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Mid Century Teak and Leather Bed Headboard by Myers
By Myers
Located in Torquay, GB
Ultra sleek mid century teak and leather bed headboard, circa 1960s. Made by Myers Furniture GB
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Leather, Teak

  • Mid Century Teak and Leather Bed Headboard by Myers
  • Mid Century Teak and Leather Bed Headboard by Myers
  • Mid Century Teak and Leather Bed Headboard by Myers
  • Mid Century Teak and Leather Bed Headboard by Myers
H 32.29 in. W 106.3 in. D 17.72 in.
Greenapple Bed, Florença Bed, Beige Leather, Handmade in Portugal
By Greenapple
Located in Cartaxo, PT
Florença bed is upholstered in beige, high-quality Italian Capitonnè-effect leather and is designed to
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed...

Materials

Stainless Steel

Modern Leather Wrapped King Size Bed
Located in Westwood, NJ
A modern embossed leather wrapped king size bed with a winged end headboard, polished nickel
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed...

Materials

Leather

  • Modern Leather Wrapped King Size Bed
  • Modern Leather Wrapped King Size Bed
  • Modern Leather Wrapped King Size Bed
  • Modern Leather Wrapped King Size Bed
H 58 in. W 80.75 in. D 85.75 in.
Modern Leather Wrapped Bed, US Queen
Located in Westwood, NJ
A modern embossed overcast finish leather-wrapped US Queen size bed with a winged end headboard
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed...

Materials

Leather

  • Modern Leather Wrapped Bed, US Queen
  • Modern Leather Wrapped Bed, US Queen
  • Modern Leather Wrapped Bed, US Queen
  • Modern Leather Wrapped Bed, US Queen
H 58 in. W 77.5 in. D 89.75 in.
Modern Leather Wrapped Bed, CALI King
Located in Westwood, NJ
A modern embossed overcast finish leather-wrapped California king size bed with a winged end
Category

21st Century and Contemporary European Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed F...

Materials

Leather

  • Modern Leather Wrapped Bed, CALI King
  • Modern Leather Wrapped Bed, CALI King
  • Modern Leather Wrapped Bed, CALI King
  • Modern Leather Wrapped Bed, CALI King
H 58 in. W 77.5 in. D 89.75 in.
Greenapple Bed, Hug Bed, Light Blue Italian Leather, Handmade in Portugal
By Rute Martins, Greenapple
Located in Cartaxo, PT
Italian leather, Hug bed was designed for you to let yourself relax and enjoy the quiet moments by
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed...

Materials

Leather, Fabric, Velvet, Wood

Rathan Leather, Brass and Walnut Bed
By Faolchú
Located in Clydebank, Scotland
Hand turned leather and brass headboard and footboard. Turned burgundy leather spindles with walnut
Category

2010s Scottish Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Brass

  • Rathan Leather, Brass and Walnut Bed
  • Rathan Leather, Brass and Walnut Bed
  • Rathan Leather, Brass and Walnut Bed
  • Rathan Leather, Brass and Walnut Bed
H 55.12 in. W 62.21 in. D 81.89 in.
Mid-century European Full Bed with Built in Nightstands
By Cees Braakman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-century European full bed with built in nightstands and enameled metal frame. Inset faux tufted
Category

Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Metal

Mid-Century Modern Single Bed by "Móveis Cimo", Brazil, 1950s
By Moveis Cimo
Located in Barcelona, ES
Single bed designed and produced by “Móveis Cimo” in Brazil, made of “imbuia” wood and leather in
Category

Vintage 1950s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Leather, Hardwood

Large King Size White Patent Leather Headboard Bed Mint
By Milo Baughman
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Large king size white patent leather headboard bed mint, Made in USA.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Upholstery, Patent Leather

Minimalist Queen Size Bed with Leather Frame and Solid Wood
By Jorge Elizondo
Located in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato
Dreaming won’t be an issue here! The steel bed frame features a sleek gray finish with accents of
Category

