Mid Century Glass Surfboard Top Coffee Table
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in New York, NY
Classic Mid Century surfboard form glass top, wood base coffee table.
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Glass, Wood
Mid Century Glass Surfboard Top Coffee Table
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in New York, NY
Classic Mid Century surfboard form glass top, wood base coffee table.
Glass, Wood
Mid-Century Surfboard Coffee Table by Moreddi
By Moreddi 1
Located in Raleigh, NC
Mid-century surfboard coffee table. Made from teak wood and designed by Moreddi, Denmark.
Wood, Teak
Mid-century Surfboard Style Side Table by Bassett
By Bassett Furniture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Nicely designed tables with walnut grain, sculpted legs, shelf and turned edges. Danish modern style that is great for home or office. (Please confirm item location NY or NJ with ...
Walnut
Mid-Century Modern Large Walnut Surfboard Conference/Dining Table
Located in Wilmington, DE
Offered is a large Mid-Century Modern conference/dining table. This table has been recently restored with a refinished walnut surfboard-shaped top and two black pedestal bases.
Metal
Dux Mid Century Walnut and Brass Surfboard End Table
By Dux of Sweden
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Dux Mid century walnut and brass surfboard end table This table measures: 22 wide x 30 deep x 20 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call restored vintage con...
Brass
1960s Mid-Century Surfboard Coffee Table by Bassett
Located in Wilton, CT
Mid-Century Modern walnut coffee table by Bassett Furniture Company, circa 1965.
Walnut
Mid-Century Modern Surfboard Walnut Dining Table by Broyhill
By Broyhill
Located in Wilmington, DE
Mid-Century Modern surfboard walnut 60" dining table by Broyhill Offered is a vintage Mid-Century Modern dining table, designed by Broyhill.
Walnut
Mid-Century Modern Italian Surfboard Coffee Table, 1970s
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Particular coffee table from the 70s, top in mahogany veneer and metal base, the shape is reminiscent of a surfboard.
Metal
$960Sale Price|20% Off
Mid Century Modern Chrome & Wood White Finish Surfboard Cafe Table C1960
Located in Big Flats, NY
***Reduced In-House Delivery Rates - Click on “Ask Seller” to Request a Quote*** MCM Chrome & Wood White Finish Surfboard Cafe Table C1960 Measures - 29 1/8" x 55 7/8" x 30" A stylis...
Chrome
Broyhill Saga Mid Century Dining Walnut Surfboard Dining Table
By Broyhill
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Broyhill Saga mid century dining walnut surfboard dining table Table measures: 50 wide x 36 deep x 30.5 inches high; the leaf is 12 inches wide, making a maximum table width of 62 i...
Walnut
Mid-Century Modern Floating Surfboard Coffee Table, 1990s
Located in Raymondville, TX
A vintage mid-century modern surfboard coffee table made in Sweden circa 1995.
Wood, Oak
Mid-Century Danish Modern Moreddi Walnut Surfboard Coffee Table
By Moreddi 1
Located in Las Vegas, NV
The tabletop showcases a rich, warm grain pattern characteristic of classic Mid-Century design. Original finish. Coffee table is in Excellent vintage condition with some very mino...
Teak
Lane Mid Century Modern 56" Long Surfboard Laminate Top Coffee Table with Drawer
By Lane Furniture
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Vintage Lane Mid Century Modern 56" Long Surfboard Laminate Top Coffee Table with Dra...
Laminate, Wood
Herman Miller Eames Elliptical Table (Etr) Surfboard Mid-Century Modern
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a Herman Miller Eames Elliptical Table (ETR) with a white laminate top and wire base, often called the "surfboard table". The table was introduced in 1951. T...
Formica
Mid Century Modern Elliptical Surfboard Coffee Tables by Herman Miller for Eames
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Chicago, IL
Mid Century Modern Elliptical Surfboard Coffee Tables by Herman Miller for Eames Mid Century Modern Eames Surfboard Coffee Table has a black laminated top with Eiffel metal base.
