If you are in love with Mid-Century, namely Italian design, then Gio Ponti is a name you need in your life.

Prolific across a number of disciplines such as architecture (designing the Parco Dei Principi in 1962) and ceramics (with Richard Ginori), Gio also worked with Fontana Arte and designed the 'Architectura' line of furniture with Piero Fornasetti. 

His work leaves a lot to be desired. In furniture, he is known best for the Superleggera chair which graces many museum collections around the world. A chair so simple, timeless and above all; light, that its design is still as fresh as when it was first introduced in the 1950's.

My first introduction to Gio Ponti was in a TriBeCa antique shop that alas is no longer with us. We lived in a small apartment but we loved to entertain, and needed a compact table that could be expanded as needed for medium or large gatherings. Easier said than done. In this shop, we found a Singer and Sons mahogany table with brass tipped legs, 40 inches (102cm) wide with four 16 inch leaves so it can expand to 104 inches (264cm). It will go anywhere and is chic and simple so it will also fit in anywhere. We loved it for a long time and recently had it restored so that it can find a good home.