Kartell storage unit

Each month, the HB team pick a design classic we think you’ll love for ever. This time, our style and interiors editor James Cunningham gets organised

The design icon: The Componibili storage unit. Who designed it: Anna Castelli Ferrieri (1918-2006), left, a Milanese architect and industrial designer who, alongside her husband, co-founded the legendary Kartell furniture brand.

When & how: Ferrieri created the piece in the late 1960s using plastic. It was first displayed at Salone del Mobile (the famous Milan Furniture Fair) in 1967.

WHY WE LOVE IT

The Componibili is simple, useful and timeless. Its designer was an enthusiastic adopter of plastic at a time when the furniture in most homes was made from wood, stone or metal, and it is perhaps this that allows the piece to transcend trends. Ferrieri preferred to use ABS, a kind of thermoplastic polymer that can be shaped using heat without compromising on quality. This process allows for the distinctive, seamlessly curved shape of the unit, as well as the effortless tongue-and-groove mechanism that allows the doors to open. The material also makes the drawers incredibly resilient – they can store everything from cosmetics to power tools – and means they can even be used outside and in bathrooms and kitchens without needing extra care. Today, versions of the Componibili are available in a Bio collection that uses ecofriendly agricultural byproducts for the plastic and water-based dyes for each colour.

WHY YOU’LL LOVE IT FOR EVER

Componibili literally translates as modular in Italian, and these drawers more than live up to their name. They can be stacked on top of each other (importantly, without the need for nails or screws) to create unique configurations. The individual units are also available in several sizes, meaning they can easily work in different spaces – a low two-drawer set, for example, makes an ideal bedside table, while a tall seven- or nine-drawer configuration can be perfect for a home office. Wheels can be added for extra flexibility. They come in a spectrum of more than 30 colours, from classic white to the more poppy shades of red and yellow that Ferrieri became associated with as a designer. An eye-catching piece of furniture, as well as a practical storage solution, the Componibili is sure to create a sense of fun while keeping your home organised.

Shop the range, from about £100, at Heal’s and John Lewis & Partners