Metal
Oiled Walnut Tile Insert Floating Top Mid-Century Long Surfboard Coffee Table
By Adrian Pearsall, John Stuart Inc.
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Oiled walnut tile insert floating top mid-century long surfboard coffee table.
Walnut
Solid Wood Coffee Table Surfboard Top, Vintage Hollywood Regency, Mid Century
Located in Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Measurements: 60" L x 24.25" W x 16.5" H In excellent like new condition, no scratches or imperfections on this piece. There are no maker mark on this piece, we are unsure who manuf...
Wood, Maple
Grete Jalk for Poul Jeppesen Mid Century Danish Teak Surfboard Coffee Table
By Poul Jeppesen, Grete Jalk
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Grete Jalk for Poul Jeppesen Mid Century Danish Teak Surfboard Coffee Table This coffee table measures: 65 wide x 23.5 deep x 17.25 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had i...
Teak
Mid century Surfboard coffee table in oak and teak made in Sweden, 1950s
By Kurt Østervig
Located in Hägersten, SE
Surfboard shaped coffee table designed and produced in Sweden during the 1950s. Made from teak and solid oak in the legs. Very good vintage condition with some signs of age related w...
Oak, Teak
Mid Century Surfboard Form Top Glass and Walnut Coffee Table att. to Probber
By Harvey Probber
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional and rare Mid Century coffee table attributed to Harvey Probber.
Glass, Walnut
Studio Craft Mid-Century Surfboard Coffee Table By Paul Killinger Circa 1970s
By Paul E. Killinger
Located in Peabody, MA
Studio craft hand carved coffee table fashioned from a single slab of South American cedar, a type of mahogany, by the well respected woodworker Paul Killinger in Stow, Massachusetts...
Cedar, Mahogany
Vintage Harlequin Surfboard Coffee Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Capture the atomic-era spirit with this stunning vintage surfboard coffee table, a true showpiece of Mid-Century Modern design.
Burl
Surfboard Style Mid-Century Coffee Table By Abel Sorensen for Knoll, Ca. 1950s
By Knoll, Abel Sorenson
Located in Peabody, MA
A classic Knoll coffee table in highly figured walnut with birch tenons and legs, designed by Abel Sorensen, ca. 1950s.
Birch, Walnut
$1,600Sale Price|20% Off
Terrazzo Top Surfboard Coffee Table
Located in New York, NY
Classic surfboard form, terrazzo top table. Nice thick top (1.5") rests on two wood pedestal bases, This example shows minor cosmetic wear, normal and consistent with age.
Terrazzo, Wood
Herman Miller for Eames Surfboard Table
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-Century Modern black top coffee table with Eiffel metal base. (Please confirm item location - NY or NJ - with dealer).
Leather
$2,622Sale Price|20% Off
Large Mid-century 60" John Keal Inspired Surfboard Coffee Table With Formica Top
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Large Californian 60" wide John Keal inspired surfboard coffee table with white Formica top and black 4-legged sculptural base.
Wood
Donald Deskey 'Surfboard' Coffee Table, Rosewood & Aluminum, 1950
By Donald Deskey
Located in Queens, NY
American Mid-Century (circa 1950) 'Surfboard' coffee table with a rosewood table top resting on an aluminum stretcher base with six tapered legs.
Metal, Aluminum
Maurice Burke Arkana Surfboard Coffee Table
By Burke, Inc., Eero Saarinen
Located in Chicago, IL
Scarce Maurice Burke for Arkana, England surfboard coffee table. Possibly a custom formica top with a blue and black abstract transparency pattern. Need to confirm dimensions. Styl...
Formica
Grete Jalk Teak Surfboard Coffee Table
By Grete Jalk, Glostrup Møbelfabrik
Located in Berkeley, CA
Origin: Denmark Designer: Grete Jalk Manufacturer: Glostrup Møbelfabrik Era: 1960s Materials: Teak Measurements: 63″ wide x 23″ deep x 17.5″ tall Condition: In excellent original co...
