Poltrona Frau
Founded in 1912, Poltrona Frau has spent over a century perfecting the art of leather furniture, from the Vanity Fair armchair to complete residential interiors. Every piece is crafted in Tolentino, Italy, using the brand’s proprietary Pelle Frau leather. BeDESIGN is an authorized Poltrona Frau dealer in Houston, Texas. Visit our showroom or request a custom quote.
About Poltrona Frau
Poltrona Frau was founded in 1912 by Renzo Frau in Turin, Italy. Born in Cagliari, Sardinia in 1881, Frau moved to Turin as a young man and began upholstering armchairs. His work attracted attention quickly. By 1912, he had established a company that bore his name and the craft that defined it: poltrona, Italian for armchair.
The company name is direct: "poltrona" is Italian for armchair, and "Frau" is the founder's surname. It was, from the start, a declaration of focus. Renzo Frau made armchairs, and he made them extraordinarily well.
The founding pieces
In 1930, Poltrona Frau produced the Vanity Fair armchair, designed by an anonymous internal team. It became the brand's signature piece and has been in continuous production since. The Chester sofa, Poltrona Frau's interpretation of the Chesterfield tradition in Italian leather, followed and remains equally iconic.
During the early decades, Poltrona Frau established relationships with Italian institutions: the brand furnished the Italian Parliament, La Scala opera house, and the Quirinale presidential palace. These commissions were not decorative contracts. They required furniture that could endure decades of daily use while maintaining its presence. That standard became the brand's baseline.
Pelle Frau leather
Poltrona Frau's defining material is its proprietary leather, Pelle Frau, processed and colored at the company's own facility. The leather is sourced from European cattle, full-grain, and available in over 100 colors. The tanning and finishing processes were developed by the company's internal research team to achieve a specific balance: soft enough to feel immediately comfortable, structured enough to hold its shape over decades.
Pelle Frau is not a marketing term. It is a distinct material with its own supply chain, processing standards, and quality controls. Every Poltrona Frau piece uses it, and the leather is a primary reason designers specify the brand.
Design collaborations
Beginning in the 1980s, Poltrona Frau expanded beyond its anonymous in-house design tradition and began collaborating with external architects and designers. Jean-Marie Massaud, Roberto Lazzeroni, GamFratesi, and Ludovica and Roberto Palomba have all contributed to the collection. The Archibald armchair by Massaud and the Grantorino sofa by the same designer are among the most specified pieces in the current catalog.
In 2014, Poltrona Frau became part of the Haworth Group, which also includes Cassina and Cappellini. The acquisition brought financial stability and expanded distribution while the brand maintained its operational independence in Tolentino.
Tolentino and the modern era
Since 1962, Poltrona Frau has manufactured in Tolentino, in the Marche region of central Italy. The factory, which also houses the Poltrona Frau Museum, combines artisan hand-finishing with industrial precision. Leather cutting is done by machine for consistency, but upholstery is completed by hand. Every piece passes through the hands of skilled artisans who have trained within the company.
Why designers specify Poltrona Frau
Poltrona Frau appeals to architects and designers working on projects that demand the highest quality leather furniture. The brand's contract division furnishes hotels, corporate offices, and cultural institutions worldwide. For residential projects, Poltrona Frau offers a level of material quality and craft consistency that simplifies specification: the leather is proprietary, the construction is proven, and the brand has over a century of institutional credibility.
“Poltrona Frau is a statement. Everyone knows it. Their leatherwork is legendary, but they don’t stop there. Whether it’s the flawless designs unveiled in Milan or their impeccable upholstery, indoor or outdoor, Poltrona Frau is iconic. When someone wants a show-stopping piece in their home or project, Poltrona Frau is always ready to deliver. If you know, you know, and for decades, Poltrona Frau has been that ultimate statement piece.”
Adrian Dueñas, Co-founder, BeDESIGN
Why Buy Poltrona Frau at BeDESIGN
BeDESIGN is Houston's authorized Poltrona Frau dealer, offering the full residential collection with custom configuration, trade pricing, and white-glove delivery throughout Texas. Because Poltrona Frau shares its parent group with Cassina, we can help you coordinate pieces across both brands for projects that require it.
Every Poltrona Frau order is custom-quoted with your choice of Pelle Frau leather color and configuration. Visit our showroom at 2016 W Alabama St to see and sit in Poltrona Frau furniture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is BeDESIGN an authorized Poltrona Frau dealer?
Yes. BeDESIGN is an authorized Poltrona Frau dealer in Houston, Texas. We carry the full Poltrona Frau residential collection and work directly with the manufacturer on custom orders, trade pricing, and project specification.
When was Poltrona Frau founded?
Poltrona Frau was founded in 1912 by Renzo Frau in Turin, Italy. The company has manufactured in Tolentino, in the Marche region, since 1962. It is one of the oldest continuously operating luxury furniture manufacturers in Italy.
What is Pelle Frau leather?
Pelle Frau is Poltrona Frau's proprietary leather, processed at the company's own facility. It is full-grain European leather available in over 100 colors, developed to be soft enough for immediate comfort while maintaining structure over decades of use.
What is Poltrona Frau best known for?
The Vanity Fair armchair (1930, in continuous production) and the Chester sofa are Poltrona Frau's most iconic pieces. The brand is also known for furnishing cultural institutions including the Italian Parliament, La Scala, and the Quirinale presidential palace.
How long does a Poltrona Frau order take?
Poltrona Frau furniture is handcrafted in Tolentino, Italy. Lead times typically range from 10 to 16 weeks depending on the piece and leather selection. Select models are available through our Quick Ship program. BeDESIGN provides detailed timelines with every custom quote.
Who designs for Poltrona Frau?
The current collection includes work by Jean-Marie Massaud, Roberto Lazzeroni, GamFratesi, and Ludovica and Roberto Palomba, alongside the brand's historic anonymous designs including the Vanity Fair and Chester. Poltrona Frau combines external design collaborations with its century-long internal craft tradition.
Schedule a Consultation
Every 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