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.
José Zanine Caldas Tête-à-Tête Conversadeira Namoradeira Rocker Lounge Chair
Located in Waalwijk, NL
José Zanine Caldas, 'Namoradeira' - 'Conversadeira' - Tête-à-Tête - lounge chair, Vinhatico hardwood, Brazil, ca. 1980 José Zanine Caldas’s sculptural rocker, which goes by several...
Hardwood
Guillerme & Chambron Lounge Set with Connecting Table in Solid Oak
By Votre Maison, Guillerme et Chambron
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Guillerme et Chambron for Votre Maison, coupled lounge chairs with side table, fabric, oak, France, 1960s Guillerme & Chambron are known for their high quality solid oak furnit...
Fabric, Oak
Sergio Conti, Marisa Forlani and Luciano Grassi for 'Artigianato' Lounge Chair
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Sergio Conti, Marisa Forlani and Luciano Grassi for Emilio Paoli, 'Artigianato' lounge chair from the Monofilo series, lacquered iron, nylon, Italy, design 1953, made 1954/55 During...
Iron
Guillerme & Chambron 'Petit Repos' Lounge Chair in Solid Oak
By Votre Maison, Guillerme et Chambron
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Guillerme et Chambron for Votre Maison, 'Petit Repos' lounge chair, solid oak, fabric, France, 1960s. Guillerme & Chambron are known for their high-quality solid oak furniture, ...
Fabric, Oak
Alvar Aalto Paimio Chair 41 - Vintage Modernist Bentwood Armchair for Artek
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Decatur, GA
Paimio Chair or Chair 41 by Alvar Aalto for Artek. Originally designed in 1931 for the Paimio Sanatorium in Finland. Aalto aimed to create a chair that promoted patient well-being th...
Birch, Plywood, Lacquer
Danish 1940s Easy Chair with Open Armrests in Beech by Alfred Christensen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Classic elegant Danish high back armchair from the 1940s by Alfred Christensen for Slagelse Mobelvaerk with open armrests in beautifully carved stained beech wood. Nice slim elegant...
Beech
Guillerme & Chambron, Lounge Chair, Oak, Fabric, France, 1960s
Located in High Point, NC
An oak and fabric lounge chair designed by Robert Guillerme and Jacques Chambron and produced by Votre Maison, France, c. 1960. Wear consistent with age and use. Straps on back cus...
Fabric, Oak
Guillerme & Chambron, Lounge Chair, Fabric, Oak, France, 1960
By Votre Maison, Robert Guillerme
Located in High Point, NC
A fabric and oak lounge chair designed by Robert Guillerme and Jacques Chambron, produced by Votre Maison France, c. 1960. Wear consistent with age and use. Seat reupholstered in...
Fabric, Oak
Trä-Inn, Lounge Chair, Pine, Fabric, Sweden, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A pine and floral-printed fabric lounge chair designed and produced by Stockholms Träinrednings AB, Trä-Inn Sweden, c. 1970s. Wear consistent with age and use. Overall Dimensions (...
Fabric, Pine
Vintage 1970s Barcelona Lounge Chairs Set of 2 by Mies van der Rohe for Knoll
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Knoll
Located in Antwerp, BE
This rare set of Barcelona chairs was designed by Architect Mies van der Rohe and Designer Lily Reich in 1929 and produced by Knoll International in the 70s labeled The Barcelona ch...
Stainless Steel, Chrome
Guillerme & Chambron for Votre Maison Lounge Chair in Oak
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Guillerme & Chambron for Votre Maison lounge chair, grey/lightbrown fabric, oak, France, 1960s This lounge chair by Guillerme & Chambron, designed in the 1960s, is a beautif...
Fabric, Oak
Vladimir Kagan Pair of 'Barrel' Lounge Chairs in Multicolored Abstract Fabric
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Vladimir Kagan, pair of 'Barrel' armchairs, model '100A', fabric, oak, United States, design 1947 The Barrel Chair, first introduced by Vladimir Kagan in 1947, is a study in sensuou...
Fabric, Beech
Pair of Mid-Century Lounge Chairs in Green Velvet
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Pair of lounge chairs, beech, velvet, Europe, 1950s These European lounge chairs from the 1950s combine comfortable proportions with a restrained, elegant design. The softly rounded...
Fabric, Beech
Restored 1970s Eames Lounge 670 & Ottoman 671 in Brazilian Rosewood & Leather
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Oakland, CA
Restored 1970s production Eames Lounge and ottoman (670 & 671) originally designed by the Eameses (Ray and Charles) and Don Albinson in 1956, constructed of Brazilian rosewood (D...
