50 Piece Barzilay Walnut Wall Unit
By Barzilay
Located in Los Angeles, CA
We have over 50 pieces of this amazing Barzilay walnut wall unit with aluminum accents. Please contact us for custom pricing and visit our LA showroom to view in person.
Aluminum
$2,895
H 31.5 in W 47.75 in D 18 in
Vintage Barzilay California Modern Tambour-Door Walnut Credenza by Barzilay
By Barzilay
Located in Los Angeles, CA
________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we take this journey with passion and precis...
Wood, Walnut
$2,895
H 32 in W 47.75 in D 18 in
Expertly Restored-Californian Modernist Tambour-Door Walnut Credenza by Barzilay
By Barzilay
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This Californian Modernist tambour-door walnut credenza by Barzilay captures the warmth and refined simplicity of West Coast mid-century design.
Wood, Walnut
$2,895
H 30 in W 47.75 in D 18 in
Expertly Restored - Vintage California Tambour-Door Walnut Credenza by Barzilay
By Barzilay
Located in Los Angeles, CA
________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we take this journey with passion and precis...
Wood, Walnut
$2,895
H 34 in W 48 in D 18.25 in
Expertly Restored-California Modernist Walnut Tambour-Door Credenza by Barzilay
By Barzilay
Located in Los Angeles, CA
________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we take this journey with passion and precisi...
Wood, Walnut
$2,895
H 34 in W 48 in D 18.25 in
Expertly Restored- California Modernist Tambour-Door Walnut Credenza by Barzilay
By Barzilay
Located in Los Angeles, CA
________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we take this journey with passion and precisi...
Wood, Walnut
Gerald McCabe Barzilay Wall Unit
By Gerald McCabe
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a nine bay Barzilay wall unit by Gerald McCabe of Los Angeles.
Aluminum
Gerald McCabe Barzilay Wall Unit
By Gerald McCabe
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a four bay Barzilay wall unit by Gerald McCabe of Los Angeles.
Aluminum
Gerald McCabe Barzilay Wall Unit, Sold by Component
By Gerald McCabe
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a nine bay Barzilay wall unit by Gerald McCabe of Los Angeles.
Aluminum
Barzilay style free standing bookcase #2
Located in Los Angeles, CA
W34 D16 H76 Well preserved walnut free standing bookcase. Item has one fully closed compartment and multiple shelves that are adjustable and removable. Item shows no major areas of...
Walnut
Barzilay style free standing bookcase #1
Located in Los Angeles, CA
W34 D16 H76 Well preserved walnut free standing bookcase. Item has one fully open compartment with a light on the top portion and one closed portion on the bottom. Shelves are adjus...
Walnut
Barzilay Walnut Wall Unit
By Barzilay
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is an amazing five bay wall unit by Barzilay of Los Angeles. We have a variety of cabinet, shelves, and desk components and can customize your order.
Aluminum
Sold
H 22 in W 72 in L 22 in
Mid-Century Modern Barzilay Walnut Wood Tambour Door Low Profile Credenza, 1960s
By Barzilay
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
For your consideration is a terrific, walnut wood credenza sideboard, with tambour doors, by Barzilay, circa 1960s.
Walnut
Mid-Century Barzilay Record Cabinet with Tambour Doors
By Barzilay
Located in Sacramento, CA
Mid-Century Modern Barzilay walnut record cabinet with tambour doors.
Walnut
Stereo / Record Walnut Cabinet by Barzilay
By Barzilay
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A well designed midcentury walnut stereo / record cabinet with three sliding doors each side has a built in record rack. The center section has shelves for your components and the th...
Walnut
American Walnut Stereo / Record Cabinet by Barzilay
By Barzilay
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A very well crafted American black walnut stereo cabinet with lifting top and a pull out record storage bin to each side .
Walnut
Barzilay Wall Unit
By Barzilay
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Barzilay Wall unit made in walnut wood with aluminum reinforcement.
Aluminum
Mid-Century Modern Tambour-Door Walnut Cabinet by Barzilay
By Barzilay
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-Century Modern tambour-door walnut cabinet by Barzilay.
Walnut
Mid-Century Modern Tambour-Door Walnut Cabinet by Barzilay
By Barzilay
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Minimalist vintage cabinet designed and manufactured in the United States by Barzilay, circa 1960s. Low in profile and compact in size, this stylish cabinet features a sturdy walnut ...
