Design duo Garouste and Bonetti is best known for concocting Surrealist, avant-garde, romantic furniture and lighting that merge whimsy and wonder with luxury and sophistication.
Born in Paris in 1946, Élizabeth Garouste studied interior design at the École Camondo and worked as a theater set designer before meeting Mattia Bonetti in the late 1970s. Bonetti, born in Lugano, Switzerland, in 1952, attended Lugano’s Centro Scolastico per L’Industria Artistica, where he studied textile design and got into photography.
Their first collaboration came in 1981, after Garouste’s husband, interior designer Gérard Garouste, asked them both to produce designs for the Paris restaurant Le Privilège. They devised a collection of Art Brut–inspired furniture called Barbare, which debuted at the Jansen House of Interior Design, earning them the nickname Les Nouveaux Barbares (the New Barbarians).
Garouste and Bonetti achieved international acclaim in 1987 when French couturier Christian Lacroix hired them to design for his maisons de couture in Paris and London. Instead of the staid decor used by other haute couture houses, Garouste and Bonetti’s furnishings were rebellious and daring. As described in Architectural Digest, “rooms and carpets were acrid ochers, edged with black baroque swirls Louis XVI-inspired chairs upholstered in fruit tones. Tree stump stools topped with ivory tufted cushions. White curtains were trimmed with black polka dots the size of pancakes.”
Following their success with Lacroix, Garouste and Bonetti designed interiors for illustrious clients such as German socialite Princess Gloria von Thurn und Taxis and Bernard Picasso, a French art collector and grandson of Pablo Picasso.
Throughout the late 1980s and ’90s, Garouste and Bonetti designed several modern pieces such as rainbow-colored console tables, the wavy, high-backed Koala sofa, ceramic tableware, table lamps and decorative objects. In 2002, the duo parted ways.
Bonetti continues to create furniture, finding inspiration in everything from ancient Greece to children’s toys to UFOs. His works have been shown at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Victoria and Albert Museum in London and the Centre Pompidou in Paris.
Garouste also continues to design and is inspired by the natural world for her “quirky pieces,” Élisabeth Delacarte, owner of the Paris gallery Avant-Scène, says of her designs: “You feel like you’re in a dream rather than in reality. She very much has her own universe.”
On 1stDibs, find a range of vintage Garouste and Bonetti tables, seating and serveware.
Garouste & Bonetti solid oak and bronze glass coffee table 1995
By Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonetti
Located in Paris, IDF
Beautiful signed coffee table by Elizabeth Garouste & Mattia Bonetti, model Quatuor, designed and made in 1995 by the iconic duo. The feet are made in solid oak decorated with gi...
Bronze
Garouste & Bonetti Koala armchairs bronze alpaca velvet 1995
By Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonetti
Located in Paris, IDF
This is a beautiful pair of armchairs by Elizabeth Garouste & Mattia Bonetti, model Koala, with solid bronze feet, fully restored and reupholstered. Garouste & Bonetti began ...
Bronze
Garouste & Bonetti solid oak and patinated bronze gueridon table 1987
By Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonetti
Located in Paris, IDF
Nice gueridon table by Elizabeth Garouste & Mattia Bonetti, designed in 1987 by the iconic duo, and edited by B.G.H. Editions. The three large feet are made in solid patinated bronze...
Bronze
Hand-Knotted Wool Poseidon Rug by Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonetti
By Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonetti
Located in London, London
A whimsical and highly graphic wool rug titled Poseidon and designed by Garouste & Bonetti, its field framed by an animated border of coral-like forms in shades of turquoise, sea gre...
Wool
Stool by Garouste & Bonetti Model Koala, France / C.1990
By Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonetti
Located in Montréal, QC
Koala Stool by Garouste & Bonetti , C.1990 Bronze feet and freshly reupholstered in beige Pierre Frey Ramier fabric. Early version, No stamp on legs.
Bronze
Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonetti Koala Sofa and Armchairs, France, 1980s
By Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonetti
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
Original Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonetti Koala Suite, France, 1980s Original Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonetti Koala Suite, France, 1980s. All the pieces require new fabri...
