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-31 Sofa in Teak Leather 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-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-31 Sofa in off-white Leather 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-7 Three-Seat Sofa in Snow Upholstery by Antonella Scarpitta
By De Sede, Antonella Scarpitta
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-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-4 Three-Seat Sofa in Olive 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-5 Sofa 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 De Sede, Antonella Scarpitta
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 De Sede, Antonella Scarpitta
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-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-4 Two-Seat Sofa in Red 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...
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 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-47 Sofa in Black 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-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-47' Two Seat Sofa in Brown Leather
By De Sede
Located in Waalwijk, NL
De Sede, 'DS-47' sofa, leather, Switzerland, 1970s. Highly comfortable DS47 sofa in a patinated cognac brown leather by De Sede. The design is simplistic, yet very modern. This desi...
Leather
$3,336
H 31.5 in W 55.91 in D 34.26 in
De Sede DS-44 two seat sofa in Tan Buffalo leather – Switzerland, 1970s
By De Sede
Located in Pijnacker, Zuid-Holland
Introducing the De Sede DS44 Sofa in Buffalo leather – Where Luxury Meets Comfort The seat of this sofa is extractable for extra comfort when wanted. Designer: De Sede design team M...
Leather
De Sede DS-44 Buffalo Leather 3-Seater Sofa, Switzerland, 1970s
By De Sede
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Iconic three seat leather sofa DS-44 by De Sede, Switzerland, 1970, handcrafted from thick buffalo neck leather with a rich patina that showcases the exceptional Swiss craftsmanship ...
Leather
$4,360
H 31.5 in W 94.49 in D 34.65 in
De Sede Ds 63 Three-Seater Sofa in Patinated Leather, Switzerland, 1970s
By De Sede
Located in Almelo, NL
De Sede DS 63 three-seater sofa in patinated leather, Switzerland, 1970s. Robust DS-63 modular three-seater sofa. This De Sede sofa ensures ultimate c...
Leather
De Sede DS 63 Two-Seater Sofa in Leather, Switzerland, 1970s
By De Sede
Located in Almelo, NL
De Sede DS 63 two-seater sofa in leather, Switzerland 1970s Robust DS-63 modular two-seater sofa. This De Sede sofa ensures ultimate comfort and build...
Leather
De Sede DS31 Sofa in Brown Leather, 1970s
By De Sede
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Beautiful dark brown leather sofa model DS31 designed and produced by De Sede. One of our personal favorites from De Sede. Well designed polished aluminum legs. The sofa has been ...
Leather
De Sede 'DS-47' 3-seater sofa
By De Sede
Located in Brussels, BE
Exceptionally comfortable and built to last, this DS-47 sofa is upholstered in a superb, thick buffalo neck leather with a rich, natural patina. Designed by Team De Sede for De Sed...
Leather
$6,912
H 29.14 in W 82.68 in D 31.5 in
Stunning & very rare green leather DS-31 Sofa by Team De Sede for De Sede Swiss
By De Sede
Located in Buggenhout, Oost-Vlaanderen
De Sede DS 31 Three Seat Sofa De Sede Design Team De Sede Switzerland 1970s Extremely Rare Green Aniline Leather Sofa on a Polished Metal Base This De Sede DS 31 is an exceptional e...
Leather
De Sede DS-2011 Two-seat Sofa in Black Leather, Switzerland
By De Sede
Located in Pijnacker, Zuid-Holland
With its fluid, curved shapes, the DS-2011 appears powerful and dynamic. The visual lightness and modern, casual elegance underline the timeless look that makes the DS-2011 a sofa th...
Leather
De Sede, Four-seat Sofa Model 'DS-40' Switzerland, 1970s
By De Sede
Located in Dallas, TX
Four seat sofa model 'DS-40' by De Sede, Switzerland, 1970s. The De Sede DS-40 four-seat sofa is a vintage classic from the 1970s, highly regarded for its exceptional comfort, qual...
Leather
De Sede DS-76 Sofa Bed in Brown Leather
By De Sede
Located in Jersey City, NJ
The DS-76 modular sofa by De Sede is a refined example of Swiss craftsmanship and innovative 1970s design. Upholstered in supple, high-quality leather, the sofa showcases clean archi...
Leather
$15,400Sale Price|30% Off
H 29.5 in W 112 in D 39.5 in
De Sede DS-600 'Snake' Sectional Sofa in Leather
By Stendig Co., De Sede, Eleanora Peduzzi-Riva, Heinz Ulrich, and Ueli Berger, Klaus Vogt
Located in New York, NY
Sofa model "DS600" “Non Stop” in Black leather composed of 11 Elements. Designed by Ueli Berger, Eleonore Peduzzi-Riva, Heinz Ulrich, Klaus Vogt for De Sede, Switzerland 1970s. It fe...
Metal
De Sede Sofa DS7 Designed by Antonella Scarpitta
By De Sede, Antonella Scarpitta
Located in Athens, Attiki
De Sede leather 3-seater sofa designed by Antonella Scarpitta, made in Switzerland. A strong interpretation of the lounge idea; timeless everyday object and showpiece at the same ti...
Metal
De Sede DS-41/29 Sofa in Leather Naturale Lino
By De Sede, Antonella Scarpitta
Located in Brooklyn, NY
De Sede DS-41/29 sofa in leather naturale lino with back-mechanism. Naturale is unquestionably the most authentic form of leather, possessing all the positive properties of the na...