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.
$10,000 / set
Pair of Christian Liaigre "Sudd" Stools Red Leather
By Christian Liaigre
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Christian Liaigre for Holly Hunt square red leather "Sudd" stools. The stools are upholstered in Holly Hunt leather with hammered bronze legs. Made in France. Ships from Philadel...
Iron
Set of 4 Christian Liaigre “Archipel” Counter Stools for Holly Hunt, USA
By HOLLY HUNT, Christian Liaigre
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A refined set of four “Archipel” counter stools designed by Christian Liaigre and manufactured by Holly Hunt, exemplifying Liaigre’s disciplined approach to proportion, material inte...
Leather, Oak
$4,700 / item
Bazane Stool
By Christian Liaigre
Located in New York, NY
Frame description: Oak, wire brushed Frame finish: Charbon Other description: Leather Seat Other finish: Cavallino - Noir Oak WB, Charbon/Noir Cavallino.
Leather, Oak
$3,000Sale Price|53% Off
H 27.5 in W 60.5 in D 36 in
Christian Liaigre Holly Hunt Boudha Upholstered Loveseats, 2 Available
By HOLLY HUNT, Christian Liaigre
Located in Miami, FL
Christian Liaigre Holly Hunt Boudha Upholstered Loveseats, 2 Available Offered for sale are two Christian Liaigre custom made "Boudha" upholstered loveseats. The loveseats are pric...
Metal
Set of Six John Hutton for Holly Hunt Leather Dining Chairs
By John Hutton, HOLLY HUNT
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Sublime set of six bespoke leather dining armchairs designed by John Hutton for Holly Hunt. The chairs feature a hardwood frame with a gracefully curved round back having a square cr...
Leather, Hardwood
Pair of Modern Tufted Leather X Frame Stools
Located in Westwood, NJ
A modern tufted leather X frame stool, classic meets contemporary with this versatile piece. The top boxed cushion is crafted in rich brown leather accented with button tufting, it s...
Metal
Bertu Counter Stools, White Oak Counter Stool, Chile Stool
By Bertu Furniture
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
Bertu Counter Stools, White Oak Counter Stool, Chile Stool This White Oak Chile Counter Stool is beautifully constructed from solid wood...
Wood, Oak
Christian Liaigre "Capetown" Sofa for Holly Hunt
By Christian Liaigre
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Beautiful Christian Liaigre sofa in fantastic soft red velvet-adjacent fabric. Dark brown espresso oak wood frame. This is a showstopper piec...
Cotton
$24,760 / set
H 30 in W 126 in D 86 in
Christian Liaigre for Holly Hunt Augustin 3-piece Sectional Sofa, France, 2016.
By HOLLY HUNT, Christian Liaigre
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Christian Liaigre for Holly Hunt Augustin Sectional Sofa, Cream, France, 2016. (Left-arm facing sectional sofa) Iconic design from the master of Modern Minimalism Christian Liaigre (1943-2020). Christian Liaigre was born in the Vendée region of France where he grew up on his parent’s farm. Christian’s parents bred horses, a detail that has had a substantial influence in his work which has been described as having “strong equestrian flavor.” As a young man he attended the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris, where he studied painting. By the early 60’s he returned to Vendée where he worked on his parent’s farm – perhaps re-opening his eyes to the beauty of country living. In the early 1970’s, Liaigre returned to Paris where he worked as a design director at Nobilis Fontan. Eventually, he left Nobilis, as they wouldn’t allow him to show his own furniture. The joke was on them when he opened his own Parisian design studio in the late 80’s. In 1985, he opened his first store, and he designed the Hôtel Montalembert in 1990. In 1997, he designed The Mercer Hotel in New York City. His clients included Larry Gagosian, Marina Abramović, Bryan Adams...
Textile
Pair of Arabesque Leather Stools
Located in Westwood, NJ
An arabesque influenced style black coated iron base and a leather slung stitched saddle seat cushion. Dimensions: 20" W x 18" D x 19" H
Iron
$1,850 / item
H 33 in W 18.5 in D 19 in
Bertu Counter Stools, White Oak Counter Stool, Arms, Chile Stool
By Bertu Furniture
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
This White Oak Chile Counter Stool is beautifully constructed from solid wood in Ohio, USA. The stool is chunky and modern with a comfortable cushion in the thick weave fabric color of your choice. Sleek black metal rods complete the frame for stability, function, and aesthetic. We offer these counter stools in dining seat height or bar height as well. These can be made for outdoor use as well, or other indoor woods. We absolutely love this one! Price is per stool. specs Period/Model: New; Modern Specs: White Oak, Natural Commercial Grade Finish Customizable: Yes! It's what we do :) dimensions H: 33" W: 18.5" D: 19" Seat H: 24" SKU: Bertu Counter Stools...