Teak
Surfboard Terrazzo Coffee Table Attrib Harvey Probber / Adrian Pearsall
By Harvey Probber
Located in Chicago, IL
Mid-century Harvey Probber terrazzo marble coffee table.
Terrazzo
T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings Surfboard Coffee Table
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in San Francisco, CA
T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings design surfboard coffee table for Widdicomb, U.S.A.. High quality construction and materials used in this elegant eliptical form coffee table. Sculpted walnut ...
Walnut
2 pc. Mid Century Surfboard Coffee Table by John Van Koert for Drexel c. 1960’s
By Drexel, John Van Koert
Located in New York, NY
Rare two part coffee table designed by John Van Koert for Drexel Furniture, as part of their class Profile series, circa 1960’s. As the table consists of two separate pieces, it can...
Wood
Italian Hollywood Regency Travertine & Brass Long Oval Surfboard Coffee Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Italian Hollywood Regency Travertine & Brass Long Oval Surfboard Coffee Table. Item features a pinwheel inlaid travertine top and four x-form solid brass sculptural legs.
Travertine, Brass
Vintage MCM Swedish Yngve Ekstrom Teak Surfboard Coffee Table
By Yngve Ekström
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This vintage mid-century modern surfboard coffee table is a striking example of Scandinavian design, crafted by celebrated Swedish designer Yngve Ekstrom.
Teak
Mid Century Modern Sculptural Bar Cart with a Surfboard Top by Arthur Umanoff
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Beautiful design for a indoor outdoor, (poolside), iron bar cart with an surfboard shaped oak top. Top was refinished and varnished. In excellent vintage condition with minimal wear....
Wrought Iron
Erno Fabry Fishtail Surfboard Marble & Walnut Cocktail Table
By M. Singer & Sons
Located in Hanover, MA
This table came from the collection of a prominent child psychiatrist and a magnificent apartment on Central Park West furnished in original Italian Mid-Century Modern furnishings so...
Marble
Solid Walnut Sofa Desk Table Surfboard MCM Custom Made
By ACE-HI
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful solid walnut surfboard sofa table , desk table with beveled edge , solid sturdy great quality design and grain , we have refinished the piece the legs comes off for shippin...
Walnut
Charles & Ray Eames Early ETR "Surfboard" Coffee Table, 1950s
By Ray Eames, Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames, Charles Eames
Located in Coronado, CA
An early and rare edition of the 'ETR' (Elliptical Table Rod base) known as the 'Surfboard' coffee table. Design by Charles & Ray Eames in 1951 for Herman Miller. Black laminated tab...
Steel
'Surfboard' Coffee Table by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This 7 foot long coffee table is perfect for your modern four seat sofa, with simple and timeless design. Black laminate top set on layered wood, with a polished chrome base. Designe...
Chrome
Vintage Long Surfboard Style Coffee Table, Circa 1950s
By John Widdicomb
Located in North Miami, FL
Beautiful rich espresso tone with minimal wear. Spindle braces and curved edge top. Midcentury at its best.
Mahogany
Charles & Ray Eames Early ETR "Surfboard" Coffee Table, 1950s
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Coronado, CA
An early and rare edition of the 'ETR' (Elliptical Table Rod base) known as the 'Surfboard' coffee table. Design by Charles & Ray Eames in 1951 for Herman Miller. Black laminated tab...
Steel
Arne Hovmand Olsen Floating Surfboard Coffee Table In Teak
By Peter Hvidt
Located in Berkeley, CA
Origin: Denmark Designer: Peter Hvidt + Orla Molgaard Nielsen Manufacturer: Søborg Møbler Era: 1957 Materials: Teak Measurements: 53″ wide x 19″ deep x 34″ tall Condition: In excell...
Teak
Early ETR "Surfboard" Coffee Table by Charles & Ray Eames, 1950s
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in New York, NY
An early edition of the 'ETR' (Elliptical Table Rod base) known as the 'Surfboard' coffee table. Design by Charles & Ray Eames in 1951 for Herman Miller. Black laminated table top. U...
