Italian design furniture is known worldwide for its combination of functionality and excellent craftsmanship. Over the decades, this style has continuously developed and been influenced by various social and cultural trends.

Early 20th century: craftsmanship and classicism
At the beginning of the 20th century, Italian furniture reflected traditional craftsmanship. Pieces of furniture were often made in small workshops and were characterized by rich decorations and fine materials such as walnut, marble and leather. The designs were inspired by Italian culture and history and were based on classical and baroque style elements. During this period, craftsmanship was the main focus, and furniture was considered a status symbol of prosperity and cultural taste. In the 1930s, the influence of functionalism began to emerge, which was characterized by simple, practical forms. Furniture should not only be beautiful, but also functional and accessible. It was a time when the balance between tradition and modernity shifted.

1950s to 1960s: the dawn of mid-century modern
Italian furniture design became world-famous during this period, as it strongly influenced the style of mid-century modern. Furniture became sleeker and more versatile, combining warm woods such as walnut with clean, curved lines. This style emphasized organic forms and placed the focus on the natural grain of wood, combined with innovative materials such as glass and metal. The Giorgio series from KARE can be classified in this era.

1970s to 1980s: Experiments with colors and materials
The 1970s and 1980s were characterized by bold and experimental designs. Italian furniture manufacturers began to use colors and materials in completely new ways. Glass and marble became popular and a playful, sometimes almost avant-garde style emerged. This era was strongly influenced by individuality and creativity. Italian furniture design set trends that spread far beyond the country's borders. At the same time, many pieces of furniture remained functional and suitable for everyday use.

1990s to today: minimalism and clean lines
In the 1990s, a minimalist style prevailed. Italian furniture design increasingly focused on clear, reduced forms and a high degree of functionality. Materials such as glass, steel and stone were used more and more, often in combination with wood to retain warmth and naturalness. The focus was on making rooms look spacious, open and flooded with light. In the 2000s, the style evolved further in the direction of modern luxury – a combination of minimalist design and luxurious materials such as marble, velvet and precious metals. The Italian design philosophy always remained the same: simplicity and beauty should never come at the expense of comfort and functionality. The trend is moving back towards natural materials such as solid wood (especially walnut), combined with modern elements such as glass and metal. Organic forms have also regained in importance. Round or oval pieces of furniture radiate softness and harmony and create a cozy atmosphere.

Italian furniture - design classics

Cassettone Neoclassico
This Italian chest of drawers was made in the neoclassical style and is characterized by its clean lines, often with inlays of different woods. Walnut wood was a central material here, lending the chest of drawers warmth and elegance.

Cassettone Veneziano
The Venetian chest of drawers, also known as a Cassettone Veneziano, is a magnificent example of 18th-century Italian furniture-making. Characteristic of this piece of furniture are the curved legs, artfully carved details and fine inlaid work in walnut. Often decorated with gilded accents, it was found in the palaces of the Venetian upper class and still embodies luxurious baroque style today.

Libreria Neoclassica
The neoclassical libreria (bookcase) was an indispensable element in the villas of the Italian aristocracy. It was made of the finest walnut wood and was characterized by clear lines, ornate column decorations and glass doors. Inspired by ancient Rome, this piece of furniture represented status and luxury. These historical design classics impressively demonstrate how Italian furniture design has combined art, craftsmanship and luxurious materials over the centuries to create a distinctive aesthetic. Walnut wood has always played a central role in this, making this furniture a timeless masterpiece.

Comò Luigi Filippo
Commodes in the Luigi Filippo (Louis-Philippe) style were particularly popular in the mid-19th century. Characterized by rounded edges, simple elegance and fine walnut wood with a glossy polish.

Art Déco Credenza
In the 1920s and 1930s, Italian furniture design experienced a new heyday with the Art Déco style. Sideboards made of walnut wood were combined with high-gloss lacquers, geometric shapes and metal accents. These pieces combined functionality with luxury.

Noble grain and color
Walnut wood is characterized by a distinctive grain that gives it a noble and natural character. The color palette ranges from a warm light brown to deep chocolate and nut tones, often interspersed with darker veins or wavy patterns. This lively grain ensures that each piece of furniture is unique. The interplay of warm and dark tones gives walnut wood a timeless beauty that goes well with both classic and modern interior styles.

Versatility in furniture design
Walnut wood is an extremely flexible material that is suitable for both traditional and modern designs. Its stability and hardness allow the production of delicate details and clear edges, but also of curved or organic shapes.

Longevity and resilience
Walnut wood is known for its extreme hardness and resistance to scratches and knocks. This robustness makes it ideal for the Giorgio series. What's more, walnut wood retains its charm even after many years and develops a natural patina over time, giving it additional depth and character.

