$2,136
H 108.27 in W 30.71 in D 14.97 in
Italian Midcentury Modular freestanding Floor to Ceiling Book Case
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Vienna, AT
modular wall unit. It features two black lacquered metal posts with brass fittings, four shelves and one
Metal, Brass
$3,842Sale Price|20% Off
H 16.15 in W 110.24 in D 16.15 in
Exceptional Totally Free-Hanging XL modular Teak 1960 Retro Sideboard / Credenza
Located in Markington, GB
flexibility of mid-century modern design. This super minimalist wall-mounted system is designed for
Teak
$3,293Sale Price|20% Off
H 16.15 in W 99.22 in D 16.15 in
Exceptional Totally Free-Hanging XL Modular Teak 1960 Retro Sideboard / Credenza
Located in Markington, GB
flexibility of mid-century modern design. This super minimalist wall-mounted system is designed for
Teak
$49,468 / item
H 89.38 in W 94.49 in D 13.78 in
Franco Albini Modular Bookcase Infinito, American Walnut For Cassina
By Franco Albini
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
be used as a dividing wall; outwardly simple, it is extremely complex. The modular support structure
Wood
$16,382 / item
H 55.91 in W 46.07 in D 20.87 in
Charlotte Perriand Nuage Shelving Unit, Wood and Aluminium
By Cassina, Charlotte Perriand
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
shelving unit from 1940. Drawing on her experience of seeing cloud-like wall-hung modular shelves in Kyoto
Aluminum
$18,163 / item
H 89.38 in W 70.87 in D 13.78 in
Franco Albini Modular Bookcase "Infinito" for Cassina, Italy, new
By Franco Albini, Cassina
Located in Berlin, DE
Prices vary dependent on the color, size and material. Modular Bookcase designed by Franco Albini
Wood
$20,366 / item
H 89.38 in W 51.97 in D 13.78 in
Franco Albini Modular Bookcase Infinito, Black Stain Wood by Cassina
By Franco Albini
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
be used as a dividing wall; outwardly simple, it is extremely complex. The modular support structure
Wood
$1,800Sale Price|20% Off
H 61.03 in W 39.38 in D 15.75 in
1970s Swiss 5-Shelf Tubular Polished Chrome & Green Perspex Shelving Unit
By Usm Haller
Located in London, England
1970s five shelf polished tubular chrome and bright green perspex shelving unit. The unit is in
Metal, Chrome
Price Upon Request
H 76 in W 46.5 in D 10.75 in
Set of Rare Multi-Color Curved Shelving Units by Frederick Weinberg
By Frederic Weinberg
Located in Kensington, MD
used as a room divider or against a wall. Colored shelves make it playful. Curved and linear units in
Iron
$33,536 / item
H 71.66 in W 114.97 in D 18.9 in
Charlotte Perriand Nuage Shelving Unit, Wood and Aluminium by Cassina
By Cassina, Charlotte Perriand
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
shelving unit from 1940. Drawing on her experience of seeing cloud-like wall-hung modular shelves in Kyoto
Aluminum
$4,528
H 96.86 in W 65.36 in D 18.12 in
Midcentury George Nelson Omni Herman Miller Modular Shelving System Walnut 1950s
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Sherborne, Dorset
it to be used as a room divider without the need to be anchored to a wall. The two bay wall unit
Metal, Aluminum
$26,710 / item
H 71.66 in W 114.97 in D 18.9 in
Charlotte Perriand Nuage Unit in Wood and Aluminum for Cassina
By Cassina, Charlotte Perriand
Located in Berlin, DE
seeing cloud-like wall-hung modular shelves in Kyoto, she developed her own version: functional
Aluminum
$25,517 / item
H 69.69 in W 84.65 in D 13.78 in
Charlotte Perriand Nuage Shelving Unit, Wood and Aluminium by Cassina
By Cassina, Charlotte Perriand
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Nuage shelving unit from 1940. Drawing on her experience of seeing cloud-like wall-hung modular shelves
Aluminum
$44,517 / item
H 100.01 in W 114.97 in D 13.39 in
Charlotte Perriand Nuage Shelving Unit, Wood and Aluminium by Cassina
By Charlotte Perriand, Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Perriand’s Nuage shelving unit from 1940. Drawing on her experience of seeing cloud-like wall-hung modular
Aluminum
$44,517 / item
H 100.01 in W 114.97 in D 13.39 in
Charlotte Perriand Nuage Shelving Unit, Wood and Aluminium by Cassina
By Charlotte Perriand, Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
shelving unit from 1940. Drawing on her experience of seeing cloud-like wall-hung modular shelves in Kyoto
