A modern Renaissance man, Italian designer Carlo di Carli wove his personal philosophy into his furniture creations. He believed that furniture should suit human movement and the surrounding environment, and each piece was made not only with an eye to form but also for everyday practicality. In today’s interiors, vintage di Carli furniture captures the extraordinary essence of Italian mid-century modernism.
Carlo di Carli was born in Milan in 1910. He studied at the Polytechnic University of Milan and developed an interest in design, architecture, writing and philosophy. After graduating in 1934, he worked under revered Italian architect and designer Gio Ponti. Shortly afterward, di Carli opened a studio with furniture maker Renato Angeli. In 1940, he began a relationship with the Milan Triennial design and art museum, where he eventually joined the board of directors.
Most of di Carli's furniture and architectural works came to fruition between the 1940s and 1970s. His architectural projects included the Church of Saint Ildefonso and the Via dei Giardini 7 building in Milan. However, di Carli is best known for his chair and table designs.
What sets di Carli’s chairs and other seating apart from those of other designers is that they are made to be lived in. As a result, his comfortable, functional and inviting designs earned the attention of leading Italian furniture companies like Cassina, Singer & Sons, Tecno and GUBI, and he played a significant role in 20th-century Italian furniture design.
In 1954, di Carli was awarded the Compasso d’Oro for his Cassina Model 683 chair. In 1957, he also won a Grand Prix at the Milan Triennial exhibition for a chair he designed for Tecno. Still committed to his academic pursuits, di Carli served as dean of the architecture faculty at the Polytechnic University of Milan from 1963 to 1968. He continued teaching until 1986 and continued writing until his death in 1999. His most important writings were published in a book titled Architettura, Spazio Primario.
Find vintage Carlo di Carli armchairs, dining chairs and coffee tables on 1stDibs.
Carlo de Carli for Fiarm Hall Stand in Wood
By Carlo di Carli, Fiarm
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Carlo De Carli for Fiarm, hall stand, wood, Italy, 1960s This hall stand designed by Carlo De Carli in the 1960s exemplifies the designer’s thoughtful approach to form, function, an...
Wood
Midcentury Wood, Steel & Glass Dry Bar by Carlo De Carli for Fiarm, Italy 1960s
By Fiarm, Carlo di Carli
Located in Rome, IT
Midcentury rare amazing cabinet dry bar with storage for bottle and sliding doors in wood, steel, black laminate and glass by Carlo De Carli for Fiarm. Made in Italy in the 1960s. ...
Metal
Midcentury Modern Era Designer Carlo De Carli Sormani Rosewood Chest of Drawers
By Carlo di Carli, Sormani
Located in Forney, TX
A fine quality Italian modern chest of drawers designed by famed architect and designer Carlo de Carli (Milan, Italy; 1910-1999) for luxury furniture maker Sormani, model D154, circa...
Bronze
Modular Bookshelf by Carlo dé Carli for Fiarm, Italy, 1970s
By Carlo di Carli, Fiarm
Located in Roma, IT
Modular bookshelf system realized by Carlo dé Carli in 1970s. Curved plywood and ash veneer. Manufacturer's label: FIARM Scorzè (Venezia), Made in Italy. An elegant expression of ...
Wood
Italian Mid-century Modern Commode with Mirror
By Carlo di Carli
Located in San Francisco, CA
On offer is a curved rectangular commode with a gleaming French polish finish by Italian architect, designer, essayist and academic Carlo De Carli (1910-1999). The mirrored section s...
Brass
$2,487Sale Price|50% Off
Carlo De Carli dining set, 1965, set of 12
By Carlo di Carli
Located in Manzano, IT
An elegant, original and functional dining set, perfect for collectors, architects or fans of Italian mid-century furniture. This piece combines signature design and timeless charm, ...
Aluminum
1960 Iconic Three Drawers Commode de Carlo di Carli Pour Sormani
By Carlo di Carli
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Carlo de Carli (1910-1999) Model D154 chest of drawers Lacquered wood, metal and gilded brass Sormani Edition Date of creation 1063-1964 The chest of drawers consists of 3 drawers, ...
Brass
Carlo de Carli DC154 chest of drawers Sormani Italy 1963
By Carlo di Carli, Sormani
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Elegant chest of drawers, model DC154, designed by Carlo de Carli and made by Sormani in Italy in 1963. It comes in different versions, but the rosewood one is considered the finest....
