The International Style, a modernist movement within architecture and furniture design that was given its name by American architect Philip Johnson and historian Henry-Russell Hitchcock, was born during the 1920s and ’30s. It gained steam initially in Europe and then in the United States as a response to the first World War. Building projects associated with the movement, as well as vintage International Style chairs, tables and other furnishings, are minimal and pared back.
Pioneers of the International Style — architect Walter Gropius and his Bauhaus colleagues Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Marcel Breuer, De Stijl advocate and Dutch architect J.J.P. Oud and visionary designer Le Corbusier — stripped away decorative elements and placed considerable value on functionality and clean lines, integrating the use of industrial materials like steel, concrete and large sheets of glass in their work. Quite aptly, this mode of design and architectural style coincided with an era now known as the Machine Age and became a global symbol of modernism. The primary motive of its practitioners was to address the changing needs of a rapidly industrializing society, especially the demand for office complexes and apartments in large cities, through economical, technologically advanced, yet aesthetically pleasing designs for furniture and buildings.
“Space and light and order. Those are the things that men need just as much as they need bread or a place to sleep,” said Le Corbusier of the philosophy behind his practical modernist architecture.
The International Style’s designers and architects were inspired by the advantages afforded them by the era’s new technology and industrial machinery as well as state-of-the-art materials. Le Corbusier was fond of framing his buildings in steel but reinforced concrete made far more economic sense. He is probably most admired for the iconic private homes and commercial buildings that he designed or codesigned with his cousin Pierre Jeanneret, which are spread across the world, from New York City to Paris to Chandigarh, India. Today, Breuer’s Wassily Lounge chair; the elegant LC series created by Le Corbusier, Jeanneret and Charlotte Perriand; and Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona chair, crafted with his romantic partner, designer Lilly Reich, are emblems of progressive modernist design and all make prominent use of tubular steel. Vintage originals are the prized cornerstone of collections.
“The International Style is probably the first fundamentally original and widely distributed style since the Gothic,” posited Johnson in the book that accompanied “Modern Architecture: International Exhibition,” an architectural show he cocurated with Hitchcock that featured the work of Frank Lloyd Wright, Le Corbusier, Richard Neutra and others. While the term “International Style” had previously been circulating in Europe, when the show opened at the Museum of Modern Art in 1932, it yielded a much broader application of this important style of design.
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$3,040Sale Price|20% Off
Leather Box Style Loveseat Sofa by Charles Pfister for Knoll
By Charles Pfister, Knoll
Located in New York, NY
Chic, sophisticated, and voguish loveseat sofa, designed by Charles Pfister for Knoll. This example was executed in grayish blue leather, it is in good, original condition, showing l...
Leather
Classic International Style Navy Mohair Armless Sofa
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A well made and impeccably Custom Upholstered Sofa in the International Style. With a contrasting Black Lacquer Frame and Antique Style tapering bulbous carved legs. The Navy Mohair...
Wood
$2,200
H 28 in W 81 in D 33 in
1970s Vintage Gold Diamond-Jacquard Three-Piece Modular Sofa by Charles Pfister
By Charles Pfister, Knoll
Located in Winston-Salem, NC
Gold diamond jacquard wraps every surface of this vintage sofa, with small plum accents catching the light across the weave. Square-cut arms, a low seat and loose welted back cushion...
Upholstery
$9,950
H 24 in W 58.5 in D 36.5 in
Gold Goop Brutalist Loveseat Sofa by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates
By Paul Evans, Adrian Pearsall, Craft Associates
Located in Chattanooga, TN
This Adrian Pearsall loveseat is a stunning fusion of mid-century modernism and sculptural bravado. Constructed in the 1970s for Craft Associates, its standout feature is a dramatic ...
Resin, Wood, Fabric, Upholstery
$3,400Sale Price|20% Off
H 30 in W 85 in D 28 in
Magnificent Space-Age Tubular Chrome 2-Seat Sofa with Table Ingmar Relling Style
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Magnificent Space Age chrome tubular 2-seat sofa with attached table in the style of Ingmar Relling. This piece is a bit of a mystery as to designer but by the shear quality and craftsmanship they shout that the designer is someone important. This sofa settee was purchased from a super high end car dealership from the 1970s. The interior of this car dealership was very futuristic in design with many pieces like this and pieces from the fiberglass steelcase floating furniture...
Chrome
Danish 1940's Curved "Banana" Loveseat or Small Sofa in Red Mohair
By Slagelse Mobelvaerk, Viggo Boesen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Banana shaped Viggo Boesen style curved sofa made in Denmark in the 1940s. This sofa will make a strong statement in any room. Beautiful round lines and iconic feet. Solid and sturdy...
Mohair, Beech
$16,552
H 28.35 in W 98.43 in D 49.22 in
Twins Large Curved Sofa by Rute Martins, Beige Mohair Velvet and Black Lacquer
Located in Lisboa, PT
The Twins large curved sofa by Rute Martins for Greenapple, in beige mohair velvet on a plinth of black satin lacquer. Handcrafted in Portugal. W 250 x D 125 x H 72 cm (98.4 x 49.2 x...
