tamatama

At the heart of the Tama family lies the idea of creating a series of single-material ceramic accessories for Ethimo—a natural material traditionally used in outdoor settings, which is elevated by a glazed finish that transforms these objects into precious accents. The natural imperfections of the production process contribute to the uniqueness of each piece, with irregularities that characterize the large, smooth, flat surfaces.
The shape of the tables evokes percussion instruments, with their taut skins forming the tabletop while the body defines the base.



Client: Ethimo
Year: 2025
About

Valerio Sommella is an Italian industrial designer whose work bridges tradition and innovation. Born in Cortona, Tuscany, and raised in Milan, he graduated from the Design Department of the Politecnico di Milano. Early in his career, he worked between Milan and Amsterdam, gaining international experience before founding his own studio, Valerio Sommella Design Studio, in 2009.

Today, he collaborates with both Italian and international brands, designing a diverse range of products across multiple industries. At the heart of his practice is a deep investigation into the language of objects, where form, material, and technology intersect. Sommella approaches each project as a unique story, distinct and self-contained, rather than part of a continuous narrative. Yet a consistent design voice runs through all his work, bringing cohesion to an ever-evolving portfolio.

Throughout his career, he has collaborated with renowned companies such as Alessi, Alcantara, Apple, Ethimo, Moooi, Nemo, Kdln, Honda, Falmec, Konica Minolta, Panasonic, RH, and many others.


Via Gian Francesco Pizzi 8
20141 Milano
+39 349 7850192
p.IVA 03060920125

info and internship: studio@sommella.com
press enquiries press@sommella.com

download full bio     |     instagram

Awards

2024: Interior Design’s Best of Year. Alba for Falmec
2021: ADI design index. Piega for DGA
2021: German Design Award. Piega for DGA
2020: Archiproducts Design Award. Piega for DGA
2020: Design Plus Award. Piega for DGA
2020: IF Design Award. Altura for Penta
2020: German Design Award. Altura for Penta
2019: [D]arc Award. Kumi outdoor for DGA
2018: Good Design Award Chicago. Alba for Falmec
2018: Good Design Award Chicago. Brigata for Alessi
2018: German Design Award. Terno for il Coccio
2017: Good Design Award Chicago. Materia for Falmec
2017: Good Design Award Chicago. Sfrido for Alessi
2016: ADI design index. Sfrido for Alessi
2016: German Design Award. Kushi for Kundalini
2015: Muuuz award. Kushi for Kundalini
2014: Good Design Award Chicago. Prisma for Falmec
2013: Young and Design Award shortlist. Amy for Alma design



 
tamatama

At the heart of the Tama family lies the idea of creating a series of single-material ceramic accessories for Ethimo—a natural material traditionally used in outdoor settings, which is elevated by a glazed finish that transforms these objects into precious accents. The natural imperfections of the production process contribute to the uniqueness of each piece, with irregularities that characterize the large, smooth, flat surfaces.
The shape of the tables evokes percussion instruments, with their taut skins forming the tabletop while the body defines the base.



Client: Ethimo
Year: 2025

tama

tama


At the heart of the Tama family lies the idea of creating a series of single-material ceramic accessories for Ethimo—a natural material traditionally used in outdoor settings, which is elevated by a glazed finish that transforms these objects into precious accents. The natural imperfections of the production process contribute to the uniqueness of each piece, with irregularities that characterize the large, smooth, flat surfaces.
The shape of the tables evokes percussion instruments, with their taut skins forming the tabletop while the body defines the base.



Client: Ethimo
Year: 2025

Close

About

Valerio Sommella is an Italian industrial designer whose work bridges tradition and innovation. Born in Cortona, Tuscany, and raised in Milan, he graduated from the Design Department of the Politecnico di Milano. Early in his career, he worked between Milan and Amsterdam, gaining international experience before founding his own studio, Valerio Sommella Design Studio, in 2009.

Today, he collaborates with both Italian and international brands, designing a diverse range of products across multiple industries. At the heart of his practice is a deep investigation into the language of objects, where form, material, and technology intersect. Sommella approaches each project as a unique story, distinct and self-contained, rather than part of a continuous narrative. Yet a consistent design voice runs through all his work, bringing cohesion to an ever-evolving portfolio.

Throughout his career, he has collaborated with renowned companies such as Alessi, Alcantara, Apple, Ethimo, Moooi, Nemo, Kdln, Honda, Falmec, Konica Minolta, Panasonic, RH, and many others.


Via Gian Francesco Pizzi 8
20141 Milano
+39 349 7850192
p.IVA 03060920125

info and internship: studio@sommella.com
press enquiries press@sommella.com

download full bio     |     instagram

Awards

2024: Interior Design’s Best of Year. Alba for Falmec
2021: ADI design index. Piega for DGA
2021: German Design Award. Piega for DGA
2020: Archiproducts Design Award. Piega for DGA
2020: Design Plus Award. Piega for DGA
2020: IF Design Award. Altura for Penta
2020: German Design Award. Altura for Penta
2019: [D]arc Award. Kumi outdoor for DGA
2018: Good Design Award Chicago. Alba for Falmec
2018: Good Design Award Chicago. Brigata for Alessi
2018: German Design Award. Terno for il Coccio
2017: Good Design Award Chicago. Materia for Falmec
2017: Good Design Award Chicago. Sfrido for Alessi
2016: ADI design index. Sfrido for Alessi
2016: German Design Award. Kushi for Kundalini
2015: Muuuz award. Kushi for Kundalini
2014: Good Design Award Chicago. Prisma for Falmec
2013: Young and Design Award shortlist. Amy for Alma design



tama