Mid Century 80s
Vintage 1980s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables
Crystal, Travertine, Marble
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Steel
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Steel
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Benches
Chrome
Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Chaise Longues
Upholstery
Vintage 1980s Italian Industrial Chandeliers and Pendants
Aluminum
Vintage 1980s Mid-Century Modern More Carpets
Fabric
Vintage 1980s French Mid-Century Modern Bookcases
Pine
Vintage 1980s French Mid-Century Modern Shelves
Elm
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases
Ceramic
Vintage 1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures
Ceramic
Vintage 1970s Unknown Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables
Travertine
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases
Glass
Vintage 1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Metal
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures
Marble, Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Glass
Murano Glass
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
Brass, Enamel, Iron
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern End Tables
Glass, Oak
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Dishes and Vide-P...
Murano Glass
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Metal
Vintage 1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Plastic
Mid-19th Century Abstract Expressionist Abstract Paintings
Canvas, Oil
Vintage 1980s Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Leather, Teak
Vintage 1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Metal
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Crystal, Aluminum, Brass
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Pedestals
Wood, Formica
Vintage 1980s Italian Art Nouveau Dining Room Chairs
Cane, Bentwood
Vintage 1980s European Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Chrome
Vintage 1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Stools
Cane, Bentwood
Vintage 1920s Italian Bauhaus Dining Room Chairs
Steel, Chrome
Vintage 1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Velvet, Hardwood, Bentwood
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Metal
Mid-20th Century Post-Modern Dining Room Chairs
Wood
Vintage 1980s Mid-Century Modern Console Tables
Marble, Brass
Vintage 1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sideboards
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan, Wood
Vintage 1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Ceramic
Vintage 1980s German Mid-Century Modern Sideboards
Formica, Oak
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather, Wood
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dry Bars
Metal
Vintage 1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Metal
Mid-20th Century Italian Post-Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric
Vintage 1980s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Crystal, Travertine, Marble
Vintage 1920s Italian Bauhaus Dining Room Chairs
Steel
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Crystal, Aluminum, Brass
Vintage 1980s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Crystal, Travertine, Marble
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Marble, Metal
Vintage 1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wood
Vintage 1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls
Plexiglass
Vintage 1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chaise Longues
Plywood
Vintage 1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Fountains
Carrara Marble
Vintage 1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
Metal
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Upholstery, Bamboo, Wicker
Vintage 1980s German Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables
Formica, Beech
Vintage 1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sculptures and Carvings
Plaster
Vintage 1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sculptures and Carvings
Plaster
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Mid Century 80s For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are Mid Century 80s?
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
- Emerged during the mid-20th century
- Informed by European modernism, Bauhaus, International style, Scandinavian modernism and Frank Lloyd Wright’s architecture
- A heyday of innovation in postwar America
- Experimentation with new ideas, new materials and new forms flourished in Scandinavia, Italy, the former Czechoslovakia and elsewhere in Europe
CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
- Simplicity, organic forms, clean lines
- A blend of neutral and bold Pop art colors
- Use of natural and man-made materials — alluring woods such as teak, rosewood and oak; steel, fiberglass and molded plywood
- Light-filled spaces with colorful upholstery
- Glass walls and an emphasis on the outdoors
- Promotion of functionality
MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW
- Charles and Ray Eames
- Eero Saarinen
- Milo Baughman
- Florence Knoll
- Harry Bertoia
- Isamu Noguchi
- George Nelson
- Danish modernists Hans Wegner and Arne Jacobsen, whose emphasis on natural materials and craftsmanship influenced American designers and vice versa
ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS
- Eames lounge chair
- Nelson daybed
- Florence Knoll sofa
- Egg chair
- Womb chair
- Noguchi coffee table
- Barcelona chair
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.