Walnut
Barzilay Three-Bay Floating Wall Unit in Walnut
By Barzilay
Located in Denton, TX
This is a great three-bay hanging unit with file cabinet and drawer cabinet and desk shelf for the home or office the other shelves can be used in any configuration.
Metal
Mid-Century Modern Tambour-Door Walnut Crecenzat by Barzilay
By Barzilay
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Modern Tambour-door credenza designed and manufactured by Barzilay in the United States, circa 1960s. This compact and stylish credenza features a sturdy walnut wood frame with two t...
Walnut
Mid-Century Modern Tambour-Door Walnut Credenza by Barzilay
By Barzilay
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-Century Modern credenza designed and manufactured by Barzilay in the United States circa 1960s. This stylish and sturdy walnut wood storage unit features two tambour doors that o...
Walnut
American Walnut Mid-Century Modern Stereo Cabinet by Barzilay
By Barzilay
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful American walnut Mid-Century Modern stereo cabinet low, with flat black lacquer base, upgraded with JBL speakers the stereo and turntable have been removed we have refinishe...
Walnut
Mid-Century Low-Profile Tambour Door Walnut Credenza by Barzilay
By Barzilay
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-century low-profile tambour door walnut credenza by Barzilay.
Walnut
Barzilay Tambour Door Credenza
By Barzilay
Located in Denton, TX
Walnut credenza with offset drawer section and tambour door section with white sliding trays.
Walnut
Sold
H 32.5 in W 30 in D 18.25 in
Expertly Restored - Mid-Century Tambour-Door Walnut Cabinet by Barzilay
By Barzilay
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we take this journey with passion and precision. With over 17 years of artisanal exper...
Walnut
Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tambour-Door Walnut Credenza by Barzilay
By Barzilay
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we take this journey with passion and precision. With over 17 years of artisanal exper...
Walnut
Sold
H 51.75 in W 33.5 in D 17.5 in
Tall Walnut Scandinavian Modern Style Chest of Drawers by Barzilay Furniture Mfg
By Barzilay
Located in Topeka, KS
Handsome Scandinavian Modern style tall walnut chest of drawers by Barzilay Furniture Manufacturing Company.
Walnut
Sold
H 79 in W 33.5 in D 17.5 in
Pair of Walnut Scandinavian Modern Style Bookcase Storage Units by Barzilay Furn
By Barzilay
Located in Topeka, KS
Handsome Scandinavian Modern style pair of tall walnut bookcase, display, and storage units by Barzilay Furniture Manufacturing Company.
Walnut
Midcentury Low Profile Tambour-Door Credenza by Barzilay
By Barzilay
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designer: Barzilay Manufacturer: Barzilay Country of origin: United States Date of manufacture: 1960-1969 Materials: Walnut wood Period style: Mid-Century Modern Condition: E...
Wood, Walnut
Midcentury Low-Profile Tambour Door Credenza by Barzilay
By Barzilay
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-Century Modern credenza designed and manufactured in the United States by Barzilay circa 1960s. Low in profile and ample in space, this beautifully refinished walnut storage unit...
Wood, Walnut
Midcentury Low Profile Tambour-Door Credenza by Barzilay
By Barzilay
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-Century Modern credenza designed and manufactured by Barzilay in the United States, circa 1960s. This stylish and sturdy walnut storage unit features two tambour doors that glide...
Wood, Walnut
Mid-Century Modern Compact Tambour-Door Credenza by Barzilay
By Barzilay
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-Century Modern tambour door credenza designed and manufactured in the United States by Barzilay in the 1960s. Low in profile and compact in size, this beautifully refinished waln...
Walnut
Sold
H 32 in W 47.75 in D 18 in
Expertly Restored - California Modern Tambour-Door Credenza by Barzilay
By Barzilay
Located in Los Angeles, CA
________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we take this journey with passion and precis...
Wood, Walnut
Ebonized Slab Coffee Table by Barzilay
By Paul Frankl, Barzilay
Located in Los Angeles, CA
From Southern California manufacturer Barzilay, this is an ebonized coffee table with a smooth wooden tabletop. Similar in style to Paul Frankl's "Asian Table," this example is sup...
Walnut
Mid-Century Low Profile Walnut Tambour Door Credenza
By Barzilay
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designer: Barzilay Furniture. Manufacturer: Barzilay Furniture.
Walnut
American Mid-Century Modern Walnut Stereo Cabinet
By Barzilay
Located in San Diego, CA
A beautiful and rare double door walnut stereo cabinet, the inside was removed but a new system can be easily installed, the 2 panels on the sides are empty and also can be filled wi...
