Willy Rizzo Furniture
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.
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Rizzo Furniture
Brass
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Rizzo Furniture
Brass
1970s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Willy Rizzo Furniture
Marble, Brass
1970s Italian Vintage Willy Rizzo Furniture
Steel
1960s Italian Industrial Vintage Willy Rizzo Furniture
Brass
1970s French Space Age Vintage Willy Rizzo Furniture
Brass
1970s Modern Vintage Willy Rizzo Furniture
Fabric
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Rizzo Furniture
Upholstery, Beech
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Rizzo Furniture
Brass
1970s Italian Vintage Willy Rizzo Furniture
Brass, Stainless Steel
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Willy Rizzo Furniture
Brass
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Rizzo Furniture
Brass, Chrome
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Rizzo Furniture
Suede
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Rizzo Furniture
Metal
1970s Post-Modern Vintage Willy Rizzo Furniture
Laminate, Wood
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Rizzo Furniture
Brass, Stainless Steel
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Rizzo Furniture
Brass
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Rizzo Furniture
Brass
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Rizzo Furniture
Metal, Chrome
1970s Italian Space Age Vintage Willy Rizzo Furniture
Leather, Wood
1970s Italian Vintage Willy Rizzo Furniture
Chrome
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Rizzo Furniture
Chrome
1970s Italian Hollywood Regency Vintage Willy Rizzo Furniture
Brass, Chrome
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Willy Rizzo Furniture
Brass, Nickel
1970s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Rizzo Furniture
Wood
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Rizzo Furniture
Brass, Chrome
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Willy Rizzo Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Willy Rizzo Furniture
Leather, Faux Leather
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Rizzo Furniture
Stainless Steel
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Rizzo Furniture
Velvet
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Rizzo Furniture
Wood
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Rizzo Furniture
Brass
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Rizzo Furniture
Metal
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Rizzo Furniture
Leather, Wood
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Rizzo Furniture
Brass
1970s Italian Vintage Willy Rizzo Furniture
Granite, Brass
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Rizzo Furniture
Travertine, Brass
Mid-20th Century Willy Rizzo Furniture
Travertine
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Willy Rizzo Furniture
Steel
Mid-20th Century Willy Rizzo Furniture
Metal
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Willy Rizzo Furniture
Brass, Chrome
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Willy Rizzo Furniture
Brass
1970s Italian Vintage Willy Rizzo Furniture
Brass, Stainless Steel
1970s Italian Vintage Willy Rizzo Furniture
Metal, Stainless Steel
1970s Italian Vintage Willy Rizzo Furniture
Brass, Stainless Steel
1960s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Rizzo Furniture
Laminate
1970s Italian Vintage Willy Rizzo Furniture
Brass, Stainless Steel
1970s Italian Vintage Willy Rizzo Furniture
Brass, Stainless Steel
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Willy Rizzo Furniture
Brass, Steel
1970s Vintage Willy Rizzo Furniture
Brass, Chrome
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Willy Rizzo Furniture
Brass
1970s American Modern Vintage Willy Rizzo Furniture
Stainless Steel
1970s Italian Vintage Willy Rizzo Furniture
Brass, Copper
1970s Vintage Willy Rizzo Furniture
Wood
2010s Italian Modern Willy Rizzo Furniture
Brass, Stainless Steel
1970s Italian Vintage Willy Rizzo Furniture
Steel
1970s Italian Vintage Willy Rizzo Furniture
Marble, Brass
1960s Italian Vintage Willy Rizzo Furniture
Stainless Steel
Willy Rizzo furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Creators Similar to Willy Rizzo
Interiors Featuring Willy Rizzo
- Want to see more interiors?Browse more photos