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Mid-Century Rosewood Executive Desk with Metal Details, Scandinavian Modern, 60s
Located in Göteborg, SE
Striking mid-century executive desk crafted in richly grained rosewood, dating to the 1960s. This
Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
$2,596
H 28.35 in W 51.19 in D 27.96 in
Vintage Swedish Mid-Century Modern Scandinavian Teak Wood Desk with Drawers
Located in Warszawa, Mazowieckie
refers to the projects of the Mid-Century Modern era.
This desk is in very good vintage condition. It
Category
Vintage 1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Teak
$1,647 Sale Price
20% Off
H 28.75 in W 40.95 in D 19.69 in
Mid-Century Modern Desk, Norway, 1960s, attributed to Torbjorn Afdal
By Torbjørn Afdal
Located in Wrocław, Poland
Discover the timeless elegance of this gorgeous Mid-Century desk, handcrafted in Norway during the
Category
Mid-20th Century Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
$3,682 Sale Price
20% Off
H 29.53 in W 61.03 in D 28.35 in
Midcentury Danish Modern Light Teak Desk 6 Drawers Top Lockable Drawers Key
By Børge Mogensen
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Great Medium sized mid century Danish modern light teak desk with 6 drawers with wooden pulls
Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Teak
$2,242 Sale Price
35% Off
H 29 in W 53 in D 23 in
Danish Mid-Century Modern Teak Desk by Valdemar Mortensen, 1960s.
By Vald Mortensen
Located in Asaa, DK
Danish Mid-Century Modern Teak desk by Valdemar Mortensen, 1960s.
High-end freestanding executive
Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Teak
$2,892
H 28.55 in W 58.27 in D 30.12 in
Danish Mid-Century Freestanding Rosewood Desk with Floating Top, 1960s.
Located in Asaa, DK
Danish Mid-Century Freestanding Rosewood Desk with Floating Top, 1960s.
Stunning Scandinavian Mid
Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Rosewood
$3,364
H 28.55 in W 58.67 in D 29.34 in
Desk in Solid Hardwood, by Sergio Rodrigues, Brazilian Mid-Century Modern
By Sergio Rodrigues
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
This side desk is a mid-20th century Brazilian furniture piece designed by Sergio Rodrigues, made
Category
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Hardwood
$9,900
H 31.11 in W 68.9 in D 18.12 in
Mid-Century Modern Desk by Bruksbo, Norway, 1960s, attributed to Torbjorn Afdal
By Bruksbo
Located in Wrocław, Poland
Discover the timeless elegance of this gorgeous Mid-Century desk, handcrafted in Norway during the
Category
Mid-20th Century Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
$5,311
H 29.53 in W 77.56 in D 38.19 in
Mid Century Modern Desk by Bruksbo in Torbjorn Afdal Style, Norway, 1960s
By Torbjørn Afdal, Bruksbo
Located in Wrocław, Poland
This gorgeous Mid Century Modern desk was made in Norway around 1960s. It was produced by Bruksbo
Category
Mid-20th Century Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
$4,485
H 29.53 in W 77.56 in D 38.19 in
Mid-Century Modern Rosewood Desk Magic Box Made in Brazil with Key
By Jean Gillon
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Stunning closable and lockable rosewood writing desk. The piece closes completely and can be key
Category
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Desks
Materials
Rosewood
$3,187 Sale Price
25% Off
H 36 in W 40 in D 17 in
Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk, Style of Gio Ponti, c 1950s, Refinished
By Gio Ponti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautifully refinished Mid-Century Modern desk produced in Italy circa 1950s. Featuring black steel
Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
$3,700 Sale Price
32% Off
H 30 in W 39.5 in D 28 in
Mid-Century Modern Made to Measure Desk by Cees Braakman for Pastoe, 1960s
By Cees Braakman, Pastoe
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Magnificent and rare Mid-Century Modern Made to Measure desk.Design by Cees Braakman for
Category
Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal, Chrome
$2,065
H 28.94 in W 48.43 in D 23.63 in
Professionally Restored Mid-Century Modern Boomerang Executive Walnut Desk
Located in Las Vegas, NV
This is a beautifully restored Mid-Century Modern walnut executive desk featuring a unique
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desks
Materials
Walnut
$3,950
H 28.5 in W 83 in D 36 in
Vintage mid century modern exquisite Danish teak wood desk
Located in Phoenix, AZ
1960s Danish teak wood desk. Excellent mid century modern floating style with sculptural legs and
Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks
Materials
Teak
Mid Century Portuguese Romantic Desk/Table
Located in Lisboa, Lisboa
Romantic desk/table with drawer. With two round handles and a central lock, it's a functional piece
Category
Early 20th Century Portuguese Late Victorian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Danish Mid-Century Rosewood Writing Desk
Located in VANCOUVER, CA
Rosewood Danish desk, circa 1960's. Unique 5 legged design with metal pulls and a bank of drawers
Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Rosewood
Restored Mid-Century Modern Writers Desk in Walnut with Leather Top, USA, 1960's
Located in Deland, FL
from Mid-Century Modern to Minimalism to Contemporary. With literally nothing else out there like it
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desks
Materials
Leather, Walnut
$16,250
H 29.25 in W 60.75 in D 30.75 in
Danish Mid-Century Freestanding Rosewood Desk by Clausen & Søn, 1960s.