Walnut
American Mid-Century Modern Walnut and Iron Bookcase
By Barzilay
Located in San Diego, CA
A petit American Mid-Century Modern walnut and iron bookcase. Black backing and polished aluminum accent strips. Has two removable shelves. Freshly refinished case and resprayed the ...
Walnut Low Profile Tambour Door Credenza, United States, c.1965
By Barzilay, Milo Baughman
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Walnut Low Profile Tambour Door Credenza, United States, c.1965. This piece has been professionally restored.
Walnut
Sold
H 23.75 in W 15.75 in D 29.75 in
American Mid-Century Modern Pair of Walnut Step End Tables by Paul Frankl
By Barzilay, Paul Frankl
Located in San Diego, CA
Very rare of atomic age step end tables designed by Paul Frankl, circa 1950's in walnut finish with black lacquer accents, freshly refinished very rare set hard to find.
Walnut
Barzilay Walnut Credenza
By Barzilay
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration a vintage Barzilay walnut credenza. Ideal for all you entertainment needs.
Walnut
Barzilay Walnut Wall Unit
By Barzilay
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is an amazing five bay wall unit by Barzilay of Los Angeles.
Aluminum
Gerald McCabe Barzilay Walnut Wall System
By Gerald McCabe
Located in Oakland, CA
Absolutely stunning walnut and aluminum storage shelving unit designed by Gerald McCabe for Barzilay, c1960s, Los Angeles.
Aluminum
Barzilay Mid Century Walnut Armoire
By Barzilay
Located in Oakland, CA
Barzilay walnut cabinet with doors and adjustable interior shelves.
Walnut
Midcentury Barzilay Tambour-Door Walnut Credenza
By Barzilay
Located in Oakland, CA
Midcentury Barzilay walnut credenza with pair of tambour doors with inset pulls which open to reveal an interior with adjustable shelves.
Walnut
Midcentury Tambour-Door Walnut Credenza by Barzilay
By Barzilay
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Modern Tambour-door credenza designed and manufactured by Barzilay in the United States, circa 1960s. This compact and stylish credenza features a sturdy walnut wood frame with two t...
Walnut
Midcentury Sculpted Walnut Tambour-Door Credenza by Barzilay
By Barzilay
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Midcentury Sculpted Walnut Tambour-Door Credenza by Barzilay.
Wood, Walnut
Walnut Three Bay Barzilay Hanging Wall Unit
By Barzilay
Located in Denton, TX
Walnut with aluminium trim floating wall unit or shelving unit by Barzilay of Los Angeles.
Vintage Walnut Tambour Door Wall Unit by Barzilay
By Barzilay
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Imagine bringing home this stunning mid-century walnut wall unit, a true masterpiece designed by Barzilay in the 1960s.
Walnut
Mid-Century Modern Tambour-Door Walnut Credenza by Barzilay
By Barzilay
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-Century Modern Tambour-Door walnut credenza by Barzilay.
Wood, Walnut
Sold
H 51.75 in W 33.5 in D 17.5 in
Gentlemen’s Chest Scandinavian Modern Style in Walnut by Barzilay Furniture
By Barzilay
Located in Topeka, KS
Handsome Scandinavian Modern style gentlemen’s chest in walnut by Barzilay Furniture Manufacturing. It is in fabulous vintage condition with no outstanding flaws we have found.
Walnut
Sold
H 77 in W 34 in D 18 in
Vintage Modern Walnut Entertainment Cabinet Storage Armoire by Barzilay Furn Mfg
By Barzilay
Located in Topeka, KS
Handsome modern or Mid-Century Modern style entertainment cabinet or storage armoire in walnut with black accents by the Barzilay Furniture Mfg.
Walnut
Sold
H 34 in W 48 in D 18.25 in
Expertly Restored - Californian Modern Tambour-Door Walnut Credenza by Barzilay
By Barzilay
Located in Los Angeles, CA
________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we take this journey with passion and precis...
Wood, Walnut
Sold
H 32 in W 47.75 in D 18 in
Expertly Restored - California Modern Walnut Tambour-Door Credenza by Barzilay
By Barzilay
Located in Los Angeles, CA
________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we take this journey with passion and precis...
Wood, Walnut
Sold
H 34 in W 48 in D 18.25 in
Expertly Restored - California Modern Tambour-Door Walnut Credenza by Barzilay
By Barzilay
Located in Los Angeles, CA
________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we take this journey with passion and precis...
Resin, Wood, Walnut
Midcentury Tambour-Door Credenza by Barzilay
By Barzilay
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-Century Modern Tambour Door Credenza designed and manufactured in the United States by Barzilay in the 1960’s. Low in profile, this beautifully refinished walnut storage unit is ...
