Ettore Sottsass

When I began designing machines I also began to think that these objects, which sit next to each other and around people,…

— Ettore Sottsass

Be patient, calm, compassionate. Know that existence is fleeting.

— Ettore Sottsass

It is important to realize that whatever we do or design has iconographic references, it comes from somewhere; any form is always…

— Ettore Sottsass

...there is no doubt something will be done sooner or later to enable us to put on a house every day, just…

— Ettore Sottsass

Decoration can be a state of mind, an unusual perception, a ritual whisper.

— Ettore Sottsass

If you think you're meeting your destiny on the other side of a door you may not be interested in its design.

— Ettore Sottsass

I make no special difference between architecture and design, they are two different stages of invention.

— Ettore Sottsass

When I was young, all we ever heard about was functionalism, functionalism, functionalism. It’s not enough. Design should also be sensual and…

— Ettore Sottsass

I try and be as stupid as possible regarding my profession, which means I try to look at as few design magazines…

— Ettore Sottsass

A chair must be really important as an object, because my mother always told me to offer my chair to a lady

— Ettore Sottsass

My furniture is an exercise in architecture or architectural mood.

— Ettore Sottsass