By Clausen & Søn
Located in Asaa, DK
Danish Mid-Century Freestanding Rosewood Desk by Clausen & Søn, 1960s.
Stunning Scandinavian Mid
Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Rosewood
$2,892
H 29.14 in W 55.52 in D 27.96 in
Mid century Danish Modern Magic Box Desk in Teak Made in Denmark
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid century teak closable locking teak writing desk Similar to the Magic Box desk. The piece closes
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks
Materials
Wood, Teak
$1,875 Sale Price
25% Off
H 40 in W 40 in D 20 in
Mid century Danish Modern Magic Box Desk in Teak by Mummenthaler & Meier
By Mummenthaler and Meier
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid century teak closable locking teak writing desk called the "Magic Box", designed by Swiss
Category
Mid-20th Century Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Desks
Materials
Brass
$2,625 Sale Price
25% Off
H 45 in W 32 in D 22 in
Large Danish Modern L-shaped Rosewood and Steel Desk with Sideboard, 1970s.
Located in Asaa, DK
Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern executive desk in stunning rosewood/palisander veneer with stainless steel
Category
Vintage 1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Stainless Steel
$5,843
H 28.55 in W 75.6 in D 62.21 in
Danish Mid-Century Teak Boomerang Desk by Peter Lovig Nielsen
Located in VANCOUVER, CA
Teak Danish boomerang desk by Peter Lovig Nielsen, circa 1960's. Iconic, eye-catching asymmetrical
Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Teak
Mid-Century Danish Freestanding Teak Desk, 1960s
Located in GNIEZNO, 30
This desk was made in Denmark in the 1960s. It was made of teak wood with contoured handles. It
Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks
Materials
Teak
Mid-Century Danish Teak Executive Desk by Arne Vodder for H. P. Hansen
By Arne Vodder, H.P. Hansen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A rare and refined mid-century Danish executive desk designed by Arne Vodder for H. P. Hansen
Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Aluminum
$8,920 Sale Price
20% Off
H 28.5 in W 68.88 in D 37.25 in
Mid-Century Walnut and Rosewood Executive Desk by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Edward J. Wormely for Dunbar executive desk in walnut with deeply sculpted inset rosewood drawer
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
$4,800
H 29 in W 60 in D 32.35 in
Mid-Century Modern AT-305 Desk by Hans J. Wegner for Andreas Tuck, 1950s
By CFC Silkeborg, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Breda, Netherlands
Design desk
Beautiful Mid-Century Modern Danish vintage desk. A classic! This model AT-305 was
Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks
Materials
Oak, Teak
$9,759
H 28.35 in W 55.12 in D 29.93 in
Contemporary Modern Martin Brattrud Braemar Mid-Back Leather Office Desk Chair
By Martin Brattrud
Located in Secaucus, NJ
Brattrud.
A marriage of mid-century forms and traditional club chair design.
Beautifully shaped and
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Aluminum, Steel
$1,200
H 36 in W 24.25 in D 25 in
Mid Century Rosewood Desk Probber c 1950/60's
By Harvey Probber
Located in New York, NY
Chic, architectural design desk, designed by Harvey Probber, circa 1950/60's. The desk features a
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks
Materials
Rosewood
Arne Wahl Iversen Bureau Desk Danish Mid Century Teak 1960s MCM Scandinavian
By Arne Wahl Iversen
Located in London, GB
A gorgeous, rare and super-stylish Mid Century bureau secretaire desk by a top Danish designer in
Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Teak
$4,548
H 32.88 in W 37.41 in D 16.93 in
Hans Wegner for PJ Møbler Mid-Century Danish Solid Oak Desk with Pullout Drawers
By Hans J. Wegner, P.J. Møbler
Located in Queens, NY
Mid-Century Danish (1970s) rectangular oak table desk having 4 pullout drawers with sculpted round
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks
Materials
Brass
$18,000
H 28.5 in W 71 in D 30 in
Mid-Century Freestanding teak Desk by Valdemar Mortensen, 1960s
By Vald Mortensen
Located in GNIEZNO, 30
The desk designed by Valdemar Mortensen, produced in Denmark in the 1960s. The desk is made of teak
Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks
Materials
Rosewood, Teak
$3,494
H 28.75 in W 58.27 in D 29.53 in
1960s Danish Modern Rosewood Desk
By Arne Vodder
Located in Cedar Falls, IA
1960s Danish modern desk in rosewood.
