R&Y Augousti was founded in 1989 by husband-and-wife team Ria and Yiouri Augousti. The pair works with pen shell, metal and an array of exotic skins — including ostrich, snake, eel and crocodile — to create Art Deco-inspired furniture that echoes the influences of their unique friends and draws on the experiences they’ve shared on their global travels.
Ria Augousti (née Macasaet) was born in Manila. Her family relocated to Cebu and, at age 15, she went to New York City to study art. She continued her studies in England and graduated from the London School of Furniture Making.
Born in Cyprus, Yiouri Augousti studied architecture at London’s Architectural Association. He was drawn to interior design that reflected a revival of Art Deco that took shape during his years as a young adult.
Ria was working at the interior design firm of John Stefanidis, in London, when Yiouri joined the firm. “We got on like a house on fire,” Ria has said of the beginnings of their relationship. The couple established R&Y Augousti in 1989 and married in 1990. The business grew swiftly — R&Y Augousti moved permanently to Paris in 1994, and in 2011, the couple opened their first American showroom. There, in the New York Design Center, the range of decorative objects on offer from R&Y Augousti included dining tables, side tables and decorative objects such as candleholders and picture frames in shagreen.
The initial popularity that shagreen enjoyed as furniture covering fizzled when the Art Deco era faded. Modernist designer Jean-Michel Frank was an enthusiast of the textured hide, and during the 1960s, Karl Springer covered desks, chairs and tables with it. Ria Augousti wanted to revive shagreen’s use as a finish in one of their very first designs. Their sculptural, sensuous shagreen Sylvie chair, with its slender and towering backrest, makes a statement in any space and has seen a fair amount of praise over the years. The Sylvie has been photographed in a number of high-profile spaces including Alexander Wang's New York City loft apartment designed by Ryan Korban. (And shagreen reemerged as a luxe material among designers and decorators in 2017.)
R&Y Augousti has since expanded into fashion accessories, and drawings by the couple’s daughter, designer Kifu Augousti, have been embroidered on some of the brand’s luxurious handbags.
Find R&Y Augousti tables, seating and decorative objects on 1stDibs.
$10,994 / item
Upholstered Sofa with Brass Details by R&Y Augousti
By R & Y Augousti
Located in New York, NY
The Paris based label has distinguished themselves since their launch, with their iconic use of shagreen mixed with brass and other exotic materials. All furniture is handcrafted by ...
Brass
$10,994 / item
Upholstered Sofa with Brass Details by R&Y Augousti
By R & Y Augousti
Located in New York, NY
The Paris based label has distinguished themselves since their launch, with their iconic use of shagreen mixed with brass and other exotic materials. All furniture is handcrafted by ...
Brass
Mid Century Gondola Sofa by Baker with Brass Details
By Adrian Pearsall, James Mont, Baker Furniture Company
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Mid-Century Gondola sofa by Baker Furniture. Sofa has super clean lines with a bit of Asian flair. This beautiful sofa is unlike any other gondola sofa. Base is tubular wood finis...
Satin
$12,400 / item
H 32 in W 163 in D 43 in
Modern Modular Triple Seat Upholstered Sofa with Aluminum Frame by KLEIN
By Klein Agency
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Materials - Upholstery, Polished Aluminum // Style - Sculptural Modern // Origin - USA // Condition - New, Made to Order Tasking ourselves to design a robust sofa that could stand u...
Aluminum
Contemporary Sofa with Solid Wood Base and Brass Details
By Laura Noriega
Located in Guadalajara, Jal.
"Prado" sofa is inspired by the layers of colors and very well defined materials of the valleys of Western Mexico where the small metallic details recall the sunlight at sunset lighting the color of a stone or piece of meadow. Eight different pieces compose “Prado” sofa...
Brass
$4,500
H 27.25 in W 80.25 in D 33.25 in
1970s Vintage Brutalist Wood, Brass, and Striped Upholstered Sofa
Located in North Hollywood, CA
This striking 1970s mid-century modern safari-style sofa combines bold architectural structure with quintessential vintage warmth. Defined by its robust cylindrical wood post legs, p...
Brass
$7,750
H 19.5 in W 55.1 in D 18.15 in
Upholstered Velvet Bench with Bronze Patina Brass Detail by R&Y Augousti
By R & Y Augousti
Located in West Hollywood, CA
The Victoria Bench by R&Y Augousti is a luxurious blend of rich black velvet and warm bronze patina brass, meticulously hand-crafted to perfection. The sumptuous black velvet upholst...
Brass
$11,100 / item
H 34.65 in W 94.49 in D 40.56 in
Elegant Velvet Sofa with Piping Detail & Upholstered Feet By José Castro
Located in New York, NY
This comfortable and modern sofa is a study in streamlined design and understated elegance. It features a plush, upholstered seat and back, the contours of which are gracefully outli...
Upholstery, Velvet
$19,000 / item
H 27 in W 120 in D 48 in
Linea Sofa, COM upholstery with walnut detail, by Estudio Persona
By Estudio Persona
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Linea Sofa is defined by the gentle flow of its upholstered curves, balanced by solid wood details. Staying true to the studio's design philosophy, it p...
Fabric, Mohair, Walnut
$14,062
H 33.86 in W 73.63 in D 33.86 in
Mid-Century French Sofa in Art Deco Style with Brass Details, 1950s
Located in Puglia, Puglia
An elegant French sofa from the 1950s, featuring a soft, enveloping silhouette inspired by Art Deco aesthetics. In addition to the sculptural brass legs, the design is further enhan...
Brass
$9,000 / item
H 32 in W 93 in D 43 in
Modern Modular Double Seat Upholstered Sofa with Aluminum Frame by KLEIN
By Klein Agency
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Materials - Upholstery, Polished Aluminum // Style - Sculptural Modern // Origin - USA // Condition - New, Made to Order Tasking ourselves to design a robust sofa that could stand u...
Aluminum
$8,790
H 19.5 in W 55.1 in D 18.15 in
Bench in Shagreen with Bronze Patina Brass Detail by R&Y Augousti
By R & Y Augousti
Located in West Hollywood, CA
The Victoria bench by R&Y Augousti, crafted in luxurious black shagreen, is a true embodiment of elegance and sophistication. Its hand-crafted black shagreen top exudes a subtle text...
Brass
$19,770 / item
H 33.47 in W 82.68 in D 33.08 in
Brutalist Sculptural Shearling Sofa with Bronze and Brass Details, Egg Designs
By Egg Designs
Located in Bothas Hill, KZN
A bold expression of Brutalist design softened by tactile luxury, this sculptural sofa embodies the evolving language of contemporary collectible furniture. Defined by its generous p...
Brass
$25,000 / item
H 36 in W 66 in D 41 in
Handcrafted Sofa No. 3 by J.M. Szymanski with Mohair & Steel Details
By J.M. Szymanski
Located in Bronx, NY
SOFA NO. 3 Materials: Knoll Mohair Plush Textile, Hand Carved Elements, Horsehair Fringe J.M. Szymanski d. 2023 This unique sofa is dressed for a special occasion. She is hand uphol...
Steel
Large Modern Shagreen Panelled Sofa by R&Y Augoust
By R & Y Augousti
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
An iconic Art Deco style sofa panelled in cream shagreen with shearling upholstered bolster cushion and seat. One of the first creations by R&Y Augousti of Paris, c. 1990. R&Y Augous...
Wood