- Are the 1970s mid-century?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 17, 2023No, the 1970s are generally not considered to fall within the era identified as mid-century. With respect to mid-century modern design, while there is some debate between collectors and design experts about the specific time period that saw the emergence of the style, most furniture enthusiasts agree that by the late 1960s, interest in MCM had largely declined. Writer Cara Greenberg, who coined the term “mid-century modernism,” suggests that “the period from the end of World War II to 1960 – from V-J Day to JFK – was the heyday of innovative furniture design in America.” Mid-century modern furniture is characterized by clean lines and inviting, organic shapes. Furniture makers of the era believed that good design was an essential part of good living. Find a variety of vintage mid-century modern furniture and decorative objects on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021Fashion accessories were very popular in the '80s and some of the trendier ones included leg warmers, scrunchies, large neon earrings, plastic bangles and neon fingerless gloves.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A number of bags were popular in the 1980s, including belt bags made of a variety of materials. Some designer handbags carried by celebrities of the era include the Hermès Birkin, Louis Vuitton Bucket Bag, the Chanel Gold Chain Classic Flap and various Prada nylon bags. On 1stDibs, find a variety of vintage handbags.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2024Yes, tracksuits were popular in the 1980s. During the decade, the world of fitness heavily influenced fashion, with everything from leg warmers and tracksuits transitioning from the gym to the runways and the street. Velour tracksuits were especially popular looks of the day. Explore a collection of 1980s apparel on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 13, 2024What the ’80s design style is called varies, as multiple styles are associated with the decade. Some people refer to the designs of the period using the generic term postmodern. Pieces featuring bright colors, geometric shapes, strong patterns and abstract designs may be classified as Memphis style. Synthwave style drew inspiration from the new wave and punk music scenes, including technology-inspired motifs, such as grid lines and vibrant neon colors. Another 1980s design style is commonly referred to as ’80s Cute. Pioneered by designer Lisa Frank, it typically features whimsical imagery, such as rainbows, hearts and fast food. Find a large collection of 1980s furniture and decorative objects on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 27, 2024The difference between mid-century and mid-century modern comes down to specificity. When it comes to furniture and architecture, for example, mid-century refers to works that emerged during the middle of the 20th century, usually between 1950 and 1970. The more specific descriptor, mid-century modern, is used to refer to a particular style of design that emphasizes simplicity, organic forms and clean lines. Mid-century modern furniture designers generally drew on the architectural work of Frank Lloyd Wright, Bauhaus design, Scandinavian modernism and more. Any piece of furniture produced during the 1950s and ’60s can be referred to as mid-century, but only those with specific characteristics are mid-century modern. That said, when enthusiasts of furniture and architecture use the shorter of the two phrases, they may indeed be referring to modernist works created during that period in history. On 1stDibs, find a wide variety of mid-century modern furniture.
- What is a mid-century chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertOctober 19, 2021A mid-century chair is a piece of seating furniture that was designed at any point during the middle of the 20th century. Mid-century modern furniture 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. The mid-century period provided an excellent opportunity to experiment with both functional and decorative forms. Mid-century modern chairs were made with a variety of natural and synthetic materials, combining leather, wood, and cane with chrome, steel, and plastic. Shop a range of vintage mid-century chairs on 1stDibs today.
- What is mid century furniture?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021Mid-century furniture is furniture created within the period of 1933 to 1965 but most would argue that the style began to emerge in the postwar years. This style of furniture is known for its sleek lines and organic shapes. The creators most frequently associated with mid-century modern furniture believed that good design meant good living. Mid-century modern is today by far the largest category of furnishings on 1stDibs.
- What is mid-century jewelry?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Mid-century jewelry is a style of jewelry that rose in popularity along with the mid-century modern design movement. Pieces from this era typically feature bold, geometric designs. Shop a variety of mid-century jewelry and accessories from some of the world’s top dealers on 1stDibs.
- What does mid century mean?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021The mid-century modern style emerged primarily in the years following World War II. This style of decor is characterized by sleek lines, organic forms, minimal ornamentation and high functionality. Creators of mid-century modern furniture believed that good design meant good living, and mid-century modern is today by far the largest category of furnishings on 1stDibs.