Metal
Tomlinson Sophisticate Patchwork Burl Wood Extra Long Surfboard Coffee Table
By Tomlinson
Located in South Bend, IN
A sleek and stylish Mid-Century Modern extra long surfboard coffee table By Tomlinson, "Sophisticate" Collection USA, 1950s Walnut, with gorgeous inlaid patchwork burl wood ...
Walnut, Burl
Danish Surfboard Coffee Table by Kurt Ostervig, ca' 1950's
By Kurt Østervig
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
An unusual surfboard coffee table by Kurt Ostervig, made by Jason Mobler, model #194, ca' 1954. Made of teak with removable caned lower shelf.
Teak
Eames "Surfboard" Cocktail Table with Elliptical Rod Base Herman Miller with COA
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in San Diego, CA
2005 Original long surfboard oval coffee table designed by Eames, for Herman Miller nice original condition a must have piece for any Mid Century, Danish Modern home decor nice condi...
Laminate
Two Piece Surfboard Coffee Table in Walnet With MarbleTop, Circa 1960s
By Lane Furniture, Paul Laszlo
Located in Peabody, MA
An American surfboard coffee table in walnut with Italian marble inserts, consisting of two identical wedge shaped elements which can be "bunched" together used singly as end tables.
Marble
$3,000Sale Price|25% Off
Vintage original Charles Eames ETR white laminate surfboard coffee table 1951
By Charles Eames
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Early 1st Generation Vintage original authentic Mid Century Charles Eames ETR Elliptical Rare White laminate surfboard coffee table.
Steel
T.H. Robsjohn Gibbings for Widdicomb Model 3304 Mahogany Surfboard Coffee Table
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Robsjohn Gibbings for Widdicomb Model 3304 Mid Century Mahogany Surfboard Coffee Table This coffee table measures: 72.75 wide x 18.75 deep x 15.75 inches high Great Vintage Conditi...
Mahogany
$3,180Sale Price|20% Off
Restored Stacked Rattan Biomorphic Surfboard Coffee Table w/ Koa Wood Top
By Paul Frankl
Located in Van Nuys, CA
This beautifully restored biomorphic rattan table has a striking Paul Frankl-inspired mid-century design. It features two stacked bases and a dark-stained Koa Wood top. This blend of...
Rattan, Mahogany
Folke Olsson Swedish Modern Coffee Table, 1960's
By Folke Ohlsson
Located in Uccle, BE
This elegant Danish modern midcentury surfboard coffee table model ‘Frisco’ was designed by Folke Ohlsson for Bra Bohag for Tingströms in the 1960s. Is flanked by raised lips on the ...
Walnut
Unavailable
H 20.5 in W 54.75 in D 19.25 in
Vintage Danish Mid Century Modern Teak and Oak "Surfboard" Coffee Table
By Kurt Østervig
Located in San Marcos, CA
Here is a lovely scandinavian modern cocktail table in teak reminiscent of Kurt Osgtervig's design, Denmark, 1960's. This beautiful coffee table, recently imported from Europe to Cal...
Teak
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Surfboard Coffee Table
By Edward Wormley
Located in Stamford, CT
A walnut "surfboard" form coffee table designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture.
Wood, Walnut
Surfboard Coffee Table by Russel Wright
By Russel Wright
Located in Cookeville, TN
Gorgeous midcentury 1950s Russell Wright designed surfboard coffee or cocktail table with curved lip on one side. Beautiful warm toned walnut surfboard shape sitting on 4 tapered tur...
Walnut
Danish Midcentury Teak 'Surfboard' Style Coffee Table
Located in Glasgow, GB
This is a super cool teak Danish coffee table that has fantastic Scandinavian style legs. Long and low, it has a very cool look and lots of space for magazines, laptop and coffee. An...
Teak
Svante Skogh Teak and Oak Surfboard Coffee Table
By Svante Skogh
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Svante Skogh teak and oak surfboard coffee table. Manufactured by Seffle Mobler of Sweden. Excellent condition. Beautiful tapered legs with sculpted supports.
