Renowned Italian furniture designer Willy Rizzo is celebrated for having produced eye-catching, sensational showpieces that merged plush fabrics with wood, metal and glass. Influenced by European modernists and drawing on the spare forms and clean lines of the American mid-century modern style, Rizzo prized functionality and simplicity in his dazzling work.
Born in Naples, Rizzo never intended on designing furniture. Instead, he began pursuing photography at the age of 12. By the 1960s, he had become a notable photographer, having captured images of such celebrities as Marilyn Monroe, Fred Astaire and Spanish artist Salvador Dalí. His experience with furniture design came about inadvertently when he moved to Rome in 1966. There, Rizzo rented an apartment with his wife Elsa that he described as "practically uninhabitable." Dissatisfied with the Scandinavian furniture options on offer, Rizzo built sofas, coffee tables and other furniture to suit the space's strong modern vibe. When his friends saw what he had accomplished, they were enamored by his furniture creations and commissioned him to build similar items for them.
The demand for Rizzo’s furniture grew from there. He established a production facility and workshop in Tivoli, just outside of Rome, which grew to house over 150 employees. There, finding inspiration in the work of iconic architects including Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Le Corbusier, he created more than 30 unique furniture designs. Over the years he opened boutiques around the world to showcase and sell his furniture.
Rizzo prided himself on seamlessly blending the contemporary with the classic. “It was about creating something new for a traditional setting,” he said of his work. From his sleek sideboards to his low-profile side tables, elegant chairs and entire living room sets, Rizzo's style sensibility is evident throughout every detail of his designs.
Rizzo sold his company in 1978 and returned to photography. However, the presence of his furniture resonated into the new century and is sure to impact interior décor enthusiasts into the next. Over the years, high-profile collectors of Rizzo’s work have included French actress Brigitte Bardot, Salvador Dalí and American musician Lenny Kravitz.
On 1stDibs, find a range of vintage Willy Rizzo tables, lighting, seating and storage pieces.
Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot Sectional Corner Sofa in Green Velvet
By Mario Sabot, Willy Rizzo
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot, sectional corner sofa, Kvadrat Harald 3 - 0952, wood, Italy, 1970s. This rare sofa is designed by Willy Rizzo in the 1970s. This alignment consists of s...
Fabric, Wood
Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot Sectional Corner Sofa in White Upholstery
By Mario Sabot, Willy Rizzo
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot, sectional corner sofa, fabric, ultrasuede, wood, Italy, 1970s. This rare sofa is designed by Willy Rizzo and consists of a three-seater, two-seater, and...
Fabric, Wood
Willy Rizzo Super C Sectional
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
The Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot Super C Sectional leather and wood sofa set is a rare, highly collectible piece of Italian mid-century design manufactured in 1970. A partial set cons...
Leather, Suede
$35,200 / set
H 23.63 in W 35.44 in D 35.44 in
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" Sofa for B&B Italia, Blue Velvet, 1970, Set of 6
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" modular sofa for B&B Italia, blue velvet, Italy, 1970, set of six. "Camaleonda" is an icon, rediscovered. First designed in 1970 by Mario Bellini, it...
Plastic, Velvet
$31,000 / set
H 23.63 in W 35.44 in D 35.44 in
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" Sofa for B&B Italia, Green Velvet, Set of 5
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" modular sofa for B&B Italia, green velvet, Italy, 1970, set of five. "Camaleonda" is an icon, rediscovered. Our atelier carefully restored this vintag...
Velvet, Plastic
$2,724Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 24.81 in W 27.56 in D 33.47 in
Green velvet seventies sectional sofa in the style of COR TRIO, circa 1970
By COR
Located in Pijnacker, Zuid-Holland
Groovy modular sectional sofa in original green velvet fabric, circa 1970. Designer: Unknown Manufacturer: Unknown Model: Sectional sofa Design period: 1970’s Date of manufacturing: ...
Velvet
$37,200 / set
H 23.63 in W 35.44 in D 35.44 in
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" Sofa for B&B Italia, Green Velvet, 1970, Set of 6
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" modular sofa for B&B Italia, green velvet, Italy, 1970, set of six. "Camaleonda" is an icon, rediscovered. Our atelier carefully restored this vintage...
Plastic, Velvet
$28,500
H 26 in W 149.5 in D 38.5 in
'Camaleonda' Sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia in Emerald Green Corduroy
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Four modular units make up this 'Camaleonda' seating system, upholstered throughout in deep emerald green corduroy fabric. Each unit features the design's signature bubble-form const...
Upholstery
$8,455 / set
H 28.35 in W 19.69 in D 15.75 in
Mid-Century Modern, set of 6 Willy Rizzo chairs for Mario Sabot, Italy, 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern, Set of 6 Willy Rizzo Chairs for Mario Sabot, Italy, 1970s.
Leather, Wood
Italian Mid-Century Sectional
Located in Red Lion, PA
Vintage original Italian mid-century sofa/sectional. Made up of two pieces that fit together at an angle creating a curve shape, sitting on tapered wood legs. The sofa is certainly a...
Fabric, Wood
$19,500 / set
H 23.63 in W 35.44 in D 35.44 in
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" Modular Sofa for B&B Italia, Laguna Velvet, 1970
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" modular sofa for B&B Italia, Laguna velvet, metal and plastic, Italy, 1970, set of four. "Camaleonda" is an icon, redis...
Velvet, Plastic
$19,874 / set
H 27.56 in W 55.12 in D 31.5 in
Divano Super C di Willy Rizzo modulare in pelle di cinghiale 6 moduli
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Ghedi, IT
Prodotta dall’Atelier Willy Rizzo, questa composizione modulare incarna lo stile sofisticato e glamour tipico del designer italiano, noto per i suoi arredi che fondono linee pulite c...
Leather
$24,500 / set
H 29.5 in W 180 in D 34 in
Stunning Hollywood Regency Tufted 2-Piece Curved Sectional Sofa
Located in Dallas, TX
Vintage Hollywood Regency an extra long two-part sofa with a deep tufted back. The sofa splits in the centre, each side has a single seat cushion with rounded outer edge on an upholstered base, the extension has a tufted top and also has a curved edge. The sofa comes with two matching tufted foot stools...
Upholstery
SURGE SECTIONAL - Modern Sectional Sofa in Cream Faux Leather
By Susan Hornbeak-Ortiz
Located in Laguna Niguel, CA
SURGE SECTIONAL - Modern Sectional Sofa in Cream Faux Leather The Surge Sectional Sofa in cream faux leather is a luxurious and stylish piece of furniture that is perfect for any mo...
Upholstery
$45,716 / item
H 31.5 in W 140.16 in D 122.84 in
Zanotta Bruce Sectional Sofa in Brown Upholstery with Polished Aluminum Frame
By Ludovica + Roberto Palomba 1, Zanotta
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Zanotta Bruce Sectional Sofa in Brown Upholstery with Polished Aluminum Frame by Ludovica+Roberto Palomba The range of modular or monobloc sofas allo...
Upholstery
Sold
H 31.5 in W 104.34 in D 104.34 in
Modular Sofa group, designed by Willy Rizzo. Italy, Mario Sabot, 1969.
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Berlin, Berlin
A fully restored 'Super-C' modular sofa group by Willy Rizzo consisting of three separate modules (one corner module and 2 double seat modules). The frame has been fully restored inc...
Velvet
Willy Rizzo Large Curved Sectional Sofa, Italy, 1960
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Willy Rizzo large curved sectional sofa, Italy, 1960 Two pieces.