighter tones, updated dimensions, and refined materials. The collection represents a coherent evolution: faithful to the original Art Deco-inflected vision while responding to how contemporary interiors have changed.
Why designers specify Maxalto
Maxalto appeals to architects and designers working on projects that call for warmth without nostalgia. The pieces reference tradition without reproducing it: solid wood frames, classical proportions, considered joinery. For clients who want contemporary furniture with material depth and craft integrity, Maxalto fills a space that few other brands occupy.
“Maxalto is B&B Italia’s older sibling: quieter, more historical, more interested in craft than statement. The frames are solid wood. The proportions reference mid-century Italian design without quoting it directly. I guide clients there when they tell me they are tired of replacing things. That sentence usually means they are ready.”
— Adrian Dueñas, Co-Founder, BeDESIGN
Why Buy Maxalto at BeDESIGN
BeDESIGN is Houston’s authorized Maxalto dealer, offering the complete collection with custom configuration, trade pricing, and white-glove delivery throughout Texas. Because Maxalto and B&B Italia are sister brands, we can help you mix pieces across both lines for a cohesive interior, something few dealers can do with the same depth of knowledge.
Every Maxalto order is custom-quoted with your choice of wood finish, leather or fabric, and configuration. Visit our showroom at 2016 W Alabama St to see and sit in Maxalto furniture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is BeDESIGN an authorized Maxalto dealer?
Yes. BeDESIGN is an authorized Maxalto dealer in Houston, Texas. We carry the full Maxalto collection and work directly with the manufacturer on custom orders, trade pricing, and project specification.
What is the difference between Maxalto and B&B Italia?
Both brands are part of the same group and both feature designs by Antonio Citterio. B&B Italia is architecturally precise and materially innovative, engineered furniture at the highest level. Maxalto is warmer, more craft-oriented, built around solid wood, rich leathers, and classical proportions. BeDESIGN carries both and can help you choose or combine them.
Who designs Maxalto furniture?
Antonio Citterio has been Maxalto’s sole designer since 1993. Every piece in the current collection is his work. Before Citterio, the brand’s early collections were designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa, whose wood-focused pieces established Maxalto’s identity as a craft-driven brand.
What is Maxalto known for?
Maxalto is known for what Antonio Citterio calls “modern neo-classics”: contemporary furniture that references classical Italian design traditions through solid wood construction, natural materials, and considered proportions. Key pieces include the Lutetia bed, Febo armchair, and the Heritage Perspectives collection.
How long does a Maxalto order take?
Maxalto furniture is made to order in Italy. Lead times typically range from 10 to 16 weeks depending on the piece, wood finish, and upholstery. BeDESIGN provides detailed timelines with every custom quote.
Can I mix Maxalto and B&B Italia in the same project?
Yes, and many designers do. The brands are designed to coexist. Maxalto’s warmth and craft complement B&B Italia’s precision and innovation. BeDESIGN specializes in helping clients create cohesive interiors that draw from both collections.
Schedule a Consultation
Every Maxalto piece at BeDESIGN is custom-quoted for your project. Contact us for a complimentary design consultation at our Houston showroom, or request pricing by phone or email.
BeDESIGN | 2016 W Alabama St, Houston, TX 77098 | (713) 623-1177 | hello@be-design.us