Had Cini Boeri been a man, the Milanese architect and furniture designer, who died in 2020 at age 96, might be regarded today on par with such visionaries of the mid-20th century as Gio Ponti or Marco Zanuso. She worked with both. Although she’s well known and deeply respected in Italy, her renown elsewhere has been more akin to a cult following.
“I admire the work she did across architecture, interiors and furniture,” designer Faye Toogood says of Boeri’s impact. “She practiced architecture during a time when it was considered that women were too fragile to work outside.”
Boeri was one of very few women of her era to graduate from Milan Polytechnic with an architecture degree, which she did in 1951. Her illustrious career hinged on the strict economy of her designs and limited palette of materials. For example, her innovative 1971 Serpentone sofa for Arflex was crafted from just one material, polyurethane foam, and sold by the meter. Her ingenious 1987 Ghost chair for Fiam was cut from a single sheet of thick glass.
But in Boeri’s earlier days, her pieces displayed a more youthful exuberance. The circa 1968 Cubotto cabinet, produced in small numbers by Arflex, is an elegantly irregular arrangement of eight drawers of varying dimensions. The wooden cube, two feet square, was finished in laminate — in vivid orange, blue, sand or white — with color-coordinated casters and handles of black-enameled brass. Its design reflects a Space Age interest in flexible, space-saving, multiuse furnishings.
“It’s a very clean piece of design,” says Kaisha Davierwalla, owner and founder of Vaspaar Italy. “Even with its strong, square lines, somehow the vibrant colors and asymmetry have the feel of a feminine touch.”
Find vintage Cini Boeri seating, lighting and tables on 1stDibs.
Arflex Strips Modular Sofa S3 in White Fabric and Aluminium Feet by Cini Boeri
By Arflex, Cini Boeri
Located in Brooklyn, NY
At the end of the 60s, the architect Cini Boeri revolutionizes the furniture market with her model, that is now an ""evergreen"": the seat system Strips. Additional information: ...
Aluminum
$19,500 / set
H 31.5 in W 31.5 in D 31.5 in
Tito Agnoli for Arflex, Modular Sofa Model '9000', in Teddy Re-Upholstery 1970s
By Tito Agnoli, Arflex
Located in Almelo, NL
Tito Agnoli for Arflex, modular sofa model '9000', in teddy fabric re-upholstery, Italy 1970s. This model is marked by showing infinite possibilities to customize its use accordi...
Fabric, Beech
$5,450
H 23.23 in W 68.12 in D 35.83 in
Mario Marenco for Arflex Marius&Marius Sofa in Brownish Red Leather
By Arflex, Mario Marenco
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mario Marenco for Arflex, 'Marius&Marius' sofa, leather, plastic, lacquered wood, Italy, 1970s The Marius&Marius sofa, designed by Mario Marenco for Arflex in the 1970s, is ...
Leather, Plastic, Wood
$29,700
H 29.53 in W 96.46 in D 94.49 in
Wiener Werkstätten 1970s Modular Organic Sofa in Colorful Fabric
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Wiener Werkstätten, modular sofa, fabric, plastic, Austria, 1970s This modular sofa by Wiener Werkstätten captures something of the freedom and optimism of the 1970s. Its low, gener...
Fabric, Plastic
$12,167 / set
H 24.81 in W 108.27 in D 31.5 in
Modular Sofa, model "9000", By Tito Agnoli For Arflex, Italy, 1970s
By Arflex, Tito Agnoli
Located in Rhode-Saint-Genèse, BE
Modular sofa, model "9000" designed by Tito Agnoli and produced by Arflex around 1970. This sofa consists of 7 modules, including a corner unit. Brown leather upholstery. Seat x6: W:...
Leather
$6,950 / set
H 27.17 in W 94.89 in D 35.44 in
Mario Marenco for Arflex Modular 'Marechiaro' Three-Seat Sofa in Wool
By Arflex, Mario Marenco
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mario Marenco for Arflex, modular three-seater sofa, model 'Marechiaro', wool, plastic, metal, Italy, circa 1976. This well-designed sofa by Mario Marenco for Arflex is fully execut...
Metal
$11,443
H 26.78 in W 73.23 in D 37.41 in
Mario Bellini for Cassina Modular Sofa Pianura in White Fabric
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Madrid, ES
Two-seater modular sofa, model Pianura. Designed by Mario Bellini and manufactured by Cassina in the 1970s. The sofa's structure and armrests are made of lacquered wood and it has be...
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
strips sofa by cini boeri for arflex reupholstered
By Arflex, Cini Boeri
Located in Ghedi, IT
The Strips two-seater sofa, designed by Cini Boeri for Arflex in 1968, is an iconic piece of Italian design that revolutionized modern seating with its innovative modular concept. Th...
Velvet
$8,450
H 27.17 in W 25.6 in D 36.23 in
Mario Marenco for Arflex Four-Seater Sofa in Blue Woolen Upholstery
By Mario Marenco, Arflex
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mario Marenco for Arflex, modular four-seater sofa model 'Marechiaro', wool, plastic, metal, Italy, circa 1976. This well-designed sofa by Mario Ma...
Metal
Strips Long Lounger by Cini Boeri for Arflex, 1960s
By Arflex, Cini Boeri
Located in amstelveen, NL
Very rare strips lounger by Cini Boeri for Arflex, 1960s, It is reupholstered in a sand color recycled fabric. The upholstery can be zipped off so you can snuggle under a blanket. On...