Exceptional rosewood color and grain throughout.
Clean
Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks
Materials
Brass
Göran Strand for Lelångs Möbelfabrik, Model A10 Danish Modern Swedish Desk
By Göran Strand
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Göran Strand for Lelångs Möbelfabrik, Model A10 Mid-Century Modern Swedish Desk
A stunning example
Category
Vintage 1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Teak
$4,500
H 28.5 in W 53 in D 32 in
Teak Desk
Located in London, GB
pedestal—offering ample storage space. With a slim and functional, lockable drawer under the desk top. Each
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Teak
Italian Mid-Century Teakwood Executive Desk Table by Vittorio Dassi, 1950s
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Traversetolo, IT
This exquisite desk, so well designed by Vittorio Dassi in the 1950s, stands as a testament to the
Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks
Materials
Brass
$6,964
H 30.71 in W 67.33 in D 33.67 in
20th Century Big Desk in Wood with Cloth-Covered Top Attributed. Ico Parisi, 60s
By Ico Parisi
Located in Turin, Turin
," aimed at designing an entire community.
Here we have a big desk with wooden frame, brass details and
Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
$30,101
H 30.32 in W 82.68 in D 31.5 in
Vintage Classic Midcentury Danish Scandinavian Modern Teak Bilateral Desk
Located in Warszawa, Mazowieckie
influenced by the craftsmanship and clear aesthetics of Danish design from the Mid-Century Modern era.
The
Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Teak
$2,308 Sale Price
20% Off
H 29.14 in W 59.06 in D 29.93 in
Mid Century Boomerang Teak Desk by Peter Løvig Nielsen, Denmark, 1970s
By Niels Peter Nielsen, Lovig Dansk
Located in GNIEZNO, 30
a lockable bar at the front. High quality materials and joinery. The desk has been completely
Category
Vintage 1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks
Materials
Brass
$5,005
H 29.53 in W 59.45 in D 35.04 in
1960s Danish Modern Teak Executive Desk by Kai Kristiansen
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in North Hollywood, CA
✨ Mid-Century Danish Modern Teak Executive Desk by Kai Kristiansen ✨
This outstanding mid-century
Category
Vintage 1960s Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Teak
Danish Mid-Century Rosewood Writing Desk by Svend Aage Madsen for Sigurd Hansen
By Svend Åge Madsen
Located in Emeryville, CA
-century modern creations. Active primarily in the 1950s and 1960s, Madsen specialized in desks, chairs
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks
Materials
Rosewood
$4,800
H 29 in W 38.5 in D 27.75 in
Mid century Hans Wegner desk model 156 GETAMA Solid Oak
By GETAMA, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Brooklyn, NY
GETAMA Manufacturer. The Solid Oak desk with Brass key lock with key on (1) drawer. (2) lower drawers
Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks
Materials
Wood, Oak
Mid Century 1960s Scandi Roll Top Bureau / Desk in Teak by Egon Ostergaard
By Egon Ostergaard, SMF Svenska Möbelfabriken Bodafors
Located in Markington, GB
three drawers
Desk stands on modern cabriole beech legs, which has a simplistic design, it gently
Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Desks
Materials
Teak
$543 Sale Price
70% Off
H 38.59 in W 35.44 in D 19.3 in
Danish Modern Teak Desk By Domino Møbler
By Domino Møbler, Børge Mogensen
Located in Cedar Falls, IA
Danish modern teak writing desk by Domino Mobler, made in Denmark.
Very nice overall condition
Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks
Materials
Teak
Mid-Century Walnut Desk by Jens Risom for Jens Risom Design, 1960s
By Jens Risom
Located in GNIEZNO, 30
three drawers in the right module, locked with a key. The furniture has profiled handles. The desk has
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desks
Materials
Walnut
$5,666
H 28.35 in W 62.21 in D 33.86 in
Fratelli Reguitti Mid-Century Italian Adjustable Bed Tray
By Fratelli Reguitti
Located in Prato, Tuscany
the mid-20th century for its refined wooden accessories and innovative household objects. The company
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Formica, Beech
20th Century Italian Rosewood Writing Desk by Osvaldo Borsani & Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A dark-brown, vintage Mid-Century Modern Italian half-round writing desk with a clear glass top
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
$27,900
H 30.75 in W 71 in D 33 in
Exceptional and Rare George Nakashima Double Pedestal Desk with Live-Edge Top
By George Nakashima, George Nakashima Studio
Located in Waalwijk, NL
juxtaposed against the clean, modern lines of the desk's base.
