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Modular Shelving Plastic

Space-Age Red Plastic Cube Modular Shelving Record Storage
Space-Age Red Plastic Cube Modular Shelving Record Storage

Space-Age Red Plastic Cube Modular Shelving Record Storage

Located in Lake Worth, FL

This vintage space-age red plastic cube modular shelving system, dating from the 1970s-80s, is a

Category

Vintage 1970s Unknown Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Plastic

Enzo Mari Dima Modular Wall Shelving System
Enzo Mari Dima Modular Wall Shelving System

Enzo Mari Dima Modular Wall Shelving System

$12,000

H 33.25 in W 109.5 in D 9 in

Enzo Mari Dima Modular Wall Shelving System

By Simon Furniture, Enzo Mari

Located in Chicago, IL

Enzo Mari Dima Modular Wall Shelving System for Simon International Dima Italy, circa 1970 Enameled

Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Steel

Enzo Mari Dima Modular Wall Shelving System
Enzo Mari Dima Modular Wall Shelving System

Enzo Mari Dima Modular Wall Shelving System

$7,200

H 33.25 in W 73 in D 9 in

Enzo Mari Dima Modular Wall Shelving System

By Enzo Mari, Simon Furniture

Located in Chicago, IL

Enzo Mari Dima modular wall shelving system for Simon International Dima Italy, circa 1970

Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Modern Bookcases

Materials

Metal

1970's Umbo Modular Shelving System By Kay Leroy Ruggles
1970's Umbo Modular Shelving System By Kay Leroy Ruggles

1970's Umbo Modular Shelving System By Kay Leroy Ruggles

By Kay Leroy Ruggles, Directional

Located in Los Angeles, CA

1970's Umbo modular shelving system in canary yellow designed by Kay Leroy Ruggles for Directional

Category

Vintage 1970s American Space Age Bookcases

Materials

Plastic

Umbo Modular Shelving Unit by Kay LeRoy Ruggles for Directional
Umbo Modular Shelving Unit by Kay LeRoy Ruggles for Directional

Umbo Modular Shelving Unit by Kay LeRoy Ruggles for Directional

By Kay Leroy Ruggles, Directional

Located in Chicago, IL

c. 1970s. USA. Modular shelving unit with gorgeous sun fading.

Category

Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Plastic

Umbo Modular Shelving Unit by Kay LeRoy Ruggles for Directional
Umbo Modular Shelving Unit by Kay LeRoy Ruggles for Directional

Umbo Modular Shelving Unit by Kay LeRoy Ruggles for Directional

By Kay Leroy Ruggles, Directional

Located in Chicago, IL

c. 1970s. USA. Modular shelving unit with gorgeous sun fading.

Category

Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Plastic

1970s Umbo Modular Shelving Unit by Kay LeRoy Ruggles for Directional 26 Pieces
1970s Umbo Modular Shelving Unit by Kay LeRoy Ruggles for Directional 26 Pieces

1970s Umbo Modular Shelving Unit by Kay LeRoy Ruggles for Directional 26 Pieces

By Kay Leroy Ruggles

Located in Monrovia, CA

1970s UMBO Modular Shelving Unit Designed by Kay LeRoy Ruggles For Directional, Made In The USA, 26

Category

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Plastic

Recent Sales

Large Kay LeRoy Ruggles plastic modular shelving/bookcase "UMBO"
Large Kay LeRoy Ruggles plastic modular shelving/bookcase "UMBO"

Large Kay LeRoy Ruggles plastic modular shelving/bookcase "UMBO"

By Kay Leroy Ruggles

Located in Buffalo, NY

Normally attb. to Joe Colombo,, sleek ,elegant white wall unit, room divider. SIX FOOT. will fit seemlessly into any environment .Designed by Kay LeRoy Ruggles, for Directional indus...

Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Modular Shelving Unit by Directional
Modular Shelving Unit by Directional

Modular Shelving Unit by Directional

Sold

H 57 in W 49.5 in D 12 in

Modular Shelving Unit by Directional

Located in Dallas, TX

Rare modular "UMBO" shelving unit produced by Directional and attributed to designer Joe Colombo

Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Shelves

Materials

Plastic

1970’s Orange Umbo Modular Shelving
1970’s Orange Umbo Modular Shelving

1970’s Orange Umbo Modular Shelving

Sold

H 34 in W 39 in D 12 in

1970’s Orange Umbo Modular Shelving

By Directional, Kay Leroy Ruggles

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Orange Umbo modular shelving system designed by Kay Leroy Ruggles for Directional, 1970’s. in