Oak
$5,750 / set
H 31.75 in W 21 in D 20.25 in
Set of Three "Fulgens" Counter Stools by Antonio Citterio for B&B Italia Maxalto
By Antonio Citterio, B&B Italia
Located in San Diego, CA
A gorgeous set of three contemporary "Fulgens" counter stools, designed by Antonio Citterio for B&B Italia Maxalto, circa 2000s. The stools are truly exceptional pieces of furniture...
Leather
Evam Stool
Located in Udaipur, IN
The Evam Stool is a striking work of handcrafted furniture design, made from solid reclaimed teak and carved by hand by a master craftsman in Udaipur, India. Beyond its functional us...
Teak
Pair of Klismos Stools, Ottoman, Black Leather
By Theodore Alexander
Located in Miami, FL
Pair Klismos Stools, black leather. Sold by Theodore Alexander. Width is measured from bottom of legs.
Leather, Wood
Pair of Berman Rosetti “Bon Bon” Red Leather Swivel Counter Stools, USA
By Berman Rosetti
Located in Morristown, NJ
Berman Rosetti “Bon Bon” Swivel Counter Stools in Red Leather, Pair, Late 20th / Early 21st Century A bold and stylish pair of “Bon Bon” counter stools by Berman Rosetti, crafted in...
Metal
Holly Hunt Style Red Vinyl Bar Stools, Pair
By HOLLY HUNT, Christian Liaigre
Located in Astoria, NY
Pair of Christian Liaigre for Holly Hunt Style Red Vinyl Covered Bar Stools. 45" H x 18" W x 19" D; seat: 31" H. Provenance: From a New York City Collection.
Upholstery, Wood
Sold
H 16 in W 60 in D 14 in
Christian Liaigre for Holly Hunt Leather and Bronze Bench, Minimal Modern France
By HOLLY HUNT, Christian Liaigre
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Christian Liaigre for Holly Hunt Leather and Bronze bench, Minimal Modern France. Cream leather top. Solid metal base. Sleek and minimal with substantial weight. No longer in product...
Bronze
Christian Liaigre, Mercer Hotel Bar Chairs, Set of 4
By Christian Liaigre
Located in Astoria, NY
Christian Liaigre (French, 1943-2020) Mercer Kitchen (designed 1997) bar chairs, each with curved back the stained plywood frame with taupe-covered seat above tapering square legs conjoined by stretchers. Measures: 39" H x 19" W x 16.6" D x 27" seat height. Provenance: The Mercer Kitchen, Mercer Hotel...
Fabric, Plywood
Sold
H 16 in W 60 in D 14 in
Christian Liaigre for Holly Hunt Leather and Bronze Bench, Minimal Modern France
By Christian Liaigre, HOLLY HUNT
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Christian Liaigre for Holly Hunt Leather and Bronze bench, Minimal Modern France. Cream leather top. Solid metal base. Sleek and minimal with substa...
Bronze
Sold
H 17.72 in W 16.15 in D 16.15 in
Pair of Patinated Bronze Stools Model 'Sud' by Christian Liaigre
By Christian Liaigre
Located in Brussels, BE
Pair of patinated bronze stools model 'Sud' by Christian Liaigre.
Bronze
Christian Liaigere "Nagato" Table/Stool
By Christian Liaigre
Located in San Francisco, CA
Hard to find original signed "Nagato" side table or stool designed by renowned French furniture and interior designer Christian Liaigere for Holly Hunt. Made from raw natural oak wit...
Christian Liaigre "Giacometti" Bench for Holly Hunt
By Christian Liaigre
Located in Hamburg, PA
A wonderful simple line "Giacometti" bench by Christian Liaigre for Holly Hunt. Black supple leather, saddle stitched, with Giacometti designed iron base.
Iron