Wood, Mohair, Velvet, Lacquer, Upholstery
$3,775 / set
H 27 in W 32.5 in D 32.75 in
1970s Minimalist Charles Pfister for Knoll Chair & Ottoman Off White Upholstery
By Charles Pfister, Knoll
Located in St. Louis, MO
An original lounge / club chair with rarely seen ottoman, originally design in 1971 by Charles Pfister for Knoll. Elegant lines, beautifully proportioned with a minimal footprint, a ...
Upholstery, Foam, Down
'Brigadier' Loveseats by Cini Boeri for Knoll, Italy, 1980s
By Cini Boeri, Knoll
Located in Antwerp, BE
Exceptional sofa from the award-winning Brigadier Series by renowned Italian architect and designer, Cini Boeri (1924–2020). Crafted in the 1980s for Knoll, these sofas feature a sle...
Leather, Lacquer
$14,475
H 32.5 in W 92 in D 25 in
1940s Style Modernist Sweeping Curved Sofa in Oyster Velvet by High Style Deco
Located in New York, NY
This stunning modernist sofa was handcrafted by artisans in New York state, by High Style Deco, based off a design from the 1940s. It offers elegant proportions and sweeping dramatic...
Velvet, Wood
"Le Stelle" Loveseat Sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia, Knoll
Located in Los Angeles, CA
"Le Stelle" loveseat sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, Italy, circa 1970s. Newly reupholstered in white Knoll boucle, the sofa features angled arm rests and Bellini's signatu...
Bouclé
Suelo Outdoor Armless Sofa
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
This Suelo® Outdoor Armless Sofa is beautifully constructed from solid wood in Ohio, USA. This sofa's silhouette is simple, modern, and sleek with comfortable back and seat cushions....
Mahogany
Mid Century Style Leather Sofa
Located in Westwood, NJ
Mid-Century Modern style tufted leather upholstered sofa with a vintage brown top grain leather, with a tufted backrest and squared arms on metal bas...
Metal
Suelo Modern Platform Sofa
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
This Suelo® Modern platform sofa is beautifully constructed from solid wood in Ohio, USA. The sofa's silhouette is simple, modern, and sleek with comfortable back and seat cushions. ...
Hardwood
Vintage Style Classic Chesterfield Sofa, Cuban Cigar
Located in Westwood, NJ
A vintage-style classic English Chesterfield leather upholstered sofa, with top-grain leather in a vintage Cuban cigar color. With tufted backrest and rollo...
Leather, Wood
Vintage Style Classic Chesterfield Sofa
Located in Westwood, NJ
A vintage style Classic English Chesterfield leather upholstered sofa, with top-grain leather in a Havana brown finish. With tufted backrest and rollover arms, with two padded cushio...
Leather
$16,552
H 28.35 in W 98.43 in D 49.22 in
Twins Large Curved Sofa, Dark Green Mohair Velvet and Black Lacquer
Located in Lisboa, PT
The Twins large curved sofa by Rute Martins for Greenapple, in dark green mohair velvet on a plinth of black satin lacquer. Handcrafted in Portugal. W 250 x D 125 x H 72 cm (98.4 x 4...
Mohair, Velvet, Lacquer, Upholstery
Sold
H 30.5 in W 52 in D 30 in
Loveseat in Solid Fruitwood & Leather by Angel Pazmino, Ecuador, c. 1960's
Located in Deland, FL
As rare as it is aesthetically captivating this stunningly unique mid century modern two-seater sofa by Ecuador’s Angel Pazmino is the epitome of functional art. Crafted by artisans from tropical hardwoods with hand-tooled leather slings this exquisite sofa is sure to steal the show in any space it inhabits. Ideal for both studio and home settings this truly extraordinary sofa is perfect for a myriad of design aesthetics from Spanish Hacienda...
Fruitwood
Barcelona Styled Steel and Upholstered Settee / Loveseat
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A loveseat settee in the style of a Barcelona chair in the International manner with white metal frame and four upholstered cushions in Sunbrella fabric for use in a three seasons ro...
Metal
Sold
H 27.96 in W 55.91 in D 31.11 in
Danish Two-Seat Sofa, Model EJ20 by Jørgen Gammelgaard for Erik Jørgensen
By Jørgen Gammelgaard, Erik Ole Jørgensen
Located in Highclere, Newbury
1980s Danish 2-seat sofa, Model EJ20 by Jørgen Gammelgaard for Erik Jørgensen. This funky little 2-seat sofa in warm yellow alacantra with beech legs was designed by the architect...
Fabric, Beech
Josef Hoffman Settee
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Gorgeous settee by Austrian architect Josef Hoffman, in the Fledermaus style. One of the founding fathers of the Vienna Succession and the Internatio...
Antqiue Sette
Located in New York, NY
Early Amercian 20th century Settee love seat. A transitional piece entering into Deco style with clasical lines. This sofa settee is a great size for small spaces and offers very c...
Oak