Florence Knoll Seagrass Sideboard by Knoll for Wohnbedarf, 1952
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Aachen, NW
Rare midcentury Seagrass sideboard by Florence Knoll for Knoll. Designed in 1947 and made in Switzerland by Wohnbedarf in a very low production line in the early 1950s.
Seagrass, Wood
Florence Knoll Walnut Seagrass and Leather Sideboard by Knoll International
By Florence Knoll
Located in Den Haag, NL
Florence Knoll 1947 Manufacturer: Knoll International Model: 116 Version with round black metal legs, in Walnut with Seagrass sliding doors.
Metal
Florence Knoll Sideboard Model 116 with Seagrass Sliding Doors
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Barcelona, ES
Sideboard model 116 designed by Florence Knoll in 1948 for Knoll International, USA.
Metal
Sideboard Model 116 by Florence Knoll for Knoll International, USA, 1950s
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Antwerp, BE
An exceptional example of mid-century modern design, this Model 116 sideboard was designed by Florence Knoll for Knoll International in the 1950s.
Steel
Florence Knoll Model 116 Sideboard Seagras Knoll International 50s Mid Century
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Berlin, BE
Sideboard (Model 116) from 1954, designed by Florence Knoll for Knoll International – this particular version was manufactured in 1954 by Knoll International in Stuttgart.
Seagrass, Nutwood
$9,275Sale Price / item|25% Off
Florence Knoll Model 116 Sideboard Seagras Knoll International 50s Mid Century
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Berlin, BE
No description provided
Seagrass, Nutwood
Floating Sideboard Seagras Florence Knoll International Mid Century Model 123
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Berlin, BE
Extremely rare marple-hung sideboard (Mod°123) by Florence Knoll produced by Knoll International Stuttgart in 1952.
Seagrass, Walnut
Rare Florence Knoll Model 116 Sideboard in Seagrass– Mid-Century Modern Credenza
Located in LYON, FR
An exceptional and highly sought-after Model 116 sideboard designed by Florence Knoll for Knoll Associates in the 1950s.
Steel
Floating Sideboard Model: 123 by Florence Knoll for Knoll 1960 Seagrass Teak
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Extremely rare wall-hung sideboard Model: 123 from 1952, designed by Florence Knoll for Knoll International. This version was produced in 1952 in only a small edition by Knoll in Stu...
Wicker, Teak
Unavailable
H 30.52 in W 66.93 in D 18.51 in
Sideboard by Florence Knoll for Knoll International 1960s, Teak and Seagrass
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Nürnberg, Bavaria
Sideboard by Florence Knoll for Knoll International 1960s, teak and seagrass.
Seagrass, Teak
Unavailable
H 30.32 in W 70.87 in D 14.97 in
Sideboard in East Indian Rosewood & Seagrass by Florence Knoll, Designed 1947
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Berlin, DE
Rare & beautiful, sideboard by Florence Knoll, designed in 1947, this model in East Indian Rosewood & Raffia, is executed in 1952 in very small edition by Knoll International in Stut...
Leather, Raffia, Rosewood
Unavailable
H 30.71 in W 70.87 in D 17.72 in
Sideboard Credenza Florence Knoll with Sliding Doors Sea Grass Knoll 1960's
By Florence Knoll
Located in Köln, NRW
Sideboard credenza (Mod. 123) by Florence Knoll with sliding doors sea grass. Produced by Knoll International, 1960s. Frame steel lacquered black, body wood ash, sliding doors sea ...
Metal
Florence Knoll Seagrass Sideboard Model 116
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Munich, DE
Sideboard model 116 designed by Florence Knoll in 1948 for Knoll International, USA.
Metal
Florence Knoll Seagrass Sideboard Model 116 by Knoll, 1952
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Aachen, NW
Rare midcentury Seagrass sideboard model 116 by Florence Knoll for Knoll.
Wood, Seagrass
Sold
H 30.32 in W 70.87 in D 18.9 in
Florence Knoll Seagrass Credenza Sideboard Cabinet Knoll International Teak Rare
By Florence Knoll
Located in Berlin, DE
Beautiful knoll sideboard mod. 116 with seagrass sliding doors, original light brown leather handles, drawers and shelves. Mounted on height adjustable black lacquered metal feet. Fr...