2010s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Steel

Osvaldo Borsani L150 Bed in Wood, Leather Upholstery, circa 1967
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Milan, IT
its wooden structure, polyurethane foam padding and black leather upholstery. The entire bed frame is
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Metal

Fabulous Paolo Piva Brass Steel Leather King-Size Platform Bed
By Paolo Piva
Located in Pemberton, NJ
leather headrests are adjustable, the two sections can be moved so that they can face each other. The bed
Category

Vintage 1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Brass, Steel

Maurice Villency Bed Frame
By Maurice Villency
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-Century Modern Italian bed frame with leather headrests and wood trim. (Please confirm item
Category

Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Leather

  • Maurice Villency Bed Frame
  • Maurice Villency Bed Frame
  • Maurice Villency Bed Frame
  • Maurice Villency Bed Frame
H 28 in. W 149 in. D 93.5 in.
Cognac Leather and Black Oak Auden Bed by Lawson-Fenning, Queen
By Lawson-Fenning
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Auden bed is a solid wood framed bed that can be made in either American walnut or white oak
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Oak, Leather

Queen Cognac Leather and Black Oak Auden Bed by Lawson-Fenning
By Lawson-Fenning
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Auden bed is a solid wood framed bed that can be made in either American walnut or white oak
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Leather, Oak

1930s Baroque Venetian Double Bed Hand Carved Walnut, Capitonné White Leather
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Early 20th century, Baroque Venetian double bed, hand carved walnut white lacquered, capitonné
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Baroque Revival Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Leather, Walnut

French Provincial Louis XV Mahogany and Tufted Leather Twin Beds, Pair
By Robert Lewis
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of French Provincial Louis XV style twin beds By Robert Lewis Fine Furniture
Category

Mid-20th Century American French Provincial Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Brass

Leather Custom Integrated King Bed with Nightstands & Stereo w Speakers, 1970s
By Guido Faleschini
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This unique and eye-catching custom integrated King-Sized leather bed is in the style of Guido
Category

Vintage 1970s American Modern Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Brass

Greenapple Bed, Sinai Bed, Solid Beech & Beige, Handmade in Portugal
By Rute Martins, Greenapple
Located in Cartaxo, PT
Sinai double bed, Modern Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by GF Modern. Sinai is an
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed...

Materials

Velvet, Wood, Leather, Fabric

Indian Bed
Located in Mondorf les Bains, LU
Four carved exotic wood legs connected by four sleepers. Braided leather top. Condition of use.
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Indian British Colonial Beds and Bed Frames

  • Indian Bed
  • Indian Bed
  • Indian Bed
  • Indian Bed
H 23.63 in. W 78.75 in. D 36.23 in.
Custom Brass Bed
By On Madison
Located in Pasadena, CA
The Babylon brass bed from the Modern Envy collection by On Madison. Custom poster bed of polished
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed F...

Materials

Brass

  • Custom Brass Bed
  • Custom Brass Bed
  • Custom Brass Bed
  • Custom Brass Bed
H 90 in. W 67 in. D 88 in.
Shagreen Embossed Modern Bed, Cali King
Located in Westwood, NJ
A Classic modern tempest Finish shagreen embossed leather wrapped California king size bed. The
Category

21st Century and Contemporary European Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed F...

Materials

Leather

  • Shagreen Embossed Modern Bed, Cali King
  • Shagreen Embossed Modern Bed, Cali King
  • Shagreen Embossed Modern Bed, Cali King
  • Shagreen Embossed Modern Bed, Cali King
H 58 in. W 77.5 in. D 89.75 in.
19th Century Venetian Bed
Located in London, Park Royal
19th century Venetian bed. A rare find. Bombe shaped footboard. Painted and gilded on leather
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Italian Baroque Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Wood

  • 19th Century Venetian Bed
  • 19th Century Venetian Bed
  • 19th Century Venetian Bed
  • 19th Century Venetian Bed
H 74.81 in. W 74.81 in. D 82.68 in.
Hans J. Wegner, Ry100 Murphy Bed in Oak & Cane, Danish Mid-Century Modern, 1950
By Hans J. Wegner, Ry Møbler
Located in Odense, DK
An elegant murphy bed with caned front designed, frame made in oak with some nice patinated leather
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Oak, Cane

