Once upon a stool in the kitchen…

The stool and its versatility are undeniably central to a particular area of the home: the kitchen. This domestic space is increasingly multifunctional as it serves for cooking, working, studying, spending time with family or friends, or simply as a passageway area between different parts of the house. Most of these activities often revolve around the kitchen island, an increasingly prominent feature in kitchens of all sizes. Around this island, family and guests typically sit on a stool. DM selected some of the most representative in the history of design, and which better interpreted these new functionalities.

Bertoia stool, Harry Bertoia, Knoll, 1952

The Bertoia stool is part of the metal seats collection (Side Chair, Asymmetric Chaise, Diamond Chair) designed by artist, sculptor, and designer Harry Bertoia, who aimed at creating chairs that would allow people to “sit on air”. He used to say: “If you look at these chairs, you’ll realise they’re mostly made of air: just like sculptures, air passes through them.”
With this collection, Bertoia introduced metal, a material until then considered simply “industrial,” into the world of furniture: in his hands, steel bars have become expressive elements.

Lio – Leo, Roberto Barbieri, Zanotta, 2005

These stools are an extension of the Lia and Lea chairs successful project, to which they are tied both in terms of aesthetics and construction by the important and elegant flank made with a single piece of cast aluminum. They can have a visible painted structure (Lio) or be entirely covered in leather or hide (Leo). To better suit the various uses, domestic and contract, they are available in two different heights.
www.zanotta.com

Hal Stool, Jasper Morrison, Vitra 2010-2014

Hal represents Jasper Morrison’s interpretation of the shell seat, in line with the tradition of Charles and Ray Eames’ Plastic Chair, which was characterised by a wide variety of bases, allowing for its versatile use in any kind of interior. It stood out for its simple, clean, and contemporary design. The comfort of the pleasantly flexible wooden or plastic shells could be further enhanced by the addition of cushions or upholstery, or by opting for the HAL Soft model with a complete padding. In the versions with a plastic shell and a powder-coating paint base, it was also suitable for outdoor spaces.

Nerd Counter Stool, David Geckeler, Muuto, 2012

“Nerd Counter Stool takes a playful approach to the archetypal wooden chair through its innovative integration of the seat and backrest, adding to the design’s unique expression” (David Geckeler). The Nerd Counter Stool is designed with a playful contemporary spirit, complemented by its wooden Scandinavian materiality. The seamless integration of its backrest and seat makes for a quirky detail alongside the curved edges of its seat. The back and seat of the Nerd Chair is made in form-pressed veneer while its legs are in solid wood — both with a water-based lacquer. Glides are plastic.
www.muuto.com

Koki, Pocci + Dondoli, Desalto, 2015

The contract world infiltrates the living space in the Koki project with chairs and stools sporting a contemporary and fresh design. A perfect distillation of form, functionality, and innovation, captivating from every angle. The stool bears the same name as the chair, and represents a new addition to the versatile character of the family. Designed by Pocci and Dondoli for Desalto, it is built with a steel internal structure and a self-supporting polyurethane shell. The perfect combination of materials and lines makes Koki particularly comfortable, with a wraparound backrest that invites relaxation, offering refined aesthetics and robustness at the same time. Koki is available in two heights, with the shell and structure coming in various finishes.
www.desalto.it

Jens, Antonio Citterio, B&B Italia, 2017

Antonio Citterio drew his inspiration from oriental seating to design the Jens line, interpreting it in a contemporary and modern way. He rediscovered the extraordinary craftsmanship behind turned and bent wood to create the structure and the seat, also proposed in a rope version or paired with leather, another natural material, for the seating and backrests.
www.bebitalia.com

Passion Stool, Philippe Starck, Cassina, 2017

Timeless, iconic aesthetics characterise this stool designed by Philippe Starck for Cassina. It consists of an aluminum stem base and a seat with a wraparound shape. The shell automatically realigns with the stool’s footrest thanks to a special mechanism. The cover, leather or fabric, is firmly and precisely fastened to the chair as if it were a tailored garment, making for a welcoming and fluid appearance. The stool is available in two heights, with the aim of consolidating Cassina’s positioning in the business segment and in the furnishing of the new scenarios between home and office.
www.cassina.com

Mixu, Arper, 2021

Mixu is a collection of chairs and stools designed with versatility and sustainability in mind with simple shapes that offer virtually limitless customisation. It’s a system comprised of three distinct parts – seat, backrest, and base – that can be combined in countless configurations, varying colours and textures to adapt to different contexts and needs. The stool, particularly suitable for contract and hospitality use, ensures complete comfort with a seat the same size of the chair. Both stools and chairs have a flat-pack delivery option to reduce volumes and minimise the environmental impact of transport. They can be entirely disassembled at the end of their life cycle to facilitate disposal.
www.arper.com

Masters stool, Philippe Starck, Kartell, 2021

The Masters stool, designed by Philippe Starck, is inspired by the silhouette of his already famous chair. An extremely educated product, a tribute to the masters of Scandinavian design, which has become an icon of design itself. The backrest is indeed the result of the intertwining of the outlines of three iconic chairs: the Series 7 by Arne Jacobsen, the Tulip Armchair by Eero Saarinen, and the Eiffel Chair by Charles Eames. This solution also allows for the succession of voids and solids, making the seat both complete, comfortable, and lightweight. In the stool version, the seat becomes more contained, but the unmistakable look of the structure remains. Ideal for both home and contract, the Masters Stool also likes outdoors.
www.kartell.com

A.I. Stool recycled, Philippe Starck, Kartell, 2021

AI Stool is a stool entirely made from recycled material and conceived by Artificial Intelligence based on input from Designer Philippe Starck. The stool is completely developed by an algorithm ensuring it meets the original requirements: creating a product with the least amount of material and energy possible, a comfortable seat, ample and welcoming, with simple yet elegant lines. This eco-friendly stool comes in two heights to meet every need, and is perfect for a living room, a relaxation area, or a bar area.

Nena, Lanzavecchia+Wai, Zanotta, 2022

The striking visual impact of this stool is created by the contrast between the lightweight frame and the generous shapes of the padded elements. Coming in two different heights, it’s an ideal solution for kitchen islands and for the furnishing of hospitality spaces. The stool possesses a recognisable aesthetic and a sartorial feel. The study on comfort, showing in the elegant, welcoming, and comfortable seat, ensures complete enjoyment of breakfast or dinner in total relaxation.
www.zanotta.com
 
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