Large Danish Mid-Century Modern Rosewood Mirror, 1960s.
Located in Asaa, DK
part of the FM Wall Unit Series. The width of the mirror matches the width of single bay of the FM Reol
Rosewood
$325 / item
H 3.15 in W 33.67 in D 9.45 in
1960s Wide Version Teak Shelves for Kai Kristiansen Wall Unit Feldballe Møbler
By Kai Kristiansen, Feldballes Møbelfabrik
Located in Knebel, DK
Kristiansens FM wall unit shelf system. The shelves have all been checked and refininhed by cabinetmaker to
Teak
$325 / item
H 3.15 in W 33.67 in D 7.09 in
1960s Narrow Version Teak Shelves for Kai Kristiansen Wall Unit Feldballe Møbler
By Feldballes Møbelfabrik, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Knebel, DK
teak shelves for Kai Kristiansens FM wall unit shelf system. The shelves have all been checked and
Teak
Kai Kristiansen FM Rosewood Wall Unit #2
By Kai Kristiansen, Feldballes Møbelfabrik
Located in Oakland, CA
Brazilian rosewood wall system designed by Kai Kristiansen for Feldballes Møbelfabrik Denmark. FM
Rosewood, Wood
Kai Kristiansen Wall Unit for FM Møbler, 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen, FM Møbler
Located in Puslinch, ON
oak wall unit by Kai Kristiansen for FM Møbler. Freshly imported from Denmark. Completely modular
Metal
$1,597
H 78.75 in W 33.86 in D 13.78 in L 59.06 in
Danish Vintage Reol Shelve Wall Unit by Kai Kristiansen for Fm Møbler, 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen, FM Møbler
Located in Breda, Netherlands
). This particular setup consists of three uprights (height: 200 cm), forming a well-balanced wall system
Rosewood
$1,950
H 16.75 in W 46.25 in D 14 in
Kai Kristiansen Danish Modern Rosewood Sideboard Table for Askel Kjersgaard #393
By Illums Bolighus, Kai Kristiansen, Aksel Kjersgaard
Located in Chesterfield, NJ
designer produced popular, pioneering pieces including the FM Wall Unit, Model 42 Chair, and Model 31 Chair
Rosewood
$8,165
H 98.43 in W 137.01 in D 16.34 in
60s 70s teak wall shelf Wall Unit Kai Kristiansen for FM Møbler Denmark
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Neuenkirchen, NI
60s 70s teak wall shelf Wall Unit Kai Kristiansen for FM Møbler Denmark Object: Wall Unit
Metal
$1,568
H 12.6 in W 33.67 in D 14.97 in
Restored Kai Kristiansen Rosewood Cabinet Wall Unit by FM in Excellent Condition
By Feldballes Møbelfabrik, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Knebel, DK
1960s Kai Kristiansen cabinet wall unit in teak by Feldballe Mobelfabrik Teak cabinet for Kai
Teak
$3,840
H 80 in W 104 in D 18 in
Mid century Danish rosewood wall unit by Kai Kristiansen FM, with desk & light
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Liberty, NY
Stunning mid century Danish rosewood three bay wall unit by Kai Kristiansen for FM Mobler. Consists
Rosewood
8 Kai Kristiansen #31 Danish Rosewood Dining Chairs
By Kai Kristiansen, Schou Andersen Møbelfabrik
Located in Chattanooga, TN
, and rosewood, the designer produced popular, pioneering pieces including the FM Wall Unit, Model 42
Faux Leather, Rosewood
$8,875 / item
H 6.11 in W 17.72 in D 9.06 in
Rosewood floating Nightstand/console by Arch. Kai Kristiansen, Denmark 50s, Rare
By Aksel Kjersgaard, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Forest, BE
Lounge Chair, and its modular system of shelves FM Reolsystem Wall Unit (1957) for Feldballe Møbelfabrik
Rosewood
Unavailable
H 78.75 in W 102.76 in D 13 in
Kai Kristiansen 3-Bay Wall Unit by FM Mobler, Denmark 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen, FM Møbler
Located in Vienna, AT
Kai Kristiansen 3-Bay Wall Unit by FM Mobler, Denmark 1960s. Measurements: Height: 78.75 in (200
Metal
Unavailable
H 59.06 in W 33.86 in D 9.45 in
Shelving Unit Designed by Kai Kristiansen for Fm Møbler, 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Porto, PT
Shelving unit designed by Kai Kristiansen. Additional measurements: 17 shelves 24 x 86 cm 2
Wood
Unavailable
H 39.38 in W 33.86 in D 9.45 in
Scandinavian Shelving Unit by Kai Kristiansen for FM Møbler, Denmark, 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Porto, PT
Shelving unit by Kai Kristiansen for FM Møbler. Additional measurements: 13 shelves 24 x 86 cm.
