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Willy Rizzo Sofas

Italian, 1928-2013

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.

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Creator: Willy Rizzo
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...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Rizzo Sofas

Materials

Wood, Velvet

Willy Rizzo Three-Seat Modern Sofa in Brown Strié Velvet, circa 2010s, Signed
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This incredibly stylish and elegant sofa is by Willy Rizzo and signed on one leg with Rizzo's signature. Featuring gorgeous strié velvet in a luscious brown color with contrasting yellow undertones. A bit of James Mont chinoiserie style mixed with 70s Italian modern flair that Rizzo was known for. Produced in recent years, this sofa has had very little use and looks almost new aside from the very light use only noticeable upon close inspection. Ready for immediate use for those who wish to avoid the incredibly long lead times - not to mention shipping from overseas. Get this large Willy Rizzo sofa...
Category

2010s French Modern Willy Rizzo Sofas

Materials

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, a...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Rizzo Sofas

Materials

Fabric, Ultrasuede, Wood

Selection of Willy Rizzo sofas available, we can restore, choose your own fabric.
By Willy Rizzo
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
This iconic sofa was designed by Willy Rizzo in 1969 and is published in many of the interior design journals of the period. This design was illustrated in Casa Vogue's feature on Rizzo's own home in St Tropez,France in their October 1974 issue. The sofa is finished in brown suede. We have a further selection of these Willy Rizzo sofas...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Rizzo Sofas

Materials

Suede, Wood

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  • Modernist Two-Seat Sofa in Grey
H 31 in W 48 in D 23.5 in
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Arne Norell 1970s Three-Seat Sofa in Brown Buffalo Leather with Chrome Base
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Previously Available Items
Italian Space Age Modular Sofa in Green Fabric by Willy Rizzo for Sabot, 1970s
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Located in MIlano, IT
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Rare Vintage Sofa in Black Leather and Laminated Signed Willy Rizzo
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Located in Isle Sur Sorgue, FR
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Mid-Century Modern Modular Sofa Set by Willy Rizzo, Suede, Italy, 1970s
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Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot Sectional Corner Sofa in Cognac Suede
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Mid-Century Modern Modular Sofa Set by Willy Rizzo, Suede, Italy, 1970s
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Mid-Century Modern Italian Suede Living Room Set by Willy Rizzo, 1970s
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Extremely rare living set by Willy Rizzo finished in suede with wood laquer bases. The set consists in 1 sofa and 2 armchairs. This iconic design featured prominently in the prestigi...
Category

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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.
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Willy Rizzo Sofas

Willy Rizzo Three-Seat Sofa
By Willy Rizzo
Located in New York, NY
Iconic Willy Rizzo studio sofa featuring a metallic base with newly upholstered blue velvet cushions.
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Rizzo Sofas

  • Willy Rizzo Three-Seat Sofa
  • Willy Rizzo Three-Seat Sofa
  • Willy Rizzo Three-Seat Sofa
  • Willy Rizzo Three-Seat Sofa
H 31 in W 83 in D 43 in

Willy Rizzo sofas for sale on 1stDibs.

Willy Rizzo sofas are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Willy Rizzo sofas, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original sofas by Willy Rizzo were created in the mid-century modern style in europe during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider sofas by Simon Gavina Editions, Franco Albini, and Luciano Frigerio. Prices for Willy Rizzo sofas can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at £5,208 and can go as high as £19,711, while a piece like these, on average, fetch £7,973.

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