Mesa Sleeper Sofa by Lawson-Fenning
By Lawson-Fenning
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Mesa Sleeper Sofa is our first convertible sofa. Fully upholstered with a walnut or oak plinth
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Walnut, Upholstery
Mesa Sleeper Sofa by Lawson-Fenning
By Lawson-Fenning
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Mesa Sleeper Sofa is our first convertible sofa. Fully upholstered with a walnut or oak plinth
Walnut, Upholstery
1980s French Modular Sleeper Sofa by Roche Bobois
By Roche Bobois
Located in Victoria, BC
A bold 1980s modular sleeper sofa by Roche Bobois that’s all about laid-back comfort and clever
Wood
Mid Century Scandinavian Red Sleeper Sectional
Located in Tulsa, OK
Mid Century Scandinavian Red Sleeper Sectional Above average vintage condition and structurally
Upholstery, Teak
$3,508
H 28.35 in W 75.6 in D 29.93 in
Martin Visser Sofa or Sleeper Sofa for 't Spectrum, Netherlands
By 't Spectrum Bergeijk, Martin Visser
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Nice sofa designed by Martin Visser for 't Spectrum. Freshly re-upholstered with new fabric and
Metal
$5,895
H 31 in W 84.5 in D 31 in
Restored Swedish Modern "Gondola" Parallel Sleeper Sofa by Bröderna Andersson
Located in Atlanta, GA
A spectacular example of Mid-Century Swedish Modern design, this "Gondola" sleeper sofa has been
Fabric, Hardwood, Teak
$3,787Sale Price / item|40% Off
H 30 in W 80 in D 34 in
Modernist 3-Strand 3/4 Pretzel "Kauai" 3 Seat Rattan Sofa Sleeper Bed
Located in Van Nuys, CA
New old stock three-strand 3/4, three-seat rattan "Kauai" sofa sleeper bed featuring 3/4 pretzel
Rattan
$9,500
H 31 in W 64 in D 30 in
Peter Hvidt Danish Wooden Frame Caned Gold Patterned Upholstered Sleeper Settee
By Peter Hvidt
Located in Queens, NY
Danish Mid-Century expandable sleeper Settee with a teak wood frame with caned sides, a solid seat
Wood, Fabric, Upholstery, Teak
Sofa Daybed in Green Upholstery, Seng Company, Germany, 1930s
By Seng
Located in Antwerp, BE
Sofa; Settee; Couch; Daybed; Green Upholstery; Fabric; Seng Company; Germany; German Design; Mid
Metal
Mid-Century Modern Convertible Sleeper Sofa
Located in Houston, TX
Very unique sleeper sofa with roll out bed.
Unavailable
H 27.56 in W 74.81 in D 31.89 in
Martin Visser Streamline Sleeper Sofa / Daybed by Spectrum, the Netherlands 1960
By 't Spectrum, Martin Visser
Located in Woudrichem, NL
Martin Visser streamline sleeper sofa / daybed by Spectrum, The Netherlands 1960. Beautiful
Metal
Unavailable
H 27.56 in W 75.6 in D 32.29 in
BR 02.7 Sleeper Sofa with Arm Rests by Martin Visser for 't Spectrum, Dutch
By 't Spectrum Bergeijk, Martin Visser
Located in Lijnden, Noord-Holland
designers of the Mid-Century. The daybed comes with a pair of upholstered armrests. The item is in
Metal
Unavailable
H 31.5 in W 19.69 in D 16.93 in
26x' Vintage Metal Stacking Chairs, Attrb. Gijs Van Der Sluis, 1960s
By Gijs Van Der Sluis
Located in Amsterdam, NL
of the most famous Dutch midcentury design items. His sleeper sofa model 540 was a huge success and
Metal
Mid-century Sleeper Sofa
Located in Stratford, CT
The upholstered base of this sofa lifts up slightly and then out to provide a twin-size sleep space
Walnut, Rattan, Upholstery
Robert Parry Midcentury Sleeper Sofa
By Robert Parry, Gelderland
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stylish sofa with square tubular metal frame and upholstered arms with teak arm rest. The sofa seat
Metal
Robert Parry 'Attributed' Mid-Century Sleeper Sofa
By Robert Parry, Gelderland
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stylish sofa with square tubular metal frame and teak arms. The sofa seat slides out to a flat
Metal
Robert Parry Attributed Mid-Century Sleeper Sofa
By Robert Parry, Gelderland
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stylish sofa with square tubular metal frame and teak arms. The sofa seat slides out to a flat bed
Metal