Metal
Sold
H 30.52 in W 71.66 in D 17.92 in
Florence Knoll Seagrass Sideboard Credenza Mod. 116 Knoll International, 1950s
By Florence Knoll
Located in London, GB
A rare 1950s Model 116 teakwood sideboard with seagrass fronted sliding doors by Florence Knoll for Knoll International
Teak
Sold
H 26.19 in W 35.83 in D 17.72 in
Florence Knoll seagrass two door credenza cabinet for Knoll international 1960's
By Florence Knoll
Located in London, GB
Enhance your living space with a true rare mid-century modern gem – a Teakwood and Seagrass Two Door Cabinet designed by Florence Knoll, crafted by Knoll International in the 1960's.
Seagrass, Teak
Florence Knoll Model 116 Seagrass Sideboard, 1950s
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
Fantastic Sideboard by Florence Knoll, model 116 in maple wood and original seagrass sliding doors for Knoll International, Stuttgart, 1950s This breathtaking timeless design will i...
Metal
Sold
H 30.32 in W 70.87 in D 17.72 in
Florence Knoll, Sideboard, 1968 Seagrass Doors & Ash Wood, Knoll International
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Munster, NRW
Sideboard (Mod°123) from 1968, designed by Florence Knoll for Knoll International - this version was produced in 1968 by Knoll International in Stuttgart.
Seagrass, Ash
Florence Knoll Teak Wood & Seagrass Sideboard
By Florence Knoll
Located in London, GB
Brilliant sideboard / credenza designed by Florence Knoll for Knoll International in the 1960s.
Teak
Sold
H 17.72 in W 70.87 in D 14.97 in
Florence Knoll 1952 Seagrass and Teak Wall-Mounted Sideboard Knoll International
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Munster, NRW
2x Sideboard Mod°123 by Florence Knoll for Knoll International in 1952 both sideboard are in teak, one with seagrass sliding doors, the other comes with teak doors.....original ...
Seagrass, Teak
Sold
H 31.5 in W 72.05 in D 18.12 in
Sideboard Model 116 by Florence Knoll for Knoll International, USA, 1950s
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Antwerp, BE
Lovely sideboard by Florence Knoll for Knoll international, USA 1950s.
Seagrass, Ash
Sold
H 31.5 in W 72.05 in D 18.12 in
Sideboard Model 116 by Florence Knoll for Knoll International, USA, 1950s
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Antwerp, BE
Lovely sideboard by Florence Knoll for Knoll international, USA 1950s.
Steel
Sold
H 30.71 in W 70.87 in D 17.72 in
Sideboard Model 116 by Florence Knoll for Knoll International, USA, 1950s
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Antwerp, BE
An exceptional example of mid-century modern design, this Model 116 sideboard was designed by Florence Knoll for Knoll International in the 1950s.
Steel
Sold
H 17.72 in W 14.97 in D 70.87 in
Floating Sideboard Seagras Florence Knoll International Mid Century Model 123
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Berlin, BE
Extremely rare wall-hung sideboard (Mod°123) by Florence Knoll produced by Knoll International Stuttgart in 1952.
Seagrass, Walnut
Sold
H 17.72 in W 70.87 in D 14.97 in
Beautiful Wallboard Sideboard by Florence Knoll for Knoll International, 1950s
By Knoll, Florence Knoll, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Berlin, DE
Very rare and beautiful wallbaord designed by Florence Knoll for Knoll International in the 1950s.
Seagrass, Teak
Early Knoll 2-Door Credenza
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Little Burstead, Essex
A nice early original teak credenza on black steel legs and with seagrass covered doors and leather pull handles, all in great condition.
Steel
Early Knoll 2-Door Credenza
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Little Burstead, Essex
A nice early original teak credenza on black steel legs and with seagrass covered doors and leather pull handles, all in great condition.
Steel
Florence Knoll Seagrass Credenza Designed for Knoll
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Florence Knoll for Knoll, cane, black ebonized wood, metal, cane, United States, 1961. This sideboard is designed by Florence Knoll for Knoll International and was designed for th...
Metal
Florence Knoll Seagrass Credenza Designed for Knoll
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Florence Knoll for Knoll, cane, black ebonized wood, metal, cane, United States, 1961. This sideboard is designed by Florence Knoll for Knoll International and was designed for the ...
Metal
Florence Knoll Seagrass Credenza Designed for Knoll
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Florence Knoll for Knoll, cane, black ebonized wood, metal, cane, United States, 1961. This sideboard is designed by Florence Knoll for Knoll International and was designed for the ...