Category

Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Plastic

Umbo Modular Shelving, Kay Leroy Ruggles, 1970
Umbo Modular Shelving, Kay Leroy Ruggles, 1970

Umbo Modular Shelving, Kay Leroy Ruggles, 1970

By Kay Leroy Ruggles

Located in Las Vegas, NV

Brown modular Umbo storage by Kay Leroy Ruggles for Directional, 1970s. Total of 13 pieces+endcap

Category

Vintage 1970s American Space Age Shelves

Materials

Plastic

DWR Cubitec Modular Shelving System by Doron Lachisch
DWR Cubitec Modular Shelving System by Doron Lachisch

DWR Cubitec Modular Shelving System by Doron Lachisch

Located in Philadelphia, PA

DWR Cubitec Modular Shelving System by Doron Lachisch. 15 Cube Structure with doors. Can be set

Category

1990s Chinese Modern Shelves

Materials

Plastic

1970’s Umbo Modular Shelving by Kay Leroy Ruggles
1970’s Umbo Modular Shelving by Kay Leroy Ruggles

1970’s Umbo Modular Shelving by Kay Leroy Ruggles

By Directional, Kay Leroy Ruggles

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Yellow Umbo modular shelving system designed by Kay Leroy Ruggles for Directional, 1970. In

Category

Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Plastic

Modular Shelving Unit, Olaf Von Bohr for Kartell, Italy, 1969
Modular Shelving Unit, Olaf Von Bohr for Kartell, Italy, 1969

Modular Shelving Unit, Olaf Von Bohr for Kartell, Italy, 1969

By Olaf von Bohr

Located in Las Vegas, NV

Vintage Olaf Von Bohr for Kartell modular shelving unit in rare color. 9 shelves and 18 supports

Category

Late 20th Century Italian Space Age Shelves

Materials

Plastic

Italian Modular Shelving Unit in Metal and Glass, c.1980s
Italian Modular Shelving Unit in Metal and Glass, c.1980s

Italian Modular Shelving Unit in Metal and Glass, c.1980s

Located in London, GB

Italian modular shelving unit in metal and glass, c.1980s. brass finished metal and glass. The

Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Metal

Umbo Modular Shelving System, Kay Leroy Ruggles for Directional, 1971 USA
Umbo Modular Shelving System, Kay Leroy Ruggles for Directional, 1971 USA

Umbo Modular Shelving System, Kay Leroy Ruggles for Directional, 1971 USA

By Kay Leroy Ruggles

Located in Las Vegas, NV

Iconic and highly collectible Umbo modular shelving system by Kay Leroy Ruggles, Directional 1971

Category

Late 20th Century American Space Age Shelves

Materials

Plastic

'UMBO' Modular Shelving System by Kay Leroy Ruggles for Directional, 1972
'UMBO' Modular Shelving System by Kay Leroy Ruggles for Directional, 1972

'UMBO' Modular Shelving System by Kay Leroy Ruggles for Directional, 1972

By Kay Leroy Ruggles, Directional

Located in Los Angeles, CA

This rare shelving system is the 'UMBO' system designed in the early 1970s by Kay Leroy Ruggles for

Category

Vintage 1970s American Modern Bookcases

Materials

Plastic

Umbo Modular Shelving Unit Kay Leroy Ruggles for Directional, 1970s, USA
Umbo Modular Shelving Unit Kay Leroy Ruggles for Directional, 1970s, USA

Umbo Modular Shelving Unit Kay Leroy Ruggles for Directional, 1970s, USA

By Kay Leroy Ruggles

Located in Las Vegas, NV

Modular Umbo storage unit by Kay Leroy Ruggles for Directional, USA 1970s. Breaks down for shipping

Category

Vintage 1970s American Space Age Shelves

Materials

Plastic

Vintage Yellow Acrylic Modular Shelving System and Etagere by Syroco New York
Vintage Yellow Acrylic Modular Shelving System and Etagere by Syroco New York

Vintage Yellow Acrylic Modular Shelving System and Etagere by Syroco New York

By Syroco

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Gorgeous set of modular selves from Syroco NY in sunshine canary yellow. Modular, disassembles

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Plastic

Early Column Dining Table by Otto Zapf for Zapfmöbel, 1967, Germany
Early Column Dining Table by Otto Zapf for Zapfmöbel, 1967, Germany

Early Column Dining Table by Otto Zapf for Zapfmöbel, 1967, Germany

By Otto Zapf

Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE

nils vitsoe (vitsœ + zapf). with innovative furniture concepts like modular seating or plastic shelving

