Italian architect and designer Antonella Scarpitta has been creating luxurious, timeless furniture since her career began in the late 1970s. Her expertise in designing all kinds of comfortable seating is evident in her plush armchairs and sofas, while the clean, spare forms of her tables draw on early modernist works and the teachings of the Bauhaus. She has said that she fashions her furnishings to reflect "strong formal purity."
The Sicilian-born Scarpitta studied at the State Institute of Industrial Planning in Cantu. In 1978 she opened her studio in nearby Brianza. That same year, she began work on her first collection — Collego — an interlocking series of rearrangeable walnut wall panels that afforded consumers the opportunity to hang shelves in a living room or secure types of case furniture to a wall elsewhere in a space. Since then, she has been active in interior projects and industrial design.
Scarpitta is credited with having designed Dinamica, a microfiber fabric used in various forms of apparel and car upholstery. She has created and renovated many private residences and industrial buildings over the years, including villas in Rome. From 1985–1990, she served as creative director for the Italian furniture company Swan.
Scarpitta has developed a wealth of collaborative relationships with a range of iconic manufacturers such as de Sede and Thayer Coggin over the years, and the first decade of the 21st century yielded many more partnerships for her. In 2001, she founded the Antonella Scarpitta Designer A 360° studio. A few years later, her SAPPO seating for Hans Kaufeld won the Red Dot award for technological and aesthetic innovation. Her work has been a part of exhibitions at the Museum of Modern Art, the Design Museum and more.
Find vintage Antonella Scarpitta tables, sofas and chairs on 1stDibs.
De Sede DS-7 Four-Seat Sofa in Nougat Leather Upholstery by Antonella Scarpitta
By Antonella Scarpitta, De Sede
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A strong interpretation of the lounge idea; timeless everyday object and showpiece at the same time. The high seating comfort and the many possible uses are striking. Clear contours ...
Leather
De Sede DS-47 Armchair in Brown Leather Upholstery by Antonella Scarpitta
By De Sede, Antonella Scarpitta
Located in Brooklyn, NY
DS-47 is available as a two- and three-seat sofa, and as an armchair and stool; 5-mm-thick neck leather recognizable in characteristic fat wrinkles lend it an unmistakable expression...
Leather
De Sede DS-31 Sofa in Teak Leather Upholstery by Antonella Scarpitta
By Antonella Scarpitta, De Sede
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The DS-31 model series is one of the classics of our manufacture. This is where design, craftsmanship and leather expertise come together to form a timelessly beautiful item of uphol...
Leather
De Sede DS-51 Chair in Cafe Leather by Antonella Scarpitta
By De Sede, Antonella Scarpitta
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The DS-51 swivel armchair helped establish De Sede’s worldwide reputation for Swiss hand craftsmanship and production of the highest quality. Optionally available with or without arm...
Leather
De Sede DS-31 High Backrest Chair in Off-White Leather by Antonella Scarpitta
By Antonella Scarpitta, De Sede
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The DS-31 model series is one of the classics of our manufacture. This is where design, craftsmanship and leather expertise come together to form a timelessly beautiful item of uphol...
Leather
Mid-Century Modern Chairs Model "830" by Mario Marenco & Antonella Scarpitta
By Antonella Scarpitta, Mario Marenco
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Chairs Model "830" by Mario Marenco & Antonella Scarpitta for Mobil Girgi, 1980s - 13 available
Wood
De Sede DS-31 High Backrest Chair in Teak Upholstery by Antonella Scarpitta
By Antonella Scarpitta, De Sede
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The DS-31 model series is one of the classics of our manufacture. This is where design, craftsmanship and leather expertise come together to form a timelessly beautiful item of uphol...
Leather
De Sede DS-51 Chair in Naturale Leather by Antonella Scarpitta
By Antonella Scarpitta, De Sede
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The DS-51 swivel armchair helped establish De Sede’s worldwide reputation for Swiss hand craftsmanship and production of the highest quality. Optionally available with or without arm...