Walnut
Barzilay Sliding Glass Door Bookcase or Display
By Barzilay
Located in Denton, TX
Rare Barzilay bookcase or China cabinet with sliding glass doors.
Glass, Walnut
Mid-Century Modern Tambour-Door Credenza by Barzilay
By Barzilay
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designer: Barzilay Manufacturer: Barzilay Period/Style: Mid-Century Modern Country: United States Date: 1960's Dimensions: 24″H x 72″W x 18″D Materials: Walnut Wood Condition:...
Walnut
Mid-century Compact Tambour-Door Credenza by Barzilay
By Barzilay
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-Century Modern Tambour door credenza designed and manufactured in the United States by Barzilay in the 1960s. Low in profile and compact in size, this beautifully refinished waln...
Walnut
Mid-Century Modern Tambour Door Cabinet by Barzilay
By Barzilay
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Minimalist vintage cabinet designed and manufactured in the United States by Barzilay circa 1960s. Low in profile and compact in size, this stylish cabinet features a sturdy walnut w...
Walnut
Mid-Century Tambour-Door Credenza with Drawers by Barzilay
By Barzilay
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-Century tambour-door credenza with drawer by Barzilay.
Wood, Walnut
Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tambour-Door Credenza by Barzilay
By Barzilay
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Mid-Century Modern tambour-door Credenza by Barzilay.
Wood, Walnut
Mid-Century Modern Low Profile Tambour-Door Credenza by Barzilay
By Barzilay
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-Century Modern Tambour Door Credenza designed and manufactured in the United States by Barzilay in the 1960’s. Low in profile, this beautifully refinished walnut storage unit is ...
Walnut
Mid-Century Modern Low Profile Tambour-Door Credenza by Barzilay
By Barzilay
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-Century Modern Tambour Door Credenza designed and manufactured in the United States by Barzilay in the 1960’s. Low in profile, this beautifully refinished walnut storage unit is ...
Walnut
Sold
H 37.25 in W 79.5 in D 12 in
Barzilay Scandinavian Modern Style King Bookcase Platform Bed with Tambour Doors
By Barzilay
Located in Topeka, KS
Handsome king size Scandinavian Modern style walnut platform bed with bookcase headboard and tambour doors plus wall mount shelf bedside tables, by Barzilay Furniture Manufacturing C...
Walnut
Sold
H 22.5 in W 71.75 in D 18 in
Vintage Mid-Century Modern Low-Profile Tambour-Door Credenza by Barzilay
By Barzilay
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Mid-Century Modern Low-Profile Tambour-Door credenza by Barzilay
Walnut
Teak Wall Mounted Storage Cabinet with Tambour Doors
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Teak Wall Mounted Storage Cabinet circa 1970 Manufacturer Stamp on the Back Unique floating wall mounted storage cabinets. Easily mounted. Teak with tambour sliding doors. Two stora...
Teak
$1,650 / item
H 16.1 in Dm 11.5 in
'Plissé White Edition' Pleated Textile Table Lamp by Folkform for Örsjö
By Örsjö Industri AB
Located in Glendale, CA
'Plissé White Edition' pleated textile table lamp by Folkform for Örsjö. This unique table lamp was awarded “Lighting of the Year 2022” by Residence Magazine Sweden, who called it “...
Textile
$2,360 / item
H 33.47 in W 17.72 in D 20.08 in
Giraffe dining Chair in Solid Brazilian Wood by Juliana Vasconcellos
By Juliana Lima Vasconcellos
Located in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais
The Giraffe dining chair was designed with soft curves and slender, but with volume, bringing comfort and elegance. The base structure was thought with three feet. The upholstered se...
Wood
$2,495 / item
H 15.75 in Dm 21.66 in
Mustard Mohair Velvet Round Ottoman with Oak Feet, Modern UK Design
Located in London, England
Dagmar Design - Round Ottoman Custom-made ottoman developed & produced at our workshops in London using the highest quality materials. These examples are upholstered in a mustar...
