In his illustrious career, the French designer Christian Liaigre created furniture and private interiors with a minimalist and restrained sensibility that would become his trademark, but never at the cost of luxury. When he began designing furniture in the 1980s, Liaigre’s clean lines and no-frills approach caused a stir and was considered unusual for the era. But what Liaigre knew best was creating elegant, exquisite designs that would stand the test of time.
Liaigre studied at the École des Beaux-Arts and the École Nationale Supérieure des Arts Décoratifs in Paris. He initially began as a furniture designer, opening his studio in 1985 before he would move toward interiors. His bold, timeless pieces were made in France using luxurious materials such as marble and cashmere in a soothing palette of neutral tones that look fresh to this day. Later, Liaigre began to design private interiors — from homes of influential figures like Calvin Klein and Karl Lagerfeld to holiday homes, offices and the cabins of private yachts. He designed the interiors of the Art Deco–era Hotel Montalembert in Paris and became known in the United States for his design of the Mercer Hotel in New York City, which opened in 1997. Soon afterward, he found himself working for hotelier Ian Schrager.
To each of his interior design projects Liaigre brought his minimalist touch, which was born from his ability to distill a broad range of inspirations — from Brancusi sculptures and African art to Art Deco furniture — into simple, balanced forms. The modest beauty of his popular Nagato stool, a small and sculptural piece of seating designed in oak in 1986, represents this vision clearly and points to some more of Liaigre’s influences: the stillness found in Donald Judd’s minimalist art and many aspects of Japanese culture.
Liaigre, who earned comparisons to celebrated French designers Jean-Michel Frank and Jean Royère, was also known for his visionary use of natural and unconventional materials and is considered to be one of the first to use wenge, an African hardwood, in combination with traditional timber such as oak in his furnishings. Liaigre’s creative foresight has ensured that today he is one of the most influential and widely imitated designers of the 20th century.
Find a range of Christian Liaigre seating, tables and other furniture on 1stDibs.
Christian Liaigre for Holly Hunt Latin Lounge Chair Pair, Beige, France, 2016
By HOLLY HUNT, Christian Liaigre
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Christian Liaigre for Holly Hunt Latin Lounge chair pair, beige, light green, France, circa 2016. Gorgeous pair. Holly Hunt beige chenille woven textile on body with dupioni silk bac...
Textile
Christian Liaigre for Holly Hunt Latin Lounge Chair, Dupioni Silk, France, 2010
By Christian Liaigre, HOLLY HUNT
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Christian Liaigre for Holly hunt latin lounge chair, Beige, Light Green, France, circa 2017. Holly hunt beige chenille woven textile on body with dupioni silk back cushion and lumbar...
Textile, Silk, Oak
Gio Ponti Model 516 Pair of Lounge Chairs, Cream White Painted Walnut, 1950
By Figli di Amadeo Cassina, Gio Ponti, Cassina
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of armchairs, model “516”, originally designed by Ponti for the furnishing of Tranatlantico Conte Biancamano, Manufactured by Figli di Amadeo Cassina (Cassina), Italy, c. 1950 pierced slat back, off-white cream painted walnut, white woven cotton textile. Provenance: Private Collection, Connecticut, USA. Measurements 78 cm x 62 cm x 79.5h cm 30 3/4 in x 24 3/8 in x 31 1/4 in height Literature Galleria Deposito A...
Textile, Walnut
Gio Ponti Model 516 Armchair, Painted Walnut, Cream White, 1950
By Figli di Amadeo Cassina, Cassina, Gio Ponti
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of armchairs, model “516”, originally designed by Ponti for the furnishing of Tranatlantico Conte Biancamano, Manufactured by Figli di Amadeo Cassina (Cassina), Italy, c. 1950 pierced slat back, off-white cream painted walnut, white woven cotton textile. Provenance: Private Collection, Connecticut, USA. Measurements 78 cm x 62 cm x 79.5h cm 30 3/4 in x 24 3/8 in x 31 1/4 in height Literature Galleria Deposito A...
Textile, Walnut
Tommi Parzinger Originals Modern Armchair and Ottoman, Club Chair, 1958
By Tommi Parzinger, Parzinger Originals
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Tommi Parzinger lounge chair and ottoman, ebonized frame, charcoal grey upholstery. Single owner. Authenticated with the original purchased receipt from Parzinger Originals Inc., dat...
Textile
Tommi Parzinger Originals Modern Armchair and Ottoman, Club Chair, 1958
By Parzinger Originals, Tommi Parzinger
Located in Brooklyn, NY
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Textile
Set of 2 Creamy Carson Armchair by Collector
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 creamy Carson armchair by Collector. Materials: fully upholstered in boho 10 fabric Solid walnut feet Dimensions: W 86 x D 76 x H 70 cm SH 43 cm Available in diff...
Upholstery, Walnut
Pair of Christian Liaigre for Holly Hunt “Latin” Lounge Chairs, 1990s
By HOLLY HUNT, Christian Liaigre
Located in Hamburg, PA
Elegant pair of armless “Latin” lounge chairs designed by Christian Liaigre for Holly Hunt. These refined lounge chairs feature clean architectural lines with soft, generous seating. The bodies are upholstered in taupe leather with complementary light grey striped fabric loose-back cushions. Raised on dark ebonized wood bases with straight square legs. Each chair retains its original Holly Hunt metal label signed "Christian Liaigre at Holly Hunt". Overall good condition. All original with age-appropriate wear consistent with use. Christian Liaigre (1943–2020) was a celebrated French designer known for his understated, luxurious minimalism. Holly Hunt introduced his work to the U.S. market, and the Latin chair...
Leather, Wood
Pair of Modern High Back Lounge Chairs with Designer Cream Velvet
By Carrocel
Located in North York, ON
Pair of modern high back lounge chairs with designer cream velvet. Art deco inspired frames, made in Italy. Upholstered in a beige cream designer velvet and finished in a satin hand ...
Velvet, Wood
Set of 2, Vienna Lounge Armchair Canaletto Beige by Colé Italia
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2, Vienna Lounge Canaletto beige by Colé Italia with Emmanuel Gallina Dimensions: H 78, W 53, D 50 cm Materials: Lounge armchair in stained beech wood and straw; upholstered...
Wool, Upholstery, Wood
Set of 2 Beige Sahco Zero the Tired Man Lounge Chairs by Lassen
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 beige sahco zero the tired man lounge chairs by Lassen. Dimensions: W 102 x D 87 x H 88 cm Materials: Sheepskin. Flemming Lassen designed the overstuffed easy chair, t...
Textile
Modern Barao Lounge Chair, Set of 2, Beige Linen Fabric, Handmade by Greenapple
By Greenapple, Rute Martins
Located in Lisboa, PT
Modern Barão Lounge Chair, Set of 2, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. The Barão lounge chair draws inspiration from the meticulous craftsmans...
Leather, Fabric, Mohair, Bouclé, Cotton, Linen, Velvet, Oak, Walnut