Metal
Florence Knoll Seagrass Credenza Designed for Knoll Office
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Florence Knoll for Knoll, cane, black ebonized wood, metal, cane, United States, 1961. This sideboard is designed by Florence Knoll for Knoll International and was designed for th...
Metal
Florence Knoll Maple and Seagrass Credenza
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Miami, FL
A maple, grasscloth and leather cabinet in the style of the 116 model designed by Florence Knoll in 1948 for Knoll Associates. The sideboard or bar features a pair of sliding doors w...
Steel
Early Florence Knoll Maple and Seagrass Credenza
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Miami, FL
A superb model 116 Mid-Century Modern cabinet designed by Florence Knoll for Knoll Associates in 1948. The vintage sideboard or bar features a pair of sliding doors with seagrass fro...
Steel
Sold
H 17.72 in W 70.87 in D 14.97 in
Florence Knoll, Sideboard 1952 Seagrass & Teak Wall-Mounted Knoll International
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Munster, NRW
Extremely rare wall-hung sideboard (Mod°123) from 1952, designed by Florence Knoll for Knoll International - this version was produced in 1952 in a small edition by Knoll in Stuttgar...
Seagrass, Teak
Sold
H 30.32 in W 70.87 in D 17.72 in
Florence Knoll, Sideboard 1968 Seagrass Doors and Walnut by Knoll International
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Munster, NRW
Sideboard (Mod°123) from 1968, designed by Florence Knoll for Knoll International - this version was produced in 1968 by Knoll International in Stuttgart.
Seagrass, Walnut
Sold
H 17.72 in W 70.87 in D 14.97 in
Florence Knoll Sideboard Wall Mounted 1952 Seagrass Teak by Knoll International
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Munster, NRW
Extremely rare wall-hung sideboard (Mod°123) from 1952, designed by Florence Knoll for Knoll International - this version was produced in 1952 in a small edition by Knoll in Stuttgar...
Seagrass, Teak
Sold
H 86.62 in W 102.37 in D 16.54 in
Florence Knoll, Rare Wall Unit, Teak & Seagrass, 1952 for Knoll International
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Munster, NRW
Rare wall shelf unit by Florence Knoll. Made by Knoll International, Stuttgart in 1952.
Aluminum
1st Edition Credenza by Florence Knoll fot Knoll International
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Little Burstead, Essex
This is a very nice 1st edition classic Knoll credenza. It has the 4 Seagrass covered sliding doors, each with leather handles, it sits on 4 black steel legs, but also comes with th...
Steel
Sold
H 26.38 in W 74.81 in D 17.72 in
Florence Knoll Sideboard Made in Switzerland by Wohnbedarf for Knoll Int.
By Florence Knoll
Located in Renens, CH
Neat and rare Florence Knoll sideboard, Made in Switzerland by Wohnbedarf for Knoll International, circa 1968.
Seagrass, Walnut
Sold
H 17.72 in W 70.87 in D 14.97 in
Beautiful Wallboard Sideboard by Florence Knoll for Knoll International, 1950s
By Hans J. Wegner, Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Berlin, DE
Very rare and beautiful wall-mounted sideboard designed by Florence Knoll for Knoll International in the 1950s.
Seagrass, Teak
Florence Knoll 1952 Seagrass Sideboard Knoll International
By Florence Knoll
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A vintage credenza or sideboard with raffia covered sliding doors and leather pulls. . Vintage condition with wear commensurate with age and use
Cane, Leather, Walnut
Florence Knoll Model 116 Walnut & Seagrass Credenza, USA, 1948
By Florence Knoll
Located in Longdon, Tewkesbury
Florence Knoll Model 116 walnut & seagrass credenza, USA, 1948.
Walnut
Florence Knoll Seagras Sideboard
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Frankfurt, Hessen, DE
A very nice rare Sideboard in teak designed by Florence Knoll. This model is with two sliding doors covered with seagras paper and leather pulls. The inlay is equipped with shelves a...
Metal
Multifunctional Sideboard by Florence Knoll International, 1952
By Florence Knoll
Located in Berlin, DE
One of the most beautiful sideboard by Florence Knoll. Produced from 1948-1964 by Knoll International. The well-proportioned maple body and the exciting material mix to make it a rea...
Steel
Sideboard Mod. 116 by Florence Knoll International, 1952
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Berlin, DE
One of the most beautiful sideboard by Florence Knoll. Produced from 1948-1964 by Knoll International. The well-proportioned maple body and the exciting material mix to make it a rea...
