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.
$10,832
H 17.72 in W 122.05 in D 17.72 in
Horst Brüning long wall mounted sideboard model 1730, Behr. 1960s
By Horst Bruning
Located in LYON, FR
Floating Horst Brüning long sideboard model 1730, Behr. 1960s Large suspended sideboard from the 1960s by German industrial designer and architect Horst Brüning, published by Behr. ...
Aluminum
$7,800 / set
H 25.5 in W 76.25 in D 20 in
Florence Knoll Style Credenza with Matching File Cabinet by by Giacomo Buzzitta
By Stow Davis
Located in Dallas, TX
Beautiful credenza with matching file cabinet designed by Giacomo Buzzittan for Stow Davis. The matching set is constructed of Carrara marble, black lacquer with chromed steel legs a...
Marble, Steel
$5,739
H 17.72 in W 122.05 in D 21.26 in
Behr Wall Cabinet by Horst Brüning, Mid-Century Modern, 1960s
By Behr, Horst Bruning
Located in Hellouw, NL
This Behr wall cabinet was designed by Horst Brüning in 1960. The cupboard was produced by Behr in Germany and is made of wood and aluminum. Brüning's design style was very modern, f...
Aluminum
Lacquered Sculptural Credenza Sideboard Server
Located in Dallas, TX
Introduce an air of subtle artistry to your space with this unusually versatile cabinet. This seductive piece offers an impressive focal point while combining art and functionality i...
Wood
Large Brutalist Mid-Century Belgium Credenza
Located in London, GB
A large six door credenza or sideboard. Belgium, c1970s. A scarcer model than the ones done by De Coene. Simple turned handles. Veneered and stained wood. Good co...
Wood
2006 Maxalto "Creso" Sideboard by Antonio Citterio for B&B Italia
By Antonio Citterio, Maxalto
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Architectural and exceptionally refined, the Creso High Sideboard, originally introduced in 2006, was designed by Antonio Citterio for Maxalto / B&B Italia and exemplifies the so...
Steel
Gianfranco Frattini Attributed Credenza
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1970s, Italy. The lacquer has some scuffs and scratches along with some chips to the edges - see photos for details
Lacquer
$2,280Sale Price|20% Off
H 32 in W 74 in D 20.5 in
Unusual Pace Collection Curved Edge Credenza, Mid-Century Modern
By Pace Collection
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Unusual pace collection curved brass edge credenza. This piece is veneered with a taupe laminate for easy care and has stylish brass curved edges and feet. The doors open to reveal t...
Laminate
$10,596 / item
H 31.5 in W 51.58 in D 15.75 in
Patricia Urquiola Hayama Cabinet, Lacquered MDF, Mid-Century Modern
By Patricia Urquiola
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Patricia Urquiola Hayama Cabinet For Cassina With her unmistakable design signature, what Patricia Urquiola creates is an invitation to travel, in the form of furniture – through th...
Lacquer
$4,238
H 29.93 in W 70.87 in D 16.54 in
Mid-Century Sideboard from the "Arco" Series by Studio BBPR for Olivetti, Italy
By Olivetti
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century sideboard from the "Arco" series by Studio BBPR for Olivetti - Italy 1960s.
Metal
Rare Paul Frankl Tall Dresser High Chest Drawers X-Pulls From Johnson Furniture
By Johnson Furniture Company, Paul Frankl
Located in West Hartford, CT
A rare, sophisticated high chest designed by Paul Frankl for the Johnson Furniture Company, circa late 1940s-early 1950s. The coveted Johnson hallmark is incised inside. It is a prim...
Brass
Iconic Mid Century Modern Drexel Furniture Brigade Platform Bed on Castors
By Drexel
Located in West Hartford, CT
Ultra rare and iconic Drexel Twin platform bed from the coveted Brigade line. One of several Campaign style Brigade pieces we have on Dibs this week. Why n...
Walnut
Mid Century Modern Industrial Hand Painted Metal Dresser with Mirror
Located in West Hartford, CT
Iconic yet unusual metal hand painted dresser with cheval mirror attached. The distressed color scheme makes this case piece look like a work of art. Sturdy and a center point in any...
Metal
Signed Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin USA Designed Mid Century Modern Sofa 77"
By Thayer Coggin, Milo Baughman
Located in West Hartford, CT
Rare 77" three seater Milo Baughman designed sofa for Thayer Coggin that features the coveted channeling that starts on sides and wraps totally around the back. The muted gray strip...
Steel
Mid-Century Modern Heavy Brutalist Tall Sculptural Metal Table Lamp
Located in West Hartford, CT
Stunning Brutalist sculptural table lamp circa 1970's. It's a lamp! It's a sculpture? It's both! Now, more than ever, home is where the heart is.
Metal
Rare Curtis Jere Brass and Chrome Wall Mirror and Sconces Combo
By Curtis Jeré
Located in West Hartford, CT
A coveted set of wall sconces and wall mirror design in the 1980s by Curtis Jere. The wall sconces were designed in tandem with the mirror by Curtis Jere. The mirror dimensions are b...
Brass, Chrome
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.
