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A Close Look at mid-century-modern Furniture
Organically shaped, clean-lined and elegantly simple are three terms that well describe vintage mid-century modern furniture. The style, which emerged primarily in the years following World War II, is characterized by pieces that were conceived and made in an energetic, optimistic spirit by creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living.
ORIGINS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
- Emerged during the mid-20th century
- Informed by European modernism, Bauhaus, International style, Scandinavian modernism and Frank Lloyd Wright’s architecture
- A heyday of innovation in postwar America
- Experimentation with new ideas, new materials and new forms flourished in Scandinavia, Italy, the former Czechoslovakia and elsewhere in Europe
CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
- Simplicity, organic forms, clean lines
- A blend of neutral and bold Pop art colors
- Use of natural and man-made materials — alluring woods such as teak, rosewood and oak; steel, fiberglass and molded plywood
- Light-filled spaces with colorful upholstery
- Glass walls and an emphasis on the outdoors
- Promotion of functionality
MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW
- Charles and Ray Eames
- Eero Saarinen
- Milo Baughman
- Florence Knoll
- Harry Bertoia
- Isamu Noguchi
- George Nelson
- Danish modernists Hans Wegner and Arne Jacobsen, whose emphasis on natural materials and craftsmanship influenced American designers and vice versa
ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS
- Eames lounge chair
- Nelson daybed
- Florence Knoll sofa
- Egg chair
- Womb chair
- Noguchi coffee table
- Barcelona chair
VINTAGE MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS
The mid-century modern era saw leagues of postwar American architects and designers animated by new ideas and new technology. The lean, functionalist International-style architecture of Le Corbusier and Bauhaus eminences Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius had been promoted in the United States during the 1930s by Philip Johnson and others. New building techniques, such as “post-and-beam” construction, allowed the International-style schemes to be realized on a small scale in open-plan houses with long walls of glass.
Materials developed for wartime use became available for domestic goods and were incorporated into mid-century modern furniture designs. Charles and Ray Eames and Eero Saarinen, who had experimented extensively with molded plywood, eagerly embraced fiberglass for pieces such as the La Chaise and the Womb chair, respectively.
Architect, writer and designer George Nelson created with his team shades for the Bubble lamp using a new translucent polymer skin and, as design director at Herman Miller, recruited the Eameses, Alexander Girard and others for projects at the legendary Michigan furniture manufacturer.
Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi devised chairs and tables built of wire mesh and wire struts. Materials were repurposed too: The Danish-born designer Jens Risom created a line of chairs using surplus parachute straps for webbed seats and backrests.
The Risom lounge chair was among the first pieces of furniture commissioned and produced by legendary manufacturer Knoll, a chief influencer in the rise of modern design in the United States, thanks to the work of Florence Knoll, the pioneering architect and designer who made the firm a leader in its field. The seating that Knoll created for office spaces — as well as pieces designed by Florence initially for commercial clients — soon became desirable for the home.
As the demand for casual, uncluttered furnishings grew, more mid-century furniture designers caught the spirit.
Classically oriented creators such as Edward Wormley, house designer for Dunbar Inc., offered such pieces as the sinuous Listen to Me chaise; the British expatriate T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings switched gears, creating items such as the tiered, biomorphic Mesa table. There were Young Turks such as Paul McCobb, who designed holistic groups of sleek, blond wood furniture, and Milo Baughman, who espoused a West Coast aesthetic in minimalist teak dining tables and lushly upholstered chairs and sofas with angular steel frames.
As the collection of vintage mid-century modern chairs, dressers, coffee tables and other furniture for the living room, dining room, bedroom and elsewhere on 1stDibs demonstrates, this period saw one of the most delightful and dramatic flowerings of creativity in design history.
Finding the Right dining-room-chairs for You
No matter what your dream dining experience looks like, there is a wide-ranging variety of vintage, new and antique dining room chairs on 1stDibs. Find upholstered dining room chairs, wood dining room chairs and more to outfit any space designated for a good meal, be it in your home or in the great outdoors.
In the early 18th century, most dining room tables and other furniture was designed to look masculine. In America, dining rooms weren’t even much of a concept until the late 1700s, when a space set aside specifically for dining became a part of the construction of homes for the wealthy. Dining room chairs of the era were likely made of walnut or oak. In Europe, neoclassical dining chairs emerged during the 1750s owing to nostalgia for classical antiquity, while the curving chair crests of Queen Anne furniture in the United States preceded the artistically bold seat backs that characterized the Chippendale chairs that followed. If there weren't enough dining chairs at suppertime in the American colonies, men were prioritized and women stood.
In the dining rooms of today, however, there is enough space for everyone to have a seat at the table. Modern styles introduce innovative design choices that play with shape and style. Icons of mid-century modern dining room chairs are plentiful: With its distinctive bentwood back, there is the DCW dining chair by Charles and Ray Eames, while Hans Wegner's timeless classic, the Wishbone chair, remains relevant and elegant decades after its debut. Stefano Giovannoni's White Rabbit dining chairs, in their lovable polyethylene biomorphism, reinvent what dining can look like.
Today's wide range of dining room chairs also means that they can now be styled in different ways, bringing functionality and fun to any sumptuous dining space. No longer do tables have to be accompanied by a matching set of seats. Skillfully mixing and matching colors and designs allows you to showcase your personality without sacrificing the cohesion of a given space.
By furnishing your dining room with cozy chairs — vintage, antique or otherwise — family time can extend far beyond mealtime. The plush upholstery of Victorian-style dining room chairs is perfect for game nights that stretch from dinner to midnight snack. Outdoor tables and dining chairs can also present an excellent opportunity for bonding and eating — what goes better with a delicious meal than fresh air, anyway?