This piece stands out for its highly
Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
$142,000
H 28.59 in W 67.13 in D 38.59 in
Magic Box Desk by Mummenthaler & Meier
By Mummenthaler and Meier
Located in Basildon, London
office space. Crafted with precision and attention to detail, this desk features a stylish mid century
Category
Mid-20th Century Swiss Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Cees Braakman Boomerang Desk with Triangle Legs for Pastoe, Dutch Design, 1950s
By Cees Braakman, Pastoe
Located in The Hague, NL
Mid-century desk by Cees Braakman for Pastoe with Fat Hairpin Legs, This Version has two cabinets
Category
Vintage 1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
$2,301
H 29.53 in W 75.99 in D 28.75 in
Italian Mid Century sculptural Desk Table designed by Vittorio Dassi in 1950s
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Traversetolo, IT
This elegant mid-century Italian design desk was designed by Vittorio Dassi in the 1950s. The piece
Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Modern Desks
Materials
Brass
$3,682 Sale Price
29% Off
H 30.32 in W 51.19 in D 29.53 in
Mid-Century Modern Mad Men Bureau Secretaire Cabinet by Beaver and Tapley
By Robert Heritage
Located in Leicester, GB
cabinet from the 1960s. Ideal as a compact desk or a workstation. The Mid-century modern cabinet was
Category
Vintage 1960s British Mid-Century Modern Desks
Materials
Teak
$950
H 39.97 in W 36.03 in D 11.03 in
Pierre Paulin Maple "Model 250" Executive Desk with Cabinets for Dassas, France
By Pierre Paulin
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Very rare "Model 250" executive desk with detached rolling filing cabinets designed by Pierre
Category
Vintage 1970s French Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel
$24,500
H 29.5 in W 79.5 in D 39.25 in
Rare 18th Century Georgian Period Mahogany Architect Desk
Located in Chicago, IL
marlborough legs, which were typical of mid-18th Century English furniture.
Overall, this piece is
Category
Antique 18th Century English Georgian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
$8,400 Sale Price
67% Off
H 34.5 in W 38.5 in D 25.5 in
Danish Modern Teak Executive Desk by Ib Kofod Larsen
By Ib Kofod-Larsen, Faarup Møbelfabrik
Located in North Hollywood, CA
lockable compartments at each end, giving you even more storage space. The features that this desk offers
Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks
Materials
Teak
Italian Mid-Century Dressing Table by Silvio Cavatorta, Italy, 1950s
By Silvio Cavatorta
Located in Argelato, BO
This desk, designed by the visionary Silvio Cavatorta—a master of postwar modernism, heir to a
Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
$11,214
H 26.78 in W 59.06 in D 17.72 in
1960's French Bureau/Secetaire Desk
Located in London, Lambeth
Excellent storage desk with 3 draws, glass top shelve and pull down table
surface. Lockable unit
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Satin
Midcentury Danish Modern Magic Box Desk in Teak by Mummenthaler & Meier
By Mummenthaler and Meier
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Midcentury teak closable locking teak writing desk called the "Magic Box", designed by Swiss
Category
Mid-20th Century Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Desks
Materials
Brass
$2,700 Sale Price
25% Off
H 45 in W 32 in D 21 in
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Mid Century Modern Desk With Lock For Sale on 1stDibs
Choose from an assortment of styles, material and more with respect to the mid century modern desk with lock you’re looking for at 1stDibs. A mid century modern desk with lock — often made from wood, hardwood and metal — can elevate any home. Find 326 options for an antique or vintage mid century modern desk with lock now, or shop our selection of 2 modern versions for a more contemporary example of this long-cherished piece. You’ve searched high and low for the perfect mid century modern desk with lock — we have versions that date back to the 18th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 21st Century are available. A mid century modern desk with lock, designed in the mid-century modern, Scandinavian Modern or modern style, is generally a popular piece of furniture. You’ll likely find more than one mid century modern desk with lock that is appealing in its simplicity, but Kai Kristiansen, Peter Løvig Nielsen and Arne Vodder produced versions that are worth a look.
How Much is a Mid Century Modern Desk With Lock?
Prices for a mid century modern desk with lock can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, they begin at $265 and can go as high as $58,019, while the average can fetch as much as $3,940.
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.
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