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 Stool 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 Stool in Nougat 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 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
Vintage De Sede DS-31 Leather Sofa
By De Sede
Located in London, GB
An amazing vintage De Sede DS-31 leather sofa, made in Switzerland and dating from around the 1960’s. The quality is outstanding, only the finest quality materials were used when co...
Chrome
Scandinavian Stool in Teak and Shearling Upholstery
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ottoman or stool, Scandinavia, teak, shearling upholstery, 1960s Exhibiting a timeless blend of simplicity and functionality, this ottoman or stool epitomizes the understated elegan...
Fabric, Teak
De sede DS31 sofa in brown leather, 1970s
By De Sede
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Beautiful chocolate brown leather sofa model DS31 designed and produced by De Sede. One of our personal favorites from De Sede. Well designed polished aluminum legs and beautiful ...
Aluminum
Scandinavian Stool in Teak and Shearling Upholstery
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ottoman or stool, Scandinavia, teak, shearling upholstery, 1960s Exhibiting a timeless blend of simplicity and functionality, this ottoman or stool epitomizes the understated elegan...
Fabric, Teak
$3,990 / set
H 14 in Dm 17 in
Pair of Swiss Modern Patchwork Leather Storage Ottomans/ Stools by De Sede, 1970
By De Sede
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Finely Crafted Swiss Mid-Century Modern Ottomans / Poufs / Stools / Benches by De Sede, Switzerland circa 1970s. This matched pair is round / circular and features De Sede's ...
Leather, Felt
$59,587 / item
H 33.86 in W 40.95 in D 66.93 in
DS-2878 Sofa by De Sede: Modern Leather Upholstery from Switzerland
By De Sede
Located in Geneve, CH
DS-2878 sofa by De Sede Dimensions: D 170 x W 104 x H 86 cm Materials: board material, leather Prices may change according to the chosen materials and size. A re-edition tha...
Leather
Scandinavian Stools in Teak and Shearling Upholstery
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ottomans or stools, Scandinavia, teak, shearling upholstery, 1960s Exhibiting a timeless blend of simplicity and functionality, these stools epitomize the understated elegance chara...
Fabric, Teak
$3,668
H 16.15 in W 25.99 in D 18.12 in
Modern Grey Leather De Sede Footstool or Stool 1980s Switzerland
By De Sede
Located in Vienna, AT
De Sede vintage footstool or stool from grey leather and steel 1980s Switzerland. Through the pleasant light grey color tone the footstool or stool works with each color tone in you...
Steel
$15,000 / set
H 29.93 in W 36.23 in D 32.29 in
Vintage De Sede DS31 Sofa & 2x DS31 Lounge Chair Cognac 1970s
By De Sede
Located in Aachen, NW
This amazing living room set with a 3-seater Sofa and 2x lounge chairs model DS31 were designed in the 1960s by the De Sede design team and produced by De Sede in Switzerland in the ...
Chrome
DS-218 Stool by De Sede
By De Sede
Located in Geneve, CH
DS-218 stool by De Sede Dimensions: D 38 x W 38 x H 77 cm Materials: steel, leather Prices may change according to the chosen materials and size. Plays a decisive role in mo...
Metal
DS-218 Stool by De Sede
By De Sede
Located in Geneve, CH
DS-218 stool by De Sede Dimensions: D 38 x W 38 x H 50 cm Materials: steel, leather Prices may change according to the chosen materials and size. Plays a decisive role in mo...
Metal