Midcentury Pine Sleeper Sofa with Upholstered Cushions
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful lightly refinished pine three-seat midcentury sleeper sofa with new natural canvas
Upholstery, Pine
Gijs Van Der Sluis Streamline Sleeper Sofa Daybed
By Gijs Van Der Sluis
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful Gijs Van Der Sluis designed, mid-century sleeper sofa with enameled black metal frame
Steel
Mid-Century Modern Daybed Sleeper Sofa
Located in Freehold, NJ
This Mid-Century Modern convertible sofa features hardwood construction, original upholstery which
Upholstery, Walnut
Mid-Century Modern White Tuxedo Style Sleeper Sofa
Located in Topeka, KS
Great Mid-Century Modern sleeper sofa or hide-a-bed in neutral white nubby fabric and tuxedo
Dux Style Mid Century Teak and Teal Sleeper Sofa
By Dux of Sweden
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Dux style Mid Century teak and teal sleeper sofa Sofa measures: 87 wide x 32 deep x 31.5 high, with
Upholstery, Teak
Sold
H 27.5 in W 76.5 in D 27 in
Mid-Century Martin Visser Streamline Sleeper Sofa with Blue Upholstery
By Martin Visser
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-Century Martin Visser sleeper sofa with pull out bench that levels to daybed size. This sofa
Metal
Mid Century 4 Strand Round Pretzel Sleeper Sofa w/ Pullout Bed
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Vintage circa 1960 rattan 4 Strand round pretzel arm 3 seat sleeper sofa with pullout bed in the
Rattan
Martin Visser Style Sleeper Sofa
By Martin Visser
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Newly upholstered in light rust colored fabric with original grey steel tubular framed sleeper sofa
Martin Visser Streamline Sleeper Sofa
By 't Spectrum Bergeijk, Martin Visser
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful Martin Visser sleeper sofa with pull out bench that levels to day bed size. Newer indigo
Metal
1960's Mad-Men Style Sleeper Sofa
By Karl-Erik Ekselius
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-Century, stylishly boxy, 3 seater sleeper sofa with tapered teak legs and newly upholstered
Upholstery, Teak
Dirk Van Sliedregt Sleeper Sofa for Pastoe
By Dirk Van Sliedregt, Pastoe
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning original sit and sleep model MB09 couch with hidden blanket storage. Birchwood with the
Fabric, Birch
Midcentury Martin Visser Sleeper Sofa for 't Spectrum
By 't Spectrum Bergeijk, Martin Visser
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Midcentury Martin Visser sleeper sofa with charcoal grey upholstery and black enameled metal frame
Metal
Bone White Upholstered Martin Visser Streamline Sleeper Sofa
By 't Spectrum Bergeijk, Martin Visser
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Bone white upholstered Martin Visser sleeper sofa with pull out bench that levels to a single bed
Metal
De Sede DS-76 Modular Sleeper Sofa, 1970's
By De Sede
Located in Los Angeles, CA
sleeper sofa. This is in original worn condition. Small Tear in one back pillow that has been repaired
Leather
Streamline Sleeper Sofa in the style of Martin Visser
By Martin Visser
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Original steel tubular framed sleeper sofa newly upholstered in orange. The seat pulls forward to
Metal
Milo Baughman Sleeper-Sofa Loveseat with Chrome Base 1970s
By Milo Baughman
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Sleeper-sofa loveseat with pull out bed and mattress with chrome base by Milo Baughman, American
Metal
Vintage Italian Sleeper Sofa by Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti
By Saporiti
Located in Chicago, IL
Upholstered in a navy blue fabric. Matching chair available as well. Transforms into sleeper with
Fabric
Sold
H 28 in W 87 in D 31 in
Black Vinyl Convertible Harvey Probber Style Sofa Sleeper Couch Made in Japan
By Harvey Probber
Located in Chattanooga, TN
classic, mid-century modern style. When fully extended the bed measures 38.50" W.
