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Set of Two 1950s Mid-Century Modern Brass, Bamboo and Glass Italian Wall Sconces
By Stilnovo
Located in Aci Castello, IT
These are exquisite 1950s Mid-Century Modern Italian wall sconces, a perfect blend of natural
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Brass
H 15.36 in W 7.49 in D 3.94 in
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Italian Wood Night Stands Bed Side Tables
Located in Carimate, Como
Very elegant and refined Italian 1950s Mid-Century Modern pair of bedside tables with top shelf and
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
Materials
Brass
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Italian Wood Night Stands Bed Side Tables
Located in Carimate, Como
Very nice Italian 1950s Mid-Century Modern pair of bedside or sofa end side tables with two shelves
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
Materials
Wood
Italian Midcentury Art Deco Night Stands Bed Side Tables White Wood Brass Glass
By Ico & Luisa Parisi, Melchiorre Bega, Gio Ponti, Dassi
Located in Carimate, Como
Very elegant and refined Italian 1950s Mid-Century Modern pair of bed side night stands tables in
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Art Deco Side Tables
Materials
Brass
H 25.2 in W 21.66 in D 13 in
Italian Midcentury Art Deco Nightstands Bed Side Tables Wood Brass & Glass
By Ico & Luisa Parisi, Gio Ponti, Melchiorre Bega, Dassi
Located in Carimate, Como
Very elegant and refined Italian 1950s Mid-Century Modern pair of bed side night stands tables in
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Art Deco Side Tables
Materials
Brass
H 26.38 in W 21.66 in D 13.39 in
Italian Midcentury Art Deco Nightstands Bed Side Tables Wood Brass & Glass
By Melchiorre Bega, Gio Ponti, Dassi, Ico & Luisa Parisi
Located in Carimate, Como
Very elegant and refined Italian 1950s Mid-Century Modern pair of bed side night stands tables in
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Art Deco Side Tables
Materials
Brass
H 28.75 in W 22.84 in D 13 in
Italian Midcentury Art Deco Night Stands Bedside Tables Wood Brass & Glass
Located in Carimate, Como
Very elegant and refined Italian 1950s Mid-Century Modern pair of bed side night stands tables in
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
Materials
Brass
H 22.84 in W 22.84 in D 13.39 in
Italian Midcentury Art Deco Night Stands Bedside Tables Wood Brass & Glass
Located in Carimate, Como
Very elegant and refined Italian 1950s Mid-Century Modern pair of bed side night stands tables in
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Art Deco Side Tables
Materials
Brass
H 25.6 in W 24.02 in D 13.39 in
1950s Two Mid-Century Modern Italian Brass and White Painted Metal Wall Sconces
Located in Aci Castello, IT
Fifties, nice conditions overall in working order. 1950s Mid-Century Modern Italian Brass and White
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Iron, Brass
H 14.18 in W 6.7 in D 5.12 in
Full Size Mid Century Conant Ball Modern Mates Bed by Leslie Diamond c 1950's
By Conant Ball, Leslie Diamond
Located in New York, NY
Architectural Mid century Modern full size bed , designed by Leslie Diamond for Conant Ball as part
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames
Materials
Maple
H 33 in W 78.5 in D 58.25 in
Italian mid-century modern bamboo double bed with decorations, 1950s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian mid-century modern bamboo double bed with decorations, 1950s
Bamboo double bed. The
Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames
Materials
Bamboo
H 57.49 in W 68.12 in D 77.56 in
Mid-Century Modern Single Bed by "Móveis Cimo", Brazil, 1950s
By Moveis Cimo
Located in Barcelona, ES
Single bed designed and produced by “Móveis Cimo” in Brazil, made of “imbuia” wood and leather in
Category
Vintage 1950s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames
Materials
Leather, Hardwood
Mid-Century Modern Vanessa Bed by Tobia Scarpa for Gavina, Italy, 1950s
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Vanessa Bed by Tobia Scarpa for Gavina ,Italy, 1950s
Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames
Materials
Metal
H 27.96 in W 70.87 in D 79.14 in
1950s Italian Art Deco Mid-Century Modern Bed Frame with Floating Nightstands
By Paolo Buffa, Ico & Luisa Parisi, Vittorio Dassi, Melchiorre Bega, Guglielmo Ulrich
Located in Carimate, Como
Beautiful Italian 1950s bed head with 2 floating nightstands on the sides. The nightstands have one
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames
Materials
Glass, Walnut
H 39.38 in W 78.75 in D 108.27 in
Mid-Century Italian Design Bamboo Bed for Single Mattress, 1950s
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Mid-century Italian design bamboo bed for single mattress, 1950s.
Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames
Materials
Bamboo
Mid-Century Italian Design Bamboo Bed for Single Mattress, 1950s
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Mid-century Italian design bamboo bed for single mattress, 1950s.
Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames
Materials
Bamboo
Italian Mid-Century Modern, Twin Bed with Shelf, Marquetry, Italy, 1950s
Located in Manhasset, NY
Italian Mid-Century Modern, Twin Bed with Shelf, Marquetry, Italy, 1950s, One of Four Available
Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames
Materials
Wood
H 36.25 in W 49.25 in D 77.5 in
Double Bed Mid-Century Italian Design Solid Bamboo, 1950s
Located in Palermo, Sicily
The mattress measures 190 x 160 cm.
Category
Vintage 1950s Beds and Bed Frames
Materials
Bamboo
STUNNING WARING & GILLOWS HARRODS LONDON CiRCA 1950'S BURR WALNUT BED STEAD
By Harrods, Waring & Gillow
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning Circa 1950'S Waring & Gillow Burr Walnut bedstead
Category
Vintage 1950s English Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames
Materials
Walnut
H 54.34 in W 82.29 in D 56.3 in
A French 1950's Solid Elm Bed by Pierre Chapo
By Pierre Chapo
Located in Long Island City, NY
A French midcentury solid elm bed by Pierre Chapo.
Category
Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames
Materials
Elm
Bed with Headboard, 1950s
Located in Montelabbate, PU
Single bed with integrated folding nightstand, 1950s. Two beds available (price per piece). Bed
Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames
Materials
Wood, Maple, Plywood, Paint
Jean Prouve Mid-Century Modern S.C.A.L. Daybed, circa 1950
By Jean Prouvé
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
This S.C.A.L. daybed designed by the iconic French designer, Jean Prouvé, is a true Mid-Century
Category
Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames
Materials
Metal
Jean Prouve Mid-Century Modern S.C.A.L. Daybed, circa 1950
By Jean Prouvé
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
This S.C.A.L. daybed designed by the iconic French designer, Jean Prouvé, is a true Mid-Century
Category
Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames
Materials
Metal
Jean Prouve Mid-Century Modern S.C.A.L. Daybed, circa 1950
By Jean Prouvé
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
This S.C.A.L. daybed designed by the iconic French designer, Jean Prouvé, is a true Mid-Century
Category
Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames
Materials
Metal
Room '56 Wood and Metal Bed by Rob Parry and Emile Truijen for Dico, 1950's
By Rob Parry
Located in Steenwijk, NL
Dutch bed manufacturer DICO in the 1950's. It is part of the 'Kamer 56' (translated: Room '56) serie
Category
Vintage 1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames
Materials
Metal
H 26.78 in W 77.56 in D 50.01 in
Friso Kramer 'Euroika Series' Bed with Nightstands for Auping, 1950s
By Friso Kramer, Auping
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare Mid-Century 'Euroika Series' bed by widely renowned Dutch designer Friso Kramer for the Royal
Category
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames
Materials
Metal
H 22.75 in W 81.25 in D 77.25 in
1950s Italian Exotic Wood Queen Bed Style Osvaldo Borsani
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1950s Sculptural Italian Custom Queen Bed Exotic Wood
Osvaldo Borsani Italy
Sculptural Legs with
Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames
Materials
Walnut, Wood
Osvaldo Borsani Mid-Century Italian Modern Parchment & Pearwood Queen Bed
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Queens, NY
Mid-Century (1950s) Italian Mid-Century Modern bed headboard and footboard (no rails) featuring 6
Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames
Materials
Wood, Parchment Paper
H 33.25 in W 72.5 in D 2.5 in
1950s Mategot Inspired Single Bed in Chartreuse & White with New Black Mattress
By RAWI-Fabrieken N.V.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Dutch Mid-Century, 1950s Mategot inspired single bed designed by Wim Gilles for Dutch company
Category
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames
Materials
Metal
H 26.5 in W 80.25 in D 36 in
1950s Mategot Inspired Single Bed in Chartreuse & White with New Black Mattress
By RAWI-Fabrieken N.V.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Dutch Mid-Century, 1950s Mategot inspired single bed designed by Wim Gilles for Dutch company
Category
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames
Materials
Metal
H 26.5 in W 80.25 in D 36 in
Cleopatra Day beds by Auping 1950s Holland
By Dick Cordemeijer, Auping
Located in Den Haag, NL
The Cleopatra sofa bed or daybed was designed in the early 50s by Cordemeijer for Auping. The
Category
Vintage 1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames
Materials
Metal
Italian mid-century brass headboard Osvaldo Borsani & Arnaldo Pomodoro, 1950s
By Osvaldo Borsani, Arnaldo Pomodoro, Atelier Borsani Varedo
Located in MIlano, IT
Borsani Varedo, ca. 1950.