Leather, Maple, Seagrass
Florence Knoll Wall-Mounted Sideboard 'a'
By Florence Knoll, George Nelson, Knoll
Located in Frankfurt, Hessen, DE
A very nice rarely example of a wall-mounted sideboard in teak designed by Florence Knoll. This model is with two sliding doors covered with seagras paper and leather pulls. The inla...
Leather, Seagrass, Teak
Florence Knoll Wall-Mounted Sideboard 'b'
By George Nelson, Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Frankfurt, Hessen, DE
A very nice rarely example of a wall-mounted sideboard in teak designed by Florence Knoll. This model is with two sliding doors covered with seagras paper and leather pulls. The inla...
Leather, Seagrass, Teak
Sold
H 29.93 in W 70.87 in D 17.72 in
1950s Florence Knoll Seagrass Sideboard Credenza Mod. 116 Knoll International
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Hamminkeln, DE
Beautiful and super rare vintage Florence Knoll Mod. 116 seagrass sideboard, made by Knoll International, made in Germany about 1949 in Teak wood and seagrass sliding doors - a very ...
Wood
Sold
H 31.11 in W 72.05 in D 18.12 in
Florence Knoll Sideboard for Knoll International 1950s, Walnut and Seagrass
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Ghent, BE
Beautiful sideboard designed by Florence Knoll for Knoll International in the 1950s.
Leather, Seagrass, Walnut
Sideboard in Teak & Seagrass by Florence Knoll, Designed 1947
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Berlin, DE
Rare & beautiful floating, wall mounted sideboard by Florence Knoll, designed in 1947, this model in Teak & Raffia, is executed in 1952 in very small edition by Knoll International i...
Leather, Raffia, Teak
LUdown Cylinder Flush Mount
By Lumfardo Luminaires
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The LUdown cylinder flush mount fixture by Lumfardo Luminaires is part of our contemporary collection. Available In patinated unlacquerd brass or aged silver and steel with (1) E26 m...
Steel, Brass, Gold, Silver
$3,840 / item
H 37.8 in Dm 25.2 in
Joe 640 Tailored Minimal 20th Century Inspired Pendant Light by Wende Reid
By Wende Reid
Located in Chatswood, NSW
This Classic, tailored pendant light, inspired by the stitching on my father's Mark Cross cuff link box, is reminiscent of mid-century style and the early simplicity of Art Deco. Als...
Brass
The 'Matisse' Etagere
Located in London, GB
The 'Matisse' wrought iron side table. A hand made and patinated wrought iron etagere with whimsical Matisse style cut-out decoration. Made to order based on a 1960s original. Avail...
Wrought Iron
Bertoia Sonambient Sculpture Beryllium Rod
By Val Bertoia
Located in Wilmington, DE
Bertoia Sonambient sculpture. Offered is a beautifully unique sculpture by Bertoia studios (Val). Titled "4 Love Clover of Sound". The piece is made of Beryllium Copper rods weld to...
Brass, Copper
$2,063 / set
H 24.81 in W 23.63 in D 13.78 in
French Pair of Nightstands Side Cabinets Bedside Tables Brutalist Style, 2022
Located in Labrit, Landes
Pair of oak nightstands "Pyrénées" signed by Sébastien Lamarre. This french side cabinets were made by Sébastien Lamarre for Maison Marie Anne. The creator chose for the Pyrénées mo...
Oak
LU Swing Sconce
By Lumfardo Luminaires
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful brass LU swing sconce made by Lumfardo Luminaires in patinated brass. Wired with an E26 medium based socket. Light bulb provided as well as all mounting hardware. Priced in...
Brass
Bronze and Leather Daybed or Bench by Nicos Zographos
By Nicos Zographos
Located in Atlanta, GA
Bronze and caramel color leather daybed or bench, designed by Nicos Zographos, American, circa 1960s. Retains warm original patina to the bronze.
Metal, Bronze
Baby Side Table with Orange Dot Roger Capron Tile
By Roger Capron
Located in Stratford, CT
These tables feature new painted steel frames and a vintage lava tile from Roger Capron. Made in 1970s, these tiles vary in color and texture, resulting from the hand glazed process....
Metal
George Nelson Herman Miller Miniature Chest # 5215
By George Nelson
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Unusual version of the George Nelson miniature/jewelry chest #5215. This one features the white formica on the bottom of the case not the top as is more typical. Teak wood constructi...