Shagreen Embossed Modern Bed, King
Located in Westwood, NJ
A classic modern shagreen embossed leather wrapped king size bed. The headboard with down swept
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Shagreen

  • Shagreen Embossed Modern Bed, King
  • Shagreen Embossed Modern Bed, King
  • Shagreen Embossed Modern Bed, King
  • Shagreen Embossed Modern Bed, King
H 58 in. W 80.75 in. D 85.75 in.
Mid-Century Modern Milo Baughman Chrome King Headboard with Leather Straps
By Milo Baughman
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A mid-Century Modern Milo Baughman chrome king headboard with leather straps. This stunning
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Chrome

Paul McCobb for Calvin Mid-Century King Size Headboard, Brass and Leather
By Paul McCobb
Located in Philadelphia, PA
crafted with brass frame with cream leather upholstery. Fits a King sized mattress. Easily mounts to all
Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Brass

Ilmari Tapiovaara for La Permanente Mobili Cantù King Bed in Walnut
By Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ilmari Tapiovaara for Esposizione La Permanente Mobili, king bed, walnut, leather, brass, Italy
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Brass

Pair of "D90" Beds by Carlo di Carli for Sormani
By Carlo De Carli, Sormani
Located in Hanover, MA
Pair of very rare Model D90 beds by Carlo de Carli (1910-1999) for Sormani in 1962. Would be
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Nickel, Brass, Chrome

Edward Wormley Free-Standing Queen Size Bed with Drawers
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar, queen size bed with drawers, oak, United States, 1960s Rare queen-size
Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Oak

Vintage Leather Mattress
Located in Napa, CA
Vintage leather mattress, weight approximately 150 lbs.
Category

Mid-20th Century Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Leather

  • Vintage Leather Mattress
  • Vintage Leather Mattress
  • Vintage Leather Mattress
  • Vintage Leather Mattress
H 4.25 in. W 68.75 in. D 47.5 in.
Bamboo Bed by Tito Agnoli for Bonacina, Italy, 50's
By Bonacina, Tito Agnoli
Located in Padova, IT
Bamboo bed by Tito Agnoli for Bonacina - Italy - 50's The simple but at the same time refined
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Bamboo

  • Bamboo Bed by Tito Agnoli for Bonacina, Italy, 50's
  • Bamboo Bed by Tito Agnoli for Bonacina, Italy, 50's
  • Bamboo Bed by Tito Agnoli for Bonacina, Italy, 50's
  • Bamboo Bed by Tito Agnoli for Bonacina, Italy, 50's
H 28.75 in. W 34.65 in. D 78.35 in.
Mid Century Lane Brutalist King Headboard
By Paul Evans
Located in Spring Valley, CA
Beautiful mid century king size brutalist headboard by lane furniture. Part of the “Pueblo
Category

Vintage 1970s North American Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Leather, Walnut

STUNNING WARING & GILLOWS HARRODS LONDON CiRCA 1950'S BURR WALNUT BED STEAD
By Harrods, Waring and Gillows
Located in GB
original hand made in England burr Walnut bed frame. The timber grain and colour is sublime, it looks rich
Category

Vintage 1950s English Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Walnut

Amazing Sculptural Bed by Artist Ron Hitchins with 3582 Unique Ceramic Tiles
Located in London, GB
An amazing sculptural double, four poster bed by artist Ron Hitchins decorated with 3582 unique
Category

Vintage 1970s English Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Terracotta, Wood

Hollywood Regency King Headboard Leather & Brass Renzo Rutili for Johnson Furn
By Renzo Rutili, Johnson Furniture Company
Located in Topeka, KS
Furniture. Comprised of white leather front panels with gilded trim and gold painted below, brass tapered
Category

Mid-20th Century American Hollywood Regency Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Metal, Brass

Exceptional 19th Century Hand Carved Italian Walnut Day Bed Cherub Putti's Angel
Located in GB
most decorative bed I have ever seen! It is carved all over in the highly collectable mid nineteenth
Category