French Industrial Modern Sleeper Sofa in New Noir Upholstery
By Martin Visser
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Amazing convertible sofa completely re-upholstered in black. Very French Industrial moderne. Frame
Steel
Sleeper Sofa and Side Chair Signed De Sede 1986 Switzerland
By De Sede
Located in Jersey City, NJ
Sleeper sofa and extra large side chair both were purchased in1987 and had only one owner. Both
Leather
Poul M. Volther for Frem Røjle Danish Modern Sofa Sleeper
By Poul Volther, Frem Røjle
Located in Fulton, CA
A Danish Modern sofa sleeper designed by Poul M. Volther for Frem Røjle. Denmark, circa. 1960's
Teak
Sold
H 26.38 in W 82.68 in D 29.53 in
Rob Parry Sleepers Sofa for Gelderland, Dutch Modern Design, 1960s
By Rob Parry, Gelderland
Located in The Hague, NL
Rare sofa designed by Rob Parry for Gelderland, 1960s. Minimalistic and elegant Dutch design pride
Fabric, Teak
Sold
H 27.17 in W 75.6 in D 31.89 in
Midcentury Dutch Design Sleeper Sofa by Martin Visser, Spectrum, 1960s
By 't Spectrum, Kvadrat, Martin Visser, Elmar Ludwig and Paul Smith
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
This Dutch design icon was designed by Martin Visser for Spectrum, The Netherlands. This sofa
Metal
Gijs Van Der Sluis Red Sleeper Sofa Daybed Model 540, 1961
By Gijs Van Der Sluis
Located in The Hague, NL
Minimalistic midcentury design sleeper sofa-daybed designed by Gijs Van Der Sluis, 1961s
Metal
De Sede DS 76 Black Leather 5 Piece Sectional Sleeper Sofa
By De Sede
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Handsome De Sede DS 76 black leather 5 piece sectional sleeper sofa with deep zip-on cushions that
Leather
Sold
H 28 in W 94 in L 28 in
Designer Midcentury 2-Piece Cubist Modern Lucite Acrylic Loveseat Sofa Sleeper
By Leon Rosen
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Designed by Frank Lapadura for Richard Scott Furniture Inc. of Miami, Florida. The sofa is special
Fabric, Acrylic, Lucite
1970s De Sede DS 169 Leather Sleeper Sofa by Ernst Ambühler
By De Sede, Ernst Ambühler
Located in Virginia Beach, VA
The iconic DS 169 Sofa for De Sede circa 1970’s Switzerland. Designed by Ernst Ambühler, this sofa
Leather
Sold
H 27.56 in W 80.71 in D 27.56 in
LC5 Daybed Sleeper Sofa by Le Corbusier & Charlotte Perriand for Cassina
By Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand Cassina, Cassina, Le Corbusier
Located in Izegem, VWV
Designed in 1934 the LC5 sofa is Le Corbusier’s interpretation of the armless sofa. with its
Steel, Chrome
Sold
H 29.14 in W 74.81 in D 29.53 in
Gijs Van Der Sluis Eggplant colored Sleeper Sofa Daybed Model 540, 1961
By Gijs Van Der Sluis
Located in The Hague, NL
Minimalistic midcentury design sleeper sofa-daybed designed by Gijs Van Der Sluis, 1961s
Metal
Sold
H 29.14 in W 74.81 in D 29.53 in
Gijs Van Der Sluis Streamline Blue Sleeper Sofa Daybed Model 540, 1961
By Gijs Van Der Sluis
Located in The Hague, NL
Minimalistic midcentury design sleeper sofa-daybed designed by Gijs Van Der Sluis, 1961s
Metal
Sold
H 29.14 in W 74.81 in D 29.53 in
Gijs Van Der Sluis Streamline Blue Sleeper Sofa Daybed Model 540, 1961
By Gijs Van Der Sluis
Located in The Hague, NL
Minimalistic midcentury design sleeper sofa-daybed designed by Gijs Van Der Sluis, 1961s
Metal
Sold
H 29.14 in W 74.81 in D 29.53 in
Gijs Van Der Sluis Eggplant colored Sleeper Sofa Daybed & Lounge Chair set 1961
By Gijs Van Der Sluis
Located in The Hague, NL
Minimalistic midcentury design sleeper sofa-daybed designed by Gijs Van Der Sluis, 1961s
Metal
1960's Mid-Century Modern Velvet Queen Sofa Bed
By Edward Wormley, Jack Lenor Larsen
Located in Burbank, CA
Vintage Midcentury Modern sofa sleeper for sale. This sofa has been completely reupholstered in new
Velvet
Coen de Vries for Pilastro Loveseat, Sleeper
By Coen de Vries, Pilastro
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Coen de Vries sofa - daybed newly upholstered in sunshine yellow fabric. Black enameled metal frame