Aluminum
$22,644
H 58.47 in W 47.05 in D 16.93 in
Original Eames ESU-400 modular storage cabinet, coloured panels, pre-1952
By Herman Miller, Charles Eames
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
Charles Eames for Herman Miller ESU 400 Storage Unit, circa 1950 coloured panels Herman Miller
Steel
$16,382 / item
H 55.91 in W 46.07 in D 20.87 in
Charlotte Perriand Nuage Shelving Unit, Wood and Aluminium by Cassina
By Cassina, Charlotte Perriand
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
shelving unit from 1940. Drawing on her experience of seeing cloud-like wall-hung modular shelves in Kyoto
Aluminum
Set of Three Mid‑Century Teak Cabinets, Belgium, 1960s
Located in Meulebeke, BE
This set of three Mid‑Century teak cabinets from Belgium, dating to the 1960s, captures the clarity
Metal
$17,213 / item
H 48.43 in W 84.65 in D 13.39 in
Charlotte Perriand Nuage Shelving Unit, Wood and Aluminium by Cassina
By Charlotte Perriand, Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Nuage shelving unit from 1940. Drawing on her experience of seeing cloud-like wall-hung modular shelves
Aluminum
$33,529 / item
H 71.66 in W 114.97 in D 18.9 in
Charlotte Perriand Nuage Shelving Unit, Wood and Aluminium by Cassina
By Cassina, Charlotte Perriand
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
shelving unit from 1940. Drawing on her experience of seeing cloud-like wall-hung modular shelves in Kyoto
Aluminum
$33,536 / item
H 71.66 in W 114.97 in D 18.9 in
Charlotte Perriand Nuage Shelving Unit, Wood and Aluminium by Cassina
By Cassina, Charlotte Perriand
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
shelving unit from 1940. Drawing on her experience of seeing cloud-like wall-hung modular shelves in Kyoto
Aluminum
$20,371 / item
H 89.38 in W 51.97 in D 13.78 in
Franco Albini Modular Bookcase Infinito, Black Stain Wood by Cassina
By Franco Albini
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
be used as a dividing wall; outwardly simple, it is extremely complex. The modular support structure
Wood
$25,523 / item
H 69.69 in W 84.65 in D 13.78 in
Charlotte Perriand Nuage Shelving Unit, Wood and Aluminium by Cassina
By Cassina, Charlotte Perriand
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Perriand’s Nuage shelving unit from 1940. Drawing on her experience of seeing cloud-like wall-hung modular
Aluminum
$44,507 / item
H 100.01 in W 114.97 in D 13.39 in
Charlotte Perriand Nuage Shelving Unit, Wood and Aluminium by Cassina
By Cassina, Charlotte Perriand
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Perriand’s Nuage shelving unit from 1940. Drawing on her experience of seeing cloud-like wall-hung modular
Aluminum
$10,090 / item
H 300 in W 335 in D 30 in
Sculptural Italian Modular Bookcase in solid Teak and Formica, 1960s
By Ico Parisi
Located in Milano, IT
) Configuration: Modular wall-mounted system with adjustable shelves and cabinets Style: Mid-Century Modern
Aluminum, Brass
$14,218 / item
H 89.38 in W 31.5 in D 13.78 in
Franco Albini Modular Bookcase Infinito, Black Stain Wood by Cassina
By Franco Albini
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
be used as a dividing wall; outwardly simple, it is extremely complex. The modular support structure
Wood
$41,540 / item
H 89.38 in W 94.49 in D 13.78 in
Franco Albini Modular Bookcase Infinito, Black Stained Ask For Cassina
By Franco Albini
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
be used as a dividing wall; outwardly simple, it is extremely complex. The modular support structure
Wood
$33,529 / item
H 71.66 in W 114.97 in D 18.9 in
Charlotte Perriand Nuage Shelving Unit, Wood and Aluminium by Cassina
By Cassina, Charlotte Perriand
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
shelving unit from 1940. Drawing on her experience of seeing cloud-like wall-hung modular shelves in Kyoto
Aluminum
$44,517 / item
H 100.01 in W 114.97 in D 13.39 in
Charlotte Perriand Nuage Shelving Unit, Wood and Aluminium by Cassina
By Charlotte Perriand, Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
shelving unit from 1940. Drawing on her experience of seeing cloud-like wall-hung modular shelves in Kyoto
Aluminum
$44,517 / item
H 100.01 in W 114.97 in D 13.39 in
Charlotte Perriand Nuage Shelving Unit, Wood and Aluminum by Cassina
