Italian furniture design marries creative vision, cultural legacy and a refined knowledge of craft traditions developed over centuries. Tacchini, the Milan-based brand renowned for collaborating with some of the world’s most accomplished designers, brings this distinctive approach to Australian interiors exclusively through Stylecraft. The latest releases from Tacchini demonstrate the brand’s commitment to honouring heritage while embracing bold new directions, from masterful re-editions to experimental contemporary forms.
The Africa Chair by Tobia Scarpa stands as a tribute to the ancient art of cabinetmaking. Originally designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa, this re-edition showcases canaletto walnut veneer crafted into a frame that is itself a masterpiece of woodworking. The backrest represents the pinnacle of the design. Fashioned as a single piece then refined into two mirrored sections, it features delicate hand-finishing that reveals layers of different wood essences, creating marvellous chromatic effects. The backrest and rear legs, joined only at the base, form a distinctive gap that adds flexibility to the seat while evoking a totemic, sculptural presence. It is a chair that transforms functional seating into an object of contemplation.
Mario Bellini’s Le Mura XL represents an evolution of an icon. Expanding upon Bellini’s original design ethos of comfort, Le Mura XL increases the seat depth and incorporates soft cushions to bring the seating into a more domestic dimension. This is meant to be enjoyed with friends and family rather than admired. New elements, including corner units and chaise lounges, enable the furnishing of larger spaces, further emphasising the versatility of the original project. As a radical 1970s design that combines modules of various shapes and sizes in endlessly variable configurations, Le Mura XL proves that true design classics can adapt to contemporary living without losing their essential character.
In striking contrast, Faye Toogood’s Butter Lounge embodies the experimental spirit and unconventional creative processes that define the Toogood studio. The design takes inspiration from an unexpected source: Cornish butter moulded by slippery fingers. This whimsical origin translates into generously padded volumes that are soft, tactile, and genuinely comforting. The lounge rests on large volumes reminiscent of building blocks, modular and easily reconfigurable to suit various spatial arrangements. As part of the broader Bread & Butter collection by Toogood, Butter sits alongside the Bread products, creating a family of designs united by their playful materiality and organic forms. The collection brings an approachable warmth to Tacchini’s portfolio, demonstrating how luxury can embrace levity.
These three releases spanning the meticulous craft of Scarpa, the enduring modernism of Bellini and the experimental vision of Toogood are now available to experience at Stylecraft in Melbourne and Sydney. The recently opened Melbourne showroom, which debuted its dedicated Tacchini zone in December 2025, offers the opportunity to encounter these pieces firsthand, where the quality of materials, the precision of construction, and the thoughtfulness of design become tangible. It is an invitation to engage with Italian design excellence, brought to Australia through Stylecraft’s discerning curation.
