Designer Charlie Ferrer Curates CB2’s First Vintage Collection

Hip furniture brand CB2 has launched its first-ever collection of vintage offerings, tapping prominent interior designer Charlie Ferrer to source an eclectic range of items from top European galleries. Comprising some 300 pieces, the CB2 x Ferrer collaboration will be sold exclusively in select stores starting on March 14 and will continue to roll out to all of the brand’s locations through June.

The diverse array of pieces spans the 1940s through the ’70s and includes a sleek chaise lounge by Guido Faleschini, an arched floor lamp by Elio Martinelli, and a sculptural bentwood chair by Franco Albini. Prices range from $229 for some of the smaller, Fat Lava glazed vases all the way to $11,499 for a faceted wood desk by Guglielmo Ulrich, which Ferrer says is his favorite.

A slipper chair designed by Joseph-André Motte alongside a massive Guglielmo Ulrich desk topped with a 1970s swirl Murano glass lamp. Photo: Simon Watson

We talked with Ferrer as well as CB2 president Ryan Turf about the process of putting together the superchic collection.

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How did this collection come about?

Charlie Ferrer: CB2 came to me through a mutual friend and colleague. The CB2 team had brainstormed around the idea of introducing a vintage offering into the brand’s assortment, and my name was brought up as someone who could help them bring their vision to life. I loved the idea right away and admired the brand’s resourceful, solutions-driven mentality and their overall approachability.

What was your favorite part of scouting for pieces in Europe?

CF: Our buying trip was a three-day sprint through three cities—Milan, Maastricht, and Berlin. The best part of this journey for me was introducing the CB2 team to our dealer partners at each location. As much as collecting vintage is about a personal and intimate connection with historical objects—it’s also about getting to know the dealers and their superb personalities! We had a lot of fun sharing meals with our partners and learning their unique sensibilities.

Chrome-and-leather chaise lounge by Guido Faleschini and a ’70s-era floor lamp. Photo: Simon Watson

What were you looking for when curating the final selection of pieces?

CF: I didn’t want the collection to be of one note, stylistically. I wanted it to speak to my practice of creating eclectic interiors. I gravitate toward pieces that are playful, sculptural, and, in some cases, eccentric. To this end, my goal was to include a breadth of styles spanning the 1930s to 1970s.

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Do you have a favorite item?

CF: Yes! The massive desk by Guglielmo Ulrich included in New York’s Eastside assortment. This 1960s Italian design is a statement piece. Elegant curvilinear lines temper its imposing scale. Pyramidal panels on its face add a unique architectural quality.

Paracarro table for Saporiti Italia, designed by Giovanni Offredi. Photo: Simon Watson

What drew you to Charlie for this collaboration?

Ryan Turf, president of CB2: We’re curious, design-obsessed people at CB2, so our interest in vintage comes naturally. It was important to us that the pieces have provenance, so we needed a partner that understood the hunt and is an expert in the field. Aside from having great taste, Charlie has significant credibility and was able to source and find authentic, vintage pieces from known designers throughout Europe. Charlie’s assortment offers CB2 customers the sophistication of his trained eye. Each piece is a special, interior designer–selected treasure.

Assorted pottery from West Germany. Photo: Simon Watson

What are you most excited about with this collection?

RT: Like with all collaborations, we’re most excited about offering something new and unexpected to our customers. This collection is for those that want to give a second or third life to historical pieces, and here at CB2, we’re all about open-mindedness and curiosity. We want to educate our customers and help them express their personality at home while always keeping our assortment current.

Might there be more vintage collections in the future?

RT: We aren’t ruling it out and are excited to see how this particular collection is received by our customers.