What can add a unique touch to wooden furniture? Apart from finishes or carved patterns, embroidery is now an option, just like architect Massimiliano Locatelli and former Prada design director Fabio Zambernardi have shown. They have developed an innovative technique to embroider wood with metal threads using machines, and the results are truly amazing.
The project demonstrates how stitching can replace traditional wood inlay techniques to decorate furniture. Developed in collaboration with artisanal embroiderer Graziano Giordani, the method utilizes specialized sewing machines that manually stitch patterns into wood veneers. These patterns are so detailed and precise that they might confuse you at first glance.
This customizable technique can be applied to furniture, home accessories, and even interiors. They have created a dining table, chair, and chest of drawers using this unique embroidery technique. The team also created an entire room featuring this embroidered timber style work for the Nullus Locus installation at Milan Design Week 2025. The room flaunted embroidered walls, floors, and a fireplace created using the same wood.
The installation also featured smaller objects like a vase and a tray, decorated with Baroque floral motifs. After the Milan exhibition, the installation is transported to a gallery in New York for a new exhibition.
Also Read: 10 Standout Furniture Pieces From Salone del Mobile 2025 That Caught Our Eye
As noted by Dezeen, this metal thread embroidered furniture reinterprets the proportions and wood inlay ornamentation of pieces created by the 18th century Italian cabinetmaker Giuseppe Maggiolini.
Other creative furniture showcased at this year’s Milan Design Week included furniture covered in mycelium that looks like a tablecloth and Juyong Shim’s unique furniture made from discarded speaker horns.
