Memphis Dressing Table
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Vanities
Wood
1990s Italian Post-Modern Dining Room Chairs
Steel
1990s French Modern Club Chairs
Bronze
1990s Italian Post-Modern Dining Room Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1970s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Steel, Chrome
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21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Magazine Racks and Stands
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Art Deco Carts and Bar Carts
Marble
1990s Post-Modern Sectional Sofas
Fabric
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Glass
2010s Austrian Jugendstil Chandeliers and Pendants
Silk
Vintage 1970s European Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1930s Unknown Art Deco Vitrines
Glass, Mahogany
Vintage 1920s English Art Deco Bedroom Sets
Chrome
Late 20th Century Italian Post-Modern Table Lamps
20th Century Austrian Modern Armchairs
Leather, Beech
Vintage 1970s German Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas
Fabric, Foam
Vintage 1930s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Bentwood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Wood, Plastic
Vintage 1970s Italian Space Age Cupboards
Fiberglass
Vintage 1970s French Mid-Century Modern Living Room Sets
Stainless Steel
Vintage 1970s French Organic Modern Sofas
Leather, Upholstery
Finding the Right Seating for You
With entire areas of our homes reserved for “sitting rooms,” the value of quality antique and vintage seating cannot be overstated.
Fortunately, the design of side chairs, armchairs and other lounge furniture — since what were, quite literally, the early perches of our ancestors — has evolved considerably.
Among the earliest standard seating furniture were stools. Egyptian stools, for example, designed for one person with no seat back, were x-shaped and typically folded to be tucked away. These rudimentary chairs informed the design of Greek and Roman stools, all of which were a long way from Sori Yanagi's Butterfly stool or Alvar Aalto's Stool 60. In the 18th century and earlier, seats with backs and armrests were largely reserved for high nobility.
The seating of today is more inclusive but the style and placement of chairs can still make a statement. Antique desk chairs and armchairs designed in the style of Louis XV, which eventually included painted furniture and were often made of rare woods, feature prominently curved legs as well as Chinese themes and varied ornaments. Much like the thrones of fairy tales and the regency, elegant lounges crafted in the Louis XV style convey wealth and prestige. In the kitchen, the dining chair placed at the head of the table is typically reserved for the head of the household or a revered guest.
Of course, with luxurious vintage or antique furnishings, every chair can seem like the best seat in the house. Whether your preference is stretching out on a plush sofa, such as the Serpentine, designed by Vladimir Kagan, or cozying up in a vintage wingback chair, there is likely to be a comfy classic or contemporary gem for you on 1stDibs.
With respect to the latest obsessions in design, cane seating has been cropping up everywhere, from sleek armchairs to lounge chairs, while bouclé fabric, a staple of modern furniture design, can be seen in mid-century modern, Scandinavian modern and Hollywood Regency furniture styles.
Admirers of the sophisticated craftsmanship and dark woods frequently associated with mid-century modern seating can find timeless furnishings in our expansive collection of lounge chairs, dining chairs and other items — whether they’re vintage editions or alluring official reproductions of iconic designs from the likes of Hans Wegner or from Charles and Ray Eames. Shop our inventory of Egg chairs, designed in 1958 by Arne Jacobsen, the Florence Knoll lounge chair and more.
No matter your style, the collection of unique chairs, sofas and other seating on 1stDibs is surely worthy of a standing ovation.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A dressing table with a mirror is sometimes called a vanity table. You will also see the furniture simply called a dressing table or mirrored dressing table. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of dressing tables from some of the world’s top sellers.
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