Pacifica Sideboard

Contemporary American firm Newell Design Studio has been creating sophisticated sideboards, end tables, dressers and other furniture with mid-century modern charm for decades.

Newell was founded in California by Jeff and Beth Newell, who also currently serve as the company's creative directors. The firm was born of a passion for furniture that is useful, innovative and appealing to look at. The principals source materials from local suppliers and regularly enlist the work of nearby artisans.

In his designs, Jeff Newell strives to let the materials speak for themselves by prominently showcasing details like the grain of the wood or the natural veining of the stone. The studio’s seating, tables and other pieces are finished with one of more than 80 durable lacquers. In line with Newell's craftsmanship-first approach, these finishes are applied by hand in a multi-step process. Newell also offers parchment and shagreen finishes — the latter, a favorite of Art Deco designers such as Jean-Michel Frank, has re-emerged over the years as a luxe material for decorators and furniture makers.

Newell Design Studio offers a full range of design and build services — from the shop drawings to the final product — and works extensively with leading architects and interior designers. Its collaborators have included California-based interior design firms Circa Genevieve and Kristi Will Home + Design.

"Jeff Newell is who I turn to for custom furniture," Will told SFGATE. "He creates pieces that are the antiques of tomorrow."

On 1stDibs, find Newell Design Studio tables, storage cabinets, seating and more.

Although traditionally used in the bedroom to store garments that would not be hung in a closet, an antique or vintage cabinet can easily find a purpose in rooms throughout your entire house.

The world's first storage cabinets, reportedly constructed in Renaissance-era Europe, were demonstrative of excellence in carpentry and the work of master carvers. These robust bureaus or sophisticated chests of drawers were typically built from common woods, such as oak or walnut. Although they were fairly uniform in structure and lacked the bright colors of modern-day furniture, case pieces and storage cabinets that date from the 18th century and earlier were often found in the homes of nobility.

Their intricate carvings and various embellishments — adornments made from ivory, ornate lacquer work and, later, glass shelvings — reflect the elegance with which these decorative furnishings were associated. Given its valuable purpose and the beauty of the early furnishings' designs, the storage cabinet is an investment that will never go out of style.

The practical design that defines the earliest storage cabinets has inspired the creation of household must-haves, like minimalist drink trolleys and marble wood bookcases. From hiding outdoor gear in the mudroom to decluttering your kitchen with a tall kitchen pantry cabinet, these versatile furnishings have now become available in enough sizes, styles and colors to accommodate any space. After all, these aren't your run-of-the-mill filing cabinets.

A sophisticated storage cabinet — wood storage cabinets with doors and shelves, for example — can serve as a room divider when necessary, while the right vintage wall unit or floor-to-ceiling cabinetry solutions can seamlessly become part of any space without disrupting the energy of the room. And although you may hide items away in its drawers, bookworms might prefer a storage cabinet with open shelving for displaying favorite books or other media.

One-of-a-kind solutions for the modern consumer abound, but enthusiasts of understated, classical beauty may turn to Baroque-style storage cabinets. Elsewhere, admirers of mid-century modernism looking to make a statement with their case pieces will warm to the dark woods and clean lines of vintage storage cabinets by Paul McCobb, Florence Knoll or Edward Wormley.

Sometimes the best renovation is a reorganization. If you're ready to organize and elevate your space, a luxury storage cabinet is the addition you need.

Find a variety of vintage and antique storage cabinets on 1stDibs, including unique Art Deco storage cabinets, chinoiserie cabinets and more.