Category

Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables

Materials

Fiberglass

Early Column Table by Otto Zapf for Zapf Moebel in Design, 1967
Early Column Table by Otto Zapf for Zapf Moebel in Design, 1967

Early Column Table by Otto Zapf for Zapf Moebel in Design, 1967

By Otto Zapf

Located in Munster, NRW

nils vitsoe (Vitsœ + Zapf). with innovative furniture concepts like modular seating or plastic shelving

Category

Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables

Materials

Fiberglass

MCM Orange Plastic Modular Shelving "Umbo" System / Bookcase by Directional
MCM Orange Plastic Modular Shelving "Umbo" System / Bookcase by Directional

MCM Orange Plastic Modular Shelving "Umbo" System / Bookcase by Directional

By Kay Leroy Ruggles, Directional

Located in San Diego, CA

Super cool MCM orange, plastic, backless modular shelving system / bookcase by Kay Leroy Ruggles

Category

Mid-20th Century American Space Age Bookcases

Materials

Plastic

Mid-Century Modern Pair Acrylic Modular Shelving Systems Anna Castelli Kartell
Mid-Century Modern Pair Acrylic Modular Shelving Systems Anna Castelli Kartell

Mid-Century Modern Pair Acrylic Modular Shelving Systems Anna Castelli Kartell

By Kartell, Anna Castelli Ferrieri

Located in Keego Harbor, MI

For your consideration is a fun pair of modular shelving units, by Anna Castelli for Kartell. In

Category

Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Plastic

Space Age Umbo Modular Shelving Unit by Kay Ruggles for Directional
Space Age Umbo Modular Shelving Unit by Kay Ruggles for Directional

Space Age Umbo Modular Shelving Unit by Kay Ruggles for Directional

By Directional

Located in Cincinnati, OH

A Umbo Space Age modular shelving unit in a molded yellow ABS styled plastic containing 28 pieces

Category

Mid-20th Century American Space Age Shelves

Materials

Plastic

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Pair of Park Night Stands in Poplar Burl by Yaniv Chen for Lemon
Pair of Park Night Stands in Poplar Burl by Yaniv Chen for Lemon

Pair of Park Night Stands in Poplar Burl by Yaniv Chen for Lemon

$6,943 / set

H 24.01 in W 18.12 in D 14.18 in

Pair of Park Night Stands in Poplar Burl by Yaniv Chen for Lemon

By Lemon

Located in Amsterdam, NL

Structure: Made from Poplar Burl veneer with solid oak edging, the Park Nightstand is finished with matching veneer on both the exterior and interior. The inside includes an adjustab...

Category

2010s South African Minimalist Pedestals

Materials

Wood, Poplar, Burl

Mario Marenco 'Marenco' 2 Seater Sofa 254 for Arflex
Mario Marenco 'Marenco' 2 Seater Sofa 254 for Arflex

Mario Marenco 'Marenco' 2 Seater Sofa 254 for Arflex

$8,872 / item

H 27.56 in W 100.01 in D 37.8 in

Mario Marenco 'Marenco' 2 Seater Sofa 254 for Arflex

By Arflex, Mario Marenco

Located in Tilburg, NL

Mario Marenco 'Marenco' 2 Seater Sofa 254 for Arflex in fabric. New, current production. The unmistakable design and wide modularity still make the Marenco sofa a must-have in cont...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Fabric

Bertu Counter Stools, White Oak Counter Stool, Chile Stool
Bertu Counter Stools, White Oak Counter Stool, Chile Stool

Bertu Counter Stools, White Oak Counter Stool, Chile Stool

By Bertu Furniture

Located in Oak Harbor, OH

Bertu Counter Stools, White Oak Counter Stool, Chile Stool This White Oak Chile Counter Stool is beautifully constructed from solid wood in Ohio, USA. The stool is chunky and modern...

Category

2010s American Modern Stools

Materials

Wood, Oak

Picasso Marble Cone Side Table
Picasso Marble Cone Side Table

Picasso Marble Cone Side Table

$2,117 / item

H 16.54 in Dm 15.75 in

Picasso Marble Cone Side Table

By Kiwano Concept

Located in Eindhoven, NB

Introduce monumental elegance and a grounded detail to your interior with the stunning Picasso marble CONE side table. The sculptural geometric shape of this contemporary design piec...

