In 1974, Roche Bobois opened its first showroom in the United States on Madison Avenue in New York City. The celebrated luxury French furniture brand is now in 50 countries with more than 200 stores.
The Roche Bobois story has origins in 1950, when entrepreneur Jacques Roche converted an old Paris theater into two contemporary furniture boutiques so that his sons could help usher stunning Bauhaus-inspired work out of the shops and into French homes nearby.
At another showroom called Au Beau Bois, also in the French capital city, the Chouchan family was simultaneously selling home furnishings. The families met later, when Philippe and François Roche convened with Patrick and Jean-Claude Chouchan at a furniture exhibition in Copenhagen in 1960 and afterward produced a catalog announcing their partnership.
Minimal and modernist Scandinavian design had gained prominence in the furniture industry by 1960, rendering designers such as Kaare Klint and Poul Henningsen marquee names — and Roche Bobois's principals had taken notice. Following a national advertising campaign in Elle magazine a year later, the Scandinavian furniture that the newly minted Roche Bobois was importing to Paris became a huge success. Early promotional material from the firm likely included the sleek modular wall units crafted in rosewood by Danish furniture maker Poul Cadovius. It didn’t take long for Roche Bobois to shift toward producing its own contemporary furniture line.
When the popularity of cable television took hold in more major American cities during the 1970s, sofas and other seating became integral to contemporary living-room decor. Roche Bobois’s newly launched Les Contemporains series positioned its own sofas front and center, and it also offered plush lounge chairs designed by Mario Bellini.
Bold works from the company during the decade included Marc Berthier’s Pop Art–colored tubular metal desks and chairs — the latter covered with braided fabric — as well as one of Roche Bobois’s most enduring and well-known pieces, the Mah Jong sectional sofa created by sculptor, painter and designer Hans Hopfer. Anchored by few central elements, this modular lounge sofa can be combined or stacked, giving the buyer total freedom over its appearance and the ability to maximize comfort.
Since its inception, Roche Bobois has worked with many internationally renowned architects and designers on its collections, among them Paola Navone and Vladimir Kagan. Even fashion designers such as Missoni and Emanuel Ungaro have made contributions to the company’s lineup.
In 2010, Roche Bobois marked its 50-year anniversary by debuting a partnership with French fashion designer Jean Paul Gaultier. A decade later, Roche Bobois teamed up with Portuguese artist Joana Vasconcelos, who designed a collection of organically shaped sofas as well as vibrant, colorful accent pillows and rugs.
Roche Bobois’s offerings over the years have included everything from mid-century modern armchairs to Art Deco case pieces to sculptural outdoor cocktail tables framed in metal wire — shop these classics now on 1stDibs.
De Sede DS-76 Style 5-Piece Natural Leather Modular Sectional
By De Sede
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Five-piece modular sectional in natural tan leather, configured as two corner pieces and three straight sections arranged in an L-shape. Each module measures 36 inch wide by 37.5 inc...
Metal
Seven Salotti Modular Sofa in Cognac Colored Leather
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Seven Salotti modular sofa, plastic, leather, Italy, 1970s This modular sofa by Italian maker Seven Salotti dates from the 1970s and showcases the era’s relaxed and sculptural appro...
Leather, Plastic
De Sede ‘DS-15’ Modular Sofa in Patinated Brown Leather
By De Sede
Located in Waalwijk, NL
De Sede, 'DS-15' sectional sofa, patinated leather, Switzerland, 1970s. This high-quality sectional sofa designed by De Sede in the 1970s contains five regular elements, two corner ...
Leather
Roche Bobois Leather Sofa and club chairs With Movable Headrest
By Roche Bobois
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Experience timeless elegance with our Roche Bobois white leather club chairs and sofa set, circa early 2000. This exquisite collection is in impeccable condition and offers unparalle...
Leather
$41,161 / set
H 27.56 in W 167.33 in D 80.71 in
Rolf Benz Vintage cognac Living Room Suite Modular 70ties Sectional Sofa
By Rolf Benz
Located in Munich, Bavaria
This is a rare and stunning modular sectional leathersofa designed and manufactured by Rolf Benz in Germany. Mostly you can find it in green fabric but very rare in leather. This is...
Fabric, Upholstery, Foam
"Cierre 1972" Beige Italian Leather Sofa, L-shaped with Ottoman
By Cierre
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
On offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning, two pieces sectional and ottoman you could hope to find. Outstanding design is exhibited throughout. The beautiful light beige ...
Chrome
Contemporary Extra Long Taupe Leather Sofa with Dark Wood Design
Located in Queens, NY
Contemporary extra long sofa (11.5' wide) with taupe leather cushions and a polished dark wood frame and matching leather pillows (2 Matching armchair...