Wood
Unavailable
H 44.49 in W 102.37 in D 13 in
Teak Rosewood Wall Unit by Kai Kristiansen for FM Møbler, 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Antwerpen, BE
A wall unit in rosewood consisting 1 cabinet and 6 shelves. Design by Kai Kristiansen in circa 1960
Rosewood
Unavailable
H 31.89 in W 20.87 in D 21.66 in
Set of Six Danish Mid-century Kai Kristiansen Carver Dining Chairs
By Korup Stolefabrik, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Newbury, Berkshire
and the FM Reol wall unit system in what would became known as the Danish Mid-Century Modern style to
Fabric, Wood
Sold
H 65.36 in W 68.71 in D 13 in
Vintage Danish Modular Teak Wall Unit by Kai Kristiansen for FM, 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen, FM Møbler
Located in Asaa, DK
Vintage Danish modular teak wall unit by Kai Kristiansen for Feldballes Møbelfabrik, Denmark, 1960s
Teak
Wall Unit Kai Kristiansen FM Mobler Shelving System
By Kai Kristiansen, FM Møbler
Located in Neuss, NW
Classic shelving system by Kai Kristiansen for FM Mobler from the 1960s. The high-quality
Teak
Kai Kristiansen for FM Møbler Wall Unit – Denmark, 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen, FM Møbler
Located in Silvolde, Gelderland
This high-quality teak wall unit by Kai Kristiansen for FM Møbler is a stunning example of Danish
Teak
Rosewood Wall Unit by Kai Kristiansen for FM Møbler, 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen, FM Møbler
Located in Puslinch, ON
vintage rosewood wall unit by Kai Kristiansen for FM Møbler. Gorgeous rosewood back panels - available
Metal
Wall Unit in Teak by Kai Kristiansen for FM Møbler, 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen, FM Møbler
Located in Brussels, BE
Wall unit in teak by Kai Kristiansen for FM Møbler, 1960s Beautifully grained teak wood. All
Teak
Sold
H 78.75 in W 102.76 in L 78.75 in
Danish Vintage Rosewood Modular Wall Unit by Kai Kristiansen for FM, 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen, Feldballes Møbelfabrik
Located in Asaa, DK
Danish vintage rosewood modular wall unit by Kai Kristiansen for FM, 1960s. Shelving unit with
Rosewood
Sold
H 78.75 in W 135.44 in D 16.15 in
Modular Wall Unit by Kai Kristiansen for FM Mobler, Denmark, 1960s
By FM Møbler, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Ranst, VAN
Danish modular wall unit by Kai Kristiansen for FM Møbler, Denmark 1960s. This teak setup has two
Teak
Sold
H 68.71 in W 136.42 in D 13.39 in
Vintage Danish Modular Teak Wall Unit by Kai Kristiansen for FM, 1960s
By FM Møbler, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Asaa, DK
Vintage Danish modular teak wall unit by Kai Kristiansen for Feldballes Møbelfabrik, Denmark, 1960s
Teak
Sold
H 59.06 in W 33.47 in L 59.06 in
Danish Vintage Reol Shelve Wall Unit by Kai Kristiansen for Fm Møbler, 1960s
By FM Møbler, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Breda, Netherlands
Reolsystem wall unit from 1957. Proved to be a huge success with sales throughout Europe and the US. The
