The Milan design house that has been part of our home interiors for 60 years

Celebrating the Italian brand Kartell

Piuma chair in black, ideal as a stand-alone or dining chair in injection moulded carbon fibre, €451, amara.com. Kabuki floor lamp, €1,640, kartell.com.

Launched as an industrial design house producing automobile parts in 1949, Kartell of Milan, with its rainbow of energising furnishing, lighting and accessories, has been part of our home story for sixty years. Founded by husband and wife team, Giulio Castelli and celebrated architect Anna Castelli Ferrieri, the Milanese fashion flair of their collections remains fresh, fun and unexpected from season to season.

The innovative use of plastics and resin by Kartell has endured and has been finessed (and even de-carbonised) — sustaining their worldwide acclaim and a place in every major design museum collection across the world. Some of their celebrated collaborations in cutting-edge materials, technology and forms include Philippe Starck, Patricia Urquiola, Antonio Citterio and Ron Arad. Let’s explore a few fascinating Kartell choices that go beyond the expected Fly pendant or a Starck Louis Ghost chair.