Aluminum
Guglielmo Veronesi for Isa Bergamo Elegant Lounge Chair in Brown Velvet
By ISA Bergamo
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Guglielmo Veronesi for Isa Bergamo lounge chair, velvet, beech, Italy, 1950s This elegant lounge chair, designed by Guglielmo Veronesi for Isa Bergamo in the 1950s, is a beautiful e...
Velvet, Beech
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Gavina 'Bastiano' Lounge Chair in Ash and Leather
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Simon Gavina Editions
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, 'Bastiano' lounge chair, leather, ash, Italy, 1961 Designed by Tobia Scarpa for Gavina’s experimental design lab in 1960, the Bastiano series re...
Leather, Ash
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs in Forest Green Mohair by Pierre Frey
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Pair of club chairs, reupholstered in mohair "Bold - Forest" by Pierre Frey, stained beech, Italy, 1940s With its spacious design and fresh mohair upholstery in a rich forest green...
Mohair, Beech
Art Deco Lounge Chair in Wood and Cane
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Lounge chair, beech, cane, Europe, 1930s/1940s This elegant lounge chair was crafted in Europe in the 1930s/1940s, showcasing the timeless appeal of early modern design. The piece f...
Cane, Beech
Mid-Century 2249-C Lounge Chair in Walnut & Viridian Velvet by Adrian Pearsall
Located in New York, NY
An outstanding example of Mid-Century Modernist design, this 2249-C lounge chair by acclaimed American designer Adrian Pearsall showcases both luxurious materials and bold architectu...
Velvet, Walnut
Mid-Century Bulky Lounge Chair in Beige Patterned Upholstery
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Lounge chair, fabric, beech, Europe, 1950s This distinctive European lounge chair from the 1950s combines generous comfort with confident, sculptural form. Its bulky silhouette, wit...
Fabric, Beech
Louis Paolozzi for Zol Pair of Lounge Chairs in Terracotta Bouclé by Pierre Frey
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Louis Paolozzi for Zol, pair of lounge chairs, model 'Rondo', beech, reupholstered in bouclé "Opio" by Pierre Frey, Italy, design 1968 These rare and striking lounge chairs, model '...
Beech, Bouclé
Mid-Century Franco Albini Inspired Bamboo Lounge Chair by Rohé Noordwolde
By Dirk Van Sliedregt, Rohe Noordwolde
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Bamboo lounge chair manufactured by Rohé Noordwolde and designed by Dirk van Sliedregt. The sculptural frame features curved bamboo forming graceful loop armrests and legs, with a fa...
Fabric, Bamboo
1950s Pair of Lounge Chairs in Wood and Green Fabric
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Pair of lounge chairs, beech, fabric, Europe, 1950s This elegant pair of European lounge chairs from the 1950s beautifully reflects the refined comfort of mid-century design. Their ...
Fabric, Beech
Danish 1940s Easy Chair with Open Armrests in Beech by Alfred Christensen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Classic elegant Danish high back armchair from the 1940s by Alfred Christensen for Slagelse Mobelvaerk with open armrests in beautifully carved stained beech wood. Nice slim elegant...
Beech
Vintage Solid Oak Danish Brutalist Lounge Chair, Henning Kjærnulf style, 1960s
Located in Store Heddinge, DK
Presenting this exceptional lounge chair, attributed to Danish architect and designer Henning Kjærnulf, a masterclass in the "Baroque Modernism" style that defined his most celebrate...
Fabric, Oak
Expertly Restored -Modern Reclining Lounge Chair with Ottoman by Ib Kofod-Larsen
By Ib Kofod-Larsen, Selig
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 precis...
Fabric, Foam, Wood, Oak, Walnut
Ueli Berger for De Sede 'DS-80' Lounge Chair in Cognac Leather
By Ueli Berger, De Sede
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ueli Berger for De Sede, lounge chair, model 'DS-80', wood, leather, Switzerland, 1970s The 'DS-80' lounge chair designed by Ueli Berger for De Sede. The frame is a stark, dark grey...
Leather, Wood
Marco Zanuso for Arflex Pair of ‘Square’ Lounge Chairs in Black Leather
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Marco Zanuso for Arflex, pair of ‘Square’ lounge chairs, leather, metal, wood, Italy, 1962 This eccentric pair of club chairs by Marco Zanuso is well-executed embodying a solid con...
Metal
Guglielmo Ulrich Attribution, Lounge Chairs, Fabric, Wood, Brass, Italy, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of cream white bouclé, brown velvet, wood and brass slipper lounge chairs attributed to Guglielmo Ulrich, Italy, c. 1940s. Wear to feet consistent with age and use. Reuphols...
Fabric, Wood
Danish Lounge Chairs in style of Frits Henningsen, ca, 1950 in Teal Colored Wool
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Classic elegant Danish low back armchair from around 1950. Very much in the style of Frits Henningsen with a strong design identity and clean strong lines. Solid and sturdy construct...