Good condition, the rest of the bed structure is missing, only the headboard
Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames
Materials
Brass
H 46.86 in W 69.69 in D 1.97 in
Single Brass Bed in the Style of Osvaldo Borsani, Italy, 1950s
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Milan, IT
A single brass bed in the style of Osvaldo Borsani, Italy, 1950s.
Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames
Materials
Metal, Brass
Midcentury Brazilian Rosewood Bed by Geraldo de Barros, 1950s, Queen Size
By Geraldo de Barros
Located in New York, NY
This rosewood bed was designed by Geraldo de Barros in the 1950s and produced by Unilabor. The feet
Category
Vintage 1950s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames
Materials
Iron, Brass
H 10.83 in W 55.52 in D 74.81 in
1950s Modern Queen Bed Italian Sapele Exotic Wood + Bronze Osvaldo Borsani Italy
By Gio Ponti, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1950s Italian Queen Bed Sapele Exotic Wood Osvaldo Borsani from Italy
Unmarked. Style attribution
Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames
Materials
Bronze
H 41.5 in W 67.75 in D 83.75 in
1950s Lavish Exotic Italian Burlwood Queen Bed Style Osvaldo Borsani Milan Italy
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1950s Divine Burl Wood Queen Bed Milan Italy
No stamp from the maker. Attributed to the style of
Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames
Materials
Wood, Burl
H 38.75 in W 69 in D 82.5 in
1950s Osvaldo Borsani (Edited by Arredamenti Borsani, Varedo) Bed Frame
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This striking 1950s bed frame by Italian designer Osvaldo Borsani, edited by Arredamenti Borsani
Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames
Materials
Mahogany
H 32.67 in W 86.61 in D 72.83 in
1950s Italian Queen Bed Two-Tone Exotic Wood Style Osvaldo Borsani Italy
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1950s Art Deco Italian Queen Bedframe Two Tone Exotic Wood Italy
No maker label. In style of
Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames
Materials
Macassar, Maple, Rosewood, Burl
H 44.25 in W 68.25 in D 85 in
1950s Osvaldo Borsani Lavish Modern Italian Bed Built-In Light Side Table Milan
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Custom Italian Bed 1950s Milan
Acquired from an apartment in Milan designed by Osvaldo Borsani
Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames
Materials
Metal, Bronze
H 35.5 in W 126 in D 79.5 in
French 1950's Twin Size Daybed by René Gabriel - Two Available
By Rene Gabriel
Located in North Miami, FL
An outstanding and RARE to find PAIR of original René Gabriel daybeds/ twin beds from the
Category
Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames
Materials
Elm
Curved Bed Coronas Italian Design Solid Bamboo Mid-Century, 1950s
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Curved bed coronas Italian design solid bamboo mid-century, 1950s.
Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Bed Coronas
Materials
Bamboo, Faux Bamboo
Italian Midcentury Bed with Night Stands in Parchment by Pierluigi Colli, 1950s
By Pier Luigi Colli
Located in Traversetolo, IT
This is a stunning bed with built-in bedside tables designed by Pierluigi Colli and crafted in
Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames
Materials
Glass, Maple, Parchment Paper
H 21.66 in W 114.18 in D 83.08 in
Jean Prouvé S.C.A.L. Double Daybed, circa 1950
By Jean Prouvé
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
S.C.A.L. double daybed designed by Jean Prouvé.
Manufactured by Ateliers Prouve, France, circa 1950
Category
Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames
Materials
Metal
S.C.A.L. Double Daybed by Jean Prouvé, circa 1950
By Jean Prouvé
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
1950.
This bed has been restored.
Metal frame, new upholstery, repainted.
