Some pieces of contemporary furniture try to command attention with statement-making forms, while others aim to seduce with pared-down, meticulously detailed perfection. Nendo is remarkable in its ability to blend these two seemingly disparate qualities in objects that are simultaneously provocative and beautiful in their simplicity. And this ability has made the Tokyo- and Milan-based studio one of the most sought-after design firms of the moment.
Nendo is best known for its expansive portfolio of furniture and accessories designed for such luxury makers as Baccarat, Bisazza, Boffi, Cappellini, De Padova, Emeco, FLOS, Foscarini, Fritz Hansen, Kartell, Lasvit, Louis Poulsen, Moroso and Swarovski, as well as for the one-off and limited-edition pieces presented by galleries like New York’s Friedman Benda. But its range is much broader.
Nendo’s full oeuvre runs the gamut from product packaging for such brands as Coca-Cola and Kenzo to large-scale urban-planning and architecture projects, including Tenri Station Plaza CoFuFun, which populated the space in front of a Japanese rail terminal with a series of conical pavilions, turning it into a sort of urban playground for people of all ages.
Whatever the undertaking, the studio’s approach remains the same: embodying lighthearted insights into the human experience in minimalist forms and details. Nendo’s Gaku collection, for the legendary lighting company FLOS, for instance, is based on a simple cup-shaped lamp in a square frame, which can be personalized and changed over time by adding magnetic accessories, including a bookend, mirror, vase and bowl, making it almost as playful as a grown-up dollhouse.
The now iconic Cabbage chair, Nendo’s most recognizable design, offers a whimsical way to deal with trash from the fashion industry. A fat roll of discarded paper used in the production of Issey Miyake’s pleated fabric is simply cut down the middle and its individual layers peeled open to create a seat.
It wasn’t always evident that chief designer and Nendo cofounder Oki Sato would spend his life finding subtle surprises in tables, floor lamps and chairs. He was born in Toronto, where his father worked for Pioneer Electronics, and moved with his family to Tokyo when he was 11. He studied architecture at Waseda University but found the program a little too narrow and rigid for his liking.
After graduating, in 2002, he traveled with friends to the Salone del Mobile in Milan and stumbled into the biggest aha moment of his life: He realized that architects could do more than design buildings — they could also design furniture, lighting and other objects. And the architects at the fair appeared to be enjoying plenty of creative freedom while doing so.
Upon returning to Tokyo, he founded Nendo, whose name means “flexible clay” in Japanese, with his classmate Akihiro Ito, the firm’s managing director. In 2005, they established a second office, in Milan. Within a few years, Nendo had become an omnipresent name at the fair that had inspired them.
Nendo’s wares have been acquired by such institutions as New York’s Museum of Modern Art and Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum; London’s Victoria and Albert; and Paris’s Musée des Arts Décoratifs and Centre Pompidou.
Find Nendo furniture on 1stDibs.
$7,659Sale Price|30% Off
Minotti Torii Angled Low Sofa in Boucle by Nendo
By Nendo
Located in Rochester, England
Introducing the Torii Angled Low Sofa by Minotti, a stunning addition to any modern living space. This sleek and sophisticated piece features a unique angled design, adding a touch o...
Fabric
$8,602 / item
Moroso DEW Large Ottoman by Nendo
By Nendo, Moroso
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A round ottoman as a drop of water, where surface tension lines are transformed into a network of strips of leather. As for some optical works of the ’50s, Nendo studied perceptual p...
Leather, Plastic
Desalto SOFTER THAN STEEL Chair in Matt White By Nendo
By Nendo, Desalto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Softer Than Steel chair, made of steel tubing, is a modern interpretation of the traditional concept of a chair. Characterized by clean lines and minimal geometric shape, this ch...
Steel, Aluminum
$5,946 / item
Gervasoni Kasane 35 Table by Nendo
By Nendo, Gervasoni
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Literally “overlapping”, Kasane is the latest collection designed by the Japanese studio, Nendo. Thanks to a play on the weaving and overlapping of different elements, each product becomes a sculpture. Inspired by the way in which the cups, stacked one on top of the other, become gradually taller, the collection of poufs and tables...
