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Cromo and Paprika: Material Shifts in the Cattelan Italia Collection
- Style Essentials Edit Team
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Chrome has returned to the Cattelan Italia catalogue. Once closely associated with the 1980s, it now appears in a more controlled, contemporary form, aligned with interiors that move easily between memory and modern production. The emphasis is no longer on shine but on precision, on how the surface responds to light and how it defines structure rather than decoration.
That approach is clear in Eva. The chair reads as minimal, but only initially. Its proportions are carefully judged, the backrest is shaped with ergonomic intent, and the metal base carries a restrained sense of movement that keeps the form from feeling static. In the version with Chrome-finished legs, light sharpens the outline, then softens it again, allowing the chair to register differently as the day progresses. The finish does not embellish the design; it makes its construction legible.
Within the wider collection, Chrome functions as a stabilizing material. Its use across chairs with metal legs broadens the visual language without interrupting it, offering variation that feels consistent rather than decorative. The result is continuity without repetition.
Paprika enters the catalogue through a different register. Conceived as a lacquered finish grounded in warm, earthy tones, it draws from the density of clay and spices rather than surface color alone. The hue is deep and textured, contemporary without relying on contrast or brightness. Light is absorbed slowly, giving interiors a quieter, more grounded atmosphere.
This shift is evident in the Peyote coffee table. First introduced in 2012 with a metallic finish, the form remains unchanged, but the paprika-colored lacquer alters its presence. The sinuous base reads more sculptural, allowing the table to sit beside an armchair as a side piece or define a reading corner without visual insistence. The round crystal top, available in painted, bronze, or smoked mirrored finishes, introduces clarity and refinement, while the lacquered surface adds depth, subtly expanding volume and perspective.
Paprika reaches a more concentrated expression in the Chelsea sideboard. Sculptural and geometric, the piece relies on precision rather than ornament. Details such as the crystal top and transparent glass shelves sharpen the structure while maintaining functional clarity. The restraint of the form allows the finish to carry the weight, making Chelsea suitable for both residential and contract interiors.
Paprika reflects a broader shift toward warmer, tactile finishes, but here it reads as a considered adjustment rather than a trend response. It extends Cattelan Italia’s material language toward greater depth and warmth, with the potential to move across future collections without disrupting the brand’s underlying discipline.
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