Metal
Sold
H 27.17 in W 76.38 in D 29.53 in
1958, Martin Visser, Original 1st Version Sleeper with Velvet Fabric, Black Base
By 't Spectrum Bergeijk, Martin Visser
Located in Amsterdam IJMuiden, NL
. :-) Martin Visser sleeping sofa with black base. The checked upholstery is a kind of velvet and shows some
Metal
Sold
H 27.17 in W 76.38 in D 31.11 in
1958, Martin Visser, Original 1st Version Sleeper with Very Rare Color Base
By Martin Visser, 't Spectrum Bergeijk
Located in Amsterdam IJMuiden, NL
comfortable bed (#5 and #6). The slings under the seat need to be tightened and also the sofa can be
Metal
Iconic BR02 Sofa by Martin Visser 'for Spectrum'
By Martin Visser
Located in Oostende, BE
Martin Visser's iconic BR 02 sofa, for Spectrum. This Mid-Century Modern sleeper sofa has been
Metal
Mid-Century Modern Dunbar Loveseat Sleeper Sofa
By Dunbar Furniture
Located in Wilmington, DE
Offered is a vintage loveseat by Dunbar. This piece is also a sleeper, in working condition
Upholstery
Danish Inspired Sleeper Sofa
By Ib Kofod-Larsen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Probably American made, but Danish influenced sleeper sofa. Needs to be all redone but fold down
Walnut
Martin Visser Streamline Sleeper Sofa
By Martin Visser, 't Spectrum Bergeijk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Navy upholstered Martin Visser sleeper sofa with pull-out bench that levels to a single bed for
Martin Visser BR02 Sleeper Sofa for ’T Spectrum
By Martin Visser, 't Spectrum Bergeijk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Original steel tubular framed sleeper sofa newly upholstered in royal blue. The seat pulls forward
Martin Visser BR02 Sleeper Sofa for 't Spectrum
By Martin Visser, 't Spectrum Bergeijk
Located in Pijnacker, Zuid-Holland
Beautiful BR02 bed sofa with BA02 armrest. Reupholstered in a beautiful high end fabric by Keymer
Chrome, Metal
Sold
H 28.35 in W 75.6 in D 27.56 in
Vintage Retro Gijs Van Der Sluis Streamline Sleeper Sofa Daybed, 1960s
By Gispen, Gijs Van Der Sluis
Located in Highclere, Newbury
Netherlands by Gispen. This sofa’s sleek, minimalists lines has been a favourite of Interior Designers and
Steel
Coen De Vries Indigo and Light Gray Model 204 Sleeper Sofa
By Coen de Vries
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare conversion sofa to bed from Coen de Vries for Pilastro with arm rests. Newly upholstered in
Metal
Sold
H 27.56 in W 74.81 in D 31.89 in
Martin Visser BR02 Sleeper Sofa for 't Spectrum with New Upholstery
By 't Spectrum Bergeijk, Martin Visser
Located in Pijnacker, Zuid-Holland
Beautiful Martin Visser BR02 bed sofa for 't Spectrum. Reupholstered in a beautiful Carlucci
Metal, Chrome
Sold
H 27.5 in W 76.5 in D 37.25 in
Hans Wegner 'attr' Model GE 258 for Getama Sleeper Sofa With Green Upholstery
By Hans J. Wegner, GETAMA
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hans Wegner attributed Model GE 258 for Getama sleeper sofa with kiwi green upholstery. The
Upholstery
Sold
H 29 in W 80.875 in D 35 in
Hans Wegner Model GE 258 for Getama Sleeper Sofa in Light Wood & Bubble Gum Pink
By Hans J. Wegner, GETAMA
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hans Wegner attributed Model GE 258 for Getama sleeper sofa with newer bubble gum pink upholstery
Upholstery
Mid Century 4 Strand Round Pretzel Sleeper Sofa w/ Pullout Bed
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Vintage circa 1960 rattan 4 Strand round pretzel arm 3 seat sleeper sofa with pullout bed in the
Rattan
1950s Blue Velvet Sleeper Sofa
Located in New York, NY
1950s sleeper sofa / daybed in blue velvet. Nice sofa which converts to a bed. Has sculptural oak
Velvet, Oak
Marcel Duchamp Thonet Readymade "Porte Chapeau"
By Marcel Duchamp
Located in Sharon, CT
Thonet manufactured this object (11022) around the turn of the century and was illustrated in their 1904 catalog (see photo). In 1917 Duchamp hung one from the ceiling of his New Yor...
