GUBI presents the Totto Stool by GamFratesi

A companion shaped for spaces in motion

The Totto Stool by GamFratesi reinterprets the archetypal three-legged stool through softness, tactility, and refined simplicity. Crafted entirely from Sapelli wood, the design balances a grounded character with instinctive functionality, creating a versatile companion shaped for everyday life.

‘The three-legged stool is one of the most familiar and instinctive objects within everyday life. With Totto, we wanted to preserve the honesty of the archetype while softening its expression through tactility and proportion, reimagining it as a contemporary companion.’
–Stine Gam and Enrico Fratesi, GamFratesi

Compact and adaptable, Totto shifts naturally between stool, side table, and sculptural surface, bringing warmth and presence to the spaces around it. Whether placed beside a lounge chair or bed, used to display books and objects, or brought forward as an additional seat for guests, Totto responds intuitively to changing needs and routines throughout the day.

An archetype reimagined

The starting point for Totto was the timeless familiarity of the traditional three-legged stool – an archetypal form shaped by utility and everyday life. GamFratesi refined its proportions and softened its expression, creating a contemporary interpretation of the typology. Rounded edges, curved transitions, and the tray-like surface lend the design an instinctive, welcoming quality, while the subtly rounded feet extend this softened language throughout, balancing softness with proportions that preserve the honesty and integrity of the archetype.

‘Totto expresses GamFratesi’s ability to bring warmth and emotional character into compact forms. Balancing softness, utility, and material richness, the design feels both familiar and distinctly contemporary.’
–Marie Kristine Schmidt, CEO, GUBI

The interplay between the seat and legs defines Totto’s identity. Shaped like a turned wooden bowl, the seat is softened beneath and along the edges to make the stool comfortable to hold, easy to move, and inviting to sit on. Meanwhile, the cylindrical legs widen subtly toward the floor, reinforcing a sense of strength and stability within the three-legged structure. Together, these features create an object that feels both elemental and fully resolved.

The warmth of Sapelli wood

Totto is crafted from Sapelli wood, chosen for its warmth, durability, and richly expressive grain. Its natural tones bring tactile richness and a grounded warmth to the design.

‘Totto is designed to stay in motion – something people naturally move around, live with, and return to throughout the day. Its simplicity allows it to shift effortlessly between different spaces and uses, while the warmth and tactility of the wood create a sense of familiarity and ease.’
– Stine Gam and Enrico Fratesi, GamFratesi

GamFratesi selected natural Sapelli and dark-stained Sapelli finishes to highlight the individuality and depth of the wood, while allowing the stool to develop a richer character through use. Variations in grain, tone, and texture give every Totto a distinct expression, reinforcing the material’s natural authenticity. Both finishes are protected with a clear lacquer that preserves the wood’s richness while enhancing its natural character. Ranging from golden brown to deeper reddish-brown tones, the wood features richly interlocked grain patterns with subtle depth, movement, and a natural luster that make each piece unique. The darker finish retains visible grain and warm undertones, preserving the richness of the natural wood.

Crafted from FSC-certified® Sapelli wood and wood from other responsible sources (FSC® C176589), Totto is defined by a refined and restrained construction. The solid wood seat is formed from multiple laminated wooden pieces for strength and stability, while the turned wooden legs are fitted directly into the seat, creating an expression in which structure, material, and craftsmanship become inseparable.

‘What makes Totto special is the ease with which it becomes part of a space. Its compact scale and versatility allow it to move naturally between functions and interiors, creating an object that feels intuitive to live with from the moment it enters a home.’
– Marie Kristine Schmidt, CEO, GUBI

Almost object-like in scale and presence, Totto sits between furniture and sculpture – an understated design shaped as much by touch and movement as by form itself.