Thomasville Motif
Late 20th Century American Country Cabinets
Brass
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Mid-20th Century Dressers
Wood
Mid-20th Century Hollywood Regency Cabinets
Walnut
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
Smoked Glass, Walnut
Vintage 1960s American Brutalist Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
Wood
Vintage 1970s French Hollywood Regency Wine Coolers
Lucite
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
Formica, Walnut
Late 20th Century Louis XVI Side Chairs
Upholstery, Cane, Hardwood
Late 20th Century Unknown Empire Cabinets
Wood, Cherry
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Wardrobes and Armoires
Wood
Mid-20th Century French Shelves
Wood
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Wardrobes and Armoires
Wood
Vintage 1970s French Serving Pieces
Brass, Bronze
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Walnut
20th Century American Federal Cabinets
Glass, Mirror, Mahogany
Early 2000s Dutch Cabinets
Pearwood
Recent Sales
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
Rosewood, Walnut
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
21st Century and Contemporary American French Provincial Dressers
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American French Provincial Dressers
Brass
Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Loveseats
Upholstery
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
Vintage 1970s American Hollywood Regency Dressers
Oak, Faux Bamboo
Vintage 1960s American End Tables
Faux Bamboo
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
Rosewood, Walnut
Finding the Right storage-case-pieces for You
Of all the antique and vintage case pieces and storage cabinets that have become popular in modern interiors over the years, dressers, credenzas and cabinets have long been home staples, perfect for routine storage or protection of personal items.
In the mid-19th century, cabinetmakers would mimic styles originating in the Louis XIV, Louis XV and Louis XVI eras for their dressers, bookshelves and other structures, and, later, simpler, streamlined wood designs allowed these “case pieces” or “case goods” — any furnishing that is unupholstered and has some semblance of a storage component — to blend into the background of any interior.
Mid-century modern furniture enthusiasts will cite the tall modular wall units crafted in teak and other sought-after woods of the era by the likes of George Nelson, Poul Cadovius and Finn Juhl. For these highly customizable furnishings, designers of the day delivered an alternative to big, heavy bookcases by considering the use of space — and, in particular, walls — in new and innovative ways. Mid-century modern credenzas, which, long and low, evolved from tables that were built as early as the 14th century in Italy, typically have no legs or very short legs and have grown in popularity as an alluring storage option over time.
Although the name immediately invokes images of clothing, dressers were initially created in Europe for a much different purpose. This furnishing was initially a flat-surfaced, low-profile side table equipped with a few drawers — a common fixture used to dress and prepare meats in English kitchens throughout the Tudor period. The drawers served as perfect utensil storage. It wasn’t until the design made its way to North America that it became enlarged and equipped with enough space to hold clothing and cosmetics. The very history of storage case pieces is a testament to their versatility and well-earned place in any room.
In the spirit of positioning your case goods center stage, decluttering can now be design-minded.
A contemporary case piece with open shelving and painted wood details can prove functional as a storage unit as easily as it can a room divider. Whether you’re seeking a playful sideboard made of colored glass and metals, an antique Italian hand-carved storage cabinet or a glass-door vitrine to store and show off your collectibles, there are options for you on 1stDibs.