Hardwood
Sold
H 59.06 in W 33.47 in L 59.06 in
Danish Vintage Reol Shelve Wall Unit by Kai Kristiansen for FM Møbler, 1960s
By FM Møbler, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Breda, Netherlands
successful design for FM was the FM Reolsystem Wall Unit from 1957. Proved to be a huge success with sales
Hardwood
Sold
H 59.06 in W 68.12 in L 59.06 in
Reolsystem Shelve Wall Unit No. 502 by Kai Kristiansen for FM Møbler, 1960s
By FM Møbler, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Breda, Netherlands
successful design for FM was the FM Reolsystem Wall Unit from 1957. Proved to be a huge success with sales
Hardwood
Sold
H 78.75 in W 68.12 in D 11.03 in
Danish Rosewood Reol Shelve Wall Unit in by Kai Kristiansen for Fm Møbler, 1960s
By FM Møbler, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Breda, Netherlands
Reol wall unit by Kai Kristiansen Danish design by Kai Kristiansen and produced by FM Mobler. FM
Rosewood
FM-Reolsystem Wall Unit by Kai Kristiansen
By Feldballes Møbelfabrik, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Oakland, CA
Kai Kristiansen's FM-Reolsystem is a fully interchangeable Mid-Century Danish wall mount shelving
1960s Wall unit, Kai Kristiansen
By FM Møbler, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Neuss, NW
Classic shelving system by Kai Kristiansen for FM Møbler from the 1960s. The high-quality
Teak
1960s Wall unit, Kai Kristiansen
By FM Møbler, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Neuss, NW
Classic shelving system by Kai Kristiansen for FM Møbler from the 1960s. The high-quality
Glass, Teak
Sold
H 78.75 in W 35.04 in D 13 in
Vintage Danish Rosewood Wall Unit by Kai Kristiansen for FM, 1960s.
By Feldballes Møbelfabrik, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Asaa, DK
Vintage Danish modular rosewood wall unit by Danish architect Kai Kristiansen for Feldballes
Rosewood
Sold
H 68.9 in W 101.58 in D 15.75 in
Stylish Wall-Mounted Shelving Unit by Kai Kristiansen for FM Møbler
By Kai Kristiansen, Feldballes Møbelfabrik
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Stylish rosewood wall-mounted shelving unit by Kai Kristiansen for FM Møbler. Six original
Metal
Vintage Danish Rosewood Wall Unit by Kai Kristiansen for FM, 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen, Feldballes Møbelfabrik
Located in Asaa, DK
Vintage Danish modular rosewood wall unit by Danish architect Kai Kristiansen for Feldballes
Rosewood
Sold
H 64.97 in W 136.82 in D 13 in
Vintage Danish Rosewood Wall Unit by Kai Kristiansen for FM, 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen, Feldballes Møbelfabrik
Located in Asaa, DK
Vintage Danish modular Rosewood wall unit by Danish architect Kai Kristiansen for Feldballes
Rosewood
Sold
H 78.75 in W 68.9 in D 18.71 in
Vintage Danish Rosewood Wall Unit by Kai Kristiansen for FM, 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen, Feldballes Møbelfabrik
Located in Asaa, DK
Vintage Danish modular Rosewood wall unit by Danish architect Kai Kristiansen for Feldballes
