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.
Original 'Koala' Sofa by Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonetti Stamped 'BG'
By Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonetti, Élizabeth Garouste, Mattia Bonetti
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 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
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
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 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
$9,800Sale 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 “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
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
Wood Tripod Heart Stool, 1950s France
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Unique heart tripod stool made in France, circa 1950s. Substantial and chunky heart shaped seat with three sturdy club legs with faceted sides. Perfe...
Wood
$2,700Sale Price|25% Off
H 36 in W 72 in D 30 in
Original Mid century Compact Sofa by Ray and Charles Eames for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, Charles Eames, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Original Eames sofa compact with orange Herman miller woven upholstery. Charles and Ray Eames compact couch is great design that keeps a subtle profile. The cushioned pads that form ...
Steel, Chrome
Chunky Wood Tripod Stool, 1960s France
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Tripod stool made in France, circa 1970s with a light wood with a raw finish. Great minimalist design. Functional stool. Perfect for books or objects as well. Seat diameter 13".
Wood
Bastiano sofa, original leather upholstery by Tobia Scarpa
By Tobia Scarpa
Located in Milano, IT
COD-2912 Tobia Scarpa Bastiano sofa, original leather upholstery, in perfect condition. Gavina label. Gavina manufacture, circa 1970.
Leather
$19,221
H 23.23 in W 118.9 in D 98.82 in
Original Lara Sofa by Pamio, Toso and Massari for Stilwood, Italy, 1960s
By Mario Bellini, Roberto Pamio & Renato Toso, Pierre Paulin, Stilwood
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
An original Lara sofa by Roberto Pamio, Renato Toso and Noti Massari for Stilwood, Italy 1950s/1960s. Newly reupholstered in a premium, pure Alpaca wool fabric. Ships worldwide.
Foam
Vintage Woodard Style Outdoor Wrought Iron Arm Chairs- Set of 4
Located in Wilmington, DE
Offered is a Set of 4 Vintage Woodard Style Outdoor Wrought Iron Arm Chairs. These classic patio chairs feature black metal mesh construction with decorative floral detailing across the backs and elegant curved arms. The chairs have a timeless mid-century garden look and have been repainted black. Ready-to-use condition. The chairs are not signed, but have the look and style of vintage Woodard outdoor furniture...
Metal, Wrought Iron
Maison Jansen Stamped Sofa, Louis XV Style, France
By Maison Jansen
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Rare Maison Jansen stamped French Louis XV style sofa with original grey patina, and clean lined cream upholstery. Lovely classical Louis XV shape, good width, seats three comfortabl...
Wood
French Wooden Tripod Stool
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage wooden stool made in France, circa 1950s. Thick seat and tripod legs with ribs that taper near the bottom. No nails or hardware. Great lin...
Wood
Mid-century French Bulldog Leather Foot Stool c.1960
By Dimitri Omersa
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT An original leather French Bulldog leather footstool attributed to Dimitri Omersa. "Made in England" attached underneath. Brass foot caps. CREATOR Attributed to Dimitri O...
Brass
Set of Two Leather Armchairs by IKEA, Sweden, 1990's
By IKEA
Located in Praha, CZ
Set of two leather armchairs, manufactured by IKEA in Sweden, in the 1990's. Made of leather and wood. Repolished, cleaned, used a reviving wood oil. Fully functional.
Leather, Wood
$2,850
H 31.5 in W 26 in D 19 in
Elegant Gilt Metal Lounge Chair Style of Garouste Bonetti Post Modern Art Deco
By Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonetti
Located in Atlanta, GA
Sculptural Gilt Metal Lounge Chair, in the style of Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonetti, unsigned, France, circa 1980s.
Metal
Swedish Rococo Style Desk Chair
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This Swedish Rococo style desk chair beautifully captures the charm and elegance of 18th-century Scandinavian design. Crafted with graceful lines, carved floral details, and a shapel...
