A Better Stool
The Capelli stool is just two identical pieces of molded plywood, each with undulating, interlocking fingers at the top. That's it. No screws, no nails.
It's an ingeniously stable and graceful piece of furniture that comes apart quickly into two pieces easy to store or move. To assemble, you just fit the plywood "fingers" together. No tools or fasteners required. Then sit down. It's sturdy enough to hold you.
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Nothing More Than is Needed
Two molded plywood pieces lock together to form the Capelli stool. The surfaces between the fingers at the top of each piece meet and become stops that hold each half of the stool firmly in place.
Composed of 11 alternating dark- and light-stained hardwood inner plies and light ash veneer, the stool is 17 inches high.
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Simply Flexible
You can unfold the stool into its two halves, which can be stacked together for easy storage. To reassemble the stool, just fit the fingers together. No tools, no fasteners, no trouble.
International Contemporary Furniture Fair, Asahikawa, Japan, Silver Prize
1999
"This is the church,
this is the steeple..."
Inspiration from an unlikely place
"If your goal is to build a better stool, where do you start?"
Designer Carol Catalano noticed her own entwined fingers and had her answer. A writer for the Boston Globe described it this way: "This is the church, this is the steeple. Open the doors and see all the people. The old children's game is the guiding principle here."
"Just for fun"
Known for innovations in high-end audio speakers, consumer electronics, seating, and cutlery, Catalano said that most of her work is fairly technical. "So I thought it would be fun to take on a project just for fun."
Catalano's "fun" became the Capelli stool. Once she had found her inspiration in her own hands, she developed several ideas for the stool by studying the ergonomics of comfortable sitting. "From the beginning," Catalano says, "the form of the stool was a simple curve that we kept refining until it was comfortable and beautiful."
A Singular Award
To enter the International Furniture Design Competition in Asahikawa, Japan, contestants had to build a full-size prototype. "Which we did—in my garage," says Catalano. The effort paid off: Her stool took a Silver prize in the prestigious competition in 1999, one of only eight awards given and the only American design selected from more than 700 entries from around the world.
Care & Maintenance
With regular care and maintenance, your Herman Miller product will provide many years of superior performance and satisfaction. To maintain quality, please follow the cleaning procedures outlined here.
The instructions for the care and maintenance of Herman Miller products are provided to you as a service. No warranty is implied since results may vary.
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Solid Wood and Veneer
For normal cleaning, dust furniture daily with a slightly damp, soft cloth. Wipe dry with a dry, soft cloth in the direction of the wood grain. Once a month, clean the surface with a soft cloth dampened with a quality cleaner formulated for wood furniture. Wipe the surface in the direction of the wood grain to remove dirt and fingerprints. Wipe dry with a clean, dry cloth. Twice a year, apply a good quality emulsion wax to the finish with a soft cloth. Emulsion wax is clear and prevents fingerprints.
For minor repair of water rings, stains, and scratches, rub the surface lightly in the direction of the wood grain using No. 000 steel wool. Apply a scratch-removing polish with a color and value that simulate the veneer. If the scratches are deep, consult a professional furniture refinisher.