Oak, Mohair, Velvet
$15,439 / item
H 32.68 in W 110.24 in D 40.56 in
Art Deco Sofa by Munna Design Studio with Velvet Upholstery
By Munna Design Studio
Located in New York, NY
This sofa features a wonderfully elegant fan-shaped motif, with its accentuated curvy lines with decadent and lavish finish. The feminine curves are ravishingly enhanced by the diffe...
Velvet
$114,334
H 240 in W 552 in D 120 in
Mid-Victorian Moorish wrought & cast iron pergola or decorative garden structure
Located in London, GB
A monumental Moorish mid-Victorian wrought iron Pergola or Decorative Garden Structure, a unique masterpiece in High Victorian Ironwork design. Our research confirms it is French, da...
Wrought Iron
$3,990 / item
H 15.75 in W 74.81 in D 29.14 in
Mustard Velvet Daybed with V-Shaped Beechwood Base, Model V
By Dusty Deco
Located in Los Angeles, CA
DD V daybed is an exclusive daybed made by hand in Bosnia and Herzegovina by skilled craftsmen with long experience in wood and upholstery. Both frame and the characteristic V-shaped...
Fabric, Beech, Velvet
$6,950 / item
H 47.25 in Dm 21.66 in
Florian Schulz Double Onos 55-Pendant Lamp with Side Counter Weights
By Florian Schulz
Located in Berlin, DE
Really beautiful Florian Schulz double Onos 55-pendant lamp with one E27 / model for each lamp 100 Watt bulbs. Also available in US wired.
Brass
Ensamble Pouf in Escondido Laredo 35
By Caterina Moretti
Located in Zapopan, Jalisco
The word "ensamble" means a set and comes from the French "ensemble," referring to one with another, together. From their own individuality, Peca (Guadalajara, 2007) and Studio84 (M...
Wood, Upholstery
$2,720Sale Price|20% Off
H 46 in W 80 in D 12 in
Mid Century Danish Modern long Slim Teak Bookcase Lower drawer Unit
By Arne Vodder
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid century Teak wood wide narrow bookcase with adjustable shelves and a lower left storage area with 4 drawers. Beautiful teak with Slim design and sits on 4 tapered teak legs. Made...
Teak
$2,742
H 26.38 in W 30.32 in D 15.75 in
1950s Art Deco Mid-Century Italian Walnut Burl and Mirror Mosaic Dry Bar Cabinet
By Ico & Luisa Parisi, Gio Ponti, Paolo Buffa, Vittorio Dassi, Guglielmo Ulrich
Located in Carimate, Como
Very elegant Italian Art Deco Mid-Century Modern dry bar cabinet, in beautiful wood, two doors and brass handles. When opened, on the right side an amazing interior part in mirrors m...
Brass
$2,895
H 30 in W 36 in D 18.75 in
Expertly Restored -Mid-Century Californian Modern Sculpted Walnut Chest
Located in Los Angeles, CA
___________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we take this journey with passion and precision. W...
Walnut, Wood
$2,895
H 29.5 in W 42.5 in D 17.25 in
Expertly Restored - Carlo Jensen Brazilian Rosewood Cabinet for Hundevad & Co.
By Carlo Jensen, Hundevad & Co.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we take this journey with passion and precis...
Rosewood, Birch
Mid-Century Modern Walnut and Brass Bookcase Etagere by Paul McCobb
By Paul McCobb
Located in North York, ON
An iconic piece of mid-century modern design, this walnut and brass bookcase étagère by Paul McCobb was crafted in the USA circa 1970’s. The sleek brass frame provides a refined arch...
Brass
$4,280 / item
H 26 in W 60 in D 18 in
Mid-Century Modern Style Teak Wood Media Credenza by House of Jaipur
Located in New York, NY
Elevate your living space with this handcrafted solid teak wood media console, blending mid-century aesthetics with modern functionality. Featuring smooth rounded edges, tapered legs...
Wood, Teak
Mid-Century Danish Modern Teak 8-Drawer Dresser
Located in Los Angeles, CA
________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we take this journey with passion and precision. With...
Teak, Wood
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
CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW
ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS
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 celebrated 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.
Generations turn over, and mid-century modern remains arguably the most popular style going. 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.
Of all the vintage storage cabinets and antique case pieces 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 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. Alternatively, apothecary cabinets are charming case goods similar in size to early dressers or commodes but with uniquely sized shelving and (often numerous) drawers.
Whether you’re seeking a playful sideboard that features colored glass and metal details, 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.