Whether you prefer your chairs streamlined and stackable or ornate and one of a kind, the offerings on 1stDibs will elevate your mealtime and beyond.
- Does Fendi have sales?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Yes, Fendi is known to hold sales on different items. Sales vary from location to location. For more information, contact your local authorized Fendi retailer. On 1stDibs, you’ll find a collection of vintage and contemporary Fendi apparel and accessories from some of the world’s top boutiques.
- Does Mikimoto have sales?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Yes, the Mikimoto online store sometimes runs sales, especially around Valentine's Day and at the start of the holiday season. Third-party retailers may also discount prices on Mikimoto pieces, and you may find deals on their jewelry year-round on various online platforms. Shop a variety of expertly vetted Mikimoto jewelry on 1stDibs.
- When does Fendi go on sale?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Fendi tends to go on sale at the end of the spring/summer and fall/winter seasons to make room for new inventory. At other times of the year, authorized brick-and-mortar retailers and online platforms may offer sale prices on the brand's apparel and accessories. On 1stDibs, shop a selection of Fendi.
- When is Gucci’s private sale?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Gucci was known to have a private sale twice a year; however, the last known sale happened in 2016. But don’t fret, you can find vintage and contemporary Gucci looks from top sellers around the world on 1stDibs.
- Does Balenciaga goes on sale?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Yes, Balenciaga boutiques have a couple of sales a year, but that depends on the store and the country in which it’s located. Additionally, Balenciaga’s retail partners often have sales and those sales may or may not include items by the brand. On 1stDibs, find vintage and contemporary Balenciaga haute couture from top sellers around the world.
- Does dior go on sale?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Dior boutiques often have sales at the end of the season on select items. The best way to find out is to ask your nearest location or keep an eye on the inventory. For physical store locations, consult the brand’s website. Shop iconic vintage and contemporary Dior clothing and accessories on 1stDibs.
- Does Louis Vuitton have sales?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 7, 2024No, Louis Vuitton products are never marked down — and unless they are secondhand, any discounted Louis Vuitton items are likely to be counterfeit. To ensure you purchase authentic, high quality Louis Vuitton products, look for a reputable seller. Shop authentic Louis Vuitton handbags and purses, clothing and accessories from top sellers around the world on 1stDibs.
- Does Stuart Weitzman have sales?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 16, 2024Yes, Stuart Weitzman does have sales. The luxury brand runs promotional sales on its official website and brick-and-mortar stores. Often, these sales occur at the end of seasons and at certain times of the year, such as Black Friday. Explore a collection of Stuart Weitzman shoes from some of the world's top sellers on 1stDibs.
- Does Versace go on sale?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022You can find great sales on Versace's ready-to-wear items, bags, accessories and even home decor on the brand’s website, its brick-and-mortar boutiques, or through various online and in-store retailers. On 1stDibs, find Versace clothes, accessories and home decor from top sellers around the world.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022No. While Gucci doesn’t participate in Cyber Monday sales, you will be able to find genuine Gucci items, new or vintage, from the luxury fashion house on trusted online platforms at great price points. On 1stDibs, find a variety of authentic Gucci pieces.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 22, 2024Yes, Christian Louboutin does have sales. The French luxury brand offers sales on select pieces at both its online stores and brick-and-mortar boutiques at different times throughout the year. Authorized online and brick-and-mortar retailers may also discount select styles or offer promotions at various times, such as for Black Friday or at the end of the season. On 1stDibs, shop an assortment of Christian Louboutin shoes and accessories.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Normally, Herman Miller has two sales each year. The first takes place in the spring, and the second is usually in the fall around the start of shopping for the holiday season. Year-round, other online platforms may offer discounts on Herman Miller. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of Herman Miller furniture.
- Does Hermes ever go on sale?1 AnswerChicjoySeptember 24, 2020
Select Hermes goods go on sale twice a year in Paris, but Birkins – being highly coveted–are not known to be found at the sale.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Yes, Dior runs sales for Black Friday and other occasions throughout the year. Promotions vary and usually do not include all the items in the online store's inventory. You also may find Dior apparel, jewelry and accessories available at discounted prices year-round on online platforms. Shop a large selection of Dior on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021No Louis Vuitton never has sales. On 1stDibs, however, you can find Louis Vuitton bags in a variety of styles and colors at a range of prices.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Yes, Roche Bobois does have sales. Specifically, the luxury furniture manufacturer usually discounts items twice per year in the winter and spring. Throughout the year, you may find their pieces available for reduced prices on some reputable online platforms, as well. On 1stDibs, shop a selection of Roche Bobois.
- Do Loewe bags go on sale?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022No, Loewe bags typically do not go on sale on the brand's official online store or at their brick-and-mortar locations. Authorized third-party retailers do sometimes discount bags, and you may find them at reduced prices on reputable online platforms. Shop a variety of Loewe bags on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Herman Miller actually has two sales each year rather than one annual sale. The specific dates of the sales vary. However, most years, the sales take place once in the spring and once in the fall. You may find Herman Miller available for discounted prices on other online platforms year-round. Find a collection of Herman Miller furniture on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 16, 2024No, Tiffany & Co. generally does not ever have a sale. During its more than 100-year history, the American luxury jewelry maker has reportedly never run a sale. However, Tiffany & Co. does offer jewelry at a wide range of prices to suit a variety of budgets. Shop a diverse assortment of Tiffany & Co. jewelry on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Bottega Veneta items will sometimes go on sale from different retailers, though this varies depending on location. Contact specific authorized retailers near you for more information. On 1stDibs, you’ll find a large collection of vintage and contemporary Bottega Veneta fashion and accessories from some of the world’s top boutiques.
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