Photo by Ignazia Favata / StudioJoe Colombo, Milano
Photo by Ignazia Favata / StudioJoe Colombo, Milano
1970

0Joe Colombo designs Boby Storage Trolly.
1970 0Joe Colombo designs Boby Storage Trolly.
Joe Colombo; Photo courtesy of Kartell
Joe Colombo; Photo courtesy of Kartell
2006

Carlo Colombo designs the rectilinear Shanghai sofa system.
2006 Carlo Colombo designs the rectilinear Shanghai sofa system.
Gunnar Knechtel Photography, Italy, Sicily, Town: Syracuse, Island of Ortigia. The house of Francesco Moncada,. The first floor of Francescos house ( thats where his brother Albert has a small flat ).dinning table.photographed on the 27+28,12.2010 for Dwell Magazine
Gunnar Knechtel Photography, Italy, Sicily, Town: Syracuse, Island of Ortigia. The house of Francesco Moncada,. The first floor of Francescos house ( thats where his brother Albert has a small flat ).dinning table.photographed on the 27+28,12.2010 for Dwell Magazine
These plastic utensils were designed by Joe Colombo, one of Italy's most famous designers.
These plastic utensils were designed by Joe Colombo, one of Italy's most famous designers.
Ignazia Favata, an architect at Studio Joe Colombo in Milan, says, “His designs have not aged in 30 years—they seem to have slipped the bonds of time.” Proof resides in the permanent collections of MoMA, the V&A, and the Centre Pompidou, all of which own a plywood edition of the 4801.
Ignazia Favata, an architect at Studio Joe Colombo in Milan, says, “His designs have not aged in 30 years—they seem to have slipped the bonds of time.” Proof resides in the permanent collections of MoMA, the V&A, and the Centre Pompidou, all of which own a plywood edition of the 4801.
The design has been reproduced in black, white, and crystal-clear plastic in the same proportions as Colombo’s original, a process that Kartell treated with reverence, according to CEO Claudio Luti: “We have been reluctant to approach re-editions because they may not be respectful of the original. This new chair is just the right balance between celebrating the past and making it topical in today’s world.”
The design has been reproduced in black, white, and crystal-clear plastic in the same proportions as Colombo’s original, a process that Kartell treated with reverence, according to CEO Claudio Luti: “We have been reluctant to approach re-editions because they may not be respectful of the original. This new chair is just the right balance between celebrating the past and making it topical in today’s world.”
Joe Colombo—whose exuberant, often plastic, always mod creations solidified his reputation as a go-to midcentury designer—is represented in Mass Modern with some great lighting pieces, including his Topo table lamp from 1970. Estimate $700-$900 (no reserve).
Joe Colombo—whose exuberant, often plastic, always mod creations solidified his reputation as a go-to midcentury designer—is represented in Mass Modern with some great lighting pieces, including his Topo table lamp from 1970. Estimate $700-$900 (no reserve).
The kitchen’s exposed brick wall matches its cabinetry in Benjamin Moore’s “Kendall Charcoal” hue. A Joe Colombo Coupé 2202 table lamp by Oluce illuminates a walnut cutting board.
The kitchen’s exposed brick wall matches its cabinetry in Benjamin Moore’s “Kendall Charcoal” hue. A Joe Colombo Coupé 2202 table lamp by Oluce illuminates a walnut cutting board.
Joe Colombo
Joe Colombo
Joe Colombo, Futurescape
Joe Colombo, Futurescape
Joe Colombo, Total Furniture Unit
Joe Colombo, Total Furniture Unit
Joe Colombo, Total Furniture Unit
Joe Colombo, Total Furniture Unit
Joe Colombo Elda Chair ($6768)
Joe Colombo Elda Chair ($6768)
A young Milanese architect named Joe Colombo realized the 4801 armchair in 1964. An anomaly in the catalog, the chair is made entirely from wood without the use of screws or glue.
A young Milanese architect named Joe Colombo realized the 4801 armchair in 1964. An anomaly in the catalog, the chair is made entirely from wood without the use of screws or glue.