Wood
Pair of stools Garouste & Bonetti Koala bronze mohair velvet 1995
By Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonetti
Located in Paris, IDF
This is a beautiful pair of stools by Elizabeth Garouste & Mattia Bonetti, model Koala, with solid bronze feet, fully restored and reupholstered. Garouste & Bonetti began their colla...
Bronze
Sold
H 36.82 in W 17.33 in D 17.33 in
A Set Of Four Chairs by Elisabeth Garouste & Mattia Bonetti France 1990's
By Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonetti
Located in HYÈRES, FR
A set of four chairs by Garouste & Bonetti. France 1990s Editor : Ligne Roset ( signed ) Colours : 2 Yellow, 1 Red and 1 Salmon Color In original good condition, small trace of d...
Fabric, Wood
Sold
H 33.08 in W 29.53 in D 29.14 in
Garouste & Bonetti Koala armchairs and stools bronze mohair velvet 1995
By Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonetti
Located in Paris, IDF
This is a beautiful pair of armchairs with their ottomans by Elizabeth Garouste & Mattia Bonetti, model Koala, with solid bronze feet, fully restored and reupholstered. Garouste & Bo...
Bronze
Sold
H 32.09 in W 29.93 in D 30.91 in
Pair of Original 'Koala' Club Chairs with by Elizabeth Garouste & Mattia Bonetti
By Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonetti, Élizabeth Garouste, Mattia Bonetti
Located in PARIS, FR
Original Koala Club Chairs in fabric with bronze feet by the much celebrated duo Elizabeth Garouste & Mattia Bonetti. The feet are stamped 'BG', demonstrating their authenticity. N...
Bronze
Pair of stools Garouste & Bonetti ‘Koala’ bronze royal blue velvet 1995
By Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonetti
Located in Paris, IDF
This is a beautiful pair of stools by Elizabeth Garouste & Mattia Bonetti, model Koala, with solid bronze feet, fully restored and reupholstered. Garouste & Bonetti began their colla...
Bronze
Sold
H 33.08 in W 29.53 in D 29.14 in
Pair of armchairs Garouste & Bonetti ‘Koala’ bronze black 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 their co...
Bronze
Pair of stools Garouste & Bonetti ‘Koala’ bronze teddy mohair velvet 1995
By Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonetti
Located in Paris, IDF
This is a beautiful pair of stools by Elizabeth Garouste & Mattia Bonetti, model Koala, with solid bronze feet, fully restored and reupholstered. Garouste & Bonetti began their collaboration and gained global recognition for their interior design of the Paris nightclub Le Palace in 1979. This model of Koala stool was designed by the duo in 1995, and edited by BGH Edition. Each foot is stamped B.G. They have been fully restored, and newly upholstered using French Pierre Frey Teddy light...
Bronze
Sold
H 33.08 in W 29.53 in D 29.14 in
Pair of armchairs Garouste & Bonetti ‘Koala’ bronze green 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 their co...
Bronze
Garouste Bonetti Pair of Lounge Club Chairs Jour et Nuit
By Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonetti
Located in Miami, FL
A pair of Garouste and Bonetti chairs and ottoman. Steel frames with hand applied enamel finish. A stylized representation of the sun and the moon at the end of the arms done in gold...
Enamel, Steel
Sold
H 33.5 in W 29.5 in D 29.5 in
Elizabeth Garouste & Mattia Bonetti Pair of Koala Armchairs in Ivory Bouclé
By Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonetti
Located in New York, NY
Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonetti elegant and chic pair of Koala armchairs or lounge chairs in ivory bouclé with cast patinated bronze legs impressed with monogram "BG," produced...
Bronze
"Etoile" Sofa by Garouste & Bonetti, BGH editions, 1990, France
By Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonetti
Located in Paris, FR
"Etoile" Sofa by Garouste & Bonetti, BGH editions, 1990, France
Bronze
Garouste & Bonetti Signed Ceramic Stool Side Table 1990
By Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonetti
Located in Paris, IDF
This rare ceramic stool or side table, named Louis XIV for obvious reasons, is clearly a statement piece, especially for those that believe passionate expressions of creativity and b...
Ceramic