Foam
2013 Nendo Low Ribbon Stool in Red Lacquered Metal for Cappellini
By Nendo, Cappellini
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Nendo Low Ribbon Stool, designed by Nendo for Cappellini. Nendo is the name of a collective of professionals, under the guidance of architect Oki Sato. Each stool is constr...
Metal
2013 Nendo High Ribbon Bar Stool in Red Lacquered Steel for Cappellini
By Cappellini, Nendo
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Nendo High Ribbon Stool, designed by Nendo for Cappellini. Nendo is the name of a collective of professionals, under the guidance of architect Oki Sato. Each stool is const...
Metal
Desalto SOFTER THAN STEEL Chair in Matt Black By Nendo - Available now
By Nendo, Desalto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Duplex Gran Salotto selection. The Softer Than Steel chair, made of steel tubing, is a modern interpretation of the traditional concept of a chair. Characterized by clean lines and ...
Aluminum, Steel
Desalto SOFTER THAN STEEL Chair in Matt Black By Nendo
By Nendo, Desalto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Softer Than Steel chair, made of steel tubing, is a modern interpretation of the traditional concept of a chair. Characterized by clean lines and minimal geometric shape, this ch...
Aluminum, Steel
$6,446 / item
Moroso DEW Small Ottoman by Nendo
By Moroso, Nendo
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A round ottoman as a drop of water, where surface tension lines are transformed into a network of strips of leather. As for some optical works of the ’50s, Nendo studied perceptual p...
Leather, Plastic
$26,455 / item
MELT CHAISE LONGUE by Nendo for Wonderglass
By WonderGlass, Nendo
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Melt is a collaboration with Japanese design studio, nendo, inspired by the flexibility of molten glass and the force of gravity. The creation of Melt was a unique and complex production. After watching the craftsmen working in WonderGlass’s workshops, Oki Sato from nendo intended to let the material guide the design process. As a result, a method of laying hot glass sheets over steel shapes and suspending them between steel bars was developed, allowing the material’s natural drape to reveal its form. Melt Edition includes Melt Armchair, Melt Bench, Melt Stool, Melt Chair...
Glass
$31,460 / item
MELT ARMCHAIR by Nendo for Wonderglass
By WonderGlass, Nendo
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Melt is a collaboration with Japanese design studio, nendo, inspired by the flexibility of molten glass and the force of gravity. The creation of Melt was a unique and complex production. After watching the craftsmen working in WonderGlass’s workshops, Oki Sato from nendo intended to let the material guide the design process. As a result, a method of laying hot glass sheets over steel shapes and suspending them between steel bars was developed, allowing the material’s natural drape to reveal its form. Melt Edition includes Melt Armchair, Melt Bench, Melt Stool, Melt Chair...
Glass
Gervasoni Kasane 19 Pouf - design Nendo - Clay-finished surface - Sabbia
By Gervasoni, Nendo
Located in Alcamo, IT
The Kasane 19 pouf by Gervasoni, designed by Nendo, is defined by a minimalist and sculptural aesthetic, expressed through pure geometry and a refined material finish. Its cylindrica...
Clay, Plastic
$1,748 / item
Desalto STRONG Stool by Eugeni Quitllet
By Desalto, Nendo
Located in Brooklyn, NY
It’s the idea of using art to shape new ideas, taking the shortest road for the solution through a continuous form, nothing more, nothing less, strong is that thin wall which separat...
Aluminum, Steel
$11,994 / item
Gervasoni Kasane 33 Table by Nendo
By Gervasoni, Nendo
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Literally “overlapping”, Kasane is the latest collection designed by the Japanese studio, Nendo. Thanks to a play on the weaving and overlapping of different elements, each product becomes a sculpture. Inspired by the way in which the cups, stacked one on top of the other, become gradually taller, the collection of poufs and tables...
Foam
$4,286 / item
Desalto SOFTER THAN STEEL Small Bench By Nendo
By Desalto, Nendo
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"A rigid metal sheet becomes light and flexible as if the metal were paper or fabric". Part of the surface lifts up and bends to create the chair's backrest. Each piece in this colle...
Steel, Metal
$5,378 / item
Desalto SOFTER THAN STEEL Medium Bench By Nendo
By Desalto, Nendo
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"A rigid metal sheet becomes light and flexible as if the metal were paper or fabric". Part of the surface lifts up and bends to create the chair's backrest. Each piece in this colle...