In good condition
Category
Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames
Materials
Metal
Rare S.C.A.L. Double Daybed by Jean Prouvé, circa 1950
By Jean Prouvé
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
The S.C.A.L. double daybed designed by Jean Prouvé is a magnificent piece of mid-century modern
Category
Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames
Materials
Metal
Frank Lloyd Wright Taliesin Mahogany Twin Headboard, 1950s
By Heritage-Henredon, Frank Lloyd Wright
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern "Taliesin" twin headboard
By Frank Lloyd Wright for Heritage
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames
Materials
Mahogany
Frank Lloyd Wright Taliesin Mahogany King Headboard, 1950s
By Frank Lloyd Wright, Heritage-Henredon
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare and exceptional Mid-Century Modern "Taliesin" King size headboard
By Frank Lloyd Wright for
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames
Materials
Mahogany
Edward Wormley Pair of Twin Headboards for Dunbar 1950s
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in New York, NY
Pair of twin headboards in mahogany with inset cane by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, American 1950's
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames
Materials
Cane, Mahogany
Plywood Double Bed Headboard, Italy, 1950s
Located in Milan, IT
Remarkable plywood double bed headboard.
Piece features three integrated doors revealing a storage
Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Bed Coronas
Materials
Plywood
Harvey Probber Queen Size Head Board in Mahogany and Brass, 1950s
By Harvey Probber
Located in New York, NY
, American, 1950's.
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames
Materials
Brass
Fine French 1950s Cradle by Max Ingrand
By Max Ingrand
Located in Long Island City, NY
Unique piece, this solid cherry wood cradle was designed by Max Ingrand for his own children.
Category
Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames
Materials
Cherry
20th Century Paolo Buffa Wooden Daybed with White Mattress for Lietti, 1950s
By Paolo Lietti & Figli, Paolo Buffa
Located in Turin, Turin
designers in the Milan area, from the 1950s he became the trusted architect of engineer Carlo Pesenti.
Here
Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
H 27.56 in W 84.26 in D 33.47 in
Midcentury Matrimonial Bed in Bamboo and Vienna Straw Italian Design 1950s
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Matrimonial bed in bamboo and Vienna straw Italian design 1950s, elegant and of great class, sober
Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Bed Coronas
Materials
Bamboo, Straw
H 39.38 in W 66.93 in D 78.75 in
Pair 1950's French Mid Century Modern Gilt Bronze Bed Side Table Lamps
By Jules Leleu
Located in Opa Locka, FL
Pair circa 1950's French Mid Century Modern Gilt Bronze Bed Side Table Lamps. Thyese are gorgeous
Category
Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Materials
Bronze
Italian Sofa Bed, 1950s
Located in Wolfurt, AT
This Italian sofa bed was designed in the 1950s. The shapes lend elegance and modernity to the
Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Canapes
Materials
Iron
Set of Two Elegant Mid Century Bed Clamp Sconces by Paul Neuhaus Germany 1950s
By Paul Neuhaus Leuchten
Located in Munich, DE
Set of two rare and elegant Mid-Century Modern bed clamp lights / sconces with rotating shades
Category
Vintage 1950s German Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Metal, Brass
H 2.56 in W 7.88 in D 5.91 in
Hiemstra Evolux Bed Lamps, 1950s
By Hiemstra Evolux
Located in Den Haag, NL
Design Rien Hiemstra for Hiemstra Evolux 1950s Holland two fantastic bed lamps. Black folding metal
Category
Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Metal
Jacques Biny, Bed or Painting Lamp for Lita, France, 1950s
By Jacques Biny, Lita
Located in Delft, NL
Jacques Biny, bed or painting lamp for Lita, France 1950s
A bed lamp or painting lamp made by
Category
Mid-20th Century French Wall Lights and Sconces
Materials
Metal, Brass
Folding and Adjustable Bed Tray, Laminated Wood, Fratelli Reguitti, Italy, 1950s
By Fratelli Reguitti
Located in Roma, IT
Folding and adjustable bed tray. In laminated wood of the Reguitti Brothers.
