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.
Space-Age Mid-Century Modern Dinette / Dinging Set by Virtue Brothers
Located in Fulton, CA
Space-Age, Mid-Century Modern "Star Trek" style 5 piece dinette set. Four swivel chairs and an oval dining table. (no leaves to table). Faux wood Formica table top. Vinyl or Naugahyd...
Aluminum
1970s French Dining Room Set with Round Table and Chairs in Solid Elm
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Dining room set with round table and four matching chairs, solid elm, leather, France, 1970s This French dining set, constructed entirely from solid elm, exemplifies a 1970s blend ...
Elm
Guglielmo Pecorini Dining Room Set with Chairs and Table in Wood
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Guglielmo Pecorini, dining room set, chestnut, pine, Italy, 1950s Striking dining set by Italian designer Guglielmo Pecorini, consisting of a freeform table and five sculptural chai...
Pine, Chestnut
Pierre Chapo Dining Set with 'T14D' Table and 'S24' Chairs in Elm and Leather
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Pierre Chapo, dining room set with eight 'S24' dining chairs and 'T14D' dining table, elm, leather, cord, France, 1960s-1980s This dining room set by Pierre Chapo, comprising a ‘T14...
Leather, Elm
1950s Sculptural French Chalet Set of Carved Tables and Chairs in Solid Pine
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Set of two tables and eight dining chairs, solid pine, brass, France, 1950s Crafted in solid pine and preserved from a 1950s ski hotel-lodge tucked high in the French mountains nea...
Brass
Six Pc. Mid Century Thaden Jordan Dining Set Table, Leaf and Four Chairs
By Thaden-Jordan Furniture Co.
Located in New York, NY
Mid Century dining set by the Thaden-Jordon Furniture Company ( Herbert Von Thaden and Donald Lewis Jordan ) circa 1947- 51. Constructed of bent plywood and thin birch veneer, th...
Birch, Plywood
Mastercraft MidCentury Modern Dining Table & Chairs Set, Burl Walnut, Brass Trim
Located in Perkasie, PA
MASTERCRAFT Mid Century Modern Dining Table & Chairs Set This exceptional Mastercraft dining set captures the sophisticated elegance of Mid-Century Modern design with its rich bur...
Walnut
Roundette Teak Extendable Dining Set by Hans Olsen for Frem Røjle, Denmark 1960s
By Hans Olsen, Frem Røjle
Located in Radomsko, Województwo łódzkie
This iconic set is a masterpiece of space-saving design and Danish craftsmanship. Known as the Roundette dining suite, it was designed by Hans Olsen for Frem Røjle in Denmark. It is ...
Faux Leather, Teak
Extendable Teak Dining Table & 6 Chairs by Hans Olsen for Frem Røjle, 1950s
By Hans Olsen, Frem Røjle
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Mid Century Danish - 1950s Measures : Table : Ø 105 cm - with extension leaf : 155x105 - H : 73cm Chairs : 49x42cm - H:71 cm - SH:42cm Materials : Wood - Leather "Roundette" teak...
Leather, Wood
Mid Century Broyhill Conover Furniture Co. Table 6 Caned back Chairs Dining Set
Located in Clifton Forge, VA
This is a great looking mid century Broyhill Conover Furniture Co. dining room set including a table two three leg supports and one leaf, 2 arm and 4 side chairs. The entire set is ...
Cane, Wood
$11,000 / set
French Pierre Chapo Style Solid Wood Dining Set
Located in Zhongzheng Dist., TW
This solid wood dining set, dating from the 1970s, embodies the understated aesthetic of Pierre Chapo Style. Crafted from substantial timber, its sculptural pedestal base and clean, ...
Elm
Eero Saarinen 42" Tulip Dining Table with 4 Swiveling Chairs for Knoll
By Knoll
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A vintage mid-century modern icon 42'' tulip dining table with four matching swiveling chairs reupholstered in red Knoll fabric. This color combination was used in many of the compan...
Metal
Alvar Aalto Extra Large Dining Table, Mid-Century Modern, 1960
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Dining table designed by Alvar Aalto, circa 1960 Special commission, unique piece of measure: 246 x 140 x73 cm Wood legs and structure. In original condition, with minor wear consi...
Wood
Rare George Nakashima x Widdicomb Origin Collection Walnut Dining Table & Chairs
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A rare, vintage George Nakashima Origins Collection dining set manufactured by Widdicomb circa 1959. This is a once-in-a-lifetime, truly extraordinary dining set, designed by the leg...
Walnut
Dining Table, Eight Chairs, Two Leaves by Eric Buck, Made in Denmark
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Immaculate Danish rosewood table and chairs by Eric Buck and produced by O.D Mobler A-S Domus Danica. This set consists of 11 pieces (table, eight chairs and two leaves). Table with...