By Charlotte Perriand, Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Perriand’s Nuage shelving unit from 1940. Drawing on her experience of seeing cloud-like wall-hung modular
Aluminum
$17,209 / item
H 48.43 in W 84.65 in D 13.39 in
Charlotte Perriand Nuage Shelving Unit, Wood and Aluminium by Cassina
By Cassina, Charlotte Perriand
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Perriand’s Nuage shelving unit from 1940. Drawing on her experience of seeing cloud-like wall-hung modular
Aluminum
$17,213 / item
H 48.43 in W 84.65 in D 13.39 in
Charlotte Perriand Nuage Shelving Unit, Wood and Aluminium by Cassina
By Charlotte Perriand, Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
shelving unit from 1940. Drawing on her experience of seeing cloud-like wall-hung modular shelves in Kyoto
Aluminum
$44,507 / item
H 100.01 in W 114.97 in D 13.39 in
Charlotte Perriand Nuage Shelving Unit, Wood and Aluminium by Cassina
By Cassina, Charlotte Perriand
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Perriand’s Nuage shelving unit from 1940. Drawing on her experience of seeing cloud-like wall-hung modular
Aluminum
$17,209 / item
H 48.43 in W 84.65 in D 13.39 in
Charlotte Perriand Nuage Shelving Unit, Wood and Aluminium by Cassina
By Cassina, Charlotte Perriand
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Perriand’s Nuage shelving unit from 1940. Drawing on her experience of seeing cloud-like wall-hung modular
Aluminum
$17,209 / item
H 48.43 in W 84.65 in D 13.39 in
Charlotte Perriand Nuage Shelving Unit, Wood and Aluminium by Cassina
By Charlotte Perriand, Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
shelving unit from 1940. Drawing on her experience of seeing cloud-like wall-hung modular shelves in Kyoto
Aluminum
$17,213 / item
H 48.43 in W 84.65 in D 13.39 in
Charlotte Perriand Nuage Shelving Unit, Wood and Aluminium by Cassina
By Cassina, Charlotte Perriand
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
shelving unit from 1940. Drawing on her experience of seeing cloud-like wall-hung modular shelves in Kyoto
Aluminum
$17,213 / item
H 48.43 in W 84.65 in D 13.39 in
Charlotte Perriand Nuage Shelving Unit, Wood and Aluminium by Cassina
By Cassina, Charlotte Perriand
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
shelving unit from 1940. Drawing on her experience of seeing cloud-like wall-hung modular shelves in Kyoto
Aluminum
$33,529 / item
H 71.66 in W 114.97 in D 18.9 in
Charlotte Perriand Nuage Shelving Unit, Wood and Aluminium by Cassina
By Charlotte Perriand, Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
shelving unit from 1940. Drawing on her experience of seeing cloud-like wall-hung modular shelves in Kyoto
Aluminum
$219Sale Price|20% Off
H 17.33 in W 30.32 in D 8.27 in
Mid-Century Modern 1960 Retro Red Metal Tomado Shelving library system
By Tomado
Located in Markington, GB
. This impressive mid-century shelving unit is in super condition, with minimal age related markings to
Metal
$25,523 / item
H 69.69 in W 84.65 in D 13.78 in
Charlotte Perriand Nuage Shelving Unit, Wood and Aluminium by Cassina
By Cassina, Charlotte Perriand
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Perriand’s Nuage shelving unit from 1940. Drawing on her experience of seeing cloud-like wall-hung modular
Aluminum
$823Sale Price|20% Off
H 26.78 in W 80.71 in D 8.27 in
Mid-Century Modern 1960 Retro white multicoloured Tomado Shelving library system
By Tomado
Located in Markington, GB
impressive mid-century shelving unit is in super condition with only minimum age related marks on the
Metal
$433Sale Price|20% Off
H 27.17 in W 53.55 in D 8.27 in
Mid-Century Modern 1960 Retro multicoloured Metal Tomado Shelving library system
By Tomado
Located in Markington, GB
shelves. This impressive mid-century shelving unit is in super condition, with minimal markings to both
Metal
$823Sale Price|20% Off
H 26.78 in W 80.71 in D 8.27 in
Mid-Century Modern 1960 Retro white Metal Tomado Shelving library system
By Tomado
Located in Markington, GB
impressive mid-century shelving unit is in super condition with only minimum age related marks on the
Metal
$274Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 7.49 in W 23.63 in D 7.09 in
Mid-Century Modern 1960 Retro multicoloured Metal Tomado Shelving library system