Bronze
Garouste And Bonetti coffee table Model Quator
By Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonetti
Located in Miami, FL
Garouste And Bonetti coffee table Model Quator. Bronze , glass and wood.
Bronze
Garouste et Bonetti Rare Black Screen for Christian Lacroix, 1987, France.
By Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonetti
Located in Brussels, BE
Rare Elisabeth Garouste & Mattia Bonetti little black screen, designed and only produced in 1987 for Maison de Haute Couture Christian Lacroix, Faubourg Saint-Honoré, Paris, Fran...
Metal
Garouste & Bonetti Chairs, rare set of 6 forged by Diego Giacometti's ironworker
By Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonetti
Located in Encino, CA
Garouste et Bonetti Extremely rare set of six chairs from the couple of designers, Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonetti. Ironwork made by Pierre Basse (...
Iron
Original 'Koala' Sofa by Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonetti Stamped 'BG'
By Mattia Bonetti, Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonetti, Élizabeth Garouste
Located in PARIS, FR
Iconic 'Koala Sofa' circa 1985 by Elizabeth Garouste & Mattia Bonetti. Stamped 'BG' on one of the sofa's bronze feet. New fabric.
Bronze
Garouste & Bonetti Unique Frame for Christian Lacroix, 1987, France.
By Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonetti
Located in Brussels, BE
Rare Elisabeth Garouste & Mattia Bonetti frame, designed and only produced in 1987 for Maison de Haute Couture Christian Lacroix, Faubourg Saint-Honoré, Paris, France. Black painted perforated frame with Christian Lacroix signature on a gold metal square...
Mirror, Wood
Garouste & Bonetti “Quatuor” Armchairs, France 1980's
By Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonetti
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Quatuor Armchairs by Garouste & Bonetti in original red/orange velvet 31x31x31 Seat 15 Arm 24
Velvet
$9,648Sale Price|20% Off
Koala armchair by Garouste & Bonetti, France, 1990's
By Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonetti
Located in Paris, FR
Red velvet Koala by Garouste & Bonetti, created circa 1995 Bronze feet, signed BG, with its cushion Exceptional condition of the fabric which is original
Bronze
Garouste & Bonetti style , Wrought Iron Chair
By Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonetti
Located in Miami, FL
In the style of Garouste & Bonetti , wrought iron chair.
Brass, Wrought Iron
$19,000 / item
Isis Table by Garouste and Bonetti
By Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Patinated wrought iron gueridons "Isis" by Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonetti. Produced by En Attendant Les Barbares in France circa 1987....
Wrought Iron
Garouste & Bonetti Cabinet, forged by Diego Giacometti's ironworker
By Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonetti
Located in Encino, CA
Elizabeth Garouste (Born in 1949) & Mattia Bonetti (Born in 1953) Elegant oak cabinet with two doors framing a gilt wrought iron grid on a gilt wrought iron base Collection " En attendant les barbares " France, circa 1990 Ironwork made by Pierre Basse...
Wrought Iron
Large Signed Resin Glass Coffee Table by Garouste & Bonetti 1990s
By Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonetti
Located in Paris, IDF
Cool deep colour and a fanciful design make this 1990s coffee table a statement piece, especially for those that believe passionate expressions of creativity go hand-in-hand with int...
Glass, Resin
$28,990
"Kris" side table
By Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonetti
Located in Paris, FR
The Kris side table, created in 1988 by Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonetti, perfectly embodies their whimsical and narrative universe, where furniture becomes a small poetic archi...
Bronze
Garouste & Bonetti desk chair Palace Privilege Rubelli fabric 1980
By Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonetti
Located in Paris, IDF
Rare desk chair or side chair by Elizabeth Garouste & Mattia Bonetti, model Palace, made in solid oak painted in matte black panted. Garouste & Bonetti began their collaborat...
Wood
Pair of solid bronze table lamps By E. Garouste & M. Bonetti.
By Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonetti
Located in Brussels, BE
Rare pair of solid bronze table lamps, France (1980') By Elisabeth GAROUSTE & Mattia BONETTI. Stamped "BG". Very good condition.