Walnut
Børge Mogensen for Karl Andersson 'Öresund' in Oregon Pine
By Børge Mogensen
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Børge Mogensen for Karl Andersson & Söner, 'Öresund' cabinet, Oregon pine, Denmark, 1960s A neat and uncomplicated sideboard designed by the Danish master Børge Mogensen in the sixt...
Pine
"Marchand" Scalloped Oak Dresser by Christiane Lemieux
Located in New York, NY
The Marchand 6-drawer dresser showcases elegantly scalloped edge detailing and textural drawer fronts, making it a distinctive piece in any bedroom. It sits on minimal turned legs, b...
Oak
Warren Platner for Knoll Easy Chair
By Knoll, Warren Platner
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Warren Platner for Knoll, easy chair and ottoman, model '1705', steel, fabric, United States, design ca. 1962, production later. This iconic lounge chair by Warren Platner is create...
Steel
$32,465
H 27.96 in W 90.56 in D 18.12 in
Vintage Modernist Sideboard by Ib Kofod Larsen, Denmark, 1960s
By Christensen & Larsen, Ib Kofod-Larsen
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Cool, rare sideboard by Ib Kofod Larsen, made from rosewood. Clean design with a smooth veneer pattern. Cabinet doors and drawers with decorative round wooden handles in a darker nua...
Rosewood
$12,850
H 23 in W 10.5 in D 14 in
Thin Edge Jewelry Chest by George Nelson 1954, Original, Rosewood, Teak, Signed
By George Nelson
Located in Kansas City, MO
Rare early George Nelson for Herman Miller nine drawer jewelry / miniature cabinet in rosewood and teak with porcelain pulls. Completely original, never refinished very good conditio...
Teak, Rosewood, Porcelain
Wood & Rattan Credenza
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Dimensions: 83" W x 18" D x 32" H.
Rattan, Wood
$16,058
H 44.5 in W 10.38 in D 19 in
George Nelson Chest for Herman Miller Model 5517 Commode Sideboard 1952
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Telgte, DE
George Nelson vertical chest of drawers commode for Herman Miller model 5517 sideboard 1952 The solid wood Nelson miniature chest, inspired by Japanese design, provides lots of wonde...
Metal, Aluminum
Architect, furniture designer, interior designer, entrepreneur — Florence Knoll had a subtle but profound influence on the course of mid-century American modernism. Dedicated to functionality and organization, and never flamboyant, Knoll shaped the ethos of the postwar business world with her skillfully realized office plans and polished, efficient designs for sofas, credenzas, desks and other furnishings.
Knoll had perhaps the most thorough design education of any of her peers. Florence Schust was orphaned at age 12, and her guardian sent her to Kingswood, a girl’s boarding school that is part of the Cranbrook Educational Community in suburban Detroit. Her interest in design brought her to the attention of Eliel Saarinen, the Finnish architect and head of the Cranbrook Academy of Art.
Saarinen and his wife took the talented child under their wing, and she became close to their son, the future architect Eero Saarinen. While a student at the academy, Florence befriended artist-designer Harry Bertoia and Charles and Ray Eames. Later, she studied under three of the Bauhaus masters who emigrated to the United States. She worked as an apprentice in the Boston architectural offices of Walter Gropius and Marcel Breuer; Ludwig Mies van der Rohe taught her at the Illinois Institute of Technology.
In 1941, she met Hans Knoll, whose eponymous furniture company was just getting off the ground. They married in 1946, and her design sense and his business skills soon made Knoll Inc. a leading firm in its field. Florence signed up the younger Saarinen as a designer, and would develop pieces by Bertoia, Mies and the artist Isamu Noguchi.
Florence Knoll's main work came as head of the Knoll Planning Group, designing custom office interiors for clients such as IBM and CBS. The furniture she created for these spaces reflects her Bauhaus training: the pieces are pure functional design, exactingly built; their only ornament from the materials, such as wood and marble. Her innovations — the oval conference table, for example, conceived as a way to ensure clear sightlines among all seated at a meeting — were always in the service of practicality.
Since her retirement in 1965, Knoll received the National Medal of Arts, among other awards; in 2004 the Philadelphia Museum of Art mounted the exhibition “Florence Knoll: Defining Modern” — well deserved accolades for a strong, successful design and business pioneer. As demonstrated on these pages, the simplicity of Knoll’s furniture is her work’s great virtue: they fit into any interior design scheme.
Find vintage Florence Knoll sofas, benches, armchairs and other furniture on 1stDibs.
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.