R&Y Augousti was founded in 1989 by husband-and-wife team Ria and Yiouri Augousti. The pair works with pen shell, metal and an array of exotic skins — including ostrich, snake, eel and crocodile — to create Art Deco-inspired furniture that echoes the influences of their unique friends and draws on the experiences they’ve shared on their global travels.
Ria Augousti (née Macasaet) was born in Manila. Her family relocated to Cebu and, at age 15, she went to New York City to study art. She continued her studies in England and graduated from the London School of Furniture Making.
Born in Cyprus, Yiouri Augousti studied architecture at London’s Architectural Association. He was drawn to interior design that reflected a revival of Art Deco that took shape during his years as a young adult.
Ria was working at the interior design firm of John Stefanidis, in London, when Yiouri joined the firm. “We got on like a house on fire,” Ria has said of the beginnings of their relationship. The couple established R&Y Augousti in 1989 and married in 1990. The business grew swiftly — R&Y Augousti moved permanently to Paris in 1994, and in 2011, the couple opened their first American showroom. There, in the New York Design Center, the range of decorative objects on offer from R&Y Augousti included dining tables, side tables and decorative objects such as candleholders and picture frames in shagreen.
The initial popularity that shagreen enjoyed as furniture covering fizzled when the Art Deco era faded. Modernist designer Jean-Michel Frank was an enthusiast of the textured hide, and during the 1960s, Karl Springer covered desks, chairs and tables with it. Ria Augousti wanted to revive shagreen’s use as a finish in one of their very first designs. Their sculptural, sensuous shagreen Sylvie chair, with its slender and towering backrest, makes a statement in any space and has seen a fair amount of praise over the years. The Sylvie has been photographed in a number of high-profile spaces including Alexander Wang's New York City loft apartment designed by Ryan Korban. (And shagreen reemerged as a luxe material among designers and decorators in 2017.)
R&Y Augousti has since expanded into fashion accessories, and drawings by the couple’s daughter, designer Kifu Augousti, have been embroidered on some of the brand’s luxurious handbags.
Find R&Y Augousti tables, seating and decorative objects on 1stDibs.
Modern Robert Marinelli Le Caprice Designer Shagreen Desk Arm Chair
By Robert Marinelli Design
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Modern Robert Marinelli Le Caprice Designer Shagreen Desk Arm Chair
Mahogany
$7,348 / item
H 35.24 in W 21.26 in D 21.07 in
Shagreen Chair with Velvet Upholstery and Brass Accents by R&Y Augousti
By R & Y Augousti
Located in New York, NY
The Paris based label has distinguished themselves since their launch, with their iconic use of shagreen mixed with brass and other exotic materials. All furniture is handcrafted by skilled artisans, ultimately making each piece unique, designed in Paris and produced in the Philippines. The Limited Edition Victoria chair...
Brass
$6,523 / item
H 31.5 in W 19.34 in D 15.75 in
Shagreen Chair with Palmwood and Bronze-Patina Brass Details by Kifu Paris
By Kifu Augousti
Located in New York, NY
The Paris based label has distinguished themselves since their launch, with their iconic use of shagreen mixed with brass and other exotic materials. All furniture is handcrafted by skilled artisans, ultimately making each piece unique, designed in Paris and produced in the Philippines. Inspired by the original Dandy bench...
Brass
$6,154 / item
H 32.09 in W 19.69 in D 20.87 in
Oxford Chair Shagreen and Bronze-Patina Brass by R&Y Augousti
By R & Y Augousti
Located in New York, NY
The Paris based label has distinguished themselves since their launch, with their iconic use of shagreen mixed with brass and other exotic materials. All furniture is handcrafted by ...
Brass
$6,523 / item
H 31.5 in W 19.34 in D 15.75 in
Shagreen Chair with Palmwood and Bronze-Patina Brass Details by Kifu Paris
By Kifu Augousti
Located in New York, NY
The Paris based label has distinguished themselves since their launch, with their iconic use of shagreen mixed with brass and other exotic materials. All furniture is handcrafted by ...
Brass
Sylvie Chair in Mink Shagreen by R & Y Augousti
By R & Y Augousti
Located in New York, NY
The Paris based label has distinguished themselves since their launch, with their iconic use of shagreen mixed with brass and other exotic materials. All furniture is handcrafted by skilled artisans, ultimately making each piece unique, designed in Paris and produced in the Philippines. The Sylvie chair...
Shagreen Stingray
$6,154
H 32.09 in W 19.69 in D 20.87 in
Oxford Chair Cream Shagreen and Bronze-Patina Brass by R&Y Augousti
By R & Y Augousti
Located in New York, NY
The Paris based label has distinguished themselves since their launch, with their iconic use of shagreen mixed with brass and other exotic materials. All furniture is handcrafted by ...
Brass
$6,154
H 32.09 in W 19.69 in D 20.87 in
Oxford Chair Cream Shagreen and Bronze-Patina Brass by R&Y Augousti
By R & Y Augousti
Located in New York, NY
The Paris based label has distinguished themselves since their launch, with their iconic use of shagreen mixed with brass and other exotic materials. All furniture is handcrafted by ...
Brass
$6,880 / item
H 31.5 in W 19.34 in D 15.75 in
Shagreen Dining Chair with Bronze-Patina Brass Details by Kifu Paris
By Kifu Augousti
Located in New York, NY
The Paris based label has distinguished themselves since their launch, with their iconic use of shagreen mixed with brass and other exotic materials. All furniture is handcrafted by ...
Brass
$6,171 / item
H 38.19 in W 17.33 in D 21.66 in
Lola Chair in Cream Shagreen with Cream Upholstered Seat by R&Y Augousti
By R & Y Augousti
Located in New York, NY
The Paris based label has distinguished themselves since their launch, with their iconic use of shagreen mixed with brass and other exotic materials. All furniture is handcrafted by skilled artisans, ultimately making each piece unique, designed in Paris and created in the Philippines. The Lola chair...
Shagreen Stingray
1920’s French Burlwood Lounge Chairs
Located in Chicago, IL
1920’s French burlwood base lounge chairs with newer chenille upholstery.
Upholstery, Burl
Pair of Art Deco French Lounge Chairs in Walnut and Alpaca Upholstery, c. 1930’s
Located in Chicago, IL
Exuding refined 1930s French Art Deco elegance, this striking pair of club chairs features dramatically curved walnut armrests that fluidly anchor a tailored, generous seat. The wood...
Alpaca, Walnut
1970’s Swedish Leather And Wood Lounge Chair
Located in Chicago, IL
Postmodern Swedish leather lounge chair with wood base.
Leather, Wood
Midcentury Italian Lounge Chairs
Located in Chicago, IL
Midcentury Italian lounge chairs with new upholstery.
Brass, Metal
Midcentury Parsons Lounge Chairs
Located in Chicago, IL
Midcentury Parsons lounge chairs with new mohair upholstery.
Metal
1950’s French Oak Chair with Rush Seat by Charles Dudouyt
By Charles Dudouyt
Located in Chicago, IL
A striking mid-century French Brutalist side chair designed by Charles Dudouyt, dating to the 1950s. This exceptional piece beautifully showcases Dudouyt’s signature interplay of ru...
Cane, Wood
