In 1966, Piero Ambrogio Busnelli cofounded C&B Italia, a modern Italian furniture manufacturer, with Cesare Cassina in northern Milan. From the outset, Busnelli and Cassina set about recruiting the most talented modernists in Italy to conceive of creative furnishings manufactured in modern ways. In the early 1970s, the company split, with Cassina founding his own eponymous firm and Busnelli taking leadership of what became B&B Italia.
For decades, Busnelli cultivated relationships with the world’s best design talent, resulting in furniture pieces that remain iconic today — be they Gaetano Pesce’s outwardly curvaceous Up seating (made for C&B, reintroduced by B&B) or tables from industrial designer Paolo Piva, each more sophisticated than the next in their geometrically complex steel-tube bases. B&B Italia earned four prestigious Compasso d’Oro design awards: in 1979 for Mario Bellini’s Le Bambole, in 1984 for the Sisamo wardrobe system by Studio Kairos, in 1987 for Antonio Citterio’s modular Sity sofa and, in 1989, the first award given to a manufacturing company itself.
Other notable names who designed for B&B Italia over the course of its 54-year history include Patricia Urquiola, Naoto Fukasawa, Zaha Hadid, Ettore Sottsass and Vincent Van Duysen, to name a very few. And while these names bring star power to the B&B brand, in many cases, it was B&B Italia who helped usher in their celebrity, fostering a wave of design talent on the world stage.
The company’s forward-thinking vision manifested in its own headquarters, too: In 1972, B&B Italia tapped architects Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers to design a steel-framed, postmodern-style home for the brand, whose crisscrossing metal exoskeleton is reminiscent of the pair’s Centre Pompidou in Paris, which was built at roughly the same time. Now, B&B Italia manages a contract division and outdoor section as well as its residential arm, and it also controls production for Maxalto, a brand spun out with furniture designs by Antonio Citterio.
At 1stDibs, find a range of vintage B&B Italia furniture — including sofas, cocktail tables and more.
$2,289 / item
H 27.96 in W 59.06 in D 35.44 in
2x Original B&B Italia Recamiere Charles Sofa Design Couch
By B&B Italia
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten zwei wunderschöne Zweisitzer Sofas vom renommierten italienischen Hersteller B&B Italia zum Verkauf an. Bei den Sofas handelt es sich um das Modell "Charles", das durc...
Metal
B&B Italia Harry Large Sofa
By B&B Italia, Antonio Citterio
Located in Rochester, England
The Harry Large Sofa by B&B Italia is a timeless statement of comfort and elegance. Designed with exceptional craftsmanship, it combines a modern silhouette with deep, inviting c...
Aluminum
$13,476
H 28.75 in W 151.19 in D 100.79 in
B&B Italia “Charles” L-Shape Sectional Sofa in Beige “Serra” Cashmere
By B&B Italia
Located in Barrowford, GB
This is a huge, iconic “Charles” Sectional L-Shape Sofa (consisting of a CH156S, a CH228D and a CH156C section) from the “Maxalto” range of seating from the world renown Italian furn...
Wool
B&B Italia Arne Sofa
By Antonio Citterio, B&B Italia
Located in Rochester, England
Introducing the Arne Sofa by B&B Italia, a luxurious addition to any living space. This stunning piece features a sleek and modern design, with clean lines and a minimalist silho...
Fabric, Foam
Marelli Liam Sectional Sofa by Studio Marelli
By Marelli
Located in Boston, MA
Designed by Studio Marelli The Liam Sectional Sofa is a modular sofa with a dynamic design, with metal feet that lift the structure with fabric upholstery. Perfect for a modern or f...
Fabric, Plywood
B&B Italia Michel Club Modular Sofa by Antonio Citterio
By Antonio Citterio, B&B Italia
Located in Rochester, England
Introducing the epitome of luxury and comfort - the Michel Club Modular Sofa by B&B Italia. Crafted with the finest materials and designed with the utmost attention to detail, th...