Oak, Teak
Unavailable
H 14 in W 21 in D 60 in
Vintage Midcentury Surfboard Coffee and Matching Side Table by Mel Smilow
By Mel Smilow
Located in New Hyde Park, NY
Midcentury vintage walnut surfboard coffee table and matching side table by Mel Smilow. Age appropriate wear and slight marking on top of coffee table. Measurements: Coffee tab...
Walnut
Unavailable
H 17.33 in W 68.51 in D 23.63 in
Table basse “Surfboard”en teck de Kurt Østervig pour Jason Møbelfabrik
By Kurt Østervig
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Table basse avec un long plateau en placage de teck et des pieds en V magnifiquement sculptés. Un dessin du Danois Kurt Østervig datant des années 1950, édition Jason Møbelfabrik. ...
Teak
Unavailable
H 19.69 in W 64.57 in D 21.26 in
HW Klein Teak Coffee Table "Surfboard" by Bramin Mobler, Denmark, 1960s
By Henry Walter Klein, Bramin Mobler
Located in Vienna, Vienna
A "Surfboard" superbly build two-tiered teak coffee table by Danish designer Henry Walter Klein. Manufactured by Bramin Mobler, Denmark, 1960s. Beautiful teak grain throughout, lower...
Teak, Walnut
Mid-Century Surfboard Coffee Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Long Mid-Century surfboard coffee table with beautiful wood grain details.
Wood
Mid-Century Surfboard Coffee Table
By G-Plan, Sergio Rodrigues, Jens Risom, Finn Juhl, Thonet
Located in Raleigh, NC
Mid-century surfboard coffee table. Made in Denmark from teak wood, circa 1960s.
Brass
Mid Century 'Surfboard' Coffee Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
mid century surfboard coffee table on four legs with crossbars
Teak
Mid-Century Modern Walnut Surfboard Dining Table
Located in Wilmington, DE
Offered is a Mid-Century Modern walnut dining table with a surfboard-top.
Walnut
Mid-Century Sculpted Walnut Tile Mosaic Surfboard Table
By Harvey Probber, Tue Poulsen
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Ditch mundane home decor and grab this radical vintage surfboard table! This rare mid-century piece features an elaborate pair of carved walnut sculptural "handles" calling to mind t...
Ceramic, Wood, Hardwood, Walnut
Mid-Century Modern Walnut Surfboard Coffee Table
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Long, low, mid-century modern, walnut, surfboard coffee table features a contrasting two-tone top that tapers to 15 inches on each end.
Walnut
Mid-Century Modern Walnut Surfboard Coffee Table
Located in Raymondville, TX
A vintage Mid-Century Modern surfboard-shape coffee table with two drawers.
Brass
Mid-Century Green Marble Surfboard Shaped Coffee Table
By Angelo Mangiarotti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage, mid century, green marble coffee table with a black enameled metal base. In original condition and has some wear, consistent with its age and use. Other marble and stone cof...
Marble
Mid-Century Modern Walnut Surfboard Dining Extension Table
Located in Wilmington, DE
Offered is a Mid-Century Modern walnut dining table with a surfboard-top and three extension boards.
Walnut
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Surfboard End Tables
Located in New York, NY
Raised on turned, tapering legs.
Wood
Broyhill Brasilia Mid Century Walnut Surfboard Dining Table
By Broyhill Brasilia
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Broyhill Brasilia mid century walnut surfboard dining table. Table measures: 66 wide x 40 deep x 30 high, with a chair clearance of 26 inches; each leaf is 12 inches wide, making a ...
Walnut
Mid-Century Modern Walnut Surfboard Coffee Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designer: Unknown Manufacturer: Unknown Period/Style: Mid Century Modern Country: United States Date: 1950’s Dimensions: 16″H x 66″L x 24″W Materials: Walnut Condition: Exce...
Walnut
1970s Mid-Century Modern Lane Surfboard Walnut End Table
By Lane Acclaim
Located in Medina, OH
Beautiful refinished mid-century modern Lane (unmarked) Surfboard side table!