Antique 1840s Italian Chesterfield Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Walnut

Vintage French Tufted Leather Queen or Full Size Curved Wood Frame Headboard
Located in Centennial, CO
A gorgeous, vintage 1940s, or perhaps earlier, French tufted green gray leather headboard. The
Category

Mid-20th Century French French Provincial Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Metal

Hollywood Regency King Size Headboard, Leather and Brass, in Style of Parzinger
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in Buffalo, NY
Hollywood Regency,Mid Century, King Size Headboard/bed, sleek, sophisticated design, featuring
Category

Mid-20th Century American Hollywood Regency Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Brass

Walnut Headboard Full Size with Faux Leather Style John Kapel Glenn of CA, 1960s
By John Kapel, Robert Baron, Glenn of California
Located in National City, CA
1960s full size walnut wood headboard with faux leather black Naugahyde panel inserts. Attributed
Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Faux Leather, Walnut

Auden Headboard by Lawson-Fenning
By Lawson-Fenning
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Auden headboard is a solid wood upholstered headboard that can be made in either American walnut or white oak. Includes french cleat for wall mounting. The Lawson-Fenning Col...
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Leather, Oak

  • Auden Headboard by Lawson-Fenning
  • Auden Headboard by Lawson-Fenning
  • Auden Headboard by Lawson-Fenning
  • Auden Headboard by Lawson-Fenning
H 45 in. W 66 in. D 3 in.
Midcentury Brazilian Rosewood Luxor Daybed by Sergio Rodrigues, 1962
By Sergio Rodrigues, OCA Brazil
Located in Clifton, NJ
be used as a single bed or as a charming compact sofa. Sergio Rodrigues (1927-2014) was
Category

Vintage 1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Rosewood

George Nelson Walnut Headboard Cabinet
By George Nelson
Located in North Hollywood, CA
George Nelson walnut and leather accent headboard. 3 piece set, both side tables detach. White
Category

Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Walnut

  • George Nelson Walnut Headboard Cabinet
  • George Nelson Walnut Headboard Cabinet
  • George Nelson Walnut Headboard Cabinet
  • George Nelson Walnut Headboard Cabinet
H 39.75 in. W 12 in. D 91 in.
Italian Mid-Century Medical Laboratory Bed Brown Leather and White Metal, 1940s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian mid-century Medical laboratory bed brown leather and white metal, 1940s Medical laboratory
Category

Vintage 1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Mid-Century Modern Chaise or Day Bed in Coral Vinyl Faux Leather Aluminum Legs
Located in Topeka, KS
Handsome Mid-Century Modern coral vinyl faux leather and aluminum leg chaise lounge or day bed. It
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chaise Longues

Materials

Aluminum

1970s Three-Seat Leather Sofa/ Bed, Czechoslovakia
Located in Praha, CZ
Good original condition Made of leather and leatherete The pillows are leather and the rest are
Category

Vintage 1970s Czech Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Leather

French Leather Club Sofa Bed, Art Deco, 1940´s
Located in Munich, DE
Mid-century French leather Moustache Club Sofa. This is a fully functional fold out sofa bed from
Category

Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Sofas

Materials

Metal

  • French Leather Club Sofa Bed, Art Deco, 1940´s
  • French Leather Club Sofa Bed, Art Deco, 1940´s
  • French Leather Club Sofa Bed, Art Deco, 1940´s
  • French Leather Club Sofa Bed, Art Deco, 1940´s
H 34.26 in. W 65.75 in. D 33.47 in.
Italian Mid Century Framar Therapy Day Bed Mod. 60s Yoga
By Framar
Located in bari, IT
Therapy day bed, yoga model with corner composed of black lacquered teak wood table and armchair
Category

Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Metal

De Sede Leather Sofa Bed, 1970s Swiss Design DS85 DS600
By De Sede
Located in Lyon, FR
Convertible sofa bed made by De Sede in Switzerland. High quality leather.
Category

