Mid Century Modern Used
20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Mid Century Modern Used
Brass
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Mid Century Modern Used
Burl
Mid-20th Century American Modern Mid Century Modern Used
Lithograph
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Mid Century Modern Used
Walnut, Wood
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Mid Century Modern Used
Steel
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Mid Century Modern Used
Glass, Wood
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Mid Century Modern Used
Walnut, Upholstery
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Mid Century Modern Used
Wood
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Mid Century Modern Used
Metal
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Mid Century Modern Used
Teak
1960s Unknown Modern Mid Century Modern Used
Lucite
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Mid Century Modern Used
Alabaster
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Mid Century Modern Used
Opaline Glass
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Mid Century Modern Used
Metal
20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Mid Century Modern Used
Mahogany
1950s Mid-Century Modern Mid Century Modern Used
Marble
1950s Slovak Mid-Century Modern Mid Century Modern Used
Steel
1950s Slovak Mid-Century Modern Mid Century Modern Used
Glass, Bakelite
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Mid Century Modern Used
Wood
1960s English Mid-Century Modern Mid Century Modern Used
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Mid Century Modern Used
Brass
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Mid Century Modern Used
Beech, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Mid Century Modern Used
Brass
Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Mid Century Modern Used
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Mid Century Modern Used
Walnut, Textile
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Mid Century Modern Used
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Mid Century Modern Used
Metal
1960s Mid Century Modern Used
Glass
Mid-20th Century French Mid Century Modern Used
Glass
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Mid Century Modern Used
Metal
1970s Mid-Century Modern Mid Century Modern Used
Glass, Wood
1970s Mid-Century Modern Mid Century Modern Used
Wood
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Mid Century Modern Used
Stainless Steel
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Mid Century Modern Used
Metal
1970s Mid-Century Modern Mid Century Modern Used
Wood
1970s Mid-Century Modern Mid Century Modern Used
Fabric, Wood
1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Mid Century Modern Used
Beech
1970s Mid-Century Modern Mid Century Modern Used
Glass, Wood
1970s Mid-Century Modern Mid Century Modern Used
Glass, Wood
1970s Mid-Century Modern Mid Century Modern Used
Wood
1970s Mid-Century Modern Mid Century Modern Used
Wood
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Mid Century Modern Used
Wood
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Mid Century Modern Used
Wood
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Mid Century Modern Used
Ceramic
1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Mid Century Modern Used
Brass
1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Mid Century Modern Used
Brass
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Mid Century Modern Used
Ceramic, Mahogany
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Mid Century Modern Used
Fabric, Plastic
1970s Mid-Century Modern Mid Century Modern Used
Wood
1970s European Mid-Century Modern Mid Century Modern Used
Chrome, Iron
1950s American Scandinavian Modern Mid Century Modern Used
Chrome
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Mid Century Modern Used
Fabric, Maple
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Mid Century Modern Used
Upholstery, Wood
1960s Mid-Century Modern Mid Century Modern Used
Wood
1970s Mid Century Modern Used
Chrome
Mid-20th Century Belgian Mid-Century Modern Mid Century Modern Used
Aluminum
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Mid Century Modern Used
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Italian Modernist Mid Century Modern Used
Sterling Silver, Enamel, Silver
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Mid Century Modern Used
Upholstery, Wood
Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Mid Century Modern Used
Pottery
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Mid Century Modern Used For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Mid Century Modern Used?
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 legendary 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.
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.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021Mid century modern refers to the middle of the 20th century — specifically 1930s through the mid-1960s. This period represents a design and architecture movement characterized by simple shapes, clean lines, and organic materials. Some of the most famous mid century modern designers include Ray Eames, Charlotte Perriand, Isamu Noguchi and Eero Saarinen.
- 1stDibs ExpertMay 22, 2019
Mid-century modernism first appeared in 1945 and merged a minimalist aesthetic with practicality. Mid-century modern furniture is distinguishable by its lack of decoration or extravagance and its use of clean lines, organic curves and variety of natural materials.
1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021Mid century modern furniture refers to pieces designed during the middle of the 20th century — specifically 1930s through the mid-1960s. This period represents a design and architecture movement characterized by simple shapes, clean lines, and organic materials. Some of the most famous mid century modern designers include Ray Eames, Charlotte Perriand, Isamu Noguchi and Eero Saarinen. - 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021The 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. The mid-century modern period in America saw one of the most delightful and dramatic flowerings of creativity in design history. Shop a wide and beautiful range of mid-century modern furniture on 1stDibs now.
- 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.
- Is Mondrian mid century modern?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Yes, Mondrian’s art is believed to be one of the great inspirations for the mid-century modern approach to minimalism. His artworks were not just a departure from figurative works, but a new look at abstract art as well. On 1stDibs, find a variety of original artwork from top artists.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Yes, Wassily chairs are indeed considered mid-century modern. Although the chair was initially designed by Marcel Breuer in 1925, it was re-released in the 1960s. Shop a collection of mid-century modern goods from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Yes, the tulip table is considered a mid-century modern design. This table shape has become an iconic statement of the era with a simple sculptural attitude and a practical nature. The first tulip table was created by Eero Saarinen, a noted Finnish designer who was a leader in mid-century modern home decor. Shop a collection of Saarinen furniture from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- Is Art Deco mid-century modern?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertAugust 15, 2019
Art Deco is not mid-century modern. Art Deco began just before World War I and was inspired by cubism. Mid-century modernism first appeared in 1945 and merged a minimalist aesthetic with practicality.
- 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 25, 2019
Mid-century modern furniture combines sleek lines with organic shapes.
- 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 25, 2019
Mid-century home decor is characterized by clean lines, geometric shapes and materials like wood and tweed.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 3, 2023Some iconic chairs from the mid-century modern era include the Egg chair by Arne Jacobson, the La Chaise by Charles and Ray Eames and the Womb chair by Eero Saarinen. With their clean lines, organic shapes and simple details, these chairs reflect some of the key features of the style. Shop a variety of mid-century modern chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 25, 2019
Some of the most famous mid-century modern furniture designers were Alvar Aalto, Charles and Ray Eames, Paul Evans, Poul Kjærholm, Florence Knoll, George Nakashima, Giò Ponti, Hans Wegner, Charlotte Perriand, Sergio Rodrigues and Eero Saarinen.
- 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 25, 2019The defining characteristics of mid-century modern furniture design include simplicity, an emphasis on organic forms, clean lines and a mix of both natural and man-made materials. The mid-century modern style, which emerged primarily in the years following World War II, is used to describe the work of furniture designers who believed that good design was an essential part of good living. Both neutral tones and bold Pop art colors can typically be found in mid-century modern interiors, which usually include light-filled spaces. An integration of floor-to-ceiling windows and abundant access to the outdoors renders prominent a connection with nature, which owes in part to the ideas of celebrated architect Frank Lloyd Wright, an inspiration for mid-century furniture designers. Popular mid-century modern designers include Ray and Charles Eames, Florence Knoll, Harry Bertoia and others. Find vintage mid-century modern furniture on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021There are many colors available for painting a mid-century modern home and it is a matter of preference. You can choose from a range of colors that are closely associated with mid-century modernism — popular pairings include orange and brown or chartreuse and gray, for example. Find a wide variety of mid-century modern furniture, decorative pieces, serveware and lighting on 1stDibs today.
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