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, Sato 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, Sato 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 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 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 Oki Sato lighting, including lamps he designed for Louis Poulsen, on 1stDibs.
2020s Oki Sat of Nendo + Emeco SU Bar Stool in Oak 7x Available
By Oki Sato, Nendo
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a SU Bar Stool, designed by Oki Sat of Nendo for Emeco in 2014. These examples date to the 2020s, and the listed price includes one stool. We have several SU stools in this c...
Aluminum
2020s Set of Four Nendo for Emeco Su Bar Stools with Reclaimed Oak Seats
By Oki Sato
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a set of four of SU Bar Stools, initially designed by Nendo for Emeco in 2014. These examples were produced in the United States in the 2020s, and the listed price includes t...
Aluminum
2020s Oki Sat of Nendo for Emeco SU Bar Stools in Flint 5x Available
By Oki Sato, Nendo
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a SU Bar Stool, designed by Oki Sat of Nendo for Emeco in 2014. This example is in the Flint Gray colorway, and the price includes one bar stool. We have several SU stools in...
Aluminum
Wood Soaped Oak Bar Stool with Natural Tanned Leather Seat
By Mater
Located in Chicago, IL
The Mater High stool is designed by the Danish architect duo Space Copenhagen and is regarded as a New Danish Classic. With its organic yet Minimalist...
Leather, Oak
Set of 4 Donghia Ebonized Oak Bar Stools Counterheight
By Donghia
Located in Miami, FL
A set of four elegant stools by Donghia, executed in an Ebonized oak frame and boucle upholstered seat. The pieces reflect the brand’s signature blend of classic craftsmanship and m...
Bouclé, Oak
Bertu Bar Stool, Cicely Modern White Oak Bar Stool
By Bertu Furniture
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
Bertu Bar Stool, Cicely Modern White Oak Bar Stool This Modern White Oak Bar Stool - The Cicely is beautifully constructed from solid wood in Ohio...
Wood, Oak
$4,510 / set
H 43.31 in W 13.78 in D 15.75 in
Set of Three Sculptural solid Oak Bar Stools with Merino Wool seats France 1960s
By Henning Kjærnulf, Rudolf Steiner, Guillerme et Chambron, Pierre Chapo
Located in Den Haag, NL
Set of Three Sculptural solid Oak bar stools with Merino Wool seats france 1960’s
Wool, Oak
$2,173 / item
H 32.68 in W 16.54 in D 15.75 in
Fox Bar Stool in Dedar Tiger Mountain Fabric — Statement Seating for Home Bars
By Dmitriy Kozinenko
Located in Kyiv, UA
The Fox bar stool wears its Dedar Tiger Mountain fabric like a trophy coat. Designer Dmytro Kozinenko gave the stool one unforgettable feature — a soft back leg that curves like a fo...
Metal
$3,750 / set
H 25.99 in Dm 13.39 in
Piet Hein for Fritz Hansen Set of Three Metal Bar Stools with Red Seats
By Fritz Hansen, Piet Hein
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Piet Hein for Fritz Hansen, set of three bar stools, metal, red fabric upholstery, Denmark, 1970s Set of three bar stools designed by Piet Hein for Fritz Hansen. These stools hold ...
Metal
$4,481 / set
H 40.95 in W 15.36 in D 15.36 in
Set of 4 'Razorblade' Bar Stools in Solid Oak and Rush 1960s
By Henning Kjærnulf
Located in Meer, VAN
Set of 4 Razorblade Bar Stools in Solid Oak and Rush 1960s This is a wonderful set of unusual mid century bar stools in solid oak and rush. They feature a very interesting design w...
Rush, Oak
$1,530 / set
H 42 in W 19 in D 17 in
1970s Set of 3 Danish Modern Style Oak Bar Stools With Rush Seats Mid-Century
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Beautiful vintage set of three Danish Modern style bar stools, circa 1970s, crafted with solid wood frames and handwoven rush seats. The stools feature a clean Scandinavian-inspired...
Rush, Wood
Set of Four Vintage Spindle Back Bar Stools
Located in Atlanta, GA
Set of Four Clean Lined Bar Stools, in the manner of George Nakashima, American, circa 1950s. These look very similar to the spindle back chairs that Na...
Metal
Pair of Kurt Østervig Bar Stools for Brande Møbelindustri
By Brande Møbelindustri, Kurt Østervig
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of teak stools by Danish born designer Kurt Østervig for Brande Mobelindustri, c.1960s, Denmark. The stools feature a round seat and curved seat back. Each stool has four long s...
Brass
Arthur Umanoff Bar Stools Set of Four
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in Highland, IN
This clean set of four Umanoff bar stools feature seats and backs of wood slats with swivel function supported by iron bases. 42"h X 17"w X 17"d seat: 30"
Iron
Zelda Bar Stool w/ fringe in oak & brass
Located in Westport, CT
The Zelda Bar Stool brings a touch of vintage glamour and sophisticated comfort to your home, featuring plush olive velvet upholstery and an elegant bullion fringe trim. It fits best...
Brass
BDDW Oak Bar Stools with Natural Mulled Leather Seats
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A beautiful set of 4 BDDW bar stools in Oak with natural Mulled leather seats and backs. These beautifully crafted stools feature elecgant seats and nicely detailed touched like the ...
Leather, Oak
Set of Four Oak Barstools with Rush Seats
Located in Den Haag, NL
Set of Four Oak Barstools with Rush Seats We have a fifth stool available, the listed price is for 4 stools.
Rush, Oak
$1,673Sale Price / set|55% Off
H 34.26 in W 23.63 in D 19.69 in
Set of 2 Counter Stools Uçá.Solid wood, available for immediate delivery
By Valter Costa Lima
Located in BR
***This set of two counter stools is in stock and available for immediate delivery*** ***Please be aware that this is a new item, but it may show small manufacturing imperfections***...
Fabric, Hardwood