Luxurious workmanship and easy care
Walnut wood is excellent to work with and polish. When varnished, it creates a silky surface that accentuates the grain and makes the piece of furniture look even more luxurious. At the same time, walnut wood is easy to care for: regular wiping and light maintenance are enough to preserve the beauty of the wood. This simple maintenance helps to ensure that furniture made of walnut wood still looks like new even after years of use.

Sustainability and stable value
The durability of walnut wood also makes it a sustainable choice. Furniture made of walnut wood often lasts for decades and is not uncommon for it to be passed down through generations.

Modern Luxury / Contemporary Elegance
The Modern Luxury style combines high-quality materials, dark colors and clean lines. Furniture in a walnut finish is perfectly suited to this style, as the warm and elegant wood grain creates a look that is both luxurious and natural. Combined with dark wall colors such as dark green or midnight blue and decorations made of gold or brass, a particularly sophisticated atmosphere is created. Glass surfaces, large mirrors and high-quality fabrics such as velvet or silk enhance this luxurious look.

Mid-century modern
The Mid-Century Modern style, which became popular in the 1950s and 1960s, is characterized by warm wood tones, curved shapes and functional designs. Furniture in a walnut finish is ideal for this style, as it reflects the typical warm tones and clean lines of this era. They go particularly well with retro elements such as pastel-colored accents, leather sofas and metal feet. Typical of this style are also low, elongated pieces of furniture such as sideboards or oval coffee tables, which are further emphasized by the natural grain of walnut.

Minimalism with a touch of class
Minimalist interior design focuses on clear structures, reduced forms and a few, carefully placed pieces of furniture. Walnut furniture brings warmth to an otherwise simple room and ensures that it does not appear cold or austere. Combined with light-colored walls in shades such as white, cream or delicate greige, the result is an exclusive, tidy atmosphere. To give the room more depth, decorations such as golden lamps, simple glass vases or monochrome works of art can be used. Less is often more in this style – the natural beauty of walnut is the main focus.

Walnut wood is known for its warm, dark and elegant look. Choosing the right wall color can either emphasize the character of the walnut furniture or create an exciting contrast.

Claret & Bordeaux – for a luxurious and cozy look
Dark red tones such as Bordeaux or wine red give a room a warm, elegant look. These colors go very well with dark woods such as walnut and make rooms feel cozy and inviting. Especially in combination with golden decorations, heavy fabrics such as velvet or dark leather furniture, a luxurious ambience is created.

Dark blue – for a sophisticated and contrasting effect
Dark blue tones such as petrol or navy blue create an exciting contrast to walnut wood and give the room a sophisticated touch. These colors add depth without appearing too cool.

Cream and beige – for brightness and airiness
If you want to create a bright and friendly atmosphere, you should go for cream and beige tones. These colors have the advantage that they do not contrast too much with the dark look of the wood, as pure white would. They bring light into the room and make it appear larger.

Neon and bright colors should be avoided. Colors like bright green or bright orange can look disharmonious and outshine the elegant grain of walnut.

Oval furniture is considered particularly harmonious and calming in interior and furniture design. They radiate softness and natural balance, making them a popular choice in interior design.

Flowing lines for the eye
Unlike angular shapes with clearly defined edges, oval furniture has no breaks or sharp transitions. These flowing lines ensure that the eye can effortlessly follow the contours without encountering any obstacles. This creates a smooth, relaxed visual experience and leads to a feeling of calm and serenity.

Natural inspiration for a sense of security
Many oval furniture pieces are reminiscent of elements found in nature, such as stones, leaves or eggs. Since humans perceive natural structures as particularly pleasant and familiar, such shapes promote an atmosphere of comfort and security. This association is deliberately used in interior design to make rooms feel cozy and relaxing.

Psychological effect: softness instead of severity
Oval furniture conveys gentleness because it has no “aggressive” or strict angles. While rectangular or square furniture creates clear and often dominant structures, oval or round pieces of furniture appear much softer and more accessible. This creates a welcoming ambience that is perfect for rooms where relaxation and well-being are the main focus.

Perfect for modern living and interior design
Oval shapes are a timeless design trend and can be easily integrated into many interior styles – from Scandinavian minimalism to modern luxury. Oval furniture and decorations make your living room look less austere and create a feel-good atmosphere for you and your loved ones.

Oval furniture in the living room
Our walnut coffee table with a dark glass top exudes a sense of harmony between seating groups . The oval design creates a gentle line that visually calms the living area. The body made of high-quality walnut wood radiates warmth, while the dark glass top sets a luxurious accent. This piece of furniture fits seamlessly into various interior styles and becomes the elegant centerpiece of the living room. Our matching walnut sideboard with the same material combination perfectly complements the room. The oval shape breaks up the overall picture and creates a soft spatial effect. The body made of fine walnut wood offers a warm, brown color scheme that radiates comfort. The dark glass top sets a modern contrast and gives the piece of furniture an exclusive touch. Thanks to the practical storage options, books, remote controls, magazines and newspapers can be easily stored.