Fabric, Wood
Russell Woodard Spun Fiberglass Beige "Peacock" Cafe Set for Four, 1950s
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Russell Woodard Tan toned Geometric Spun Fiberglass Cafe Set of 4. Featuring sturdy, balanced, woven Light Khaki Spun Fiberglass frameworks, hourglass bases, ergonomic arched fan b...
Fiberglass, Glass
5 Pc. Wrought Iron and Glass Garden Patio Dining Set by Meadowcraft
By Woodard Furniture Co., Meadowcraft
Located in New York, NY
Chic garden, patio, dinette set consisting of a dining table , and four side chairs. The table has a tempered glass top, the chairs have their original upholstered pad seats, metal e...
Wrought Iron
Henry Link, Dining Table and Four Chairs, Bamboo, Fabric, Philippines, 1980s
By Henry Link
Located in Stamford, CT
Henry Link, Mid-Century Modern Patio Set, Table and Four Chairs, Bamboo, Fabric, Philippines, 1980s Set of four bamboo and fabric chairs and a bamboo and glass bistro table...
Fabric, Bamboo
Mid Century Cafe Dinette Set Inc. Table and Two Chairs Attributed to Umanoff
Located in New York, NY
Charming three piece cafe style dinette set to include two chairs and a table. The chairs feature a dramatic scrolled arm, with backs that have a circular caned pattern...
Wrought Iron
$3,800 / set
1950's John Salterini Dining Set
Located in New York, NY
1950's Mid-Century Modern wrought iron dining set by John Salterini, newly painted with new glass top and new leather upholstery seats.
Iron, Wrought Iron
5 pc Mid Century Dinette Set by Viko Baumritter c 1950’s
Located in New York, NY
Mid Century dinette set including four chairs and a dining table. This set was designed by Viko Baumritter circa 1950/1960’s. It is in good, original vintage condition showing some ...
Plastic, Wood
Vico Magistretti "Carimate" Green Stained Oak Dining Chairs with Matching Table
By Cassina, Hank Loewenstein, Vico Magistretti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This dining set consists of four Vico Magistretti, 'Carimate' green stained oak dining chairs and a matching 1970's Hank Loewenstein Padova Din...
Rush, Oak
Roundette Teak Extendable Dining Set by Hans Olsen for Frem Røjle, Denmark 1960s
By Hans Olsen, Frem Røjle
Located in Radomsko, Województwo łódzkie
This iconic set is a masterpiece of space-saving design and Danish craftsmanship. Known as the Roundette dining suite, it was designed by Hans Olsen for Frem Røjle in Denmark. It is ...
Faux Leather, Teak
Suite d’une table ronde avec rallonge et 4 chaises vintage en pin des années 60
Located in BESANÇON, FR
Ensemble de salle-à-manger composé de : Une table ronde vintage des années 60 70, en pin, dans le goût du designer danois Rainer Daumiller, pied central à 4 branches s’ouvrant en 2 ...
Pine
Vintage Wood Folding Table w/ Four Bentwood Chairs in the style of Arne Jacobsen
Located in New York, NY
Mid century Danish modern set is unmarked and in the style of Arne Jacobsen’s 1960,s Camping Set. The table and chairs have legs that are hollow tubular steel .The table folds and i...
Steel
MCM Set 4 Krueger Chairs & Tulip Style Base Game or Dining Table Faux Wood Top
Located in Topeka, KS
Wonderful vintage Mid-Century Modern set of 4 Krueger chairs of molded fiberglass shell bodies with seats & backs of mottled creamy beige Naugahyde upholstery, and black painted sled...
Metal
Set of 6 Dining Chairs and Table by Carlo Ratti, 1950s
By Carlo Ratti
Located in Wolfurt, AT
This set of a table and six Italian dining chairs was designed by Carlo Ratti in the 1950s. Both, the chairs and the matching table were manufactured by the company Industria Legni C...
Brass, Iron
Unique One of a Kind Herman Miller Eames Vintage Dining Set
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Unique one of a kind Herman Miller Eames dining set. Classic DCM chairs, each with own unique characteristics, paired with Herman Miller Eames table base...
Marble
Pine Dining Set by Dom Hans Van Der Laan
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Constructed from lacquered pine planks and fastened using hinge nails, this rare Dom Hans van der Laan (The Netherlands 1904-1991) dining set features straight corners and beveled in...
Metal
Set of Vintage Round table with Six Chairs in Red and White Leather
Located in Miami, FL
Chair measurements : Depth: 41cm Width: 55cm Heigh: 70cm Height to the seat : 50cm
Leather
Billy Baldwin for Bielecky Brothers Rattan Game Table and Chairs, Set of 3 1970s
By Bielecky Brothers, Billy Baldwin
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A chic rattan game table and pair of matching lounge chairs, designed by Billy Baldwin for Bielecky Brothers. The set features split-reed rattan wrapped construction throughout, with...
