The Componibili was introduced by Italian furniture maker Kartell in 1969. The system of modular storage was created by designer Anna Casatelli Ferrieri, who founded the company in 1949 along with her husband. Ferrieri helped to make Kartell (which has since introduced classics like the ghost chair and the Bourgie lamp) a pioneer in using plastic in consumer designs.
The system has been in production now for 40 years, and is a part of the permanent collection of New York's Museum of Modern art (a sort of Good Housekeeping seal of approval for modern design). But what we like best about it is its versatility and flexibility. The Componibili comes in two different diameters (12.5" and 16.5") and is available in square or round shapes. (The round shapes have doors that slide to open, whereas the square ones have more traditional hinged doors.) The units can be stacked on each other to create a taller system; there's also an option for bases with wheels. As seen here, they're popular as beside tables, but they're also useful in the bathroom, home office, kids' rooms, or pretty much wherever you need storage.
TOP ROW:
1. The Componibili provides a nice contrast with more rustic pieces. Home of Abigail Ahern, from The Selby.
2. A large Componibili as a bedside table, from Sam's Sydney Simplicity.
3. As a bedside table in a sophisticated kids' room. Nuevo Estilo via Dwell Studio
4. Architonic
5. A black Componibili looks sophisticated paired with a gold lamp. Image from You Are the River.
BOTTOM ROW:
6. A Few Things from My Life via Houzz
8. A Componibili for your landing strip — fits nicely into the little corner by the door. From House and Hold.
7. Tucking into a corner in a small bedroom. From The Design Files.
9. In a bathroom — Russet and Empire Interiors via Houzz.
10. The units can stack, and also come in square shapes. Kartell via Apartment Therapy
(Images: as linked above)
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I've had one of these in a bathroom for about a dozen years. They are almost indestructible, and endlessly useful. The plastic (white) has discolored from age just a bit, though.
Though I love componibili (useful, versatile and strong) I would like to warn other readers that white ones don't age very well. I have two of them working as nigtstands in my master bedroom; they are eight years old and are completely yellowish... something like parchment, with spotted areas in stronger colour.
Perhaps it's because I live in a very sunny Mediterranean city. But it's a shame my Ikea Billy bookcases look better and wither than the componibili, and they were much cheaper!
More plastic . . .
I don't have one...but am fascinated by it..
I love the look of the white ones, but good design is not enough for me to pay $$$ for plastic, no matter how happy it might make me.
None of this would work without The Poodle.
I love the design, but not enough to pay $160 for a 3-drawer one. I'd probably get one if it were under $100.
I bought mine for our A-Frame cabin in the woods. Love the mix of rustic and classic, wood and plastic. http://www.smallvictory.us/everything/2011/10/17/the-bedroom-i-want-to-wake-up-in.html
Unless you already have a lot of plastic in the room, this thing is not going to blend into the background, although it might look good in a large bathroom. For any other room, though, this looks like just a small step up from that plastic table that someone covered in faux snakeskin yesterday.
I bought a silver one for my then 12 year old daughter Xmas 2009. She loves it! Her first design piece. My son got the Dark Spacewalker lamp for his desk.
I have a black one in my bathroom, and its fine, but I really like that red one, and hadn't ever seen it before.