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.
Italian Modern Bench Designed By Ico Parisi, Circa. 1950
By Osvaldo Borsani, ISA Bergamo, Paolo Buffa, Gio Ponti, Ico Parisi
Located in Houston, TX
Italian Modern Bench Designed By Ico Parisi, Circa. 1950. Offered is a long bench designed by famed Italian furniture designer Ico Parisi in the 1950's. This large bench has a sleek ...
Bronze
Mid Century Scandinavian Modern Teak Bench
Located in Houston, TX
Mid Century Scandinavian Modern Teak Bench. This stunning modernist teak bench has been professionally upholstered in black and gold tiger print c...
Chenille, Teak
French Mid-Century Modern André Arbus Style Triangular Bench
By Jules Leleu, Jean-Michel Frank, Gio Ponti, André Arbus, Jean Prouvé
Located in Houston, TX
French Mid-Century Modern André Arbus style triangular bench. This unusual bench, ottoman or poof has graceful tapered legs with brass sabots and is n...
Wood
Italian Modern Parchment Console Table
By Aldo Tura, Gio Ponti
Located in Houston, TX
Italian Modern Parchment Console Table. This graceful Italian mid century Gio Ponti inspired free standing console is covered in ...
Wood, Parchment Paper
French Directoire Style Bench
Located in Houston, TX
French Directoire Style Bench. This lovely French Directoire bench or stool painted a gray/green color with dark blue accents with swan handle ...
Wood, Velvet
French Faux Bois Garden Bench
Located in Houston, TX
French Faux Bois Garden Bench. Offered is a classic antique French organic faux bois cement garden bench created of stone over an iron fr...
Cement, Iron
Parchment Bench Attr. Jean-Michel Frank
By Jean-Michel Frank
Located in Houston, TX
Parchment Bench attributed to Jean-Michel Frank composed of a wood frame veneered in goatskin and newly upholstered in ecru-cream-colored mohair.
Goatskin, Mohair, Wood
21st Century, Minimalist, European, Handmade Bench Lined with Beechwood
By Maria Vidali
Located in Tinos, Cyclades
This bench is structured and lined with beechwood in a traditional craftsman's workshop on the island of Tinos, in Cyclades, Greece. Measures: 45 cm x 140 cm x 45 cm. The furni...
Beech
Havana Bench Blanco, Bleached Ambrosia Maple, Modern Design, New - In Stock
Located in New Canaan, CT
The Havana bench blanco is my latest variation of this design. The bleached ambrosia maple lends a rich, subtle visual depth, while emphasizing the bold form and structure. Every el...
Maple
Handcrafted Solid White Ash Himes Bench 60"L by Mary Ratcliffe Studio
By Mary Ratcliffe
Located in Toronto, ON
Originally created to pair with our Himes Table, the Himes Bench explores the principals of tension and compression. Each of the six parts that make up this piece fit into one and other and are held together using these forces of strength and stability. This bench features a through tenon connection between its legs and top creating a stunning contrast in grain and a clean design detail. Additionally a subtle angled cut adds interest to and comfort to the bench seat. Customized lengths available. We work with North American solid hardwoods on a made-to-order fabrication basis. The images and pricing above illustrate our use of flat cut white ash in a variety of stains. Additional offerings in white oak, dark oak, walnut & hard maple are available, with different finish oils & stains at our disposal. Please reach out for any customizations to species, stains, or leather quality. We are more than happy to provide more information and pricing as per your specifications. As all of our products are made-to-order, we cannot accept returns or refunds of purchased items. Crating, shipping & packaging materials are not included in the flat rate shipping quote provided. Please inquire within at the time of order for a quote on any applicable charges. Mary Ratcliffe Studio...
Ash
Gestural Modern Bench with Curved Concrete Legs and Wood top by Nico Yektai
By Nico Yektai
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
The waves bench is comprised of two curved cast concrete legs which establish the dynamic movement of the piece. The bleached maple seat is layered in reaction to that movement. The ...
Maple
Camel Eustache Bench Natural Oak by HARTO
Located in Geneve, CH
Camel Eustache Bench Natural Oak by HARTO Dimensions: W 120 x D 40 x H 74 cm. Materials: Solid wood, Wood veneered MDF, Velvet, Metal, Foam. Weight: 24.5 kg The Eustache bench is a...
Metal