Raffia, Rattan
Mid Century Modern Dining Set in Walnut, Round Table and 4 A. Šuman Chairs, 1960
Located in Wrocław, Poland
This unique dining set consists of an elegant, round, extendable table (made in Poland) and four original vintage chairs designed by Antonín Šuman (made in Czechoslovakia). It is a g...
Walnut
Mid-Century Teak Extension Dining Set by Hulmefa, Netherlands
By Hulmefa
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hulmefa produced this dining set in the Netherlands during the 1960s, combining teak surfaces with a black enameled metal structure throughout. The rectangular table features a teak ...
Metal, Enamel
$5,592Sale Price|30% Off
Vittorio Dassi Iconic Design Mid-Century Modern Italian Dining Table, 1950s
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Beautiful table designed by the famous Italian Mid-Century Modern designer Vittorio Dassi, 1950. The exceptional woodwork is highlighted by the curved green glass top and the rounded...
Marble
"Gemütlich" Leather Clad Table and 4 Burgundy Brentwood Chairs by William Haines
Located in Palm Desert, CA
This collection presents a rare opportunity to own a piece of Los Angeles design history. The house, originally designed by Paul Williams in 1933 was given the Haines touch when his clients a young family of five purchased and moved in in 1963. Haines made appropriate changes to the structure and being at the top of his game, both the architectural changes and the custom furnishings clearly illustrate this. He discreetly added a projection room to the front of the house so that the cleverly concealed projectors made for a movie going experience in the living room. Other Haines touches abound in this, a wonderful and thoughtful interior perfectly capturing a moment in time when life was glamorous. This set still in tact consists of the "good times" table surrounded by a set of 4 chairs, a variation on the "Brentwood" chair with an all upholstered back with channel quilting and biscuit tufted seating. Because Haines had a keen eye for detail the chairs also have a wonderful "cut" in the front legs accented with black enamel. The biscuit tufting on the seats is classic while the channeling on the backs make these unique. The table top is wrapped in tooled Ocher leather and rests on a hand carved base featuring 3 dolphin...
Leather, Fabric, Wood
1970s Chromecraft Smoked Lucite Tulip Chairs Dining Table, Set of 5
By Chrome Craft
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
On offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning, timeless, smoked oval glass dining table and smoked tulip swivel chairs you could hope to find. Outstanding design is exhibite...
Steel
Mid-Century Modern Tulip Dining Set in the Manner of Eero Saarinen for Knoll
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
Located in Perkasie, PA
Description: A striking Mid-Century Modern dining set featuring a pedestal dining table with four coordinating swivel chairs, designed in the iconic Tulip style associated with Eero ...
Steel
Rare Early Production Knoll Saarinen Walnut Tulip Table & 4 Chairs 575 Madison
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A beautiful and quite rare very early production Knoll Eero Saarinen Tulip table and chairs. The Walnut top table and chairs all bear the Knoll 575 Madison Avenue label which means t...
Iron
$4,950 / set
Organic Brutalist Table with Chairs in Maple
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Brutalist set of chairs and dining table, maple, Europe, 1960s Beautiful and naturalistic set consisting of a table and two chairs made in Europe in the 1960s. The chair features a...
Maple
William Doezema for Mastercraft Mid-Century Burl Wood Extension Dining Table Set
By Mastercraft, William Doezema
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An exceptional and highly sought-after Mid-Century Modern dining set designed by William Doezema for Mastercraft, showcasing the luxurious craftsmanship and timeless sophistication t...
Brass
Danish Modern, Brutalist Dining Room Set, Pine, Shearling, Denmark, 1960s
Located in Stamford, CT
Danish Mid-Century Modern, Set of Six Rustic Dining Chairs and Brutalist Table, Pine, Beige Sheepskin, Denmark, 1960s Wonderful set of six brutalist style dining chairs and an expan...
Sheepskin, Teak
Mid Century Dining table and Chairs by John Herbert for A Younger
Located in Seaford, GB
Mid Century Vintage mid century teak dining Table by John Herbert for A Younger Ltd – Circa 1960s Sussex Elevate your dining space with this rare Mid Century Vintage Fonseca Table ...
Teak
Dining Set by IKEA, 1990s
By IKEA
Located in Praha, CZ
Good original condition with some signs of use Faux leather in good condition with some signs of use Table shows some signs of use The table dimensions : H:76 W:84 D:84 Chair - high...
Chrome
Vintage Mid Century Modern Woodard Style Wrought Iron Garden Patio Dining Set 5p
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Vintage Mid Century Modern Woodard Style Wrought Iron Garden Patio Dining Set - 5 Pc ...