Bronze
Large Garouste & Bonetti Rug, production Sam Laik, Hand-tufted wool
By Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonetti
Located in PARIS, FR
Large carpet model 'Bouquet Rose' designed by Elisabeth Garouste & Mattia Bonetti for the high-end producer Sam Laik. 100% wool, handtufted and very good condition. Elizabeth Garoust...
Wool
Large signed purple resin glass coffee table Garouste & Bonetti 1990s
By Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonetti
Located in Paris, IDF
Cool deep purple colour and a fanciful design make this 1990s coffee table a statement piece, especially for those that believe passionate expressions of creativity go hand-in-hand w...
Glass, Resin
Garouste & Bonetti Concerto chairs sycamore bronze alpaca velvet 1990
By Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonetti
Located in Paris, IDF
Set of six Concerto chairs by Elizabeth Garouste & Mattia Bonetti designed and produced in the early 1990s by BGH Edition. This model perfectly embodies the duo’s distinctive vocabul...
Bronze
Zebrawood Canapé by Garouste et Bonetti
By Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonetti
Located in NYC, NY
A unique canapé (originally part of a suite) by Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonetti with a curvaceous frame in Zebrano (Zebra wood) veneer with drop-in seat and two bolster cushion...
Upholstery
$18,554 / set
Amazing pair of side table by Garouste et Bonetti
By Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonetti
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Paire de tables pliantes par Elizabeth Garouste et Mattia Bonetti. Ces tables sont une commande spéciale pour le salon de haute couture de Christian Lacroix en 1987.
Wrought Iron
$6,000 / set
Garouste & Boneti Bronze Objects, France 1980's
By Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonetti
Located in New York, NY
Set of B&G bronze objects for Blome Overall 2-3/4x1-1/4
Bronze
Fine French Wood, Bronze and Glass Console by Garouste and Bonetti
By Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonetti
Located in Long Island City, NY
Elizabeth Garouste (born 1949) & Mattia Bonetti (born 1952) - A fine 1990s glass top console - Model Concerto - with 3 stained beech legs adorned with cast bronze decorations. Stampe...
Bronze
Trapani Console Table by Elizabeth Garouste & Mattia Bonetti
By Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonetti
Located in New York, NY
Three orange-tinted resin forming naturalistic coral branches with a freeform glass top.
Glass, Resin
Two Garouste and Bonetti Bronze Boxes for the Collection of Herbert Blome 2001
By Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonetti
Located in Milan, IT
Two Garouste and Bonetti Bronze Boxes for the Collection of Herbert Blome 2001 Both are fully signed
Bronze
Extraordinary side table by Elizabeth Garouste + Mattia Bonetti, 1992
By Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonetti
Located in Berlin, DE
Side table, hickory (North American walnut), ash, hazelnut wood, steel Design / Elizabeth Garouste + Mattia Bonetti 1992 ISBA Collection Dimensions / H.58cm ø 59cm +++ Designer Mattia Bonetti was born in Lugano, Switzerland, in 1952 and trained at the Centro Scolastico per l'Industria Artistica in Lugano. He moved to Paris in 1973 and began working as a photographer and textile designer before starting to focus on furniture and interior design in 1989. Since then, he has designed limited editions, unique pieces and a selection of industrial products for private and public environments in France and abroad. His works are characterised by a fantastic and dramatic nature and always begin with a freehand sketch. They are then realised by craftsmen with whom Bonetti has worked for decades. The designer's most notable projects include liturgical furniture for the Metz Saint-Etienne Cathedral in France (2007), furniture for the decorator Jacques Grange for the Mark Hotel...
Steel
Moucharabieh Sideboard by Garouste & Bonetti for Christian Lacroix, 1987
By Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonetti, Christian Lacroix
Located in Paris, IDF
Very rare off white satin and black wood sideboard by Elizabeth Garouste & Mattia Bonetti designed for Christian Lacroix boutique opening rue du Faubourg Saint Honoré in 1987. Th...
Bronze