Mario Bellini

Mario Bellini is an Italian designer and architect of international renown. His accomplishments include being the recipient of the prestigious Golden Compass award eight times and a five year stint as the editor of Domus magazine, a zine known for its mammoth contributions to design and art. In 1987 Bellini also became one of the first living artists to have the New York Museum of Modern Art dedicate a personal retrospective to his work. Today, the museum maintains an impressive twenty-five Mario Bellini pieces in its permanent design collection. One of Mario Bellini’s most show-stopping designs, the Bellini cab chair, was dreamed up by Bellini in 1977. Bellini envisioned the chair as an extension for the human body, with a skeleton frame composed of tubular steel and a seat comprised of stitched leather secured to the frame with zips. Other Bellini chairs, such as Tentazione and Le Bambole, are just the thing to add extra oomph to a living space, as are Bellini sofas (just check out the luscious Camaleonda sofa). Adding vintage Bellini furniture to your furniture collection is an easy way to lend a chic factor to your digs and pump up the comfort level—the ultimate in win-wins! Already set in the sofa department but want to add some pizzazz to it? Complement your existing sofa with a dazzling Mario Bellini side table or Mario Bellini floor lamp. If this Italian design rockstar’s designs feel just a tad too futuristic for you, but you’re all aboard the modern train, try checking out the clean, sparse, and elegant designs of a Danish Modernist like Finn Juhl or Alvar Alto here on Chairish.