Bronze
Dresser ‘DC 154’ Carlo de Carli, Sormani, 1960 circa
By Sormani, Carlo di Carli
Located in Milano, Lombardia
La cassettiera in legno massello disegnata da Calo De Carli per Sormani negli anni '60 rappresenta un'icona dell'arredamento d'epoca, con un mix perfetto di eleganza, preziosità e fu...
Metal
White Chest of Drawers by Carlo de Carli, Italy, 1960s
By Carlo di Carli
Located in Brussels, BE
White Chest of Drawers by Carlo de Carli, Italy, 1960s
Brass
DC154 cabinet by Carlo Di Carli for Sormani
By Carlo di Carli, Sormani
Located in BE
A rare Italian masterpiece, the DC154 chest of drawers was designed by Carlo De Carli and produced by Sormani in 1963, distinguished by its beautifully grained rosewood veneer and re...
Bronze
Mid-century sideboard with black mirror top by Carlo di Carli for Luigi Sormani
By Carlo di Carli
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-century rosewood sideboard with black mirror top by Carlo di Carli for Luigi Sormani - Italy 1964
Wood
Vintage Italian World Globe Dry Bar, 1960s
Located in Miami, FL
This vintage 1960s Italian dry bar is perfect for adding a touch of classic European flair to your home. The globe design is made of wood, giving it an authentic and timeless look. T...
Wood
$18,000
H 76 in W 159.5 in D 18 in
California Modern Cerused Oak Modular Bookcase Room Divider by Lou Hodges, 1970s
By Lou Hodges
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This 80's light blue cerused oak modular wall bookcase, which is finished on the back so can also be used as a floating room divider, is by Lou Hodges and was designed and produced i...
Oak
$13,460 / set
H 31.5 in W 40.95 in D 19.69 in
Mid-Century Modern Style Murano Glass and Brass Pair of Italian Commodes
By L.A. Studio
Located in Ibiza, Spain
Designed by L.A. Studio, this pair of commodes combines timeless elegance with modern sophistication. Crafted in Italy, each commode features an original solid wood structure from th...
Brass
Mid Century Modern Italian Rattan/Bamboo Geometric 1960s Dry Bar
Located in High Point, NC
Bring a little Riviera glamour and tropical escapism home with this wonderfully distinctive vintage bamboo and rattan dry bar. With its richly honeyed bamboo frame, graphic patchwork...
Bamboo, Rattan, Laminate
$2,575
H 27.96 in W 37.8 in D 18.9 in
Italian Dry Bar by Angelo Mangiarotti for Molteni in Wood and Marble, 1960s
By Angelo Mangiarotti, Molteni & C
Located in Argelato, BO
Angelo Mangiarotti, rare and refined Dry Bar / Sideboard in wood and marble made for Molteni. It is a functional piece of furniture, capable of holding large quantities of bottles, b...
Marble
$1,931
H 27.96 in W 28.75 in D 14.57 in
1950s Midcentury Regency Italian Wood, Brass and Mirror Dry Bar Cabinet Cart
By Paolo Buffa, Gio Ponti, Vittorio Dassi, Ico & Luisa Parisi, Guglielmo Ulrich
Located in Carimate, Como
Very elegant Italian Art Deco Mid-Century Modern dry bar cabinet cart characterized by its original Asian themed painted front wood pull-out tilt door with interior part in mirror glass, standing on its antique brass wheels...
Brass
$20,952 / set
H 31.5 in W 50.4 in D 19.69 in
Mid-Century Modern Style Wood and Brass Italian Pair of Commodes
By Gio Ponti
Located in Madrid, ES
Pair of chests of drawers in Gio Ponti style. Made of solid wood structure covered in brass. Our main target is customer satisfaction, so we include in the price for this item profe...
Brass
$6,145
H 20.48 in W 46.26 in D 14.18 in
Danish Midcentury Modern Rosewood Chest of Drawers/Sideboard by Kai Kristiansen
By Aksel Kjersgaard, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Small sideboard or chest of drawers by Kai Kristiansen for Aksel Kjersgaard Odder, made from rosewood with a dramatic veneer pattern on the top. Decorative round inset drawer handles.
Rosewood
Danish Modern Rosewood Credenza w/ Sliding Doors by Carlo Jensen
By Hundevad & Co., Carlo Jensen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Materials: Brazilian Rosewood, Birch Wood ________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we...
Birch, Rosewood
$6,788 / set
H 26.78 in W 18.12 in D 19.69 in
Mid-Century Modern Style Solid Wood and Brass Italian Commodes
By L.A. Studio
Located in Ibiza, Spain
Designed by L.A. Studio, this pair of Italian commodes features a solid wood structure covered in brass and black glass, accented with bronze legs. These commodes blend modern aesthe...
