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.
1990s Donghia Art Deco Style Beige Swivel Chairs, Set of 2
By Donghia
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Transport yourself back to the sleek and sophisticated 1990s with this exquisite swivel chairs set. The ultra rare chairs exudes an air of luxury and refinement. Outstanding design i...
Upholstery, Wood
Remarkable Set of 8 Vintage Cane Arm Chairs by John Hutton for Donghia
By John Hutton, Donghia
Located in Atlanta, GA
A breathtaking rare set of eight (8) organic dining chairs from the limited production Merbau collection designed by the esteemed John Hutton (1947-2006) for Donghia, circa 1995. Exa...
Cane, Mahogany
$12,050 / set
Geneva Club Chair with Ottoman by Donghia
By Angelo Donghia, Donghia
Located in Dallas, TX
Amazingly unique and highly stylized sculptural chair and ottoman set designed by Angelo Donghia for Donghia, just screams for attention! One of Donghia's most coveted and graceful f...
Upholstery, Wood
$19,500 / set
Set of Ten Chippendale Armchairs
By Donghia
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Set of ten mid century armchairs crafted in mahogany in a modern version of the classic chippendale form designed by Yale Burge for Donghia.
Mahogany
Pair of Donghia Black Lacquered Designer Arm Chairs
By Donghia
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Pair of Donghia Black Lacquered Designer Arm Chairs W Freshly Upholstered Silk Cut Velvet Seats.
Wood, Lacquer
Unforgettable Pair of Block Island Cane Club Chairs by John Hutton for Donghia
By John Hutton, Donghia
Located in Atlanta, GA
These magnificent frames are shipped as professionally photographed and described in the listing narrative: Meticulously professionally restored and ready for upholstery. Expert cust...
Cane, Mahogany
Remarkable Set of 10 Vintage Cane Arm Chairs by John Hutton for Donghia
By Donghia, John Hutton
Located in Atlanta, GA
A breathtaking rare set of ten (10) organic dining chairs from the limited production Merbau collection designed by the esteemed John Hutton (1947-2006) for Donghia, circa 1995. Exam...
Cane, Mahogany
Sublime Set of 8 ARM Cane Back Dining Chairs by John Hutton for Donghia
By John Hutton, Donghia
Located in Atlanta, GA
This magnificent large ALL ARMS set of chairs is Unique on the World market. The set is shipped as professionally photographed and described in the listing narrative: Meticulously pr...
Cane, Mahogany
1990 Donghia Versailles Black Mohair Blonde Wood Stool Bench Ottoman John Hutton
By John Hutton, Angelo Donghia, Donghia
Located in Miami, FL
Designed by John Hutton Versailles Blonde Wood Bench, Ottoman, Stool, with black Mohair Fabric for Donghia Italy and made in USA circa 1990. A signature Donghia design, upholstered i...
Hardwood, Mohair
Breathtaking Pair of Black Lacquer Rush Cane Loungers by John Hutton for Donghia
By John Hutton, Donghia
Located in Atlanta, GA
These magnificent lounge chairs are shipped as professionally photographed and described in the listing narrative: Meticulously professionally restored and ready for upholstery. Expe...
Cane, Mahogany
Stellar Set of 12 Vintage Block Island Cane Chairs by John Hutton for Donghia
By Donghia, John Hutton
Located in Atlanta, GA
This magnificent large set of organic dining chairs is shipped as professionally photographed and described in the listing narrative: Meticulously professionally restored, newly cust...
Cane, Mahogany
Vintage Contemporary Dining Chairs by Donghia – Set of 4
By Donghia
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Contemporary Dining Chairs by Donghia – Offered for Reupholstery - Set of 4 Set of four authentic Donghia dining chairs from the late 1980s Contemporary collection, featurin...
Leather, Wood
Pair of John Hutton for Donghia Rattan Cane Mahagony Wood Lounge Club Chairs
By Donghia, John Hutton
Located in Wayne, NJ
A pair of rattan chairs designed for Donghia by John Hutton (1947-2006). Produced for the limited production Merbau Collection . Chairs constructed to light woven rattan against a ma...
