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Enamel Mid Century Modern Lighting

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Mid-Century Modern Adjustable lamp in the Style of Nessen Lighting
By Nessen Lighting
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This stylish mid-century modern floor lamp offers up or down lighting with its adjustable design
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Large Modern "Ludo" Chandelier in White Enamel and Brass by Blueprint Lighting
By Stilnovo, Blueprint Lighting
Located in New York, NY
French and Italian Mid-Century Modernism. Enamel color may be specified. Our extensive list of 36
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Nickel, Aluminum, Brass, Bronze, Enamel, Chrome

Large, Modern "Catalonia" Chandelier in Enamel + Brass by Blueprint Lighting NYC
By Gino Sarfatti, Stilnovo, Blueprint Lighting
Located in New York, NY
Handcrafted in NYC by Blueprint Lighting, our 'Catalonia' Chandelier is a commanding statement
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Aluminum, Brass, Bronze, Enamel, Chrome, Nickel

MiniPOP Wall Sconce in Brass + Gray Enamel by Blueprint Lighting
By Blueprint Lighting
Located in New York, NY
in natural brass and our "Pearl" light gray enamel and fabricated in NYC by Blueprint Lighting, 2018
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Aluminum, Brass, Bronze, Enamel, Chrome, Nickel

Italian Modern Brass & Pale Pink Enamel Monolith Reading Lamp Blueprint Lighting
By Gino Sarfatti, Stilnovo, Blueprint Lighting
Located in New York, NY
Enamel color may be specified with no additional lead time in most cases. Our standard enamel
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Aluminum, Brass, Bronze, Copper, Enamel, Chrome, Nickel

Modern 2-Tier Catalonia Fixture in Enamel and Brass by Blueprint Lighting, NYC
By Gino Sarfatti, Stilnovo, Blueprint Lighting
Located in New York, NY
Handcrafted by Blueprint Lighting, the 2-tier Catalonia is a more compact version of our wildly
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Aluminum, Brass, Bronze, Enamel, Nickel

'Monarch' 3-Arm Modern Pendant in Brass and Gray Enamel by Blueprint Lighting
By Stilnovo, Blueprint Lighting, Mathieu Matégot
Located in New York, NY
shown in natural brass and our high-gloss "Dove" gray enamel fabricated in NYC by Blueprint Lighting
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Bronze, Copper, Enamel, Chrome, Nickel, Aluminum, Brass

'Monarch' 3-Arm Modern Pendant in Brass and Blue Enamel by Blueprint Lighting
By Stilnovo, Blueprint Lighting, Mathieu Matégot
Located in New York, NY
Italian Mid-Century Modernism. We are also able to make wall sconces, wall-mount reading lamps, as well as
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Aluminum, Brass, Bronze, Copper, Enamel, Chrome, Nickel

Mid Century Modern Dutch Enameled Metal Desk Lamp
By Christian Dell, Egon Hillebrand, Gispen, Hala Zeist
Located in Houston, TX
Mid Century Modern Dutch Enameled Metal Desk Lamp. This sculptural orange enameled designer lamp is
Category

Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Metal

Large "POP" Wall Sconce in Bronze and Black Enamel by Blueprint Lighting
By Blueprint Lighting
Located in New York, NY
and black enamel fabricated in NYC by Blueprint Lighting, 2019. This design is strongly influenced by
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Aluminum, Brass, Bronze, Enamel, Chrome, Nickel

Large "POP" Wall Sconce in Brass and Mauve Enamel by Blueprint Lighting
By Blueprint Lighting
Located in New York, NY
brass and mauve enamel fabricated in NYC by Blueprint Lighting, 2019. This design is strongly influenced
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Aluminum, Brass, Bronze, Enamel, Chrome, Nickel

PETITE LUDO Chandelier in White Enamel, Brass by Blueprint Lighting, NYC
By Blueprint Lighting, Stilnovo
Located in New York, NY
French and Italian Mid-Century Modernism. Total dimensions as shown are 32" diameter and 32" overall
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Nickel, Aluminum, Brass, Bronze, Enamel, Chrome

FLOTILLA Chandelier in Brass and Terracotta Enamel by Blueprint Lighting 2021
By Blueprint Lighting, Stilnovo
Located in New York, NY
Luminary, Kelly Aaron, opened her first Mid-Century Modern design store in 1999 and became a respected
Category

2010s American Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Brass, Bronze, Enamel, Nickel

