If you’re looking for something truly special, there is nothing like authentic vintage items. Not only do they have the unique construction and materials that come with age, but they also have a soul. Each item has a history, a story, and many memories attached to it.
We recently had the pleasure of sourcing several Mario Bellini Camaleonda sofas, and the experience was unlike any other. The Camaleonda Modular Sofa is an iconic designer sofa created by architect Mario Bellini in the 1970s, and it’s an absolute classic.
The journey of each sofa is truly special. It starts with the home of its original owners, then goes to our upholsterer’s laboratory, is packed up, and shipped to us here in the USA, ready for a new life. Each sofa comes with its own unique story, from ‘I got it from my grandmother’ to ‘It was in my parent’s beach home’ to ‘We bought a new apartment, it’ll look great in there’. It’s truly amazing to see a vintage item start a new chapter in its life. Owning a vintage piece is a unique experience that you won’t get from any other item.
Modular Camaleonda sofa composition by B&B Italia, from our Mid Century gallery.
The Camaleonda sofa composition is a versatile and comfortable dream come true! This five-piece modular sofa is made up of three large sections without arms or backs, and two smaller sections without arms or backs, which can be used as separate seating pieces or ottomans. Since its debut in 1972 at the Museum of Modern Art of New York, the Camaleonda has been featured in numerous design magazines and has become a staple in the homes of celebrities and designers alike. The exhibit, titled ‘The New Domestic Landscape’, envisioned the future of living spaces, incorporating functionality, modernity, and change - and the Camaleonda was the perfect embodiment of these ideals.
Camaleonda Sofa side with a Tondara table by Artemide and Venini decor accessories
With five modular seating elements which can be easily moved around this Camaleonda composition allows for multiple layouts. You can experiment by adding coffe or side tables in an L shape or a longer seating layout. Designitalia imports authenic 20th Century Italian design. Check our instagram page to get the latest updates about our Italian Mid Century Furniture offering. You will find mid century sofas, mid century chairs, vintage decor accessories, vintage tables and mirrors.
The name Camaleonda derives from two Italian words architect Bellini thought identified this sofa perfectly: “camaleonte” (chameleon) because of its flexibility of use and “onda” (wave) due to its tufty roundish embracing design. As a matter of fact each element may be transformed by adding or removing backs and arms which are fixed through hooks and carabiners throughout. No wonder this allow for a high functional design easy to arrange and move around. This sofa design was very successful at the time and after decades of hiatus it came back more popular than ever.
close up look at this Mario Bellini Camaleonda sectional sofa
Designitalia Mid Century Modern
our company outsource and import Mid Century Modern Italian design. 20th Century major Italian designers such as Mario Bellini, Tobia Scarpa, Marco Zanuso and many more. Most of our upholstered sofas and chairs are newly upholstered with luxury materials so that each item can be used for many years to come, extending the life span of vintage furniture. Follow our instagram page to get the latest updates and the latest arrivals from our collection or visit our website at www.designitalia.com and contact us if you are looking for a particular piece we might outsource it for you. Do not loose the chance to own one of our iconic Italian Mid Century sofas such as the Soriana or the Camaleonda, 20th Century designers tables, chairs, mirrors and lounges.
The Camaleonda is a piece of exceptional design. It was designed in the 1970 by architect Mario Bellini for B&B Italia and it went out of production in 1979. Mario Bellini, a very successful architect won 8 Compasso D’Oro awards and has about 25 of his designed product in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art of New York City. He collaborated with the biggest Italian furniture companies, and was editor of Domus, a prominent design magazine, from 1985 to 1991. Some of his most successful furniture designs were in collaboration with Cassina and B&B Italia; the ‘Cab’ chair is still a very successful product as well as ‘Le Bambole' seating collection created in the 1980s and naturally, the ‘Camaleonda’ sofa.