Metal, Steel
Gervasoni Kasane 19 Pouf - design Nendo - Clay-finished surface - Giada
By Gervasoni, Nendo
Located in Alcamo, IT
The Kasane 19 pouf by Gervasoni, designed by Nendo, is defined by a minimalist and sculptural aesthetic, expressed through pure geometry and a refined material finish. Its cylindrica...
Clay, Plastic
Customizable La Manufacture-Paris Stack Sofa Designed by Nendo
By Nendo
Located in New York, NY
Stack is a cushion casually tossed on top of another cushion. Pouf with cushion — Structure black lacquered mdf Different models and sizes available Pouf with cushion Size: W2400...
Textile
Customizable La Manufacture-Paris Stack Sofa Designed by Nendo
By Nendo
Located in New York, NY
Stack is a cushion casually tossed on top of another cushion. Pouf with cushion — Structure black lacquered mdf Pouf with cushion Size: W1800XD2400XH740XSH420 W 70" 7/8 xD94" 1/2 ...
Textile
$5,378 / item
Desalto SOFTER THAN STEEL Lounge Bench By Nendo
By Desalto, Nendo
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"A rigid metal sheet becomes light and flexible as if the metal were paper or fabric". Part of the surface lifts up and bends to create the chair's backrest. Each piece in this colle...
Metal, Steel
$22,880 / item
MELT CHAIR by Nendo for Wonderglass
By Nendo, WonderGlass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Melt is a collaboration with Japanese design studio, nendo, inspired by the flexibility of molten glass and the force of gravity. The creation of Melt was a unique and complex production. After watching the craftsmen working in WonderGlass’s workshops, Oki Sato from nendo intended to let the material guide the design process. As a result, a method of laying hot glass sheets over steel shapes and suspending them between steel bars was developed, allowing the material’s natural drape to reveal its form. Melt Edition includes Melt Armchair, Melt Bench, Melt Stool, Melt Chair...
Glass
$1,624 / item
Gervasoni Kasane 19 Pouf by Nendo
By Gervasoni, Nendo
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Literally “overlapping”, Kasane is the latest collection designed by the Japanese studio, Nendo. Thanks to a play on the weaving and overlapping of different elements, each product becomes a sculpture. Inspired by the way in which the cups, stacked one on top of the other, become gradually taller, the collection of poufs and tables...
Foam
Gervasoni Kasane 19 Pouf - design Nendo - Clay-finished surface - Stone
By Gervasoni, Nendo
Located in Alcamo, IT
The Kasane 19 pouf by Gervasoni, designed by Nendo, is defined by a minimalist and sculptural aesthetic, expressed through pure geometry and a refined material finish. Its cylindrica...
Clay, Plastic
Gervasoni Kasane 19 Pouf - design Nendo - Clay-finished surface - Terracotta
By Gervasoni, Nendo
Located in Alcamo, IT
The Kasane 19 pouf by Gervasoni, designed by Nendo, is defined by a minimalist and sculptural aesthetic, expressed through pure geometry and a refined material finish. Its cylindrica...
Clay, Plastic
2022 Nendo for CondeHouse Splinter Dining Arm Chair in Black Oak
By Nendo
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Splinter Armchair, originally designed by Nendo in 2013. This particular example was produced by CondeHouse in Japan in 2022. The chair is comprised of a black Japanese oak...
Oak
2022 Set of Four Nendo for Cappellini Peg Arm Chairs in Grit 14 w/ Bleached Ash
By Cappellini, Nendo
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a set of four (4) Peg Armchairs made with bleached ash wood legs and light teal-green fabric (Grit 14). The chairs were designed by Nendo and produced by Cappellin...
Foam, Wood, Fabric
Customizable La Manufacture-Paris Stack Sofa Designed by Nendo
By Nendo
Located in New York, NY
Stack is a cushion casually tossed on top of another cushion. Pouf with cushion — Structure black lacquered mdf Pouf with cushion
Textile
Customizable La Manufacture-Paris Stack Sofa Designed by Nendo
By Nendo
Located in New York, NY
Stack is a cushion casually tossed on top of another cushion. Pouf with cushion — Structure black lacquered mdf Pouf with 2 cushions Size: W3140XD1800XH900 W 123" 5/8 xD70" 7/8 x...