CALYX Chandelier in Black & Cream Enamel and Brass by Blueprint Lighting 2021
By Blueprint Lighting, Stilnovo
Located in New York, NY
Aaron, opened her first Mid-Century Modern design store in 1999 and became a respected young voice in
Category

2010s American Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Nickel, Brass, Bronze, Enamel

PETITE MONOLITH Italian Modern Brass & Enamel Chandelier, Blueprint Lighting
By Mathieu Matégot, Arredoluce, Stilnovo
Located in New York, NY
Monolith chandelier. This go-anywhere design plays well in both modern and traditional interiors. Shown
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Brass, Bronze, Copper, Enamel, Stainless Steel

Mid Century Modern Swing Arm Reflector Table Desk Lamp. Saucer Rare 50s Lighting
By M.G. Wheeler
Located in Peoria, AZ
& Cream Enamel Great vintage condition! 16" Tall by 20" Deep Here is a wonderful mid century modern
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Metal, Enamel

Large Counterbalance Ceiling Fixture, Black Enamel and Brass, Blueprint Lighting
By Blueprint Lighting, Stilnovo, Gino Sarfatti
Located in New York, NY
. Enamel color may be specified--our 36 in-house standard enamel colors are shown in the final images
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Brass, Bronze, Enamel, Chrome, Nickel, Aluminum

Yellow Disc Chandelier, Enamelled Metal, Modern 1970s Italian Pendant, Lighting
Located in Roma, IT
Yellow chandelier in enameled metal. Measures: Diameter 50 cm 20 inc.
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Metal

Mid-Century Modern Blue Enameled Iron Pendant Light Fixture
Located in Barntrup, DE
Mid-Century Modern blue enameled iron pendant light fixture from circa the 1960s. This beautiful
Category

Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Brass, Iron

Torno Desk Lamp or Table Lamp in Olivine Enamel & Brass by Blueprint Lighting
By Blueprint Lighting, Gino Sarfatti, Stilnovo
Located in New York, NY
Blueprint Lighting, the spun aluminum shades are inspired by a vintage 1950s Italian design--reimagined for
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass, Bronze, Enamel, Chrome, Nickel

'Monolith' Italian Reading Lamp Brass & Bright Blue Enamel Blueprint Lighting
By Blueprint Lighting, Stilnovo, Gino Sarfatti
Located in New York, NY
for height adjustment. This design is strongly influenced by both French and Italian Mid-Century
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Brass, Bronze, Copper, Enamel, Chrome, Nickel, Aluminum

MONOLITH Classic Italian Modern Enamel and Brass Chandelier, Blueprint Lighting
By Arteluce, Stilnovo, Gino Sarfatti
Located in New York, NY
both modern and traditional interiors. May be fabricated with any of our 36 enamel colors and 6 metal
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Bronze, Enamel, Chrome, Nickel, Aluminum, Brass

Molto 3-Arm Ceiling Pendant in Natural Brass + Enameled Mesh, Blueprint Lighting
By Blueprint Lighting, Mathieu Matégot, Stilnovo
Located in New York, NY
sophisticated--the Molto is a go-anywhere design! The fixture can be customized with Blueprint Lighting’s 36
Category

2010s North American Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Aluminum, Brass, Enamel

Molto 3-Arm Ceiling Pendant in Natural Brass + Enameled Mesh, Blueprint Lighting
By Blueprint Lighting, Mathieu Matégot, Stilnovo
Located in New York, NY
sophisticated--the Molto is a go-anywhere design! The fixture can be customized with Blueprint Lighting’s 36
Category

2010s North American Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Aluminum, Brass, Enamel

Molto 5-Arm Ceiling Fixture in Brushed Brass + Enameled Mesh, Blueprint Lighting
By Blueprint Lighting, Mathieu Matégot, Stilnovo
Located in New York, NY
Lighting’s 36 in-house enamel hues for an added pop of color in spaces of every variety, from hospitality to
Category

2010s North American Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Aluminum, Brass, Enamel

French Mid-Century Modern Mauve Enameled Steel Table Lamps
Located in New York, NY
A sober pair of French Mid-Century table lamps in enameled Steel with steel bases and details
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Jenny Glass Large Wall Sconce in Enamel, Glass & Brass, Blueprint Lighting
By Stilnovo, Mathieu Matégot, Blueprint Lighting
Located in New York, NY
the Blueprint aesthetic. One day Jenny texted a pic of a single vintage mid-century French wall sconce
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Brass, Bronze, Enamel, Nickel

