Great design isn’t complicated. At least in the hands of the greatest architects and designers, who produce some of the loveliest timeless furniture using simple geometric shapes. Here we focus on the circles, spheres, cylinders and curves that form the basis of iconic pieces both new and retro.
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Andromeda mirror
By Nanda Vigo for Glas Italia
Designed in 1974 by the Milan-based architect Nanda Vigo and relaunched by Glas Italia in 2022, this mirror is one of a collection of 14 such pieces, made using amber-coloured mirrored glass.
£1,148, glasitalia.com
T.54 chair
By Fratelli Monti for De Padova
Bonacina, a rattan-furniture specialist, introduced the T.54 in 1954. Since 2022 it’s been made by De Padova from matt, powder-coated steel with a woven, circular Polycore seat, to be used indoors or outside. The handles make it easy to move.
From £8,186, depadova.com
Crew coffee tables
By Jean-Marie Massaud for Poliform
These pebble-like tables designed in 2023 are crafted from glazed and unglazed ceramic, one in graphite and the other in sand tones. They are suitable for indoor and outdoor use.
From £2,866, poliform.com
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Tulip chair
By Jeffrey Bernett for B&B Italia
A half-egg-shaped seat made up of three segments, the Tulip chair swivels atop a flat-disc base of polished brushed aluminium. It was launched in 2000 by the New York-based designer Jeffrey Bernett.
From £3,388, bebitalia.com
Florian table
By Vico Magistretti for Acerbis
Designed by the Milanese maestro Vico Magistretti in 1989 and reissued by Acerbis in 2021, this two-tiered folding table is finished in dark green, brick-red or mustard-yellow glossy lacquer.
From £865, acerbisdesign.com
Baloon armchair
By Giorgio Armani for Armani Casa
This good-looking chair, introduced in 2021 by Giorgio Armani, and its matching footstool pay homage to the 1930s and art deco design. The seat’s curves are supported by a black nickel base.
£8,120, Armani/Casa, 37-42 Sloane Street SW1
Catilina chair
By Luigi Caccia Dominioni for Azucena
The Milan-based architect came up with Catilina in 1958 for Azucena, the brand he co-founded to produce his designs. It is made from a painted steel frame that twists like a ribbon, and finished with a mohair velvet cushion that comes in a range of hues.
From £4,159, azucena.it
Mateo table
By Vincent van Duysen for Molteni&C
Launched in 2023, Mateo has a beautifully chunky conical base in which Vincent van Duysen deliberately left a gap, creating two halves, to add extra interest. The table shown here is finished with a glossy burgundy lacquer.
£8,610, molteni.it
Tatlin sofa
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By Mario Cananzi and Roberto Semprini for Edra
Tatlin, with its tightly curled central spiral, has been an iconic piece in Edra’s collection ever since its creation in 1989. It works well at the centre of a large living room or entrance hall.
£12,500, edra.com
Lido armchair
By Ignazio Gardella for Tato
Designed for the American Bar at the Hotel Excelsior in Venice in 1965, this large tub-shaped chair is both elegant and comfortable. Since 2019 it has been made by Tato Italia, which has crafted some of Ignazio Gardella’s best pieces.
€6,085, tatoitalia.com
Ceo Cube meeting table
By Lella and Massimo Vignelli for Poltrona Frau
This monumental table, launched in 2008, is made from iron. The top panel is gently padded with light foam and finished in tactile leather. It comes with a round, oval or rectangular top.
From £7,788, poltronafrau.com
Colonna service
By Giovanni Gariboldi for Ginori 1735
The Florence-based ceramic house Ginori 1735 re-edited the Colonna, a service designed in 1954 by Giovanni Gariboldi, in February. Its pared-down cylindrical shape, made to be stackable and thus space saving, was modern for the time. It is available as a six-person, 15-piece tea or coffee set.
£1,500, ginori1735.com
Feel good chair
By Antonio Citterio for Flexform
Antonio Citterio’s work for Flexform ages well: Feel Good, from 2009, has a simple cylindrical shape finished with a burnished metal base and tiny thermoplastic feet, to add lightness.
From £5,125, flexform.it
Sally chair
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By Rodolfo Dordoni for Minotti
This smart, compact armchair was launched last April, before the revered architect died in August. The design is characterised by a rigorous geometry: a squared seat, a half-moon back and a cylindrical base made from bronze-finished metal. An ottoman is also available.
£9,490, minotti.com