Metal
B&B Italia Grey Suede Sectional Sofa, Four-Piece, 21st Century
By B&B Italia
Located in Astoria, NY
B&B Italia Grey Suede Upholstered Sectional Sofa, in four pieces: two chaise longues, a three-seat banquette, and a square ottoman, labels to sides. Chaise: 34" H x 91" W x 38" ...
Suede, Upholstery
L-Shape Sectional with Upholstered Legs and Loose Cushions
By The Tailored Home
Located in Greenwich, CT
Pricing reflects COM (Customer's Own Material); fabric shown for inspiration only. Track arms and fully upholstered legs give this made-to-order L-shape sectional a seamless, fabric-...
Wood, Upholstery
Vintage Bernhardt for Bloomingdale’s Sectional Sofa
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This elegant sectional sofa, a high-end collaboration between Bernhardt and Bloomingdale’s, exemplifies sophisticated transitional design. Upholstered in a beautifully textured tan f...
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
Modern Sectional Sofa in Textured High-performance Fabric
By Carrocel
Located in North York, ON
Indulge in unparalleled comfort and sophisticated design with this modern sectional sofa by Carrocel. Expertly crafted in Canada, this statement piece boasts a solid maple wood frame, ensuring lasting durability. Upholstered in a luxurious cream textured Krypton pretreated fabric, it offers both elegance and stain resistance. The clean lines and contemporary styling are elevated by sleek, hidden black lacquered feet, creating a floating silhouette that will transform your living space. Available in other fabric colors, please ask for details or to see the fabric sample book...
Fabric, Maple
Sally Sirkin Lewis J Robert Scott Sofa in Beautiful Nubuck Leather Suede
By Sally Sirkin Lewis
Located in Palm Springs, CA
An extremely comfortable and luxurious sofa by sally Sirkin Lewis for J Robert Scott in Nubuck Leather. The cushions are down. The sofa is labeled. This type of Nubuck leather feels ...
Suede
1960’s Adrian Pearsall Sectional Sofa Set with Matching Cocktail Table
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A wonderful vintage Adrian Pearsall sofa set. It features 2 sofas and a coffee table. The pieces have been redone in a stunning Italian Romo broken stripe Velvet in Epingle Gunmetal ...
Upholstery
Martin Borenstein Platform Sofa
By Martin Borenstein
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Beautiful sofa by Martin Borenstein. Vintage piece in good condition. Upholstery appears original and has been cleaned. Teak frame and surface is good with some age appropriate wear ...
Upholstery, Teak
J Robert Scott Sofa Redone in Mario Sirtori Alpaca Cotton Wool Blend
By J. Robert Scott 1
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A beautiful and extremely comfortable sofa by Sally Siskin Lewis , J Robert Scott. We have had it redone in a sumptuous Mario Sirtori Alpaca/Cotton/Wool/Poly blend fabric hat is so s...
Upholstery, Wood
Michel Ducaroy for Ligne Roset Togo Red Leather Sectional Sofa Set
By Michel Ducaroy, Ligne Roset
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A stunning red leather Togo sectional by Michel Ducaroy for Ligne Roset. It is all tagged properly and in good condition with supple leather and free of rips or tears. There are a fe...
Leather
Vladimir Kagan Zoe Sofa for American Leather in Cinnabar Ultrasuede
By Vladimir Kagan, American Leather
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A pretty Zoe sofa designed by Vladimir Kagan for American Leather. The sofa is in a microfiber or ultra suede fabric in Cinnabar. It is tagged and dated 2006. The microfiber is wond...
Ultrasuede
Common wisdom used to declare the kitchen the hub of the house. These days, the living room seems to have assumed the role of domestic focal point. Unlike the Victorian parlor, stiffly furnished and reserved for guests, today’s living room is a central place for reading, conversation and, well, living, with furnishings that lend themselves to both casual lounging and elegant entertaining.
The Antwerp-based designer lends his unique touch to homes, boutiques and offices in Belgium, the United States and Germany, as well as furniture for B&B Italia and Molteni.