Rosewood
Vintage Danish Teak Wall Unit by Kai Kristiansen for FM 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen, Feldballes Møbelfabrik
Located in Asaa, DK
Vintage Danish modular Teak wall unit by Danish architect Kai Kristiansen for Feldballes
Teak
Vintage Danish Teak Wall Unit by Kai Kristiansen for FM 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen, Feldballes Møbelfabrik
Located in Asaa, DK
Vintage Danish modular Teak wall unit by Danish architect Kai Kristiansen for Feldballes
Teak
Sold
H 78.75 in W 102.76 in D 16.54 in
Brazilian Rosewood Wall Unit by Kai Kristiansen, Denmark, 1960s
By FM Møbler, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Pijnacker, Zuid-Holland
Gorgeous Brazilian rosewood wall unit by Kai Kristiansen for FM Møbler, Denmark. The cabinets have
Metal
Sold
H 77.76 in W 102.37 in L 77.76 in
Vintage Danish Rosewood Wall Unit by Kai Kristiansen for FM 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen, Feldballes Møbelfabrik
Located in Asaa, DK
Vintage Danish modular Rosewood wall unit by Danish architect Kai Kristiansen for Feldballes
Rosewood
Sold
H 78.75 in W 102.76 in D 16.54 in
Kai Kristiansen Wall Unit in Brazilian Rosewood, Denmark, 1950s
By FM Møbler, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Pijnacker, Zuid-Holland
Brazilian rosewood wall unit by Kai Kristiansen for FM Møbler, Denmark. The cabinets have sliding
Rosewood
Sold
H 78.75 in W 102.37 in D 16.54 in
Vintage Danish Modular Rosewood Wall Unit by Kai Kristiansen for FM 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen, Feldballes Møbelfabrik
Located in Asaa, DK
Vintage Danish modular Rosewood wall unit by Kai Kristiansen for Feldballes Møbelfabrik, Denmark
Rosewood
Sold
H 77.17 in W 102.37 in D 16.15 in
Vintage Danish Modular Rosewood Wall Unit by Kai Kristiansen for FM 1960s
By Feldballes Møbelfabrik, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Asaa, DK
Vintage Danish modular Rosewood wall unit by Kai Kristiansen for Feldballes Møbelfabrik, Denmark
Rosewood
Sold
H 68.9 in W 170.48 in D 13.19 in
Vintage Danish Teak Modular Wall Unit by Kai Kristiansen for FM, 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Asaa, DK
Vintage Danish teak modular wall unit by Kai Kristiansen for Feldballe Møbelfabrik, 1960s "FM
Teak
Sold
H 59.06 in W 102.96 in D 13.19 in
Vintage Danish Modular Teak Wall Unit by Kai Kristiansen for FM 1960s
By Feldballes Møbelfabrik, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Asaa, DK
Vintage Danish modular teak wall unit by Kai Kristiansen for Feldballes Møbelfabrik, Denmark, 1960s
Teak
Sold
H 69.3 in W 68.9 in D 16.34 in
Vintage Danish Modular Teak Wall Unit by Kai Kristiansen for FM, 1960s.
By Feldballes Møbelfabrik, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Asaa, DK
Vintage Danish modular teak wall unit by Kai Kristiansen for Feldballes Møbelfabrik, Denmark, 1960s
Teak
Sold
H 59.06 in W 170.67 in D 16.54 in
Danish Modular 5-Bay Rosewood Wall Unit by Kai Kristiansen for FM, 1960s.
