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, Bar, Room Divider for Mario Sabot, 1970
By Willy Rizzo, Mario Sabot
Located in Saarbrücken, SL
Serving as both a bar and a room divider, this piece of furniture by Willy Rizzo structures the room without closing it off. It consists of three modules: The two leather-covered sto...
Steel, Chrome
Mid-Century Modern Suede Bar by Willy Rizzo, Italy, 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Suede Bar by Willy Rizzo, Italy, 1970s 1 stool
Metal
Stunning Willy Rizzo Bar / Sideboard in Black & Stainless Steel, Italy 1969
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Oirlo, LI
This stunning bar cabinet is a true statement piece, originally designed by Willy Rizzo in 1969. Known for his luxurious and modern aesthetic, Rizzo created furniture that perfectly ...
Aluminum
Mid-Century Modern Suede Bar by Willy Rizzo, Italy, 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Suede Bar by Willy Rizzo, Italy, 1970s
Brass
Suede And Chrome Dry Bar With Barstools by Willy Rizzo, 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
Incredible cognac suede and chrome bar set attributed to Willy Rizzo, Italy, 1970s. With original mirror counter, working lights, original refrigerator and two matching bar stools. ...
Chrome
Bar corner cabinet by Willy Rizzo, Italy, 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Antwerp, BE
Designed by Willy Rizzo in the 1970s, this bar corner exemplifies the designer’s unmistakable approach to furniture as architecture, where structure, material and light converge in a...
Granite, Metal, Brass
Vintage Dry Bar by Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot, Italy, 1970s
By Willy Rizzo, Mario Sabot
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage dry bar with black laminate structure and chromed metal base by Willy Rizzo. Realized in Italy in 1970s and produced by Mario Sabot. Very good condition.
Metal, Brass
Willy Rizzo Expandable Black Lacquer Steel Dry Bar with Integrated Poufs, 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Milano, IT
Willy Rizzo (Italy, 1928 – France, 2013). Rare dry bar with two leather poufs, circa 1970s. Black cow leather, black lacquered wood, satin steel and mirror glass. Designed and made i...
Stainless Steel
$13,208Sale Price / item|20% Off
Willy Rizzo Drybar Set in Black Lacquer with Chrome and Cowhide Upholstery, 1970
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Cheyenne, WY
This dry bar set by Willy Rizzo features a clean chrome top that compliments the high-gloss quality of its black lacquered finish—an entertainment piece that exemplifies high-class g...
Chrome
"Alveo" Black and Chrome Sideboard by Willy Rizzo for Sabot. Italy, 1970s
By Mario Sabot, Willy Rizzo
Located in Milan, IT
"Alveo" sideborad by Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot. Black body with chrome details; three drawers and three doors w/central element with inner lighting.
Steel
$4,283Sale Price|40% Off
H 74 in W 120 in D 40 in
Dry Bar Set by Willy Rizzo in Chrome and lacquered Wood, 1970s
By Sabot, Willy Rizzo
Located in Argelato, BO
Rare and extraordinary lacquered wood and metal bar designed by Willy Rizzo for Sabot, 1970s. A sophisticated, elegant, versatile work, which will add a touch of style and glamour t...
Metal
$18,400 / set
H 78 in W 61.5 in D 11 in
Standing Dry Bar in the style of Willy Rizzo, Italy, circa 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elegant and sculptural, this standing dry bar in the style of Willy Rizzo embodies the glamorous aesthetic of 1970s Italian design. The piece features a curved front clad in plush gr...
Metal
Tiki Bar with Barstools and Back Bar
Located in Palm Springs, CA
One of a kind studio made tiki bar with back bar and a pair of bar stools. Contains new heavy canvas fabric in vintage style. Bar measures: 50" wide, 2...
Fabric, Wood
Willy Rizzo Bar Cabinet in Rosewood and Marble, Italy, 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in PARIS, FR
Willy Rizzo Bar Cabinet in Rosewood and Marble, Italy, 1970s Exceptional bar cabinet designed by Willy Rizzo, crafted in Italy in the 1970s. ...
Marble
Vintage Dry Bar attr. to Willy Rizzo, Italy, 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Roma, IT
Beautiful vintage dry bar designed in the 1970s and attributed to Willy Rizzo. Orange suede, chromed metal bars. The set includes: illuminated shelves, a counter with a mirrored gla...
Steel
Stunning Italian Bar Cabinet
Located in Antwerp, BE
The buffet is mobile and can be driven in the wall unit. The bar has a beautiful copper countertop installed. The cabinets of the wall unit is equipp...
Brass, Copper
On Hold|$6,187
H 74.81 in W 52.17 in D 20.67 in
Sequoia Burl Bar Cabinet by Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot
By Mario Sabot, Willy Rizzo
Located in Conversano, IT
Elegant, bold, and timeless: this rare bar cabinet designed by Willy Rizzo is the perfect embodiment of his unmistakable style, suspended between rationalist functionalism and sophis...
Brass, Chrome
$13,327Sale Price|20% Off
H 82.68 in W 63 in D 47.25 in
Fantastic Italian Design Cocktail Bar Set 1970' in the Manner of Willy Rizzo
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Rome, IT
Striking Willy Rizzo style Italian Design burl birch wood and gilt brass Cocktail bar set . Hollywood Regency cocktail bar includes a counter ele...