Category

2010s Dutch Modern Side Tables

Materials

Marble

'Plissé White Edition' Pleated Textile Table Lamp by Folkform for Örsjö
'Plissé White Edition' Pleated Textile Table Lamp by Folkform for Örsjö

'Plissé White Edition' Pleated Textile Table Lamp by Folkform for Örsjö

$1,155Sale Price / item|30% Off

H 16.1 in Dm 11.5 in

'Plissé White Edition' Pleated Textile Table Lamp by Folkform for Örsjö

By Örsjö Industri AB

Located in Glendale, CA

'Plissé White Edition' pleated textile table lamp by Folkform for Örsjö. This unique table lamp was awarded “Lighting of the Year 2022” by Residence Magazine Sweden, who called it “...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Textile

Hans-Agne Jakobsson 'Mini-Tratten' Verdigris Patinated Outdoor Sconce
Hans-Agne Jakobsson 'Mini-Tratten' Verdigris Patinated Outdoor Sconce

Hans-Agne Jakobsson 'Mini-Tratten' Verdigris Patinated Outdoor Sconce

$1,696Sale Price / item|20% Off

H 4.15 in W 5.35 in D 7.75 in

Hans-Agne Jakobsson 'Mini-Tratten' Verdigris Patinated Outdoor Sconce

By Örsjö Industri AB, Hans-Agne Jakobsson

Located in Glendale, CA

Hans-Agne Jakobsson 'Mini-Tratten' verdigris patinated outdoor sconce. An exclusive made for U.S. and UL listed authorized re-edition of the classic Swedish design executed in rich v...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Scandinavian Modern Wall Lights an...

Materials

Metal

Tito Agnoli for Arflex, Modular Sofa Model '9000', in Teddy Re-Upholstery 1970s
Tito Agnoli for Arflex, Modular Sofa Model '9000', in Teddy Re-Upholstery 1970s

Tito Agnoli for Arflex, Modular Sofa Model '9000', in Teddy Re-Upholstery 1970s

$14,625Sale Price / set|25% Off

H 31.5 in W 31.5 in D 31.5 in

Tito Agnoli for Arflex, Modular Sofa Model '9000', in Teddy Re-Upholstery 1970s

By Tito Agnoli, Arflex

Located in Almelo, NL

Tito Agnoli for Arflex, modular sofa model '9000', in teddy fabric re-upholstery, Italy 1970s. This model is marked by showing infinite possibilities to customize its use accordi...

Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas

Materials

Fabric, Beech

Large Wall Hanging Shelving Unit in Solid Walnut by Elliott Marks
Large Wall Hanging Shelving Unit in Solid Walnut by Elliott Marks

Large Wall Hanging Shelving Unit in Solid Walnut by Elliott Marks

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Solid walnut shelving unit that hangs from wall. Hand selected premium hardwood finished in durable natural hard wax/ oil finish. The vertical frames attach to the wall and have slot...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary North American Modern Shelves and Wall Cab...

Materials

Maple

Large Floating Teak Wall Mounted Shelf by Walter Wirtz for Wilhelm Renz, 1960s
Large Floating Teak Wall Mounted Shelf by Walter Wirtz for Wilhelm Renz, 1960s

Large Floating Teak Wall Mounted Shelf by Walter Wirtz for Wilhelm Renz, 1960s

By Wilhelm Renz, Walter Wirtz

Located in Antwerp, BE

Beautiful floating wall unit designed by Walter Wirtz for Wilhelm Renz, Germany, 1960s. Very good condition, signed with Wilhelm Renz logo. This U-shaped shelf is made of high-qualit...

Category

Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Teak

Oval Brass and Parchment Chandelier by Diego Mardegan for Glustin Luminaires
Oval Brass and Parchment Chandelier by Diego Mardegan for Glustin Luminaires

Oval Brass and Parchment Chandelier by Diego Mardegan for Glustin Luminaires

By Diego Mardegan

Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF

Beautiful chandelier by Diego Mardegan for Glustin Luminaires, this other version of the spider chandelier has longer arms on the sides giving the oval shape. The metal arms paint...

Category

2010s Italian Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

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Metal, Brass

Pair of Constant Night Stands in Iroko Wood by Master Studio for Lemon
Pair of Constant Night Stands in Iroko Wood by Master Studio for Lemon

Pair of Constant Night Stands in Iroko Wood by Master Studio for Lemon

By Lemon

Located in Amsterdam, NL

Neatly proportioned with exceptional detailing, the constant nightstand is your perfect bedside partner. In our furniture making, the IDEA is to create special pieces that you can bu...