- What is a mid-century sofa?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertOctober 26, 2021A mid-century sofa is any sofa created during the mid-20th century. Mid-century modern sofas are pieces of seating furniture that embody the venturesome attributes that we associate with mid-century modern furniture — while not all sofas designed in the mid-century modern style are the same, they frequently have a low profile and are characterized by gentle curves, clean lines and an organic shape. Mid-century furniture is a timeless classic due to its elegant simplicity. Shop a collection of antique, vintage, and contemporary mid-century sofas from some of the world’s top dealers on 1stDibs.
- What is mid-century artwork?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Mid-century artwork is any piece of art produced during the middle of the 20th century. It includes paintings, drawings, prints, sculptures, collages, pottery and other media. You'll find a large selection of mid-century artwork from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- What is mid century decor?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021Mid-century modern decor was popularized during the period of 1933 to 1965 but most would suggest that the style emerged during the years that followed World War II. This style of decor is typically characterized by sleek lines, organic forms, minimal ornamentation and high functionality. Find the finest mid-century modern furnishings and more on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023To tell if furniture is mid-century modern, examine the piece, looking for labels and markings that indicate who produced it. Then, consult trusted online resources to determine when the maker was active and what styles of furniture they made. Iconic mid-century modern furniture designers include Charles and Ray Eames, Eero Saarinen, Milo Baughman, Florence Knoll, Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi. A knowledgeable dealer or certified appraiser can help you determine if a particular piece is genuine mid-century modern or a reproduction. Shop a range of mid-century modern furniture on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023To tell if a chair is mid-century, look for labels and markings that indicate its maker. Then, use trusted online resources to determine when the company was active. A certified appraiser or experienced antiques dealer can be of assistance when dating chairs. Iconic mid-century modern furniture designers include Charles and Ray Eames, Eero Saarinen, Milo Baughman, Florence Knoll, Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi. Find a variety of mid-century modern chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023To identify mid-century lamps, look for a manufacturer's label or stamp on the base or the shade. You can use trusted online resources to determine when the company or artisan was active. Some lamps may also have a date stamp that you can use for identification purposes. Pieces dating from the late 1950s through the early 1970s are mid-century in terms of their age. A mid-century modern lamp will show off hallmarks of the design style, such as curvy hourglass or globe forms. A certified appraiser or experienced antiques dealer may also be able to help with the identification. Find a range of mid-century lamps on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021Most experts agree that mid-century modern correlates specifically to the years following World War II. It has grown in popularity in the decades since, particularly due to the media and cultural institutions that have promoted the truly innovative era of design. Not only did the MoMA promote modern furniture, but pieces are prominently visible on the set of very popular television shows such as Mad Men. Shop a wide and beautiful range of mid-century modern furniture on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertJune 15, 2023A dresser is a mid-century dresser if it was made during the middle of the 20th century. The years that encompass the mid-century modern period are roughly 1933 until 1965, but most experts argue, however, that the mid-century modern period correlates specifically to the years following World War II. Mid-century modern dressers will likely have specific characteristics. There was a use of natural and man-made materials that included alluring woods such as teak, rosewood and oak as well as steel, fiberglass and molded plywood. An authentic mid-century modern dresser will also be characterized by simplicity, organic forms and clean lines. Shop an assortment of vintage mid-century dressers on 1stDibs.
- Is rattan mid-century modern?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 13, 2024Yes, some rattan is mid-century modern. Designers of the mid-century modern movement often preferred to use natural materials, including rattan, in their designs. However, not all rattan furniture was made during this period. Rattan was also a popular material for furniture produced during the Victorian era and continues to be used to produce furniture today. Shop a wide range of rattan furniture on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Mid-century is considered the middle of the century, however as it pertains to furniture and design, mid-century is an American design movement known for its modern style, construction and the Modernist movement. It is typically simple and clean lines without embellishments. Shop a range of mid-century modern designs on 1stDIbs.
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