With distinctive style touches like gray flannel upholstery and overstuffed seating, American designer Angelo Donghia (1935–85) was a visionary leader of bold interior design and furniture in the 1970s and ’80s. Although Donghia lived only to age 50, by the time of his death from AIDS-related pneumonia, his name graced numerous furniture and decor companies, in addition to his own interior designs.
After graduating from Parsons School of Design in 1959, Donghia joined the interiors firm of Yale R. Burge, and his star rose quickly from there. By 1963, he had been appointed vice president and in 1966, partner — a move that came with a name change for the firm to Burge-Donghia Interiors. In 1968, he founded the fabrics and wall coverings company & Vice Versa, and in 1978 he founded Donghia Furniture. With this holistic approach, Donghia was able to oversee nearly every element of an interior design project, which, for him, spanned everything from corporate offices (notably PepsiCo’s world headquarters in Purchase, New York) to the Metropolitan Opera Club at Lincoln Center to residential interiors for clients such as Diana Ross and Ralph Lauren.
After he inherited Burge’s firm, he continued to develop its reach as Donghia Associates. He opened a series of showrooms around the country to offer his designs to a wider audience, who loved the company’s marriage of minimal forms with luxe materials. His silver-foil ceilings, mixing of eclectic textile patterns and plush furniture set trends and, through mass marketing, influenced the direction of American interior design.
“I feel that I’ve developed my own style that is as classic and minimal as the ’30s style it reflects,” the designer once told New York magazine. In 2015, the retrospective “Angelo Donghia: Design Superstar” at the New York School of Interior Design chronicled his influence on all facets of modern interiors, from furnishings to wall coverings. It’s an approach that still resonates today. Donghia continued to operate as a company after his death, acquired by the Rubelli Group in 2005. After it filed for bankruptcy in 2020 and closed its showrooms, its name, designs, archives and inventory were acquired by Kravet.
Find authentic Donghia furniture today on 1stDibs.
Rattan Lounge Chair by John Hutton for Donghia
By Donghia, John Hutton
Located in Palm Springs, CA
1980’s Rattan and orange lounge chair by John Hutton for Donghia. The frame is in original condition, it shows minor wear consistent with age. The cushion are newly recovered in a ...
Fabric, Rattan
Vintage Boho Donghia “Anziano” Leather Klismos Chairs - A Pair
By Donghia
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Discover an icon of modern design with this striking pair of Vintage Donghia "Anziano" Klismos Chairs, a testament to sleek sophistication and architectural elegance. Originally conc...
Metal
Klismos black chair
By Pescetta
Located in IT
Classic and elegant Klismos customizable dining chairs with saber legs, black lacquered wood and leather seats. Available in other colors and upholstery. Italian artisanal production by Pescetta Home Decoration...
Leather, Wood
Pair Of Lounge Chairs Designed By John Hutton For Sutherland
By John Hutton
Located in Bradenton, FL
Exquisite Pair of designer armchairs designed by John Hutton (1947-2006) for the Sutherland Collection (Dallas). Art Deco Moderne inspired l...
Textile, Wood
$2,850 / set
H 32.75 in W 22.5 in D 31 in
Donghia Pair of Slipper Lounge Chairs designed by John Hutton Mid Century Style
By Donghia, John Hutton
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of Low Slung Slipper Lounge Chairs, designed by John Hutton for Donghia, American, circa 2000s.
Upholstery, Wood
$12,000 / set
H 37.25 in W 24 in D 24.5 in
Set of Ten John Hutton for Donghia Grand Soleil Dining Chairs
By Donghia, John Hutton
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Substantial set of ten "Grand Soleil" black leather and mahogany dining chairs designed by John Hutton for Donghia. The imposing set consists of eight side chairs and two host armcha...
Leather, Hardwood
$8,800 / set
H 37 in W 25.5 in D 33 in
Pair of Ebonized Leather Rope Klismos Chairs After Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Fantastic pair of large klismos chairs featuring a dramatic ebonized black lacquer finish and leather woven rope strap seats. The oversized chairs are unsigned, however they are made...
Leather, Wood
$8,000 / set
H 30.5 in W 30 in D 35 in
Coastal Merbau Woven Rattan Wicker Lounge Chairs John Hutton for Donghia 1990s
By John Hutton, Donghia
Located in Troy, MI
Pair of organic modern wicker club chairs from the limited "Merbau" collection designed by John Hutton for Donghia circa 1990s Woven cane seats supported by solid mahogany legs and ...
Wicker, Cane, Mahogany
John Hutton for Donghia "Ghost" Chair and Ottoman, Set of 2
By Donghia
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
The rare and stylish "Ghost" chair and ottoman set are packed with personality! Outstanding design is exhibited throughout. Just look at the curves and details on this beauty! Uphols...
Upholstery, Wood
Klismos Brass Chair
By Scala Luxury
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
Experience unparalleled elegance with our Klismos Brass Chair. Expertly crafted with a luxurious brass frame, each chair exudes an old-world sophistication.