Mid Century Modern Sculptural Italian Triennial Floor Lamp Enameled Shades
By Gino Sarfatti
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous style in a Triennial Floor Lamp. Three beautiful colored shades, all original with some normal paint loss on edges , pictured. 32 x 29 at it's widest when lamp shades are fl...
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps

Materials

Aluminum, Enamel, Steel, Brass

Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tensor Bright Yellow Enamel Adjustable Desk Lamp
By Tensor
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Vintage Mid-Century Modern Tensor Bright Yellow Enamel Adjustable Desk Lamp.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Steel

Mid-Century French Modern Enamelled Brass Geometric Lamp, Blue, Maison Barbier
By Maison Barbier
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Midcentury French modern enamelled brass geometric lamp, blue, Maison Barbier, 1970s. Rare
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Brass-Plated and Turquoise Enamel Finish Floor Lamp
Located in Miami, FL
Enamel in Turquoise and plated brass floor lamp Mid-Century Modern. Takes one light bulb with max
Category

Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps

Materials

Metal, Brass, Enamel

Petite Tulle Wall Sconce in Bronze + White Enamel Mesh, Blueprint Lighting, 2020
By Blueprint Lighting, Mathieu Matégot, Stilnovo
Located in New York, NY
first Mid-Century Modern design store, Orbit, in 1999 in the progressive little hamlet of Asheville, NC
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Brass, Bronze, Enamel

Campana Wall Sconce in Brushed Brass and Lilac Enamel, Blueprint Lighting
By Stilnovo, Gino Sarfatti, Blueprint Lighting
Located in New York, NY
design. This design is strongly influenced by both French and Italian Mid-Century Modernism. Priced per
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Bronze, Enamel, Chrome, Nickel, Aluminum, Brass

Campana Wall Sconce in Brushed Brass and Pink Enamel, Blueprint Lighting
By Gino Sarfatti, Stilnovo, Blueprint Lighting
Located in New York, NY
design. This design is strongly influenced by both French and Italian Mid-Century Modernism. Priced per
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Bronze, Enamel, Chrome, Nickel, Aluminum, Brass

Bicentric Wall Sconce in Natural Brass & Green Enamel Mesh, Blueprint Lighting
By Stilnovo, Blueprint Lighting, Mathieu Matégot
Located in New York, NY
The Bicentric wall sconce is a playful 21st century spin on mid-century French modernism, featuring
Category

2010s American Modern Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Enamel, Bronze, Brass

JENNY Large Wall Light or Sconce in Enamel & Brass by Blueprint Lighting
By Blueprint Lighting, Mathieu Matégot, Stilnovo
Located in New York, NY
texted a pic of a single vintage mid-century French wall sconce she loved and asked if Blueprint could
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Brass, Bronze, Enamel, Nickel

Molto Wall Sconce in Oil-Rubbed Bronze & Enameled Mesh by Blueprint Lighting
By Stilnovo, Mathieu Matégot, Blueprint Lighting
Located in New York, NY
customized with Blueprint Lighting’s 36 in-house enamel hues for an added pop of color in spaces of every
Category

2010s Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Brass, Bronze, Enamel, Chrome, Nickel

LUDO Wall Sconce in Brass & Enamel, Classic Italian Design, Blueprint Lighting
By Stilnovo, Gino Sarfatti, Blueprint Lighting
Located in New York, NY
Our best-selling Ludo wall sconce or reading light, handmade by Blueprint Lighting. The spun
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Aluminum, Brass, Bronze, Enamel, Chrome, Nickel

Italian Modern Campana Three-Tier Pendant in Brass & Enamel, Blueprint Lighting
By Stilnovo, Gino Sarfatti, Arteluce
Located in New York, NY
cone adjustment. This design is strongly influenced by both French and Italian mid-century modernism
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Aluminum, Brass, Bronze, Enamel, Chrome, Nickel

Italian Modern Campana Three-Tier Pendant in White Enamel, Blueprint Lighting
By Stilnovo, Gino Sarfatti, Arteluce
Located in New York, NY
cone adjustment. This design is strongly influenced by both French and Italian mid-century modernism
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Aluminum, Brass, Bronze, Enamel, Chrome, Nickel

Campana Wall Sconce in Brushed Brass and Purple Enamel, Blueprint Lighting
By Blueprint Lighting, Stilnovo, Gino Sarfatti
Located in New York, NY
design. This design is strongly influenced by both French and Italian Mid-Century Modernism. Priced per
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Aluminum, Brass, Bronze, Enamel, Chrome, Nickel