Fabric
$2,781
H 23.63 in W 45.28 in D 31.5 in
"Bacone" Corner Leather Lounge Chair by Cini Boeri for Arflex, Italy, 1970s
By Cini Boeri, Arflex
Located in Milan, IT
Rare Bacone lounge chair by Cini Boeri for Arflex. Extra large piece with generous squared proportions.
Leather
Model 9000 Modular Sectional Sofa by Tito Agnoli for Arflex
By Arflex, Tito Agnoli
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1970s. Italy. Price is for the set. Contact us if you’d like to purchase a single item. Original wool upholstery Armless sections: 26L 32W 24.5H 13.5SH Corner section: 32L 32W 2...
Wool
Italian Modular Sofa in Metal and Patterned Grey Fabric
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Modular sofa, fabric, metal, wood, Italy, 1970s This beautiful Italian sectional sofa showcases the bold and eccentric design choices of the 1970s, highlighted by its striking uphol...
Metal
Sold
H 23.63 in W 184.26 in D 110.63 in
Cini Boeri for Arflex Modular Strips Sofa with Ottomans in Beige Upholstery
By Arflex, Cini Boeri
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Cini Boeri for Arflex, modular 'strips' sofa with ottomans, fabric, chrome, Italy, 1968 The iconic Strips sofa, designed by Italian designer Cini Boeri for Arflex, offers both versa...
Chrome
Arflex Strips Sofa By Cini Boeri In Velvet, Italy 1968
By Arflex, Cini Boeri
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
Cini Boeri for Arflex, modular strips sofa in mustard/golden velvet, Italy 1968 The iconic Strips sofa, a comfortable and versatile design. This modular sofa features four seating e...
Velvet
Sold
H 25.99 in W 122.05 in D 112.21 in
Modular Strips Sofa in brown velvet by Cini Boeri for Arflex, 1970s
By Arflex, Cini Boeri
Located in amstelveen, NL
Strips 5-piece modular sofa by Cini Boeri for Arflex, Italy, 1970s An iconic modular design by Cini Boeri, defined by its soft, quilted construction and low, horizontal profile. Ove...
Velvet
Sold
H 25.6 in W 118.12 in D 37.41 in
Strips Sofa in caramel brown cotton velvet by Cini Boeri for Arflex, 1970s
By Arflex, Cini Boeri
Located in amstelveen, NL
Modular Strips sofa, Cini Boeri, caramel brown cotton velvet, 1960s. One of the most famous products of Arflex. Designed in 1968, it was awarded the price Compasso d’Oro and it is d...
Velvet
Sold
H 23.63 in W 49.22 in D 35.44 in
Cini Boeri for Arflex Modular Strips Sofa in Ocre velvet, Italy 1968
By Arflex, Cini Boeri
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
Cini Boeri for Arflex, modular strips sofa in ocre/golden velvet, Italy 1968 The iconic Strips sofa, a comfortable and verstatile design. This modular sofa features five seating ele...
Velvet
Sold
H 25.6 in W 122.05 in D 112.21 in
Strips Sofa in brown cotton velvet by Cini Boeri for Arflex, 1970s
By Arflex, Cini Boeri
Located in amstelveen, NL
Strips sofa, Cini Boeri, brown cotton velvet, 1960s. One of the most famous products of Arflex. Designed in 1968, it was awarded the price Compasso d’Oro and it is displayed in seve...
Velvet
Sold
H 24.41 in W 129.93 in D 37.41 in
Strips Sofa in caramel brown velvet by Cini Boeri for Arflex, 1970s
By Arflex, Cini Boeri
Located in amstelveen, NL
Strips sofa designed by Cini Boeri for Arflex in the late 1960s. One of the most famous products of Arflex. Designed in 1968, it was awarded the price Compasso d’Oro and it is displa...
Velvet
Strips Sofa by Cini Boeri for Arflex, 1970s
By Cini Boeri, Arflex
Located in amstelveen, NL
Strips sofa designed by Cini Boeri for Arflex in the late 1960s. One of the most famous products of Arflex. Designed in 1968, it was awarded the price Comp...
Cotton, Linen, Polyester
Strips Modular Sofa by Cini Boeri for Arflex, 1970s
By Cini Boeri, Arflex
Located in amstelveen, NL
Strips sofa designed by Cini Boeri for Arflex in the late 1960s. One of the most famous products of Arflex. Designed in 1968, it was awarded the price Compasso d’Oro and it is displa...
Cotton, Linen, Polyester
Modular Strips Sofa by Cini Boeri for Arflex, 1970s
By Cini Boeri, Arflex
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
Beautiful modular sofa model Strips designed by Cini Boeri for Arflex, Italy 1972. This incredibly comfortable sofa is the an early edition reupholstered in high quality golden velvet. The sofa can be arranged in endless different settings to create the perfect lounge! The set exists of 4 one seat elements, one loveseat and two ottomans. The elements have removable fabric covers and are all marked with the Arflex sticker underneath. Will this incredibly comfortable dream sofa...
Velvet
Sold
H 24.41 in W 141.74 in D 72.84 in
Strips Modular Sofa in gold/yellow velvet by Cini Boeri for Arflex, 1970s
By Cini Boeri, Arflex
Located in amstelveen, NL
Strips sofa designed by Cini Boeri for Arflex in the late 1960s. One of the most famous products of Arflex. Designed in 1968, it was awarded the price Compasso d’Oro and it is displa...
Velvet
Cini Boeri Strips Sofa in White Linen for Arflex
By Arflex, Cini Boeri
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
Beautiful modern lounge sofa model Strips designed by Cini Boeri for Arflex, Italy 1972. This incredibly comfortable sofa and has its original white linen upholstery. The sofa can be...
Linen