20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Leather

Marco Comolli Day Bed in Wood and Leather for Mobilia, Italy, 1960s
By Marco Comolli, Mobilia
Located in Milan, IT
Marco Comolli day bed in wood and leather for Mobilia, Italy 1960s.
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Daybeds

Materials

Leather, Wood

Unique Brazilian Midcentury Design Bed, Teddy Fur & Leather Tufted Daybed, 1950s
Located in Hamminkeln, DE
Beautiful authentic midcentury bed for two, it was purchased in Brazil end of the 1950s in Sao
Category

Vintage 1950s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Daybeds

Materials

Leather, Fabric, Wood

Jacques Adnet Bed Side Table in Piqué Sellier Leather Hermes Nightstands
By Jacques Adnet
Located in London, GB
A pair of Jacques Adnet "piqué sellier" or handstitched black leather bedside or sofa table or
Category

Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Night Stands

Materials

Brass

Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Molteni ‘Morna’ Bed with Nightstands in Black Leather
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Molteni
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Molteni, bed with nightstands model ‘Morna’, leather, opaline glass, wood
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Bedroom Sets

Materials

Leather, Wood

Afra & Tobia Scarpa Cognac Leather Bed Model Morna for Molteni, Italy, 1972
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Brussels, BE
Afra & Tobia Scarpa Cognac Leather Bed Model Morna for Molteni, Italy, 1972 Afra (1937-2011
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Bedroom Sets

Materials

Leather, Wood

Mid century Italian Sofa Bed in Style of Speed O sofa by Marco Zanussi
By Marco Zanuso
Located in Los Angeles, CA
in style Speed O sofa by Marco Zanuso for Arflex. Black leather sofa that converts in to the
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Faux Leather

French Art Deco End of Bed or Entry Hall Bench Iroko and Leather, circa 1930
Located in Labrit, Landes
Entry, hall way or bed end bench, French, 1930 Iroko and leather with studs. Vegetal-inspired
Category

Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Benches

Materials

Wood, Faux Leather

Vereinigte Werkstätten Eileen Gray Daybed Day Bed
By Eileen Gray, Vereinigte Werkstätten München
Located in Munich, Bavaria
Vintage daybed with the name Day bed by Eileen Gray. Manufactured by Vereinigte Werkstätten Munich
Category

Mid-20th Century German Bauhaus Daybeds

Materials

Chrome, Steel

  • Vereinigte Werkstätten Eileen Gray Daybed Day Bed
  • Vereinigte Werkstätten Eileen Gray Daybed Day Bed
  • Vereinigte Werkstätten Eileen Gray Daybed Day Bed
  • Vereinigte Werkstätten Eileen Gray Daybed Day Bed
H 23.63 in. W 74.81 in. D 33.86 in.
Mid-Century Pair of French Tooled Leather Safari Campaign Armchairs
By Pierre Chapo
Located in Torquay, GB
Rare pair of mid century leather Safari armchairs. French made, circa 1940s. Offered here in
Category

Mid-20th Century French British Colonial Armchairs

Materials

Calico, Leather, Wood

Italian Mid-Century Modern Luggage in Brown and Green Leather, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian Mid-Century Modern Luggage in brown and green leather, 1970s Rectangular suitcase in brown
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Trunks and Luggage

Materials

Brass

  • 1
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Bed Leather Mid For Sale on 1stDibs

At 1stDibs, there are many versions of the ideal bed leather mid for your home. Frequently made of animal skin, leather and wood, every bed leather mid was constructed with great care. There are 94 variations of the antique or vintage bed leather mid you’re looking for, while we also have 10 modern editions of this piece to choose from as well. Your living room may not be complete without a bed leather mid — find older editions for sale from the 19th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 21st Century. When you’re browsing for the right bed leather mid, those designed in Mid-Century Modern, Art Deco and Hollywood Regency styles are of considerable interest. Many designers have produced at least one well-made bed leather mid over the years, but those crafted by De Sede, Giovannetti and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe are often thought to be among the most beautiful.

How Much is a Bed Leather Mid?

Prices for a bed leather mid can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, they begin at $1 and can go as high as $23,000, while the average can fetch as much as $6,370.

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

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 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.