Wood
Leather Meander Flexible Wall Sconce
Located in Pound Ridge, NY
Leather wrapped flexible arm wall light you can pose and adjust as you wish. This is our updated Meander Reader light with larger cone shade and new upward angled arm. Lamping: Sing...
Metal, Brass, Nickel
$2,180 / item
H 39.77 in W 22.45 in D 22.45 in
Modern Bar Chair Gropius CS2/75 in Wool Fabric with Wooden Legs by Noom
By Kateryna Sokolova, NOOM
Located in Paris, FR
New Noom furniture collection is dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Bauhaus School in Germany. Ideas of functionalism and conciseness, the combination of Craft...
Fabric, Wool, Sheepskin, Bouclé, Cotton, Jacquard, Linen, Velvet, Faux F...
Parson's Style Backgammon Table
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Parson's style backgammon table newly produced and refinished in a medium walnut. The game board features hand inlaid mahogany and beech wood. Playing surface flips to reveal a solid...
Mahogany, Walnut
$4,160Sale Price|20% Off
H 26.5 in W 115 in D 35 in
Wonderful 2 Piece Harvey Probber Sectional Sofa Mid-century
By Harvey Probber
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Wonderful 2 piece signed Harvey Probber sectional sofa. This piece is in vintage condition with it's original floral tapesty fabric which does show wear. This sofa will definitely n...
Upholstery
Milo Baughman Chesterfield Style Tufted Sofa
By Milo Baughman
Located in Dallas, TX
Milo Baughman Chesterfield style tufted sofa with wood plinth base. In good vintage condition, circa 1980s Dimension: 84" long 32" deep 26" tall seat height 14".
Fabric
$5,500
H 27 in W 102 in D 32 in
Mid-Century Modern Gondola Sofa by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates
By Craft Associates, Adrian Pearsall
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Introducing the iconic Gondola Sofa, a masterpiece of mid-century modern design by Adrian Pearsall. With its sculptural silhouette, this sofa embodies the sleek, organic aesthetic th...
Fabric, Walnut
$2,500 / item
H 29 in Dm 19 in
Organic Modern Small Table Lamp Natural Wood Handmade Ivory Fluted Shade
By Isabel Moncada
Located in San Antonio, TX
PATA DE ELEFANTE SMALL table lamp was designed for the Atomic collection by Mexican artist Isabel Moncada. Named Pata de Elefante –Elephant's Foot– for the prominent shape at its ba...
Wood, Fabric, Linen, Fiberglass
French Limed Oak Armoire
Located in Antwerp, BE
Limed oak two door armoire. Height 210 cm. Width 127 cm. Depth 64 cm.
Glass, Wood, Oak
$6,500
H 31 in W 100.5 in D 30 in
Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen Minerva Daybed Sofa France and Sons Denmark
By Peter Hvidt
Located in Lake Worth, FL
Vintage Rare Extra Long Danish modern Minerva Daybed Sofa. Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen for John Stuart circa 1960's. Beautiful sleek Mid Century Design. Rare extra long size...
Teak
$3,750
H 27 in Dm 17.5 in
Large Vintage, Mid Century Modern Handcrafted Brass Round 8 Layers Pendant Light
Located in Lisse, NL
Rare design, three light pendants with layered brass shades. If you are looking for a striking and extraordinary light fixture to grace your midcentury living or work space then the...
Brass
$5,950
H 27.75 in W 63 in D 35.25 in
Milo Baughman Thayer Coggin Rosewood Case Sofa Settee Two Seat 1960s Knoll
By Milo Baughman, Thayer Coggin
Located in Forest Grove, PA
Fresh from the home of the original owner, a Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin Rosewood Case Sofa, fully marked. Professionally restored, the rosewood was well chosen and has wonderful...
