Éric Gizard Benches

Éric Gizard, once described by renowned French interior designer Andrée Putman as “flamboyant and discreet, refined and reasonable,” is known for creating contemporary furniture that nods to the past.

Gizard studied at École Duperré in Paris from 1982 to ’84, before landing jobs as an archivist for B.E.D. Architects and Michel Boyer Architects. From the mid-1980s to 1990, he was in charge of the design column of CTY magazine. During this period, Gizard also worked as a freelance designer before establishing his own firm, EGA.

As the founder and director of EGA, Gizard spearheaded numerous interior design projects worldwide, including offices in Shanghai, tea rooms in Korea, apartments in Japan, boutiques in Paris and private residences and shops throughout Europe. 

In addition to his interiors, Gizard incorporated his characteristic lightness, fluidity and clarity into furniture and lighting designs. Strong contrasts, fusions of materials and colors and the use of chiaroscuro (contrasting light and shadow) feature in many of his sofas, canapes and sectionals. In Gizard’s handcrafted Bronze Sauvage table lamp, an apple-tree branch doubles as a tripod and sculptural art, while his side tables, sideboards, buffets, cabinets and coffee tables embrace the clean lines and bold symmetry of Scandinavian modernism. 

Gizard’s work has not gone unnoticed in the world of furniture design. In 2005, in association with Putman, Gizard was named designer of the year by Paris’s Maison and Objet fair. He has also collaborated extensively with brands including Hermès, Steiner, Salviati, Roche Bobois and Hennessy.

On 1stDibs, find a range of contemporary Éric Gizard tables, case pieces, storage cabinets and seating.