Brass
$1,600Sale Price|43% Off
H 32 in W 72 in D 18 in
Walnut Credenza in the Style of Knoll, Mid-Century Modern, USA, 1965
By Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Walnut Credenza or Buffet that sits up on a square iron black base. Two doors and 4 drawers for plenty of storage! Unique system of connecting cabinets together to create the confi...
Metal, Chrome
$2,895
H 61 in W 42.5 in D 12 in
Expertly Restored - Danish Modern Brazilian Rosewood Bookshelf by Carlo Jensen
By Carlo Jensen, Hundevad & Co.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we take this journey with passion and precis...
Rosewood
Cassettiera 'D 154' di Carlo de Carli per Sormani anni 60
By Carlo di Carli, Sormani
Located in Milano, IT
Cassettiera modello “D 154”. disegnata da Carlo de Carli e prodotta da Sormani a partire dal 1963. Dalla linea molto pulita ed elegante, il mobile è realizzato in legno laccato ross...
Brass
Red Chest of Drawers, Carlo de Carli, 1960s
By Carlo di Carli
Located in Brussels, BE
Red Chest of Drawers, Carlo de Carli, 1960s
Metal
Sold
H 30.71 in W 51.19 in D 19.69 in
Carlo de Carli chest of drawers in blue lacquered wood by Sormani, Italy, 1960s
By Sormani, Carlo di Carli
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
This chest of drawers by Carlo De Carli for Sormani brings a quiet sense of confidence. The deep blue lacquer has a calm, velvety tone, and the mirrored glass top adds a soft, reflec...
Brass
Sold
H 31.5 in W 59.06 in D 21.66 in
DC 154 Chest of Drawers by Carlo De Carli for Luigi Sormani, 1960s
By Carlo di Carli
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Rare chest of drawers model DC 154 designed by Carlo de Carli and produced by Luigi Sormani. This mid century piece is made of high quality wood, with sturdy drawers and nicely craf...
Wood
Carlo de Carli for Fiarm , transformable bar cabinet
By Carlo di Carli
Located in Milan, IT
Rare bar cabinet designed by Carlo de Carli for the Fiarm manufacture in the 1970s. This piece is a perfect example of organic and experimental Italian design of the period: curved ...
Laminate, Palisander
Carlo de Carli scarlet red commode
By Carlo di Carli
Located in London, GB
Carlo De Carli for Sormani chest of drawers in scarlet red lacquer with brass detailings. The commode consists of 3 drawers with brass framed smoked glass mirror top, brass feet and ...
Brass
Mid-Century Chest of Drawers by Carlo di Carli - Italy 1970s
By Carlo di Carli
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Chest of Drawers by Carlo di Carli - Italy 1970s
Brass
Sold
H 33.08 in W 31.5 in D 12.6 in
Italian Modern Modular Wood Bookcase, Carlo De Carli for FIARM, Italy 1970 's
By Fiarm, Carlo di Carli
Located in Ceglie Messapica, IT
Italian Modern Modular Wood Bookcase, Carlo De Carli for FIARM This Italian Modern Modular Wood Bookcase, designed by Carlo De Carli for FIARM in the 1970s, is a stunning example of...
Other
Carlo de Carli Pair of White Night Stand for Sormani
By Luigi Sormani, Carlo di Carli
Located in Milano, IT
Elegant pair of Italian bedside tables created by renowned designer Carlo de Carli for the renowned Sormani manufacture in the 1960s. These splendid pieces of furniture not only ref...
Brass
Rare Carlo de Carli Swivel coat rack vanity wardrobe for Fiarm, 1960s
By Fiarm, Carlo di Carli
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
Fantastic and rare Carlo De Carli Vanity Wardrobe in walnut with a swivel base for Fiarm, 1960s. This stunning piece folds open to a coat hanger ...
Brass
Carlo De Carli modular bookcase by Fiarm, Italy, 1970s
By Carlo di Carli, Fiarm
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
Large modular bookcase in curved and lacquered plywood, designed by Carlo de Carli, produced by Fiarm in the 1960s. A playful modular bookcase composed of curved plywood, showcased ...
Plywood
Sold
H 31.89 in W 56.7 in D 21.26 in
Chest of Drawers Lacquered and Brass by Carlo de Carli for Sormani, Italy, 1964
By Carlo di Carli, Sormani
Located in SAINT-OUEN, FR
Dresser, chest of drawers or commode model D154, green lacquered, gilt brass garniture, gold mirror glass top and brass frame by the italian designer Carlo de Carli for the editor ma...
Brass