In 1946, at the start of a postwar boom in Europe, Enrico Cappellini opened the doors to a small furniture studio in the Italian town of Carugo. But it wasn’t until his son joined the company nearly three decades later that Cappellini became a powerhouse fixture on the global design stage. Today Cappellini is one of the world’s foremost manufacturers of innovative chairs, tables and decorative objects.
Giulio Cappellini joined the family company in 1977 and, with his appointment, ushered in a stage of boundary-pushing modernism and prolific creativity at Cappellini. With a dual background in architecture and business management, Giulio was well equipped to steer the brand into both innovative design and economic growth in a rapidly globalizing economy.
The second-generation leader’s first major success came in 1981, with the launch of Sistemi, a modular, hyperfunctional storage system that would come to symbolize the chic functionality of Cappellini. That was quickly followed by a collaboration with renowned Japanese designer Shiro Kuramata for the Progetti Compiuti collection, a line that brought unexpected playfulness to the simple framework of a black-and-white cabinet and remains an iconic collectible today.
That first collaboration opened the doors to a prolific output of partnerships, with Cappellini tapping such star designers as Jasper Morrison, Marcel Wanders, Tom Dixon, Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec and Nendo for collections over the ensuing decades that spanned a range of materials and styles. Speaking to this range, Marc Newson’s plumply curvaceous 1988 Embryo chair, Jasper Morrison’s slightly arachnoid 1987 Thinking Man’s chair and Tom Dixon’s sculptural 1991 S-chair — each quite stylistically unique — remain some of the company’s most recognizable pieces, with the latter in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
Cappellini, now headquartered in Milan, continues to partner with guest designers across furniture, storage and lighting solutions, though many of its 1970s and ’80s designs remain its most coveted today.
Find vintage Cappellini furniture on 1stDibs.
$3,850 / item
Drum Large Pouf by Mac Stopa for Cappellini
By Cappellini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Rock’n’ roll, baby! A tribute to the hexagonal drum pads from the 1980’s, the Drum armchair by Mac Stopa is an astonishing burst of energy. The sculptural de...
Leather, Fabric, Upholstery, Plywood
Beige Couture Geometric Geo Large Pouf
By Lorenza Bozzoli Design
Located in Milan, IT
A large round puof, entirely made in Italy, fantastically cozy and comfortable to sit on. The base is in painted beech wood covered by multiple layers of viscose fringes that create ...
Textile
Treasure Tobacco Velvet Large Pouf by Lorenza Bozzoli
By Lorenza Bozzoli
Located in Milan, IT
The Treasure Collection by Lorenza Bozzoli Couture seems to be coming straight out of the roaring twenties Art Deco. Beautifully balanced, geometric, and symmetrical, it is enriched ...
Textile
Large Pouf! Leather Stool by Nestor Perkal
By Nestor Perkal
Located in Geneve, CH
Large Pouf! leather stool by Nestor Perkal Dimensiones: W 101 x D 85 x H 35 cm Materials: leather, poplar plywood, suede. Available in other colors and in 3 sizes. The POUF! collection is made up of three seats made of leather and suede. They look like diamonds, minerals or the footprints of an animal in the soil. They are suitable for home furnishing, in the office or in a public place. Genuine italian vegetable...
Leather, Suede, Poplar, Plywood
Pompa Pouf by Houtique
By Houtique
Located in Geneve, CH
Pompa pouf by houtique Materials: Wood, Velvet Dimensions: H 45 x D 44 cm Pouf with wood structure and velvet fabric 4 modules connected by wooden sleepers...
Velvet, Wood
Cassette Pouf by Collector
Located in Geneve, CH
Cassette pouf by Collector Dimensions: W 110 x D 85 x H 60 cm Materials: Fabric, oak wood Other materials available The Collector brand aims to be...
Fabric, Oak
King Pouf by Josh Greene for Lawson-Fenning
By Lawson-Fenning
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The King Pouf is an easily mobile pouf divided into four sections with matching upholstered base. The Lawson-Fenning Collection is designed and handmade in Los Angeles, California. ...
Upholstery
Large Ottoman Pouf
Located in Munich, DE
Beautiful hand-made Italian ottoman pouf. This very special piece is sturdy, comfortable and elegant adding a special seating offer to any room. W...
Fabric, Wood
Large Soccer Ball Pouf Red
By Bottega Conticelli
Located in Milan, IT
Transform any environment into a space filled with fun and interactivity. This large pouf in the shape of a soccer ball can be moved about a room by rollin...
Leather
Incontro Large Cherry Pouf
By Da A
Located in Milan, IT
This large pouf boasts a shiny cherry red color that will infuse any room with romantic sophistication. Its welcoming structure is made of rigid polyurethane, covered by hand with re...
Cement, Other
Large Soccer Ball Pouf Brown
By Bottega Conticelli
Located in Milan, IT
This whimsical item in the shape of a soccer ball can be moved around a room by rolling it like a ball across a sporting field, making it a fun, interactiv...
Leather
Picasso Large Pouf
By Zanaboni
Located in Milan, IT
Stunning and versatile, this large pouf can provide extra seat in a living room, or be a comfortable decorative accent in a bedroom. Its neutral color and ...
Other, Metal
Large rattan pouf
Located in Isle Sur Sorgue, FR
Very large Thai rattan pouf with grey fabric seat. Beautiful patina, very good condition.
Rattan