Walnut
Mid-Century Danish Modern Teak Extendable Surfboard Dining Table
Located in Wilmington, DE
Mid-century Danish Modern extendable surfboard dining table Offered is a vintage Mid-Century Modern dining table.
Teak
Mid-Century Modern Marble Top Surfboard Coffee Table
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Peabody, MA
Mid-century modern coffee table with large surfboard top in Italian marble, on sculptural walnut "Jacks" base by Adrian Pearsall.
Marble
Classic Mid Century Surfboard Walnut Cocktail / Coffee Table
By Grete Jalk
Located in Buffalo, NY
Classic Mid Century Modern "Surfboard Cocktail / Coffee Table finished in oiled walnut.Simple elegant lines, design.
Walnut
Mid Century Walnut Surfboard Coffee Table by Carlin
Located in San Jose, CA
Offered by Mid Century Maddist
Walnut
Mid-Century Modern Walnut Surfboard Dining Table W Extension
Located in Wilmington, DE
Mid-century Stanley walnut surfboard dining table Mid-century walnut surfboard dining table Offered is a Mid-Century Modern vintage walnut dining table.
Walnut
Sold
H 10 in W 29.25 in D 89 in
Mid-Century Modern Herman Miller Eames Elliptical Surfboard Coffee Table
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A Herman Miller Eames elliptical surfboard coffee table. A very stunning coffee table from legendary designers Herman Miller and Eames. This very low coffee table takes the shape of ...
Wood
Mid-Century Surfboard Coffee Table in Solid Ash
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Gorgeous, 1960s surfboard design coffee or cocktail table. Nice sought after low design befitting of a modern living room. Made from exquisite solid walnut stained ash with great gra...
Ash
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.
As a practical focal point in your living area, antique and vintage coffee tables and cocktail tables are an invaluable addition to any interior.
Low tables that were initially used as tea tables or coffee tables have been around since at least the mid- to late-1800s. Early coffee tables surfaced in Victorian-era England, likely influenced by the use of tea tables in Japanese tea gardens. In the United States, furniture makers worked to introduce low, long tables into their offerings as the popularity of coffee and “coffee breaks” took hold during the late 19th century and early 20th century.
It didn’t take long for coffee tables and cocktail tables to become a design staple and for consumers to recognize their role in entertaining no matter what beverages were being served. Originally, these tables were as simple as they are practical — as high as your sofa and made primarily of wood. In recent years, however, metal, glass and plastics have become popular in coffee tables and cocktail tables, and design hasn’t been restricted to the conventional low profile, either.
Visionary craftspeople such as Paul Evans introduced bold, geometric designs that challenge the traditional idea of what a coffee table can be. The elongated rectangles and wide boxy forms of Evans’s desirable Cityscape coffee table, for example, will meet your needs but undoubtedly prove imposing in your living space.
If you’re shopping for an older coffee table to bring into your home — be it an antique Georgian-style coffee table made of mahogany or walnut with decorative inlays or a classic square mid-century modern piece comprised of rosewood designed by the likes of Ettore Sottsass — there are a few things you should keep in mind.
Both the table itself and what you put on it should align with the overall design of the room, not just by what you think looks fashionable in isolation. According to interior designer Tamara Eaton, the material of your vintage coffee table is something you need to consider. “With a glass coffee table, you also have to think about the surface underneath, like the rug or floor,” she says. “With wood and stone tables, you think about what’s on top.”
Find the perfect centerpiece for any room, no matter what your personal furniture style on 1stDibs — shop Art Deco coffee tables, travertine coffee tables and other antique and vintage coffee tables and cocktail tables today.
Whether you’re just moving in or ready to give your home a makeover, our guide will give you pointers on tables that are fitting for every room, nook and hallway.
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.
The Louisiana-born and -bred architect talks to 1stdibs about the art of making timeless places that matter.
The Palm Springs interior decorator developed a mid-century style that defined the vacation homes of celebrities and other notables, including Bob Hope and Lucille Ball.
The houses from this New York studio cloak modernist tendencies within what are often more traditional trappings.