Large Scale Monarch Wall Sconce in Brass & Blush Enamel by Blueprint Lighting
By Blueprint Lighting, Stilnovo, Gino Sarfatti
Located in New York, NY
adjustment. This design is strongly influenced by both French and Italian Mid-Century Modernism. Color
Category

2010s North American Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Brass, Bronze, Enamel, Nickel

Rare Pair Italian Mid-Century Modern Nickel & White Enamel Floor Lamps, Reggiani
By Reggiani Lampadari
Located in New York, NY
A Rare and Iconic pair of Italian Mid-Century Modern floor lamps by Reggiani reflecting the refined
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps

Materials

Steel, Nickel

Petite Centric Wall Sconce in Enamel Mesh & Oil-Rubbed Bronze Blueprint Lighting
By Blueprint Lighting, Mathieu Matégot, Stilnovo
Located in New York, NY
Blueprint Lighting’s 36 in-house enamel hues for an added pop of color in spaces of every variety, from
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Brass, Bronze, Enamel, Nickel

Grand Molto 10-Arm Brass & Enamel Chandelier, French Modern, Blueprint Lighting
By Blueprint, Mathieu Matégot, Stilnovo
Located in New York, NY
statement piece that can transform any room into a work of art. Shown here in our Perfect White enamel and
Category

2010s North American Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Brass, Bronze, Enamel, Nickel

Petite Centric Wall Sconce in White Enamel Mesh & Brass by Blueprint Lighting
By Blueprint Lighting, Mathieu Matégot, Stilnovo
Located in New York, NY
blueprint lighting’s 36 in-house enamel hues for an added pop of color in spaces of every variety, from
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Brass, Bronze, Enamel, Nickel

Mid-Century Modern Organic Textured Glass and White Enamel Flush Mount
Located in New York, NY
This elegant and refined Mid-Century Modern flush mount was realized in Germany, circa 1960. It
Category

Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount

Materials

Enamel

Italian Modern Campana Three-Tier Pendant in Brass & Enamel, Blueprint Lighting
By Arteluce, Stilnovo, Gino Sarfatti
Located in New York, NY
influenced by both French and Italian mid-century modernism. The wide band and distinctly beveled edge makes
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Aluminum, Brass, Bronze, Enamel, Chrome, Nickel

Petite Centric Wall Sconce in Fuschia Enamel Mesh & Brass by Blueprint Lighting
By Blueprint Lighting, Mathieu Matégot, Stilnovo
Located in New York, NY
Blueprint Lighting’s 36 in-house enamel hues for an added pop of color in spaces of every variety, from
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Brass, Bronze, Enamel, Nickel

Swedish Mid-Century Modern Conical Brushed Aluminum & Black Enamel Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
providing visual cohesion. Suggestive of Bauhaus design through the prism of Swedish mid century modern
Category

Vintage 1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Aluminum, Enamel

Pianeta Large-Scale Wall Light or Sconce in Enamel & Brass, Blueprint Lighting
By Blueprint Lighting, Mathieu Matégot, Arteluce
Located in New York, NY
it goes. Inspired by a vintage European design, brought into the 21st century by Blueprint Lighting
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Brass, Bronze, Enamel, Nickel

Italian, 1950s Mid-Century Enamel Floor Lamp
By Arteluce
Located in New York, NY
An original Mid-Century Italian floor lamp with a brass swing arm and decorative colored enamel to
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps

Materials

Marble, Brass, Enamel

'Monarch' Pendant Lamp in Oil-Rubbed Bronze and White Enamel, Blueprint Lighting
By Blueprint Lighting, Mathieu Matégot, Stilnovo
Located in New York, NY
design statement. This design is strongly influenced by both French and Italian Mid-Century Modernism. We
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Bronze, Copper, Enamel, Chrome, Nickel, Aluminum, Brass

Campana Wall Sconce in Oil-Rubbed Bronze & Dark Blue Enamel, Blueprint Lighting
By Blueprint Lighting, Stilnovo, Gino Sarfatti
Located in New York, NY
1950s Italian design. This design is strongly influenced by both French and Italian Mid-Century
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Aluminum, Brass, Bronze, Enamel, Chrome, Nickel

Petite Centric Wall Sconce in Black Enamel Mesh and Brass by Blueprint Lighting
By Blueprint Lighting, Mathieu Matégot, Stilnovo
Located in New York, NY
Blueprint Lighting’s 36 in-house enamel hues for an added pop of color in spaces of every variety, from
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Brass, Bronze, Enamel, Nickel