Brass
Donghia Klismos Bench Hollywood Regency Style Glamour
By John Hutton, Donghia
Located in Atlanta, GA
Elegant klismos bench or ottoman, designed by John Hutton for Donghia, American, circa 1990s. This bench retains its original fabric which is in decent shape. If you prefer, we can r...
Upholstery, Wood
$3,850
H 30.5 in W 30 in D 33 in
JOHN HUTTON for DONGHIA 'Merbau' Woven Cane Lounge Chairs, Priced per Chair
By Donghia, John Hutton
Located in Hudson, NY
Absolutely stunning pair of vintage Coastal lounge chairs designed by John Hutton for Donghia. The chocolate colored version is very rare- only a few were produced. Chairs are imprin...
Wicker, Cane, Mahogany, Walnut
Pair of Vintage Leather Side Chairs by Donghia
By Donghia
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This attractive pair of modern Italian side chairs feature stylish leather upholstered frames and make a stunning addition to any seating area. An extremely comfortable lounge chair ...
Leather
Golden Woven Leather Saber Legs Klismos Style Chairs
Located in IT
Klismos customizable dining chairs with saber legs, golden lacquered wood and black woven leather seats. Available in other colors and upholstery. Italian artisanal production by Pescetta Home Decoration. Klismos are walnut wood chairs with deep and large seat and back wraparound feeling backrest. These chairs are made in Italy. They are realized according to the historical model named "Klismos" which is a type of ancient Greek chair...
Wood
Ivory Anziano Chairs by John Hutton for Donghia
By Donghia, John Hutton
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT A set of two Donghia Anziano bentwood chairs designed by John Hutton. Ivory base with black hair pin metal legs. The chairs are stackable. ...
Steel
Anziano Chairs by John Hutton for Donghia
By John Hutton, Donghia
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT A set of four Donghia Anziano bentwood chairs designed by John Hutton. Dark brown espresso base with black hair pin metal legs. The chairs are s...
Steel
Sold
H 29 in W 37 in D 36 in
Donghia Barrel Backed Volume Swiveling Tub Chair in Grey Pink Velvet Mohair
By Donghia
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A Donghia barrel backed volume tub chair. This is a wonderful contemporary modern accent lounge chair with a truly wonderful mohair velvet upholstery. The color of the fabric is a mi...
Mohair
Sold
H 33.25 in W 24.25 in D 17 in
Vintage Coastal Donghia “Block Island” Woven Rattan Chairs - Set of 6
By Donghia
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A fabulous set of six vintage Coastal dining chairs. Made by the iconic Donghia and tagged below the seat. Two arms and four sides complete the set. Acquired from a Palm Beach estate...
Upholstery, Rattan
Mid-Century Modern Donghia Rattan Cane Jeanerret Style Chair
By Donghia
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A Donghia rattan cane Jeanerret style chair. This unique accent chair has an incredible silhouette with its long, arching back, and its matching pointin...
Rattan
John Hutton for Donghia Anziano Chairs
By Donghia, John Hutton
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Beautiful set of 6 John Hutton designed Anziano chairs for Donghia. These chairs are in black with black painted metal legs. They are in good age appropr...
Metal
Pair of Swivel Lounge Chairs and Ottoman by Donghia
By Donghia
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Pair of swivel lounge chairs and ottoman by Donghia. Original chenille Donghia fabric, seat cushions on chair and ottoman is down filled. In beautiful vintage condition. Me...
Chenille, Wood, Down
Vintage Donghia Trellis Jacquard Club Chairs, a Pair
By Donghia
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Stunning pair of vintage Donghia club chairs. Beautiful Contemporary design covered in creamy white trellis Jacquard. Deep seats and high arms make thi...
Fabric
Vintage Postmodern Donghia Lounge Chairs, a Pair
By Donghia
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Fantastic pair of Donghia lounge chairs. A chic Postmodern design done in a shimmering jacquard upholstery. Tagged on the bottom. Acquired from a Palm Beach estate
Fabric, Wood
Sold
H 26 in W 34 in D 35 in
B&B Italia Lounge Chair Erasmo Newly Upholstered in Donghia Boucle Afra& TScarpa
By B&B Italia, Donghia, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in West Hartford, CT
Rare B&B Italia Erasmo chair that our team of upholsterers just redid in a stunning Donghia blue and gray boucle fabric. All B&B Italia hallmarks present. One of the most comfortable...
Textile, Bouclé, Wood
Sold
H 26 in W 34 in D 35 in
B&B Italia Lounge Chair Erasmo Newly Upholstered in Donghia Boucle Afra& TScarpa
By Donghia, Afra & Tobia Scarpa, B&B Italia
Located in West Hartford, CT
Rare B&B Italia Erasmo chair that our team of upholsterers just redid in a stunning Donghia blue and gray boucle fabric. All B&B Italia hallmarks present. One of the most comfortable...
Textile, Bouclé, Wood
Lounge Chair Donghia by John Hutton 1995 Mahogany and Cane
By Donghia, John Hutton
Located in Camden, ME
A stunning caned lounge chair from the limited production Merbau Collection designed by John Hutton (1947-2006) for Donghia, circa 1995. This particular series is scarce. John Hutt...
Mahogany