By Tomado
Located in Markington, GB
1 Shelves. This impressive mid-century shelving unit is in super condition, with minimal age
Metal
$219Sale Price|20% Off
H 16.15 in W 25.99 in D 10.24 in
Mid-Century Modern 1960 Retro multicoloured Metal Tomado Shelving library system
By Tomado
Located in Markington, GB
shelves. This impressive mid-century shelving unit is in super condition, with minimal markings to both
Metal
$192Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 22.84 in W 18.9 in D 5.12 in
Mid-Century Modern 1960 Retro multicoloured Metal Tomado Shelving library system
By Tomado
Located in Markington, GB
shelves. This impressive mid-century shelving unit is in super condition, with minimal markings to both
Metal
$192Sale Price|20% Off
H 24.02 in W 19.3 in D 5.12 in
Mid-Century Modern 1960 Retro multicoloured Metal Tomado Shelving library system
By Tomado
Located in Markington, GB
shelves. This impressive mid-century shelving unit is in super condition, with minimal markings to both
Metal
$192Sale Price|20% Off
H 22.84 in W 17.33 in D 5.12 in
Mid-Century Modern 1960 Retro multicoloured Metal Tomado Shelving library system
By Tomado
Located in Markington, GB
shelves. This impressive mid-century shelving unit is in super condition, with minimal markings to both
Metal
$164Sale Price|20% Off
H 23.63 in W 19.3 in D 7.09 in
Mid-Century Modern 1960 Retro multicoloured Metal Tomado Shelving library system
By Tomado
Located in Markington, GB
shelves. This impressive mid-century shelving unit is in super condition, with minimal markings to both
Metal
$433Sale Price|20% Off
H 27.17 in W 43.31 in D 8.27 in
Mid-Century Modern 1960 Retro multicoloured Metal Tomado Shelving library system
By Tomado
Located in Markington, GB
shelves. This impressive mid-century shelving unit is in super condition, with minimal markings to both
Metal
$433Sale Price|20% Off
H 27.17 in W 53.55 in D 8.27 in
Mid-Century Modern 1960 Retro multicoloured Metal Tomado Shelving library system
By Tomado
Located in Markington, GB
shelves. This impressive mid-century shelving unit is in super condition, with minimal markings to both
Metal
$17,209 / item
H 48.43 in W 84.65 in D 13.39 in
Charlotte Perriand Nuage Shelving Unit, Wood and Green, Yellow Aluminium
By Cassina, Charlotte Perriand
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Perriand’s Nuage shelving unit from 1940. Drawing on her experience of seeing cloud-like wall-hung modular
Aluminum
$17,213 / item
H 48.43 in W 84.65 in D 13.39 in
Charlotte Perriand Nuage Shelving Unit, Wood and Aluminium by Cassina
By Cassina, Charlotte Perriand
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Perriand’s Nuage shelving unit from 1940. Drawing on her experience of seeing cloud-like wall-hung modular
Aluminum
$44,517 / item
H 100.01 in W 114.97 in D 13.39 in
Charlotte Perriand Nuage Shelving Unit, Wood and Aluminium by Cassina
By Charlotte Perriand, Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Perriand’s Nuage shelving unit from 1940. Drawing on her experience of seeing cloud-like wall-hung modular
Aluminum
$44,517 / item
H 100.01 in W 114.97 in D 13.39 in
Charlotte Perriand Nuage Shelving Unit, Wood and Aluminium by Cassina
By Charlotte Perriand, Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Perriand’s Nuage shelving unit from 1940. Drawing on her experience of seeing cloud-like wall-hung modular
Aluminum
$17,209 / item
H 48.43 in W 84.65 in D 13.39 in
Charlotte Perriand Nuage Shelving Unit, Wood and Aluminium by Cassina
By Charlotte Perriand, Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Perriand’s Nuage shelving unit from 1940. Drawing on her experience of seeing cloud-like wall-hung modular
Aluminum
$25,517 / item
H 69.69 in W 84.65 in D 13.78 in
Charlotte Perriand Nuage Shelving Unit, Wood and Aluminium by Cassina
By Cassina, Charlotte Perriand
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Perriand’s Nuage shelving unit from 1940. Drawing on her experience of seeing cloud-like wall-hung modular
Aluminum
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
CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW
ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS
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.
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.