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ABOVE: “Design encompasses architecture, furniture
and interiors,” James Magni says.
ABOVE: Named after a client, the “Isabel Occasional
Chair” is part of a line that includes a sofa
and a lounge chair.
ABOVE: Magni received an Adex Award in 1996 for
the “Moderne Side Chair.”
ABOVE: The “Paris Side Table” references
the French Deco style of the 1930s.
ABOVE: Macassar ebony legs, hand- polished stainless-steel
feet and a nickel footrest form the “Swivel
Barstool.”
ABOVE: A hand-polished stainless-steel frame supports
a tufted white leather cushion in the “Museum
Daybed.”
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Ludwig Mies
Van der Rohe’s legendary dictum, “less is
more,” plays over and over again in the mind
of designer James Magni, whose streamlined, straightforward
and sophisticated designs epitomize the famous credo.
Contemporary to the core, Magni puts an international
spin on classic silhouettes, resulting in a “global
modernism” look, as he describes it.
“Labeling design is difficult. Either it’s
‘contemporary’ or ‘traditional,’
” he says. “Even though design is influenced
by things from all over the world, it can be articulated
in much the same way. A design can still be inherently
modern no matter the approach.”
Over the years, Magni has spent a great deal of time
in Italy, particularly Sicily, where his grandfather
and father were both skilled in decorative painting.
Surrounded by the beauty of this region, he began
to understand Italy’s laid-back approach to cutting-edge
design. “There’s an ease of style —
a less-is-more attitude,” he says. Thus, Magni’s
restrained aesthetic was born.
Magni’s penchant for purity in design comes not
only from his Italian heritage but also from his spiritual
beliefs. “I think there is a third entity —
a soul or spirit — that I choose to acknowledge
in my life and in my work,” Magni says. “Reducing
things to their simplest forms is what I’m about.”
Effortlessly elegant like the work of the Italians,
Magni’s furniture also gives a nod to the high
style of Paris in the 1920s and ’30s. “My
pieces look to French Deco and many of the dramatic
elements of this era, including luxurious materials
and expert craftsmanship,” he says.
Looking beyond those classic European references,
it’s clear that Magni’s pieces are made
with an architect’s eye. Born in Omaha, Neb.,
Magni graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln
with a degree in architecture. From there, he moved
to Dallas to work for the well-known architectural
firm of H.M.B.H., and founded its interior architectural
department. Over the years, he completed a number
of noteworthy commissions, including the headquarters
of Frito-Lay, Inc., whose owners hired him to design
their personal residence in La Jolla, Calif. Magni’s
connection with the owners of Frito-Lay, Inc. prompted
his move to Los Angeles in 1986. Two years later,
he opened a full-service interior design firm, Magni
Design, Inc. and his career soared with a variety
of projects, from villas to penthouses and ranches
across the United States.
Less than 10 years later, Magni delved into the world
of furniture design, taking to heart the saying, “If
you want something done right, you’ve got to
do it yourself.” Hard-pressed to find the right
pieces for the job, Magni began designing a furniture
line from his own ideas as well as pieces he had custom
designed for clients in the past. In 1996, he established
Magni Classic, making his foray into furniture design
official.
Magni’s furniture designs were so well-received
that he won Adex Awards from “Design Journal”
for his “Moderne Side Chair,” “Silver
Tray Table,” “The Classic Sofa” and
“The Faceted Sofa” in his first year. And
in 2000, “Architectural Digest” named him
one of the top 100 designers and architects.
Five to six distinct collections, totaling about 100
pieces, comprise Magni Classic. In addition to furniture,
he has designed lighting and silk area rugs. Many
of his pieces grace the homes of celebrities such
as Michael Jordan, Luther Vandross and Judith Light,
to name a few.
Magni Classic is represented by many showrooms throughout
the country, including Mirak, Inc. in Los Angeles
and New York; Trammel-Gagne in Seattle; and Carriage
House in the Design Center of the Americas in Dania
Beach, Fla.
For more information on Magni’s work, call Carriage
House at 954/925-2661, or call Magni Classic in Los
Angeles at 323/653-8228. Or, go to his website at
www.magniclassic.com for additional information. |
