Christian Liaigre Furniture
In his illustrious career, the French designer Christian Liaigre created furniture and private interiors with a minimalist and restrained sensibility that would become his trademark, but never at the cost of luxury. When he began designing furniture in the 1980s, Liaigre’s clean lines and no-frills approach caused a stir and was considered unusual for the era. But what Liaigre knew best was creating elegant, exquisite designs that would stand the test of time.
Liaigre studied at the École des Beaux-Arts and the École Nationale Supérieure des Arts Décoratifs in Paris. He initially began as a furniture designer, opening his studio in 1985 before he would move toward interiors. His bold, timeless pieces were made in France using luxurious materials such as marble and cashmere in a soothing palette of neutral tones that look fresh to this day. Later, Liaigre began to design private interiors — from homes of influential figures like Calvin Klein and Karl Lagerfeld to holiday homes, offices and the cabins of private yachts. He designed the interiors of the Art Deco–era Hotel Montalembert in Paris and became known in the United States for his design of the Mercer Hotel in New York City, which opened in 1997. Soon afterward, he found himself working for hotelier Ian Schrager.
To each of his interior design projects Liaigre brought his minimalist touch, which was born from his ability to distill a broad range of inspirations — from Brancusi sculptures and African art to Art Deco furniture — into simple, balanced forms. The modest beauty of his popular Nagato stool, a small and sculptural piece of seating designed in oak in 1986, represents this vision clearly and points to some more of Liaigre’s influences: the stillness found in Donald Judd’s minimalist art and many aspects of Japanese culture.
Liaigre, who earned comparisons to celebrated French designers Jean-Michel Frank and Jean Royère, was also known for his visionary use of natural and unconventional materials and is considered to be one of the first to use wenge, an African hardwood, in combination with traditional timber such as oak in his furnishings. Liaigre’s creative foresight has ensured that today he is one of the most influential and widely imitated designers of the 20th century.
Find a range of Christian Liaigre seating, tables and other furniture on 1stDibs.
21st Century and Contemporary French Minimalist Christian Liaigre Furniture
Bronze
Late 20th Century French Organic Modern Christian Liaigre Furniture
Leather, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary French Minimalist Christian Liaigre Furniture
Bronze
2010s French Minimalist Christian Liaigre Furniture
Textile, Mohair, Velvet, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Christian Liaigre Furniture
Textile
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Christian Liaigre Furniture
Textile
2010s French Minimalist Christian Liaigre Furniture
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary French Minimalist Christian Liaigre Furniture
Textile, Silk, Oak
1950s French Modern Vintage Christian Liaigre Furniture
Steel
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Christian Liaigre Furniture
Bronze, Wrought Iron
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Christian Liaigre Furniture
Mohair, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary French Christian Liaigre Furniture
Bronze
2010s Christian Liaigre Furniture
Velvet
20th Century Unknown Christian Liaigre Furniture
Upholstery, Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Mid-Century Modern Christian Liaigre Furniture
Leather
1950s American Vintage Christian Liaigre Furniture
Fabric, Walnut
Early 2000s American Modern Christian Liaigre Furniture
Upholstery, Mahogany
1970s Belgian Post-Modern Vintage Christian Liaigre Furniture
Fabric, Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary British Christian Liaigre Furniture
Linen
1990s Modern Christian Liaigre Furniture
Mohair
2010s French Modern Christian Liaigre Furniture
Leather, Oak
2010s French Modern Christian Liaigre Furniture
Leather, Oak
Late 20th Century American Modern Christian Liaigre Furniture
Walnut
20th Century American Modern Christian Liaigre Furniture
Leather
20th Century American Modern Christian Liaigre Furniture
Leather
2010s French Modern Christian Liaigre Furniture
Ebony, Walnut