“Lara” Sofa by Roberto Pamio Renato Toso for Stilwood, Italy, 1970

Italian designer and architect Renato Toso creates beautiful mid-century modern and modern pendant lights and sconces out of creamy Murano glass. His designs have a chic retro appeal characterized by soft curves and effortless elegance. He is part of the design firm Toso, Massari Associates, which he founded with his wife, designer Giovanna Noti Massari.

Toso was born in 1940 in Murano, Italy. Murano is a Venetian island with a long glassmaking tradition. Both Toso and Massari studied architecture in Venice and founded Toso, Massari Associati in 1966. The studio specializes in architecture and lighting design for interior and industrial spaces. 

Toso, Massari Associati has partnered with numerous companies over the years, including lighting company Leucos, which Toso and Massari participated in founding. The studio has designed collections for historic lighting manufacturer Vistosi, one of Murano’s most prominent glassmakers. In 2007, Toso, Massari Associati created a series of modular lamps called Ecos for the company. This series was followed up in 2013 by the Noon lamp collection, based on the moon’s phases.

The studio has won first place in several design competitions and shows, including the Venice Biennale, the Milan Triennial XII and the National Design Competition in Trieste. Its work has been exhibited at the Louvre in Paris, the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Palazzo Grassi in Venice.

Today, Toso and Massari’s children — Anna, Marco, Pio and Tito —are all part of Toso, Massari Associati.

On 1stDibs, find Renato Toso lighting, decorative objects, serveware and more.