Cane
Pristine Set of 12 Merbau Cane Dining Chairs by John Hutton for Donghia, c 1995
By John Hutton, Donghia
Located in Atlanta, GA
This magnificent set of dining chairs is Unique on the World market. The set is shipped as professionally photographed and described in the listing narrative: Meticulously profession...
Cane
Dazzling Set of 10 Block Island Cane Armchairs by John Hutton for Donghia
By Donghia, John Hutton
Located in Atlanta, GA
This magnificent large set of rare John Hutton Block Island ARM dining chair examples is unique on the World market. They are shipped as professionally photographed and described in ...
Cane, Mahogany
Superb Set of 8 Vintage Rush Rattan Cane Chairs by John Hutton for Donghia
By Donghia, John Hutton
Located in Atlanta, GA
A stunning rare set of eight (8) dining chairs from the custom order limited production Merbau collection designed by the esteemed John Hutton (1947-2006) for Donghia, circa 1995. Th...
Bamboo, Cane, Rattan
Set of 3 John Hutton Rattan Lounge Chairs for Donghia Merbau Coastal Line, 1995
By Donghia, John Hutton
Located in Camden, ME
This rare set of three rattan lounge chairs was designed by John Hutton (1947-2006) in 1995 for Donghia’s distinguished Merbau Coastal Collection. As Donghia’s Design Director from...
Fabric, Natural Fiber, Cane, Rattan, Rush, Reed, Polyester, Mahogany, La...
Stellar Restored Set of 8 Block Island Cane Chairs by John Hutton for Donghia
By Donghia, John Hutton
Located in Atlanta, GA
This magnificent set of organic dining chairs is shipped as professionally photographed and described in the listing narrative: Meticulously professionally restored, newly custom uph...
Cane, Mahogany
Superb Set of 12 Rush Wicker Cane Rattan Chairs by John Hutton for Donghia
By Donghia, John Hutton
Located in Atlanta, GA
This magnificent set of dining chairs is Unique on the World market. The set is shipped as professionally photographed and described in the listing narrative: Meticulously profession...
Cane
Pristine Set of 8 Merbau Cane SIDE Dining Chairs by John Hutton for Donghia
By Donghia, John Hutton
Located in Atlanta, GA
An incredibly rare set of eight (8) organic dining chairs from the limited production Merbau collection designed by the esteemed John Hutton (1947-2006) for Donghia, circa 1995. Exam...
Cane
Pristine Set of 8 Merbau Cane Dining Chairs by John Hutton for Donghia, c 1995
By Donghia, John Hutton
Located in Atlanta, GA
This magnificent set of dining chairs is shipped as professionally photographed and described in the listing narrative: Meticulously professionally restored and completely installati...
Cane
Superb Set of 8 Rush Rattan Dining Chairs by John Hutton for Donghia, circa 1995
By Donghia, John Hutton
Located in Atlanta, GA
This magnificent unique set of dining chairs is shipped as professionally photographed and described in the listing narrative: Meticulously professionally restored and completely ins...
Leather, Cane, Rattan
Joe D'Urso Island Sofa for Donghia Knoll Plaidtastic Fabric tete-a-tete chaise
By Donghia, Joe D'Urso
Located in Virginia Beach, VA
A long tete a tete sofa / chaise designed by Joe D’Urso for Donghia. A slightly tapered form with an open back for passing through. Meant to float in a room hence the name “island” b...
Fabric, Mahogany
$1,500 / set
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
Superb ALL ARMS Set of 12 Merbau Cane Dining Chairs by John Hutton for Donghia
By John Hutton, Donghia
Located in Atlanta, GA
This magnificent ALL ARM set of dining chairs is Unique on the World market. The set is shipped as professionally photographed and described in the listing narrative: Meticulously pr...
Cane, Maple