By Feldballes Møbelfabrik, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Asaa, DK
Danish Modular 5-Bay Rosewood/Palisander Wall Unit by Kai Kristiansen for FM, 1960s. Large and
Rosewood
Sold
H 68.9 in W 68.71 in D 16.15 in
Vintage Danish Rosewood 2-Bay Wall Unit by Kai Kristiansen for FM, 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen, Feldballes Møbelfabrik
Located in Asaa, DK
Vintage Danish modular rosewood/palisander wall unit by Danish architect Kai Kristiansen for
Rosewood
Sold
H 59.06 in W 102.37 in D 13 in
Danish Modern Rosewood 3-Bay Wall Unit by Kai Kristiansen for FM, 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen, Feldballes Møbelfabrik
Located in Asaa, DK
Danish Modern Rosewood 3-Bay Wall Unit by Kai Kristiansen for FM, 1960s. Kai Kristiansen for
Rosewood
Sold
H 89.77 in W 68.9 in D 16.15 in
Danish 2-Bay Rosewood Wall Unit with Desk in by Kai Kristiansen for FM, 1960s
By Feldballes Møbelfabrik, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Asaa, DK
Danish 2-Bay Rosewood Wall Unit with Desk in by Kai Kristiansen for FM, 1960s. Vintage Danish
Rosewood
Kai Kristiansen Wall Unit
By Kai Kristiansen, Feldballes Møbelfabrik
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Kai Kristiansen wall unit for FM Mobler, Denmark, circa 1960s. This modular shelving system
Steel
Sold
H 29.5 in W 19.5 in D 18.5 in
8 Kai Kristiansen Mid-Century Modern Model 31 Danish Teak Dining Chairs
By Schou Andersen Møbelfabrik, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Chattanooga, TN
rosewood, the designer produced popular, pioneering pieces including the FM Wall Unit, Model 42 Chair, and
Teak, Fabric, Upholstery
Sold
H 47.25 in W 17.72 in D 9.06 in
Rosewood console and mirror by Arch. Kai Kristiansen, Denmark 1950s, Rare
By Aksel Kjersgaard, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Forest, BE
Lounge Chair, and its modular system of shelves FM Reolsystem Wall Unit (1957) for Feldballe Møbelfabrik
Rosewood
Danish Modular Teak Wall Unit by Kai Kristiansen, 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Asaa, DK
Danish modular teak wall unit model FM Reol by Kai Kristiansen 1960s for Feldballe Møbelfabrik / FM
Teak
Mid-Century Bookends by Kai Kristiansen for FM 1960s, Set of 5
By Feldballes Møbelfabrik, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Asaa, DK
Møbelfabrik. Made as a supplement to FM Reolen wall unit system. Very beautiful and expressive Rosewood
Rosewood
Mid-Century Bookends by Kai Kristiansen for FM 1960s, Set of 6.
By Feldballes Møbelfabrik, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Asaa, DK
Møbelfabrik. Made as a supplement to FM Reolen wall unit system. Very beautiful and expressive Rosewood
Rosewood
Sold
H 29.73 in W 33.67 in D 15.75 in
Vintage Danish Teak Chest of Drawers by Kai Kristiansen for FM 1960s
By Feldballes Møbelfabrik, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Asaa, DK
from this system. These dressers were often used as a supplement to the FM Reolen wall units by Kai
Teak
Sold
H 4.93 in W 5.71 in D 3.75 in
Vintage Danish Teak Bookends by Kai Kristiansen for FM 1960s Set of 6
By Feldballes Møbelfabrik, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Asaa, DK
in any bookcase but were originally designed as a part of the FM Reolen wall unit by Danish architect
Metal
Sold
H 29.93 in W 33.67 in D 15.75 in
Vintage Danish Rosewood Cabinet with Tambour Doors by Kai Kristiansen, 1960s
By Feldballes Møbelfabrik, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Asaa, DK
the modules from this system. These cabinets were often used as a supplement to the FM Reolen wall
Rosewood
Sold
H 6.11 in W 17.72 in D 9.06 in
Pair of Rosewood Nightstands by Arch. Kai Kristiansen, Denmark 1950s, Rare
By Aksel Kjersgaard, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Forest, BE
, and its modular system of shelves FM Reolsystem Wall Unit (1957) for Feldballe Møbelfabrik met not
Rosewood
Sold
H 6.11 in W 35.04 in D 9.85 in
Unique Pair of Rosewood Consoles by Arch. Kai Kristiansen, Denmark 1950s, Rare
By Aksel Kjersgaard, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Forest, BE
