The Story of Lema. Made entirely in Italy. 

Lema’s journey began in 1970, when brothers Luigi and Enrico Meroni founded what would become one of Italy’s most revered design houses. Drawing on years of experience, the brothers transformed a rich family tradition into a forward-thinking industrial venture. Their father, Angelo Meroni, had established a traditional furniture workshop in Brianza in the 1930s, later achieving success in Milan with the family-run showroom, La Sorgente del Mobile, known for its refined, designer furnishings.

With Lema, Luigi and Enrico brought artisanal heritage into the modern age. They entrusted the design of their first production facility to the acclaimed Italian architect Angelo Mangiarotti. Spanning 20,000 square metres – an ambitious scale at the time – the site remains at the heart of Lema’s operations today.

From the outset, Lema redefined the concept of modular living. Their early collaboration with designer Tito Agnoli led to the creation of Lo Scaffale, a pioneering shelving system that laid the foundation for Lema’s identity. Although no longer in production, its legacy is evident in later icons such as the Selecta system launched in 1995 and Piero Lissoni’s T030 modular series.

Lema’s evolution continued with the introduction of wardrobes in 1981, and later, the sleek walk-in wardrobes of the Novenove collection in 1998. These highly customised systems have become a hallmark of the brand, blending form, function and personalisation with unmistakable Italian flair.

Today, Lema is led by Angelo Meroni, grandson of the founder, who has brought renewed vision and vitality to the brand. Under the creative direction of Piero Lissoni since 1994, Lema has expanded its offering to include a full range of home furnishings and, since 2013, upholstered furniture. The brand continues to collaborate with a roster of distinguished international designers including Neri & Hu, Raw Edges, David Lopez Quincoces and Chiara Andreatti, whose recent Taiki chair and Alamo table exemplify the innovation and elegance that define Lema.

Since 2004, the company has also established itself in the contract sector, delivering interiors for prestigious projects such as the Bvlgari Hotel in London and Hôtel Lutetia in Paris.

Throughout its growth, Lema remains true to its origins in modular design. Its latest innovation, the Air Cleaning System for wardrobes, uses patented technology to purify air and eliminate bacteria, keeping garments fresh and the environment clean.

Rooted in heritage, driven by design and made entirely in Italy, Lema continues to shape the future of contemporary interiors with timeless precision.

Explore the Lema collection at Tim Webber here 

View the Lema Catalogue here