Wood
$13,800 / set
H 77.17 in W 54.73 in D 5.91 in
Hollywood Regency Bar Cabinet in the Style of Willy Rizzo
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Cocktail bar with pair of bar stools, mirrored glass, fabric, chrome-plated steel, laminated wood, stainless steel, plastic, Italy, 1970s Hollywood Regency cocktail bar in the style...
Steel, Stainless Steel, Chrome
Bar Cabinet by Gio Frigerio, Italy 1970s
By Frigerio
Located in New York, NY
Bar cabinet by Gio Frigerio. Red lacquer doors and mirrored interior. Makers label affixed to back.
Glass, Lacquer
Hollywood Regency Bar Cabinet in the Style of Willy Rizzo
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Cocktail bar, metal, chrome, suede, glass, brass, Italy, 1970s Hollywood Regency cocktail bar in the style of Willy Rizzo. This striking set includes a counter element and an illumi...
Metal, Brass, Chrome
Mid-Century Italian Willy Rizzo/Mario Sabot Sideboard
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Vilnius, LT
Midcentury Italian sideboard by Willy Rizzo/Mario Sabot. Sideboard is finished with black glossy stained veneer surface decorated with ch...
Burl, Mirror
Steel and velvet bar cabinet by Willy Rizzo
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Bar cabinet designed by Willy Rizzo, an emblematic example of Italian luxury design between the Sixties and Seventies. The project reflects the scenographic aesthetics that distingui...
Steel
Sold
H 78.75 in W 63 in D 24.02 in
Stunning Cocktail Bar Cabinet with Stool in The Style of Willy Rizzo
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Cocktail bar, brass, chrome-plated metal, glass, aluminum, suede, mirror, Italy, 1970s Hollywood Regency cocktail bar in the style of Willy Rizzo. The set includes a counter element...
Metal, Aluminum, Brass, Chrome
Willy Rizzo for Cidue Hidden Bar Coffee Table
By Willy Rizzo, Cidue
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Willy Rizzo for Cidue, bar cocktail table, aluminum, glass, brushed chromed metal, Italy, 1970s With the creation of this luxurious rectangul...
Metal, Aluminum, Chrome
Sold
H 77.56 in W 72.84 in D 11.23 in
Hollywood Regency Bar Cabinet and Bar Stools in the Style of Willy Rizzo
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Cocktail bar, bar stools, metal, suede, glass, brass, glass, Italy, 1970s Hollywood Regency cocktail bar in the style of Willy Rizzo. The set includes a counter element and illumi...
Metal, Brass
Willy Rizzo Bar Cabinet in Metal and Brown Suede
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Willy Rizzo, cocktail bar, chromed metal, suede, glass and brass, Italy, 1970s Hollywood Regency cocktail bar, designed by Willy Rizzo in the 1970s. His bar cabinet designs are am...
Metal, Brass
Willy Rizzo Bar Cabinet in Metal and Brown Suede
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Willy Rizzo, cocktail bar, chromed metal, suede, glass and brass, Italy, 1970s Hollywood Regency cocktail bar, designed by Willy Rizzo in the 1970s. His bar cabinet designs are am...
Metal, Brass
Willy Rizzo Bar Cabinet in Black Suede
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Willy Rizzo, cocktail bar, chromed metal, suede, glass and brass, Italy, 1970s Hollywood Regency cocktail bar, designed by Willy Rizzo in the 1970s. His bar cabinet designs are am...
Metal, Brass
Willy Rizzo Bar Cabinet with Barstools in Suede
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Willy Rizzo, cocktail bar, chromed metal, suede, glass and brass, Italy, 1970s Hollywood Regency cocktail bar, designed by Willy Rizzo in the 1970s. His bar cabinet designs are am...
Metal, Brass
Willy Rizzo Dry Bar Set
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Bar set, chrome, plywood, steel 1970s, Italy. This cocktail set with stools is designed by Willy Rizzo. His cocktail and bar designs are amongst his most prolific and therefore most wanted objects. This particular piece is exemplary for the glamorous style that Rizzo is known for. The clean chrome top matches the shiny mirroring black giving the bar a classy appearance. This bar set, which exists of two leather ottomans and a bar is glamorous, sculptural and architectural at the same time. Willy Rizzo (1928-2013), born in Naples, was a celebrity and Hollywood photographer. His models include Brigitte Bardot and Audrey Hepburn. At a later stage in life, Rizzo discovered that his clientele loved his particular aesthetics and sense for style so much that he decided to design matching furniture...
Chrome
Mobile Bar Hollywood Regency di Willy Rizzo in ottone scamosciato
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Ghedi, IT
Un colpo di scena in ottone e pelle: questo mobile bar Hollywood Regency firmato Willy Rizzo è il distillato puro del glamour anni ’70, quando il design italiano dettava legge tra Sa...
Leather
Sold
H 75.99 in W 59.06 in D 66.93 in
suede And Chrome Dry Bar with barstools In green By Willy Rizzo, Italy 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
Incredible green suede and chrome bar set by Willy Rizzo, Italy 1970s This rare colour combination is the ultimate seventies dream! With original mirror counter, working lights, ori...
Chrome
Mid-Century Modern Suede Bar by Willy Rizzo, Italy, 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Suede Bar by Willy Rizzo, Italy, 1970s
Suede, Glass