Leather
De Sede DS-51 Chair in Umbra Leather by Antonella Scarpitta
By Antonella Scarpitta, De Sede
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The DS-51 swivel armchair helped establish De Sede’s worldwide reputation for Swiss hand craftsmanship and production of the highest quality. Optionally available with or without arm...
Leather
De Sede DS-47 Sofa in Brown Leather Upholstery by Antonella Scarpitta
By Antonella Scarpitta, De Sede
Located in Brooklyn, NY
DS-47 is available as a two- and three-seater sofa, and as an armchair and stool; 5-mm-thick NECK leather recognizable in characteristic fat wrinkles lend it an unmistakable expressi...
Leather
De Sede DS-31 Sofa in off-white Leather Upholstery by Antonella Scarpitta
By Antonella Scarpitta, De Sede
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The DS-31 model series is one of the classics of our manufacture. This is where design, craftsmanship and leather expertise come together to form a timelessly beautiful item of uphol...
Leather
De Sede DS-31 Two-seater Sofa in White Leather by Antonella Scarpitta
By Antonella Scarpitta, De Sede
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The DS-31 model series is one of the classics of our manufacture. This is where design, craftsmanship and leather expertise come together to form a timelessly beautiful item of uphol...
Leather
De Sede DS-31 Armchair in Off-White Leather Upholstery by Antonella Scarpitta
By Antonella Scarpitta, De Sede
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The DS-31 model series is one of the classics of our manufacture. This is where design, craftsmanship and leather expertise come together to form a timelessly beautiful item of uphol...
Leather
De Sede DS-51 Armchair in Snow Upholstery by Antonella Scarpitta
By Antonella Scarpitta, De Sede
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The DS-51 swivel armchair helped establish De Sede’s worldwide reputation for Swiss hand craftsmanship and production of the highest quality. Optionally available with or without arm...
Leather
De Sede DS-7 Three-Seat Sofa in Snow Upholstery by Antonella Scarpitta
By Antonella Scarpitta, De Sede
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A strong interpretation of the lounge idea; timeless everyday object and showpiece at the same time. The high seating comfort and the many possible uses are striking. Clear contours ...
Leather
De Sede DS-4 Three-Seat Sofa in Olive Upholstery by Antonella Scarpitta
By De Sede, Antonella Scarpitta
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The DS-4 is a clear statement from the designer to follow an idea, a style, a personal claim to perfection to the very depths. Thanks to its raised backrest, the DS-4 offers that sty...
Leather
De Sede DS-4 Armchair in Snow Upholstery by Antonella Scarpitta
By Antonella Scarpitta, De Sede
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The DS-4 is a clear statement from the designer to follow an IDEA, a style, a personal claim to perfection to the very depths. Thanks to its raised backrest, the DS-4 offers that sty...
Leather
De Sede DS-7 Large Ottoman in Snow Upholstery by Antonella Scarpitta
By Antonella Scarpitta, De Sede
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A strong interpretation of the lounge idea; timeless everyday object and showpiece at the same time. The high seating comfort and the many possible uses are striking. Clear contours ...
Leather
De Sede DS-5 Sofa in Snow Upholstery by Antonella Scarpitta
By Antonella Scarpitta, De Sede
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Life becomes a lot easier when you take a deep breath and decelerate your everyday life. Who better to translate this into a formal language than a master of her trade? Antonella Sca...
Leather
De Sede DS-5 Armchair in Snow Upholstery by Antonella Scarpitta
By De Sede, Antonella Scarpitta
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Life becomes a lot easier when you take a deep breath and decelerate your everyday life. Who better to translate this into a formal language than a master of her trade? Antonella Sca...
Leather
De Sede DS-87 Three-Seat Sofa in Hazel Upholstery by Antonella Scarpitta
By Antonella Scarpitta, De Sede
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A floating island of tranquility with its slender form, the elegant DS-87 sofa model seems to float in the room, where it seamlessly fits into any modern environment – a piece of uph...
Leather
De Sede DS-87 Two-Seat Sofa in Hazel Leather Upholstery by Antonella Scarpitta
By Antonella Scarpitta, De Sede
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A floating island of tranquility with its slender form, the elegant DS-87 sofa model seems to float in the room, where it seamlessly fits into any modern environment, a piece of upho...