Wool, Beech
$6,950 / set
French Hunting Chairs in Pine and Brown Leather
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Pair of hunting chairs, leather, pine, France, 1950s This pair of hunting chairs features beautifully patinated brown leather on both the seat and backrest. Sculpturally constructed...
Leather, Pine
Pair of Vintage Bamboo Lounge Chairs with Green Cushions Italy 1950's
By Adrien Audoux and Frida Minnet, Gio Ponti, Paul Frankl, Franco Albini
Located in Den Haag, NL
Pair of Vintage Bamboo Armchairs with Green Cushions Italy 1950's
Bamboo
Maison Regain, Lounge Chairs, Elm, Fabric, France, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of elm and grey fabric lounge chairs produced by Maison Regain, France, c. 1970s. Arm cushions in minor distress reupholstery recommended. Wear consistent with age and use. ...
Fabric, Elm
Pair of Powder Blue Mohair Velvet Swiveling "Nautilus" Chairs by Vladimir Kagan
Located in New York, NY
This pair of swiveling "Nautilus" chairs by Vladimir Kagan, crafted in America circa 1970, is a quintessential example of Kagan’s visionary design. Renowned for his sculptural approa...
Mohair, Velvet
$2,987Sale Price|20% Off
1950s Fritz Hansen Style Lounge Chair In Green Velvet With Oak Armrests. Denmark
By Fritz Hansen
Located in Silvolde, Gelderland
Elegant mid-century Danish lounge chair from the 1950s, executed in rich green velour upholstery. The design reflects the refined and organic aesthetic associated with the Fritz Hans...
Velvet, Oak, Pine
Afra & Tobia Scarpa Pair of 'Artona' Lounge Chairs in Elm and Checkered Fabric
By Maxalto, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto, pair of 'Artona' lounge chairs, ash, checkered fabric, Italy, 1975/1979 Pair of cubic ‘Artona’ lounge chairs by Italian designer couple Afra and...
Fabric, Ash
Federico Munari, Lounge Chairs, Fabric, Brass, Italy, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of white bouclé fabric and brass lounge chairs designed by Federico Munari and produced by ISA Bergamo, Italy, 1950s. Dramatic patina on brass legs. Reupholstered in brand n...
Brass
French Designer, Lounge Chairs, Iron, Fabric, France, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of black-lacquered iron and beige mohair lounge chairs designed and produced in France, c. 1950s. Moderate patina on brass with some finish loss consistent with vintage age a...
Iron
French Designer, Lounge Chair, Steel, Wood, Fabric, France, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A brown fabric, black-lacquered tubular steel and wood lounge chair designed and produced in France, c. 1930s. Dramatic patina on metal frame with some finish loss. Overall Dimensi...
Steel
Vintage original Clam Chair by Arnold Madsen for Vik & Blindheim, Norway 1950s
Located in Bergen, NO
A rare and authentic Clam Chair designed by Arnold Madsen and produced by Vik & Blindheim in Norway, circa 1953. These chairs represent an important chapter in Scandinavian moder...
Wool, Beech
Danish Otto Schulz style Low Mid century Lounge Chair in Oak and Shearling 1940s
By Otto Schulz
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Fantastic 1940s Otto Schulz style lounge chair made by unknown Danish master carpenter sometime in the 1930s or 1940s. The style is similar to that of Schulz with the typical separat...
Sheepskin, Oak
Two Mid Century GFM Stools in Drawing Jacquard by Dedar, E. Homa, Europe, 1960s
By Edmund Homa
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Beautiful pair of two stools designed by Edmund Homa. The stool was made in the 1960s in the Gosciecinska Furniture Factory from solid beechwood. The GFM type stool is regarded one...
Textile, Beech
Mid Century GFM Stool in Drawing Jacquard by Dedar, E. Homa, Europe, 1960s
By Edmund Homa
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Beautiful stool designed by Edmund Homa. The stool was made in the 1960s in the Gosciecinska Furniture Factory from solid beechwood. The GFM type stool is regarded one of the best ...
Textile, Beech
Mid Century Set of Two GFM 64 Armchairs and Stools, Jacquard by Dedar, 1960s
By Edmund Homa
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Set of 4: 2 x beautiful armchairs and 2 x stools GFM 64 designed by Edmund Homa. The armchair was made in the 1960s in the Gosciecinska Furniture Factory from solid beechwood. The...
Textile, Beech
Mogens Lassen Style Danish 1940s Highback Lounge Chair
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Super charming 1940s lounge chair in the style of Mogens Lassen with very sculptural organic shape and harmonious proportions. Versatile and very suitable for a space in need of a st...