This tray is like new
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Materials
Laminate, Wood
H 18.12 in W 23.63 in D 15.16 in
Folding Tray Fratelli Reguitti Bed Rectangular Laminated Wood, 1950s , Italian
By Fratelli Reguitti
Located in Rome, IT
Folding midcentury tray table Fratelli Reguitti bed rectangular laminated wood, 1950, Italian
Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
Materials
Plastic, Laminate, Wood, Beech
H 8.67 in W 23.63 in D 15.16 in
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1950s Midcentury Bed For Sale on 1stDibs
With a vast inventory of beautiful furniture at 1stDibs, we’ve got just the 1950s midcentury bed you’re looking for. Each 1950s midcentury bed for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using wood, metal and brass. Your living room may not be complete without a 1950s midcentury bed — find older editions for sale from the 20th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 20th Century. A 1950s midcentury bed is a generally popular piece of furniture, but those created in Mid-Century Modern, Scandinavian Modern and Art Deco styles are sought with frequency. A well-made 1950s midcentury bed has long been a part of the offerings for many furniture designers and manufacturers, but those produced by Marco Zanuso, Artflex and Baker Furniture Company are consistently popular.
How Much is a 1950s Midcentury Bed?
A 1950s midcentury bed can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price 1stDibs is $2,453, while the lowest priced sells for $737 and the highest can go for as much as $42,000.
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.
Questions About 1950s Midcentury Bed
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Yes. While the gem has always been a mainstay in jewelry, there was a boom in demand for pearl pieces in the 1950s. The style at the time was black-and-white-chic, and pearls were an excellent accompaniment to pieces like the classic little black dress. Shop a collection of expertly vetted pearl jewelry from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- What is 1950s furniture called?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertSeptember 23, 20241950s furniture is called vintage furniture. Some pieces produced during this period may be considered mid-century modern based on their characteristics. Mid-century modern design refers to the variety of modernism that rose to prominence in the 1940s and ’50s. It displays many of the characteristics of the earlier versions of modernism, including simple forms and a focus on functionality. Other traits common in mid-century modern furniture include unadorned silhouettes, clean lines and mixed materials, emphasizing wood, wool, steel and plastic. On 1stDibs, explore a large collection of 1950s furniture.
- 1stDibs ExpertJune 30, 2023Some popular watches for men during the 1950s were the Rolex Submariner, the Enicar Sherpa Dive, the Breitling Navitimer, Omega, Constellation and the Rolex GMT-Master. Rolex, Timex, Orvin, Tower and Elgin were among the top watchmakers for women during the decade. On 1stDibs, find a collection of antique, vintage and contemporary watches.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 21, 2024The clothing style in the 1950s was well tailored and classic. For women, dresses with padded busts, cinched waists and hips, and full circle skirts were popular, and the collared button-up shirt dress came into fashion during the decade. Men tended to wear suits in neutral gray, dark blue and brown colors made out of easy-to-care-for synthetic fabrics. Straight-cut double-breasted blazers were commonly worn for casual occasions. On 1stDibs, explore a variety of vintage clothing from the 1950s.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 21, 2023In the 1950s, several diamond cuts were popular. They included the brilliant round cut, the Asscher cut, the emerald cut and the marquise cut. Rings that featured a large central stone flanked by smaller baguettes were also trendy during the decade. Find a collection of vintage diamond jewelry on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 13, 2024The best-known 1950s furniture style is called mid-century modern. Organically shaped, clean-lined and elegantly simple are three phrases that describe vintage mid-century modern furniture. The style emerged primarily in the years following World War II through creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living. Mid-century modern designers combined natural and human-made materials, such as teak, rosewood and oak woods as well as steel, fiberglass and molded plywood. Some well-known mid-century modern designers include Charles and Ray Eames, Eero Saarinen, Milo Baughman, Florence Knoll, Harry Bertoia, Isamu Noguchi and George Nelson. On 1stDibs, shop a large selection of mid-century modern furniture.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 6, 2023There were a few popular diamond cuts in the 1950s. One was the brilliant round cut, which is still common today due to its simple shape and prominent sparkle. Other favorite cuts of the decade included the Asscher cut, the emerald cut and the marquise cut. On 1stDibs, explore a large selection of engagement rings.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 27, 2023In the 1950s, a Chanel bag was priced between $200 and $300. The iconic Chanel 2.55 bag cost $220 when first introduced in February 1955. Accounting for inflation, that works out to around $2,536 in today's money. On 1stDibs, find a diverse assortment of Chanel bags from some of the world's top boutiques.
- Which artist became famous for his series of black paintings in the late 1950s and early 1960s?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertJanuary 27, 2025Frank Stella is the artist who became famous for his series of black paintings in the late 1950s and early 1960s. These works featured bands of black paint separated by thin, precise stripes of bare canvas. At a time when contemporary painting was all about wild gestures, thick paint and formal abandon, the “Black Paintings” created a sensation. Explore a range of Frank Stella art on 1stDibs.
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