Inside Kartell - Part III: by Moodboard

If Part I explored Kartell’s past and Part II tracked its cultural resurgence, Part III is all about the edit — how Kartell lives in homes today.

In this section, I’ve created a series of moodboards that reimagine Kartell through the lens of current design aesthetics. From Japandi minimalism to dopamine decor, each visual direction reflects not just a trend, but a cultural moment Kartell naturally belongs to.

These aren’t product lists or brand decks. They’re about storytelling. Styling. Texture. Pairings that show how legacy design can stay fresh, especially when it’s reinterpreted for the rituals and preferences of today’s consumer.

Every aesthetic I’ve chosen is one Kartell already speaks to — whether directly through product design or through the creative freedom its pieces invite. From Componibili to the FL/Y lamp, these icons are incredibly versatile. This section is my way of mapping that versatility visually.

Ready to dive in?

Moodboard Product Links

Glass Wall Shelves – The Masie, K-Waiting Sofa – Kartell, S-Wood Stool – Kartell, Tile-Look Coffee Table – Westwing, Magazine Rack – Kartell, Componibili New Colors – Kartell, Geen-A Lamp – Kartell, Cuddles Poster – PSTR Studio,Black & White Cats Poster – PSTR Studio, Winter Holidays Poster – PSTR Studio, Pink Tulips Art Print – Etsy, Camomille Lamp – Kartell, Mushroom Glass Vases – Westwing, Knotted Candle Holder – Westwing

Moodboard 1: Japandi Quietude

Softly sculpted, smartly styled.
This look borrows the best from both Japanese minimalism and Scandinavian functionality. Japandi isn’t about starkness, it’s about serenity. Think: clean lines, natural textures, functional beauty, and moments of quiet luxury.

In this moodboard, Kartell’s pieces are the quiet protagonists. The K-Waiting Sofa introduces tactile calm with its rounded shape and fabric options that mirror the soft woods and off-whites typical of Japandi homes. Paired with the S/Wood Stool—a piece that almost reads like bent origami in ashwood, it feels deliberate but never forced.

What balances the scene:

• The tinted transparent glass wall shelves keep the space airy without sacrificing structure.

• A tiled coffee table adds craft-led charm while keeping to neutral tones.

• Mushroom vases and abstract candleholders offer organic softness.

• Muted art prints bring a whisper of personality, not noise.

Japandi is where less isn’t just more, it’s warmer. And Kartell, usually known for bold design statements, proves it can shift gears without losing its soul. In this edit, its forms are still smart, still design-forward, but filtered through the lens of calm, daily ritual.

It’s not minimal. It’s mindful.

Clean lines meet soft contrasts, Kartell as the anchor in a modern ritual space.

Moodboard Product Links

Velvet Crewel Curtains – Etsy, K-Waiting Pouf Bouclé – Kartell, K-Waiting Armchair Bouclé – Kartell, Jacquard Pillow – H&M Home, Kabuki Lamp – Kartell, Magazine Rack (Amber) – Kartell, Khan Outdoor Lamp – Kartell, Gold Display Cabinet – Bonami, Sound Rack – Kartell, La Coupole Clock – Kartell, Air du Temps Clock – Kartell, Nemo Sculpture – Westwing, Holding Fingers Bookends – Westwing, Flood Decorative Bowl – Westwing, Mini Rose Artificial Bouquet – Westwing, Gild Red Rug – Nordic Knots, Dark Vintage Portrait – Etsy

Moodboard 2: Modern Heritage / Neo-Victorian

Drama, but considered. Velvet, but contemporary.
This moodboard leans into the resurgence of rich, romantic interiors—but with Kartell’s clever contrasts grounding the aesthetic. It’s Victorian, yes—but this isn’t about recreating the past. It’s about reinterpreting it.

Start with the layered tactility: the K-Waiting Armchair and Pouf in boucle offer a plush, cocooning foundation. They sit under pleated velvet curtains, rich in embroidery, and beside Kartell’s iconic Kabuki Lamp—a lacework of light that reads both historic and hyper-modern.

Supporting cast:

• Gold-framed display cabinets hold everything from sculptural books to surrealist busts.

• Kartell’s Sound-Rack and Magazine Rack in dark tones function as modular still life pedestals.

• Accessories like the La Coupole and Air du Temps clocks inject a Deco wink into the space.

What anchors the whole story is a tension—soft with sharp, old with new. The aesthetic plays beautifully with contrast: Victorian oil portrait energy on the walls, but a glossy plastic lamp lighting the scene. A floral rug meets a futuristic storage system. Kartell thrives in this space of styled contradiction.

It’s curated chaos with a point of view. The mood is maximal, but edited. Old-world romance, filtered through an algorithmic eye.

Kartell holds its own in a room filled with velvet drapery, surreal sculptures, and maximalist storytelling.

Coming Soon

This is just the beginning. In the next updates, I’ll be expanding this piece with additional moodboards exploring some of the most relevant aesthetics shaping interiors today — from dopamine decor and soft brutalism to the iconic pop of red and Kartell’s place in the quiet luxury revival.

Each will be a layered edit of objects, taste, and tone — showing how Kartell lives in these spaces and continues to evolve through them.

Keep an eye on this space — more moodboards and brand storytelling are on their way.