, and its modular system of shelves FM Reolsystem Wall Unit (1957) for Feldballe Møbelfabrik met not
Fruitwood
Sold
H 31.89 in W 20.87 in D 21.66 in
Vintage Dining Chairs, Danish Midcentury Kai Kristiansen Carver Dining Chairs
By Kai Kristiansen, Korup Stolefabrik
Located in Highclere, Newbury
began to create a range of furniture including dining sets, desks, lounge chairs and the FM Reol Wall
Fabric, Wood
Sold
H 30 in W 34 in D 15.75 in
Danish MCM Tambour Roll Front Teak Credenza Cabinet Kai Kristiansen Feldballes
By Kai Kristiansen, Feldballes Møbelfabrik
Located in Portland, OR
shelves FM Reolsystem Wall Unit (1957) for Feldballe Møbelfabrik met not least with success, not only in
Teak
Sold
H 27.56 in W 64.97 in D 31.11 in
Danish Desk After Kai Kristiansen for Skovmand & Andersen Brazilian Hardword
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
equally in his chairs, desks, sideboards, and wall units. In 1956, he designed his most celebrated work
Hardwood
Vintage Danish Teak Wall Unit by Kai Kristiansen for FM 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen, FM Møbler
Located in Asaa, DK
Vintage Danish Teak Wall Unit by Kai Kristiansen for FM 1960s. Large shelving system designed by
Teak
Kai Kristiansen Wall Unit for FM Møbler Denmark, 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen, FM Møbler
Located in Berlin, DE
Wall unit by Kai Kristiansen for FM Møbler, Denmark. The cabinets have sliding doors which are made
Wood
Vintage Danish Wall Unit by Kai Kristiansen for FM, 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen, Feldballes Møbelfabrik
Located in Asaa, DK
Vintage Danish wall unit by Kai Kristiansen for FM, 1960s Large shelving system designed by Kai
Teak
Kai Kristiansen Teak Wall Unit for FM Møbler Denmark, 1960s
By FM Møbler, Kai Kristiansen
Located in The Hague, NL
Large teak wood wall unit by Kai Kristiansen for FM Møbler made in Denmark in the 1960s. The
Teak
With a passion for math and engineering, Kai Kristiansen has created high-quality wood furniture for decades. Beginning in the 1950s, his coffee tables, chairs, modular shelving and other furnishings were made in the style that would become internationally renowned as Danish modern and boasted clean lines, perfected functionality and exacting craftsmanship.
Born in Denmark, Kristiansen trained in cabinetmaking before studying with Kaare Klint, often cited as the “father of modern Danish design,” at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen. At just 26 years old, Kristiansen opened his own studio.
Kristiansen had his mid-century breakthrough in 1956 with the Chair #42, which he made with Schou Andersen. Unlike most other chairs at the time, Chair #42’s armrests, with their wealth of radical angles, were connected to the back rather than the front legs. This unconventional flourish makes the backrest appear as though it is floating in midair above the seat.
Kristiansen’s next innovation was a modular wall system in 1957 — three years ahead of Dieter Rams’s more famous 606 Universal Shelving System. Called the Reolsystem Wall Unit, produced by SB Feldballes Møbelfabrik, it’s also known as the FM Wall Unit as FM/Fornem Møbelkunst began producing it in the 1960s.
Kristiansen would go on to work with other leading Danish furniture manufacturers such as Magnus Olesen, Fritz Hansen and Vildbjerg Møbelfabrik, designing everything from chairs and desks to sideboards and cabinets, frequently in rosewood and teak. (The latter was a sought-after wood by Scandinavian modern designers.)
While many of Kristiansen’s timeless designs remain in production, such as his Paper Knife sofa, which was reintroduced by Miyazaki Chair Factory in 2008, and his 1950s Entré collection, which was relaunched with Great Dane Furniture in 2016, others are prized as vintage mid-century pieces.
Today, Kristiansen is still at work on new furniture with an expert eye to thoughtfully functional designs that are made to last.
Find a collection of vintage Kai Kristiansen furniture on 1stDibs.
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.