JOE COLOMBO
"Topo" table lamp, ca. 1970.  Photo: Phillips.
JOE COLOMBO "Topo" table lamp, ca. 1970. Photo: Phillips.
In the living area, Jeremy, left, and Joe relax on a green Muuto sectional. “We never would have chosen it on our own,” says Joe, extending praise to their architects for nudging them to take chances. “Now we can’t imagine any other sofa. It’s perfect.” The velvet sofa upholstery in Moss is from Knoll, while the rug is from Armadillo.
In the living area, Jeremy, left, and Joe relax on a green Muuto sectional. “We never would have chosen it on our own,” says Joe, extending praise to their architects for nudging them to take chances. “Now we can’t imagine any other sofa. It’s perfect.” The velvet sofa upholstery in Moss is from Knoll, while the rug is from Armadillo.
A firepit and an inflatable hot tub with a wicker surround add a bit of luxury to Joe and Rachel’s Venice Beach rental.
A firepit and an inflatable hot tub with a wicker surround add a bit of luxury to Joe and Rachel’s Venice Beach rental.
When it is time to wake up, use a well-designed alarm clock. The second edition of Joe Colombo’s Optic Table Alarm Clock, this clock was originally designed in 1988. With a compact form and numbers 1-60 to denote the seconds, this stylish clock is a welcome addition to a nightstand.
When it is time to wake up, use a well-designed alarm clock. The second edition of Joe Colombo’s Optic Table Alarm Clock, this clock was originally designed in 1988. With a compact form and numbers 1-60 to denote the seconds, this stylish clock is a welcome addition to a nightstand.
Joe Colombo Boby Storage Trolley Office Organizer 3/2 
Three sections high with two swing-out organizer trays.  1968.  Photo B-Line.
Joe Colombo Boby Storage Trolley Office Organizer 3/2 Three sections high with two swing-out organizer trays. 1968. Photo B-Line.
The library serves as both an office and a small, informal meeting space. Offect’s hyperpigmented Spoon chairs create parallels with traditional Sri Lankan clothing and the country’s rich natural landscape. The soft, vibrant fabric also accentuates the simple lines of an Artur desk from Scandinavian design collective SA Møbler and a Monterey coffee table by Montana.
The library serves as both an office and a small, informal meeting space. Offect’s hyperpigmented Spoon chairs create parallels with traditional Sri Lankan clothing and the country’s rich natural landscape. The soft, vibrant fabric also accentuates the simple lines of an Artur desk from Scandinavian design collective SA Møbler and a Monterey coffee table by Montana.
For this new build in Palo Alto, California, Maydan selected Colombo hardware.
For this new build in Palo Alto, California, Maydan selected Colombo hardware.
Marka and Joe's English Setter named Finn rests in the living room; not pictured is Finn's sidekick Charlie, the couple's other beloved dog.
Marka and Joe's English Setter named Finn rests in the living room; not pictured is Finn's sidekick Charlie, the couple's other beloved dog.
The interior is bright and spacious, with white walls that give each room a clean, fresh look. Art and sculptural objects appear around every corner, softening the space, so that it feels friendly and welcoming, not formal. Pairs of Boy poufs from LK Hjelle provide a pop of color and flexible seating options.
The interior is bright and spacious, with white walls that give each room a clean, fresh look. Art and sculptural objects appear around every corner, softening the space, so that it feels friendly and welcoming, not formal. Pairs of Boy poufs from LK Hjelle provide a pop of color and flexible seating options.
Colombo's 4029 table lamp features indentations to house desktop items.
Colombo's 4029 table lamp features indentations to house desktop items.
Dis. focused on the use of furniture and lighting to emphasize and promote Norwegian design, preserving the building’s original character. The residence’s large rooms feature dark wood floors, which sets off bright playful elements such as sculptural Fly Me chairs from Martela and vividly colored Rombo carpets by Kinnasand.
Dis. focused on the use of furniture and lighting to emphasize and promote Norwegian design, preserving the building’s original character. The residence’s large rooms feature dark wood floors, which sets off bright playful elements such as sculptural Fly Me chairs from Martela and vividly colored Rombo carpets by Kinnasand.