Wool, Beech
A. Brandt Ranch Oak, Lounge Chairs, Mohair, Oak, USA, 1950s
By A. Brandt Ranch Oak Furniture
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of oak and beige mohair lounge chair designed and produced by A. Brandt Ranch Oak, USA, 1950s. Wear to wood frame consistent with age and use, including minor natural wood cr...
Mohair, Oak
Pair of Westnofa Norway Cantilevered Bentwood and Orange Wool Lounge Chairs
Located in Lutz, FL
Pair of Vintage Westnofa Bentwood Lounge Chairs. Made in Norway c.1970’s, this low slung chair is well constructed and comfortable, the cantilevered medium tone beech bentwood frame ...
Wool, Beech
Vintage Pair of Gae Aulenti for Knoll Lounge Chairs, Green Frames Black Leather
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Round Rock, TX
Pair of sculptural lounge chairs designed by Gae Aulenti for Knoll. A continuous tubular steel frame wraps the chair in one flowing line, forming both the arms and base. These examp...
Metal
French Mid-Century Angular Lounge Chairs in Teak and Cane
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Lounge chairs, teak, cane, France, 1950s/1960s This striking pair of French Mid-century modern lounge chairs show dynamic, angular frames in warm teak contrast beautifully with the ...
Cane, Teak
Egg Chair by Arne Jacobsen upholstered in Cognac Leather
Located in Berlin, DE
Iconic Egg Chair designed by Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen, Denmark, 1958. Newly upholstered in high-quality cognac leather, showing a beautiful natural patina and soft texture. T...
Leather, Teak
$2,880Sale Price / set|20% Off
Heywood Wakefield Recline and Swivel Lounge Chair and Ottoman, c 1950s Signed
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A sculptural mid-century modern lounge chair and ottoman by Heywood-Wakefield, designed in the spirit of the iconic Eames Lounge Chair 670/671 by Herman Miller and reminiscent of the...
Naugahyde, Walnut
René Gabriel Lounge Chair in Green Linen Pierre Frey Fabric and Wood
By Rene Gabriel
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Attributed to Rene Gabriel, lounge chair, stained beech, linen fabric "Arsene" by Pierre Frey, France, circa 1945 This armchair is attributed to the French artist René Gabriel, kno...
Fabric, Beech
Ricardo Legorreta 'Butaque' Lounge Chair in Oak and Leather
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ricardo Legorreta for Legorreta Arquitecto, 'Butaque' lounge chair, oak, leather, Mexico, 1997 This Butaque lounge chair was designed by Ricardo Legorreta and made by Legorreta Arqu...
Leather, Oak
Mid Century GFM 64 Armchair, Drawing Jacquard Velvet Dedar, Homa, Europe, 1960s
By Edmund Homa
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Beautiful armchair GFM 64 designed by Edmund Homa. The armchair was made in the 1960s in the Gosciecinska Furniture Factory from solid beechwood. The GFM type armchair is regarded ...
Textile, Beech
Two Mid Century GFM 64 Armchairs, Drawing Velvet by Dedar, Homa, Europe, 1960s
By Edmund Homa
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Beautiful armchair GFM 64 designed by Edmund Homa. The armchair was made in the 1960s in the Gosciecinska Furniture Factory from solid beechwood. The GFM type armchair is regarded ...
Textile, Beech
Pair High-Back Lounge Chairs Manner of Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley, Selig
Located in Fulton, CA
A pair of Mid-Century Modern high-back upholstered lounge chairs with exposed wood base. Appear to have an older re-upholstery. Very comfortable and quality made chairs. Circa. 1950'...
Fabric
Highback Lounge Chair in Teak and Green Leather by Arne Hovmand-Olsen, 1960s
Located in Berlin, DE
Lounge chair designed by Arne Hovmand-Olsen, made of solid teak. The frame shows the designer’s characteristic organic shaping, with elegantly curved armrests, tapered legs, and fine...
Teak, Leather
Le Corbusier LC2 Longue Chair Italy 1980s
By Le Corbusier
Located in Čelinac, BA
Le Corbusier LC2 Longue Chair Italy 1980s
Chrome
Pair of Danish 1940-50s Lounge Chairs with Carved Armrests in Oak
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Super charming 1940s pair of lounge chairs in the style of Mogens Lassen with a very sculptural organic shape and harmonious proportions. Versatile and very suitable for a smaller sp...
Mohair, Beech
Vintage Pernilla Armchair by Bruno Mathsson for Dux
By Dux of Sweden, Bruno Mathsson
Located in Chicago, IL
Pernilla 69 lounge chair by DUX Sweden, circa 1970 laminated and steam-bent beech, canvas webbing chair: 38½ h × 29½ w × 35 d in Condition: Good overall condition. General wear exi...
Bentwood