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
$4,707Sale Price|30% Off
Donghia Swivel Armchair, Brass Base, Hand-Painted Textile, 1970s, USA
By Donghia
Located in Munich, Bavaria
This unique swivel armchair of Donghia is really a special designer piece. It curved shape makes is very comfortable and the brass base gives the c...
Brass
Set of Four Swivel Tub Chairs by Shelby Williams
By Shelby Williams
Located in Bronx, NY
Set of four swivel tub chairs by Shelby Williams for The Playboy Club. Upholstered in a mottled brown vinyl.
Leather
Set of Three Industrial Style Chain Link Swivel Barstools
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Chic set of three swivel barstools featuring an industrial style sculptural iron chain link base. Each stool is hand-crafted from thick, chunky welded chains...
Steel
$3,134 / set
H 36.23 in W 31.5 in D 30.71 in
Göte Möbel Swivel Reclining Armchair with Footrest, Sweden, 1970s
By Göte Möbler Nässjö
Located in Bochum, NRW
A stunning example of 1970s Scandinavian craftsmanship, this Göte Möbel swivel armchair and matching footrest set embodies timeless design and ergonomic luxury. Crafted in Sweden fro...
Leather, Bentwood
Pair of Milo Baughman Style Swivel Chairs
By Milo Baughman
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Pair of eccentric green swivel chairs in vibrant Asian-themed silk-like fabric. These chairs are unsigned. Swivel works perfectly—not too fast. ...
Fabric
$15,850 / set
H 29 in W 34 in D 33 in
Vladimir Kagan "Classic Club Chair" Channel Back Swivel Chairs, 1990s
By Vladimir Kagan, Directional
Located in Dallas, TX
Matching pair of stylish and very comfortable lounge chairs by Vladimir Kagan design for Directional Inc., 1990s. Each professionally custom upholstered swivel chair, barrel back sty...
Upholstery, Wood
$7,500
H 31.5 in W 27.56 in D 25.6 in
“Low Commander” Swivel Armchair, Jorge Zalszupin, Chenille, Aluminum, 1970s
By Jorge Zalszupin
Located in New York, NY
Designed by Jorge Zalszupin (1922–2020) and introduced in 1973, the “Low Commander” armchair emerged during a pivotal moment in Brazilian modernism, when industrial materials and con...
Aluminum
French Art Deco Swivel Chair by Jules Leleu, Mahogany & Leather
By Jules Leleu
Located in Queens, NY
French Art Deco mahogany swivel chair with beige leather upholstered seat and back. (attributed to JULES LELEU).
Leather, Mahogany
$4,615 / item
H 29.53 in W 31.89 in D 30.71 in
BOEMIA Contemporary Velvet Swivel Armchair with Brass-Colored Base
Located in Frazão, Porto
Boemia is a high-end swivel armchair that embodies the perfect harmony between luxury design and ergonomic comfort. Designed with an embracing backrest and integrated armrests, it of...
Brass
1990s John Hutton for Donghia Merbau Lounge Chairs
By John Hutton, Donghia
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Wonderful organic/ coastal modern Lou mg e chairs by John Hutton for Donghia circa 1994. Great scale and use of materials. Could blend easily with a variety of interior styles give t...
Reed, Mahogany
Swivel Chair, 1970s Cechoslovakia
Located in Praha, CZ
- Made in Czechoslovakia. - Made of metal, suede faux leather. - The leatherette shows signs of use. - Good, original condition. - Cleared.
Leather
$3,500 / set
H 28.5 in W 36.5 in D 34 in
Pair of Modern Swivel Club Directional Style Corkscrew Chairs
Located in Wayne, NJ
Pair of grey swivel club chairs. If you are in the New Jersey, New York City Metro Area, please contact us with your delivery zipcode, as we may be able to deliver curbside for less...
Upholstery
Post Modern Swivel Lounge Chairs - Set of 2
Located in Clarksboro, NJ
This stylish pair of postmodern swivel lounge chairs embodies the bold design aesthetic of the late 1980s and early 1990s. Featuring sculptural curved silhouettes and eye-catching ge...
Metal
Sweden Beige Swivel Chair for Asko, 1970s
By Asko
Located in Praha, CZ
- Made in Sweden - Made of metal, leatherette - For Asko - Good, original condition.
Metal
$2,587 / set
H 35.44 in W 30.71 in D 31.5 in
Göte Möbel Swivel Armchair with Footrest — Nässjö, Sweden, 1970s
By Göte Möbler Nässjö
Located in Bochum, NRW
Göte Möbel Swivel Armchair with Footrest — Sweden, 1970s Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating. An authentic 1970s Göte Möbel swivel armchair and matching footrest, a striking piece of Swedish mid-century modern design. Made in Nässjö, Sweden, this lounge set features a stained beechwood frame paired with rich red leather upholstery and red velvet underlining. The seat offers smooth swivel movement and adjustable incline for personalized comfort. The footrest mirrors the chair’s design, creating a cohesive and comfortable relaxation experience. Still bearing its original gold-tone Göte-Möbler manufacturer label, this rare find showcases both quality craftsmanship and collectible value. In very good original condition with minimal wear consistent with age. Dimensions: Armchair: H 92 cm × W 80 cm × D 78 cm Seat Height: 42 cm Footrest: H 36 cm × W 56 cm × D 46 cm Göte Möbel armchair, Swedish vintage lounge chair, mid-century Scandinavian seating, 1970s designer furniture, red leather swivel chair...
Leather, Wood, Upholstery, Velvet
BOEMIA Modern Swivel Armchair in Beige with Brass Base
Located in Frazão, Porto
Boemia is a high-end swivel armchair that embodies the perfect harmony between luxury design and ergonomic comfort. Designed with an embracing backrest and integrated armrests, it of...
Leather, Fabric, Wood, Upholstery, Bouclé, Velvet
Donghia Contemporary Swivel Armchairs, Pair
By Donghia
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Donghia contemporary swivel armchairs - pair Each chair measures: 32 wide x 38 deep x 32 high, with a seat height of 16.5 and arm height of 24 inches These chairs are in excellent ...
Upholstery, Wood