Leather, Wood
$29,040 / item
H 31.89 in W 137.8 in D 61.03 in
DeSede DS-747/40 Multifunctional Sofa in Noce Leather Seat and Back Upholstery
By De Sede
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Once upon a time, there was a master saddler with his mind set on taking bulky, thick leather and using his perfect craftsmanship to make it comfortable and cozy. For genera-tions, the legacy of what Ernst Lüthy created when he established de Sede in the 1960s has been reflected in DS-747: form follows function. Be it sitting, sleeping, dining or relaxing – thanks to its essence of excellence, this all-rounder offers optimum functionality: with a few easy flicks of the wrist, the armrests can be tilted independently of each other and the soft seating surfaces enlarged. The exposed back lends DS-747 its lightness as a small sculpture with a high function – a sofa created to sit not on but in. A marvel in three dimensions, DS-747 is perfectly suited for small spaces or city apartments. If visitors spontaneously decide to stay longer, this elegant yet compact sofa offers an outstand-ing place to sleep – the armrests can be folded down with a few very easy flicks of the wrist. A sophisticated mechanism can be used to enlarge the seating surface, while the deliberately exposed back offers a glimpse into the functions of DS-747. The multifunctional sofa...
Upholstery
$27,236 / item
H 31.89 in W 84.26 in D 42.13 in
De Sede DS-747/20 Multifunctional Sofa in Noce Leather Seat and Back Upholstery
By De Sede
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Once upon a time, there was a master saddler with his mind set on taking bulky, thick leather and using his perfect craftsmanship to make it comfortable and cozy. For genera-tions, t...
Upholstery
$28,138 / item
H 31.89 in W 129.93 in D 61.03 in
De Sede DS-747/30 Multifunctional Sofa in Noce Leather Seat and Back Upholstery
By De Sede
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Once upon a time, there was a master saddler with his mind set on taking bulky, thick leather and using his perfect craftsmanship to make it comfortable and cozy. For genera-tions, t...
Upholstery
French Art Deco Sofa or Settee with Beige Velvet Upholstery & Rosewood Armrests
Located in Plainview, NY
This French Art Deco sofa or settee represents an exquisite manifestation of the Art Deco movement's predilection for harmonious curves and sensuous forms. The rosewood armrests, ad...
Rosewood, Velvet
English Chesterfield Style Brown Leather Tufted Reclining & Rocking Club Chair
Located in Plainview, NY
This exquisite reclining club chair embodies the enduring elegance of English traditional design, seamlessly blended with mid-century functionality. Upholstered in a rich, full-grain brown leather, the chair showcases a beautifully patinated surface that speaks to both age and quality. The high, gently curved backrest is adorned with deep diamond tufting, offering a stately nod to the classic Chesterfield aesthetic while enhancing the plush, inviting silhouette. Rolled arms with hand-finished piping echo the refined detailing of early 20th-century club chairs, exuding quiet sophistication and comfort. The seat cushion is generously padded, designed for lasting support without sacrificing softness. Anchored by a discreet reclining mechanism, the chair transitions smoothly from an upright lounge position to a fully reclined repose, marrying traditional form with modern ease. The leather Chesterfield reclining...
Leather
Mid-Century Modern Sofa in the Manner of Finn Juhl
By Finn Juhl
Located in Plainview, NY
A timeless Mid-Century Modern style Sofa in the manner of Finn Juhl ( Danish 1912- 1989). The sofa features sculptural shape inspired by the Modern free art. The seat and back of the...
Upholstery, Wood
Antique Italian Venetian Burl Wood and Gilt Loveseat, Settee, Sofa or Canapé
Located in Plainview, NY
Antique Italian Venetian Burl Wood and Gilt Loveseat, Settee, Sofa or Canapé Grace your space with this 20th century Italian Venetian loveseat, settee or canapé. The frame...
Upholstery, Giltwood, Burl
Mid Century Modern Style Grey Velvet Tufted Upholstery & Lucite Legs Bunch
Located in Plainview, NY
This classy Mid-Century Modern Style bench exudes a refined elegance, seamlessly blending classic tufted upholstery with a contemporary edge. Its generously cushioned seat is adorned...
Velvet, Lucite
Paul Evans Style Brutalist Handmade Brass & Leather Lounge Chair, a Pair
By Paul Evans
Located in Plainview, NY
These exceptional lounge chairs inspired by the bold and sculptural aesthetic of Paul Evans' Brutalist designs, seamlessly blend industrial artistry with Art Deco elegance. Masterful...
Metal, Brass