Molto Wall-Mount Reading Lamp in Bronze and Enameled Mesh by Blueprint Lighting
By Stilnovo, Mathieu Matégot, Blueprint Lighting
Located in New York, NY
Blueprint Lighting’s 36 in-house enamel hues for an added pop of color in spaces of every variety, from
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Brass, Bronze, Enamel, Chrome, Nickel

Mid-Century Modern Floating Tulip Chandelier in Frosted Glass & Black Enamel
Located in New York, NY
This beautiful Mid-Century Modern chandelier was realized in France circa 1950. It offers eight
Category

Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Enamel

Mid-Century Modern Black Enamel & Bubble Glass Pendant by Glashütte Limburgh
Located in New York, NY
This stunning Mid-Century Modern pendant was realized by the esteemed lighting atelier of Glashütte
Category

Vintage 1950s German Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Enamel

Mid-Century Modern Brass, Enamel and Waffle Milk Glass Globe Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
This refined Mid-Century Modern pendant was realized in the Czech Republic circa 1950. The feature
Category

Vintage 1950s Czech Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Brass, Enamel

1950s Mid-Century Modern Enameled Brass and Glass Italian Wall Sconces
By Paolo De Poli
Located in Aci Castello, IT
minimalist geometric shapes, capturing the essence of mid-century modern design. Complementing the brass
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Brass

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Enamel Mid Century Modern Lighting For Sale on 1stDibs

With a vast inventory of beautiful furniture at 1stDibs, we’ve got just the piece of enamel mid century modern lighting you’re looking for. An item from our selection of enamel mid century modern lighting — often made from metal, brass and glass — can elevate any home. Find 7324 options for an antique or vintage choice in our collection of enamel mid century modern lighting now, or shop our selection of 477 modern versions for a more contemporary example of this long-cherished piece. You’ve searched high and low for the perfect object in our assortment of enamel mid century modern lighting — we have versions that date back to the 18th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 21st Century are available. An option in this array of enamel mid century modern lighting, designed in the mid-century modern, Scandinavian Modern or modern style, is generally a popular piece of furniture. Stilnovo, J.T. Kalmar and Kalmar Lighting each produced at least one beautiful piece of enamel mid century modern lighting that is worth considering.

How Much is a Enamel Mid Century Modern Lighting?

A piece of enamel mid century modern lighting can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price 1stDibs is $2,586, while the lowest priced sells for $1 and the highest can go for as much as $100,127.

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.

Finding the Right lighting for You

The right table lamp, outwardly sculptural chandelier or understated wall pendant can work wonders for your home. While we’re indebted to thinkers like Thomas Edison for critically important advancements in lighting and electricity, we’re still finding new ways to customize illumination to fit our personal spaces all these years later. A wide range of antique and vintage lighting can be found on 1stDibs.

Today, lighting designers like the self-taught Bec Brittain have used the flexible structure of LEDs to craft glamorous solutions by working with what is typically considered a harsh lighting source. By integrating glass and mirrors, reflection can be used to soften the glow from LEDs and warmly welcome light into any space.

Although contemporary innovators continue to impress, some of the classics can’t be beat. 

Just as gazing at the stars allows you to glimpse the universe’s past, vintage chandeliers like those designed by Gino Sarfatti and J. & L. Lobmeyr, for example, put on a similarly stunning show, each with a rich story to tell.

As dazzling as it is, the Arco lamp, on the other hand, prioritizes functionality — it’s wholly mobile, no drilling required. Designed in 1962 by architect-product designers Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, the piece takes the traditional form of a streetlamp and creates an elegant, arching floor fixture for at-home use.

There is no shortage of modernist lighting similarly prized by collectors and casual enthusiasts alike — there are Art Deco table lamps created in a universally appreciated style, the Tripod floor lamp by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Greta Magnusson Grossman's sleek and minimalist Grasshopper lamps and, of course, the wealth of mid-century experimental lighting that emerged from Italian artisans at Arredoluce, FLOS and many more are hallmarks in illumination innovation

With decades of design evolution behind it, home lighting is no longer just practical. Crystalline shaping by designers like Gabriel Scott turns every lighting apparatus into a luxury accessory. A new installation doesn’t merely showcase a space; carefully chosen ceiling lights, table lamps and floor lamps can create a mood, spotlight a favorite piece or highlight your unique personality.

The sparkle that your space has been missing is waiting for you amid the growing collection of antique, vintage and contemporary lighting for sale on 1stDibs.