During the day, floor-to-ceiling windows let in abundant natural light. In the evening, the whole residence glows with warmth and color.
During the day, floor-to-ceiling windows let in abundant natural light. In the evening, the whole residence glows with warmth and color.
Rachel and Joe relaxing with their dog Camp around the fire pit in the outdoor space. The fire pit was purchased on Facebook Marketplace and the seating is from Oasis Imports in Malibu.
Rachel and Joe relaxing with their dog Camp around the fire pit in the outdoor space. The fire pit was purchased on Facebook Marketplace and the seating is from Oasis Imports in Malibu.
Atop the Hans Wegner credenza are a walnut box and hand-carved bud vases made by Daniel. The Handkerchief dish is by Ami Like Miami, and the table lamp is a ’60s prototype of the KD27 by Joe Colombo.
Atop the Hans Wegner credenza are a walnut box and hand-carved bud vases made by Daniel. The Handkerchief dish is by Ami Like Miami, and the table lamp is a ’60s prototype of the KD27 by Joe Colombo.
JOE COLOMBO
'Combi centre', circa 1963
Teak, acrylic, metal.
159.9 cm (62 7/8 in.) high, 84.4 cm (33 1/4 in.) diameter
Manufactured by Bernini.  Photo Phillips.
JOE COLOMBO 'Combi centre', circa 1963 Teak, acrylic, metal. 159.9 cm (62 7/8 in.) high, 84.4 cm (33 1/4 in.) diameter Manufactured by Bernini. Photo Phillips.
The Togo lounge chair by Michel Ducaroy for Ligne Roset "is the most comfortable seat in the house," Paul says. The Coupe Lamp is by Joe Colombo for Oluce, one of Paul's favorite mid-century designers.
The Togo lounge chair by Michel Ducaroy for Ligne Roset "is the most comfortable seat in the house," Paul says. The Coupe Lamp is by Joe Colombo for Oluce, one of Paul's favorite mid-century designers.
Maximizing enjoyment of the view, a Sartoriale tub by Carlo Colombo with built-in shelving is placed against a floor-to-ceiling window in the master bath.
Maximizing enjoyment of the view, a Sartoriale tub by Carlo Colombo with built-in shelving is placed against a floor-to-ceiling window in the master bath.
The sliding doors that seamlessly connect the indoor and outdoor spaces is one of the couple's favorite features of the house, which allows for plenty of airflow and sunlight. Joe is photographed on one of Yellow Leaf Hammock's swiveling Hammock Thrones.
The sliding doors that seamlessly connect the indoor and outdoor spaces is one of the couple's favorite features of the house, which allows for plenty of airflow and sunlight. Joe is photographed on one of Yellow Leaf Hammock's swiveling Hammock Thrones.
One of the challenges of introducing Scandinavian style into a tropical climate: the climate itself. The light-colored wood that embodies Norwegian style would not tolerate constant heat and humidity. Dis. specially sourced a high-pressure laminate for tabletops, surrounded here by Bone chairs from Materia. JAB’s Lana rug provides additional color and texture against the white table and walls.
One of the challenges of introducing Scandinavian style into a tropical climate: the climate itself. The light-colored wood that embodies Norwegian style would not tolerate constant heat and humidity. Dis. specially sourced a high-pressure laminate for tabletops, surrounded here by Bone chairs from Materia. JAB’s Lana rug provides additional color and texture against the white table and walls.
The dining room houses one of Northern Lighting’s Moo lamps, in a nod to traditional ski lodge décor. A Camouflage pendant lamp from Zero casts a dramatic pattern over Snedkergaarden’s Steel table. A set of playful blue Clint chairs from Fora Form pop against the black and white tile floor.
The dining room houses one of Northern Lighting’s Moo lamps, in a nod to traditional ski lodge décor. A Camouflage pendant lamp from Zero casts a dramatic pattern over Snedkergaarden’s Steel table. A set of playful blue Clint chairs from Fora Form pop against the black and white tile floor.

187 more photos