Textile
Chinese Red Lacquered Wood Joint Stool
Located in Kenilworth, IL
Red lacquered square top stool on four legs joined by double box stretchers. China, 19th century.
Hardwood, Paint
Drum End Table/Stool with Bone Marquetry- in stock
By Karl Springer
Located in New York City, NY
This handcrafted end table/stool offers tranquility to any space. Hundreds of hexagonal bone chips are individually hand shaped and mounted on a wooden drum form to create this harmonious tone-on-tone patterned stool...
Bone
Desalto Black Koki Chair in STOCK
By Desalto
Located in New York, NY
Koki Pocci + Dondoli · 2015 MATERIAL: integral polyurethane The contract world enters the domestic space with the Koki range of chairs with a contemporary, fresh design. A perfect b...
Plastic
$650
H 34.2 in W 19.4 in D 24.2 in
In stock HER Chair Matt Finish RAL9016 White - Casamania By Fabio Novembre
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
“Him & Her are born directly from the ideas behind the Panton Chair. An evolution of the hermaphroditic original, declined into the harmony of the two sexes. They assume sculpted for...
Polystyrene
$2,400 / set
H 31.89 in W 14.97 in D 15.56 in
3 Sturdy Swiss Made Heavy Quality Black Leather & Steel High Bar Stools, 1980s
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
3 Sculptural Swiss post modern bar stools. Top quality Swiss Made in the 1980s. Black Leather seat with a diameter of 34cm (13.38inch) on...
Steel
Italian modern bar stools in wood and red metal, 1980s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern bar stools in wood and red metal, 1980s Set of three bar stools with shaped seat and backrest in red painted wood. The structu...
Metal
Enzo Minotti Italian Sofa in Luxurious Velvet, 1950s
By Minotti
Located in Bochum, NRW
Large sofa, four seats, designed by Enzo Minotti, Mid-Century Modern, 1950s. Wooden structure reupholstered in luxurious Rubelli velvet. Wood feet. Angular shaped design, with comfor...
Upholstery, Velvet, Wood
Fornasetti Red Lip Lacquered Bocca Stool
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Piero Fornasetti (Italian, 1913-1988) black and white lacquered wood Bocca stool featuring the red lips of Lina Cavallieri (Italian, 1874-1944), upon three tapering black legs, marke...
Wood
$1,650 / set
H 27 in W 17 in D 13.5 in
Jasper Morrison Hi Pad Counter Stools for Cappellini - Set of Three
By Cappellini, Jasper Morrison
Located in Miami, FL
Set of Three Hi Pad counter stools with foot rests designed by Jasper Morrison for Cappellini. The Hi Pad stool features a seat in beech plywood padded with multi-density polyurethan...
Steel
Large Chesterfield Leather Tufted Ottoman, 1960s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A generously sized rectangular ottoman upholstered in rich brown tufted leather. Designed in the 1960s, Exuding classic Chesterfield sophistication with a modern versatility. Brass n...
Leather
Glazed ceramic table or stool by Marie-Lucie Trinquand, 2025.
By Marie-Lucie Trinquant
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Glazed ceramic table or stool by Marie-Lucie Trinquand, 2025. Artist signature under the base. 2025. Unique piece. H : 23.4 x 12.2 x 11.4 inches. - Born in 1960 in France, she live...
Ceramic
TokuJiin Yoshioka Medium Brook ottoman for Moroso Italy, 2018
By Tokujin Yoshioka
Located in Skokie, IL
Designed by Tokujin Yoshioka The Brook Pouf, conceived for the Issey Miyake flagship store on London's Brook Street, stands as an upholstered marvel with a faceted profile reminisce...
Upholstery, Plastic
Stool by Nendo for Swedese, 2004 Model Wind
By Nendo, Swedese
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
This model Wind stool was designed by Nendo in Japan for the Swedish company Swedese. It dates from 2004.
Oak
Nendo Sekitei Outdoor Chair Set of Two
By Nendo, Cappellini
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Sekitei outdoor chair, set of two. Designed by Nendo for Cappellini Measures: 24" W x 23.5" D x 27.25" H. This chair is available in white. Designed by Nendo for Cappellini. T...
Stainless Steel