Textile, Rosewood
$10,500
H 28.5 in W 86 in D 34 in
Expertly Restored - Milo Baughman Rosewood Case Sofa for Thayer Coggin
By Milo Baughman, Thayer Coggin
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we take this journey with passion and precision. With over 17 years of artisanal exper...
Upholstery, Foam, Rosewood
$22,000 / set
H 31.5 in W 127.56 in D 80.91 in
Giuseppe Rivadossi for Officina Rivadossi Bedroom Set in Oak
By Giuseppe Rivadossi, Officina Rivadossi
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Giuseppe Rivadossi for Officina Rivadossi, set consisting of a double bed, headboard and nightstands, oak, Italy, 1980s Giuseppe Rivadossi once again proves his great eye for materi...
Oak
$4,850
H 28.5 in W 78 in D 30 in
Danish Modern Sofa by Bertil Fridhagen Refinished & Reupholstered In Your Fabric
By Bertil Fridhagen
Located in Atlanta, GA
Curvaceous Danish Modern Sofa, designed by Bertil Fridhagen, Sweden, circa 1960s. It is currently being refinished and reupholstered, and can be completed in your fabric. Simply send...
Upholstery, Teak
$5,996Sale Price|20% Off
H 29 in W 120 in D 34 in
1970s Modular Slim Chenille Tan Sectional on Castors
By Dunbar Furniture
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
On offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning, sectional you could hope to find. This is an ultra-rare opportunity to acquire what is, unequivocally, the best of the best, it...
Upholstery, Wood
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.
Black leather, silk velvet cushions, breathable bouclé fabric — when shopping for antique or vintage sofas, today’s couch connoisseurs have much to choose from in terms of style and shape. But it wasn’t always thus.
The sofa is typically defined as a long upholstered seat that features a back and arms and is intended for two or more people. While the term “couch” comes from the Old French couche, meaning to lie down, and sofa has Eastern origins, both are forms of divan, a Turkish word that means an elongated cushioned seat. Bench-like seating in Ancient Greece, which was padded with soft blankets, was called klinai. No matter how you spell it, sofa just means comfort, at least it does today.
In the early days of sofa design, upholstery consisted of horsehair or dried moss. Sofas that originated in countries such as France during the 17th century were more integral to decor than they were to comfort. Like most Baroque furnishings from the region, they frequently comprised heavy, gilded mahogany frames and were upholstered in floral Beauvais tapestry. Today, options abound when it comes to style and material, with authentic leather offerings and classy steel settees. Plush, velvet chesterfields represent the platonic ideal of coziness.
Vladimir Kagan’s iconic sofa designs, such as the Crescent and the Serpentine — which, like the sectional sofas of the 1960s created by furniture makers such as Harvey Probber, are quite popular among mid-century modern furniture enthusiasts — showcase the spectrum of style available to modern consumers. Those looking to make a statement can turn to Studio 65’s lip-shaped Bocca sofa, which was inspired by the work of Salvador Dalí. Elsewhere, the furniture of the 1970s evokes an era when experimentation ruled, or at least provided a reason to break the rules. Just about every area of society felt a sudden urge to be wayward, to push boundaries — and buttons. Vintage leather sofas of that decade are characterized by a rare blending of the showy and organic.
With so many options, it’s important to explore and find the perfect furniture for your space. Paying attention to the lines of the cushions as well as the flow from the backrest into the arms is crucial to identifying a cohesive new piece for your home or office.
Fortunately, with styles from every era — and even round sofas — there’s a luxurious piece for every space. Deck out your living room with an Art Deco lounge or go retro with a nostalgic '80s design. No matter your sitting vision, the right piece is waiting for you in the expansive collection of unique sofas on 1stDibs.
You know the designs, now get the stories about how they came to be.
The enduring appeal of the Barcelona chair is in the details.
The brand that turned Charles and Ray Eames, Isamu Noguchi and George Nelson into mid-century household names is just as relevant today as it was six decades ago.
Our feed is filled with the world's most beautiful spaces. See the rooms our followers have deemed the best of the best this month.
Our feed is filled with the world's most beautiful spaces. See the 10 our followers have deemed the best of the best this month.
There are many lessons to be learned from the lofts, apartments and townhouses of architects and decorators in Manhattan and beyond.
Having created extravagant homes for reality TV’s biggest stars, the designer is stepping into the spotlight with his first book.
The Louisiana-born and -bred architect talks to 1stdibs about the art of making timeless places that matter.