Leather
De Sede DS-87 Four-Seat Sofa in Hazel Leather Upholstery by Antonella Scarpitta
By Antonella Scarpitta, De Sede
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A floating island of tranquility with its slender form, the elegant DS-87 sofa model seems to float in the room, where it seamlessly fits into any modern environment – a piece of uph...
Leather
De Sede DS-31 Armchair in Teak Leather Upholstery by Antonella Scarpitta
By Antonella Scarpitta, De Sede
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The DS-31 model series is one of the classics of our manufacture. This is where design, craftsmanship and leather expertise come together to form a timelessly beautiful item of uphol...
Leather
De Sede DS-4 Two-Seat Sofa in Red Upholstery by Antonella Scarpitta
By Antonella Scarpitta, De Sede
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The DS-4 is a clear statement from the designer to follow an idea, a style, a personal claim to perfection to the very depths. Thanks to its raised backrest, the DS-4 offers that sty...
Fabric
De Sede DS-48 Three-Seat Sofa in Nougat Upholstery by Antonella Scarpitta
By Antonella Scarpitta, De Sede
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Available as a sofa, armchair, stool or récamiere, the DS-48 enables the typical De Sede seating experience, characterized by high quality and unique durability. Loose fabric cushion...
Leather
De Sede DS-17 Ottoman in Black Upholstery by Antonella Scarpitta
By Antonella Scarpitta, De Sede
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The ingenious upholstery emphasizes the nonchalantly charming shapes, here is sofa program! This sofa is truly a master of seating comfort. Sink comfortably and recovering in the sof...
Leather
De Sede DS-5 Large Ottoman in Snow Upholstery by Antonella Scarpitta
By Antonella Scarpitta, De Sede
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Life becomes a lot easier when you take a deep breath and decelerate your everyday life. Who better to translate this into a formal language than a master of her trade? Antonella Sca...
Leather
De Sede DS-47 Sofa in Black Upholstery by Antonella Scarpitta
By Antonella Scarpitta, De Sede
Located in Brooklyn, NY
DS-47 is available as a two- and three-seat sofa, and as an armchair and stool; 5-mm-thick Neck leather recognizable in characteristic fat wrinkles lend it an unmistakable expression...
Leather
De Sede DS-4 Four-Seater Sofa in Living Umbra Leather by Antonella Scarpitta
By Antonella Scarpitta, De Sede
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The DS-4 is a clear statement from the designer to follow an idea, a style, a personal claim to perfection to the very depths. Thanks to its raised backrest, the DS-4 offers that sty...
Fabric
De Sede DS-17 Two-Seat Sofa in Black Upholstery by Antonella Scarpitta
By De Sede, Antonella Scarpitta
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The ingenious upholstery emphasizes the nonchalantly charming shapes, here is sofa program! This sofa is truly a master of seating comfort. Sink comfortably and recovering in the sof...
Leather
De Sede DS-22 Armchair in Grey Upholstery by Antonella Scarpitta
By De Sede, Antonella Scarpitta
Located in Brooklyn, NY
As a sofa, seating landscape with corner set or as a récamiere - the DS-22, created by Appenzell designer Stephan Hürlemann, radiates the harmony of material and leather that we are ...
Fabric
De Sede DS-31 Stool in Teak Upholstery by Antonella Scarpitta
By De Sede, Antonella Scarpitta
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The DS-31 model series is one of the classics of our manufacture. This is where design, craftsmanship and leather expertise come together to form a timelessly beautiful item of uphol...
Leather
De Sede DS-51 Stool in Nougat Upholstery by Antonella Scarpitta
By De Sede, Antonella Scarpitta
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The DS-51 swivel armchair helped establish De Sede’s worldwide reputation for Swiss hand craftsmanship and production of the highest quality. Optionally available with or without arm...
Leather
De Sede DS-5 Small Ottoman in Snow Upholstery by Antonella Scarpitta
By De Sede, Antonella Scarpitta
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Life becomes a lot easier when you take a deep breath and decelerate your everyday life. Who better to translate this into a formal language than a master of her trade? Antonella Sca...
Leather