Alessi Farfalla and Santiago Compared: Which Suits Your Space?
By ALESSI UK: Italian Design Home Accessories, Kitchenware & Gifts | Published: 2026-10-14
Category: Comparisons
Compare the Alessi Farfalla nutcracker and Santiago spoon set on design intent, material, and everyday use to decide which piece belongs in your space.
Quick answer
Choose the santiago-164061">santiago-164044">santiago-164040">santiago-164036">Santiago set if you want a six-piece 18/10 stainless steel spoon set that earns its place at every meal. Choose the Farfalla nutcracker if you want a compact, sculptural object by Enzo Mari that handles a single task with precision. They are not substitutes; they solve different problems.
What each piece actually is
The Santiago table spoon set is a set of six spoons in the Santiago design by David Chipperfield, made from 18/10 stainless steel and dishwasher safe. It is a full place-setting component, not a single decorative object.
The Farfalla is a nutcracker designed by Enzo Mari at the end of the 1990s and produced in 2021 as a tribute to one of the Masters of Italian design. It is a single-purpose tool whose form follows the gesture of cracking nuts.
Material and care differences that matter
The Santiago set is built from 18/10 stainless steel, which is the alloy family that resists corrosion and holds a shine through repeated washing. It is dishwasher safe, so daily use does not require special handling.
The Farfalla catalog facts do not state a material or dishwasher rating. If you need a piece you can toss in the dishwasher without checking, that absence is a real decision limit. Treat the Farfalla as a hand-wash object unless the product page states otherwise.
How many people and what occasions
Santiago serves six at once. That makes it the practical choice for households that eat together, for replacing a worn everyday set, or for a first upgrade to designer tableware.
Farfalla serves one task at a time. It suits aperitivo bowls, holiday nut bowls, or a small kitchen where one beautiful tool is preferred over a full set. If you regularly host nut-heavy snacks for a crowd, one nutcracker may become a bottleneck.
Trade-offs to weigh before you buy
- Everyday volume vs. single-object focus: Santiago gives you six spoons for daily meals. Farfalla gives you one nutcracker for one job. If your table seats more than two, Santiago covers more ground per purchase.
- Stated care vs. unstated care: Santiago is explicitly dishwasher safe. Farfalla's catalog facts do not mention material or dishwasher suitability. Buy Farfalla knowing you may need to hand-wash; buy Santiago knowing you will not.
- Design authorship vs. design utility: Farfalla carries the Enzo Mari name and a 2021 production story. Santiago carries David Chipperfield's design language across a functional set. Pick Farfalla for the object and its history; pick Santiago for the table it sets.
Product facts
- Santiago: Set of six table spoons in the Santiago design by David Chipperfield, made from 18/10 stainless steel and dishwasher safe. Covers six place settings, resists corrosion, and can go straight into the dishwasher after meals.
- Farfalla: Farfalla nutcracker designed by Enzo Mari at the end of the 1990s, produced in 2021 as a tribute to one of the Masters of Italian design. A collectible design object with a single clear function, best suited to someone who values authorship and sculptural form over volume.
Which one fits your space
Best for
- Households that need six matching spoons for daily meals
- Buyers who want dishwasher-safe 18/10 stainless steel without special care
- Anyone replacing a basic cutlery set with designer tableware
Not for
- Shoppers looking for a single sculptural object rather than a set
- Anyone who needs a nutcracker for frequent large gatherings
- Buyers who require a stated material and dishwasher rating before purchase