Wrought Iron
Italian Space Age Chrome Dining Set: Table & 4 Orange Velvet Chairs, 1970s
Located in Kaštel Sućurac, HR
Italian Space Age Chrome Dining Set, Table and Four Chairs, Orange Velvet, 1970s. This dining set features four chairs built from tubular chrome-plated steel bent into concentric ho...
Steel, Chrome
$2,500 / set
Vintage Boho Wicker Rattan and Bamboo Dining Set
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Bring effortless coastal charm and vintage character to your home with this beautiful Boho dining set, featuring a round glass-top table and four matching rattan, wicker, and bamboo ...
Rattan
$2,900 / item
Set of 5 Round Patio Garden Table Dining Set
Located in Sheffield, MA
Newly painted 40" round Mid-Century Modern Russell Woodard style wrought iron or cast iron base dining table with center hole for umbrella and four matching armchair. The set of gard...
Wrought Iron
Charles Ray Eames Herman Miller Dining Room Set 4 La Fonda Chairs & Dining Table
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Sherborne, Dorset
A rare set of four 1960s Charles & Ray Eames “La Fonda” DSL dining chairs for Herman Miller with fibreglass shells, original red naugahyde with black piping on a four column pede...
Metal, Aluminum
Vintage Salterini Style Wrought Iron Small Garden Patio Bistro Dining Set - 3 pc
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Salterini Style Wrought Iron Small Garden Patio Bistro Dining Set - 3 pc. Listing includes (1) small round dining table, (2) dining side chairs, pierced fretwork design to ta...
Wrought Iron
3 pc. Mid Century Dinette Kitchen Set after Umanoff McCobb c 1950/60's
By Paul McCobb, Arthur Umanoff
Located in New York, NY
Classic Mid Century kitchen, or dinette set comprised of a small table and two side chairs. The table has a faux rosewood formica top, on black metal a pedestal base, the two chars ...
Wrought Iron
Gordon Russell. Designer WH Russell a Rosewood & Mahogany 'Burford' Dining Suite
By W. H. Russell, Gordon Russell
Located in London, GB
Gordon Russell Broadway. Designed by W.H. Russell FSIA. A rosewood and mahogany 'Burford' dining suite, comprising of a low side board, with serpentine ...
Mahogany, Rosewood
Verner Panton "Pantonova" Dining Set of Dining Table and Six Chairs
By Fritz Hansen, Verner Panton
Located in Kansas City, MO
Very rare Verner Panton Pantonova dining table and chairs, made by Fritz Hansen, Denmark, 1971. Cognac color leather seat pads. Set includes table, m...
Chrome
Attributed to Gio Ponti, Three Chairs and Table Set, Italian from 1954
By Gio Ponti
Located in London, GB
A distinctive set of three chairs and a matching table, attributed to Gio Ponti, Italy, 1954. Crafted from painted metal, the set features a refined geometric construction and a ligh...
Metal
Charles Hollis Jones Triple Arch Dining Table for the "Arch" Line, Signed
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Arch line was created after Charles started working with the owner of the Raiders, Al Davis while designing a set of chairs for his executive office in Beverly Hills with the feeling of a football helmet, and the silhouette of a dome. The most creative arch that Charles has designed is the arch of the Le Dome table...
Lucite
Silvio Coppola Large Round Expandable Dining Table in Pine, Italy 1960's
Located in New York, NY
Round expanding table by Silvio Coppola. A very versatile table with a concealed folding leaf system that allows the table to go from 47" round t...
Pine
$4,160Sale Price|20% Off
Early Alvar Aalto Dining Set C.1940s
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Great Barrington, MA
Really beautiful, early and rare dining set by Alvar Aalto. Smart color combination and natural patina. Table and six chairs.
Birch
Set of Four Rattan Ring Back "Concord" Chair and Glass Top Table, Dining Set
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Freshly made rattan dining set featuring 4 "Concord" rattan armchairs with your choice of fabric. Included is a round 42" Diameter 3/8" thick with bevel edge glass top rattan table r...
Wicker, Rattan, Glass
Dining Room Set with Table and Four Chairs by Giotto Stoppino, Italy 1970s
Located in Hellouw, NL
Very nice dining room set by Giotto Stoppino from the 1970s in Italy. This set consists of a dining table and four matching dining room chairs. The table has a tubular, chrome-plated...
Metal, Chrome
Vintage Chromcraft Chrome and Cane Dining Set with Glass Table
Located in Rancho Cucamonga, CA
A vintage dining set by Chromcraft Corp. comprising four sculptural chrome armchairs with woven cane backs and a glass-top dining table. Polished chrome frames contrast with the wov...
Chrome
French Midcentury Formica Dinette Set by SIF, Chrome & Blue, 1950s
Located in Atlanta, GA
French Midcentury Retro Kitchenette Set in a daring powder blue formica from the SIF brand made during the 1950s. This iconic, complete set includes a statement cupboard, an expandin...
Chrome