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2010s South African Minimalist Pedestals

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Arflex Marenco Sofa in Fabric Heidi and Candy by Mario Marenco
Arflex Marenco Sofa in Fabric Heidi and Candy by Mario Marenco

Arflex Marenco Sofa in Fabric Heidi and Candy by Mario Marenco

$12,717Sale Price / item|20% Off

H 27.56 in W 100.4 in D 37.8 in

Arflex Marenco Sofa in Fabric Heidi and Candy by Mario Marenco

By Arflex, Mario Marenco

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Marenco Sofa is designed by Mario Marenco for Arflex. This sofa features the system with making the armrest and seat as the base portion. There is a metal tubular frame facilitated f...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas

Materials

Metal

Mustard Velvet Daybed with V-Shaped Beechwood Base, Model V
Mustard Velvet Daybed with V-Shaped Beechwood Base, Model V

Mustard Velvet Daybed with V-Shaped Beechwood Base, Model V

$3,990 / item

H 15.75 in W 74.81 in D 29.14 in

Mustard Velvet Daybed with V-Shaped Beechwood Base, Model V

By Dusty Deco

Located in Los Angeles, CA

DD V daybed is an exclusive daybed made by hand in Bosnia and Herzegovina by skilled craftsmen with long experience in wood and upholstery. Both frame and the characteristic V-shaped...

Category

2010s Bosnian Mid-Century Modern Daybeds

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Fabric, Beech, Velvet

Gino Sarfatti Model No. 2065 Ceiling Light for Astep
Gino Sarfatti Model No. 2065 Ceiling Light for Astep

Gino Sarfatti Model No. 2065 Ceiling Light for Astep

By Astep, Gino Sarfatti, Flos

Located in Glendale, CA

Gino Sarfatti model no. 2065 ceiling lamp for Astep. Designed in 1950, this is an authorized re-edition by Alessandro Sarfatti, grandson of Gino Sarfatti, who applies his grandfathe...

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21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and...

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Aluminum

Vintage 1970s Raymond Loewy Style Space Age Green Chapter One Highboy Dresser
Vintage 1970s Raymond Loewy Style Space Age Green Chapter One Highboy Dresser

Vintage 1970s Raymond Loewy Style Space Age Green Chapter One Highboy Dresser

By Raymond Loewy, Broyhill

Located in Chattanooga, TN

This bold highboy dresser from the 1970s pushes the boundaries of mid-century design. Crafted under the “Chapter One” collection by Broyhill, the piece channels the visionary aesthet...

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Vintage 1970s American Futurist Commodes and Chests of Drawers

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Plastic, Hardwood

Derk Jan de Vries for Maisa di Seveso, Natural Green Modular Cabinet-Bookcase.
Derk Jan de Vries for Maisa di Seveso, Natural Green Modular Cabinet-Bookcase.

Derk Jan de Vries for Maisa di Seveso, Natural Green Modular Cabinet-Bookcase.

By Maisa

Located in Almelo, NL

Derk Jan de Vries for Maisa di Seveso, Natural Green Modular Cabinet-Bookcase, Milan, Italy, 1970s The Dutch designer Derk Jan de Vries in the 1970s designed this unique modular cab...

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Late 20th Century Italian Modern Bookcases

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Glass, Ash

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Modular Shelving Plastic For Sale on 1stDibs

At 1stDibs, there are many versions of the ideal modular shelving plastic for your home. Each modular shelving plastic for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using plastic, metal and steel. If you’re shopping for a modular shelving plastic, we have 11 options in-stock, while there are 2 modern editions to choose from as well. You’ve searched high and low for the perfect modular shelving plastic — we have versions that date back to the 20th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 21st Century are available. A modular shelving plastic is a generally popular piece of furniture, but those created in mid-century modern, Scandinavian Modern and modern styles are sought with frequency. A well-made modular shelving plastic has long been a part of the offerings for many furniture designers and manufacturers, but those produced by Ristomatti Ratia, Kay Leroy Ruggles and Palaset are consistently popular.

How Much is a Modular Shelving Plastic?

Prices for a modular shelving plastic start at $491 and top out at $33,000 with the average selling for $7,840.

Materials: Plastic Furniture

Arguably the world’s most ubiquitous man-made material, plastic has impacted nearly every industry. In contemporary spaces, new and vintage plastic furniture is quite popular and its use pairs well with a range of design styles.

From the Italian lighting artisans at Fontana Arte to venturesome Scandinavian modernists such as Verner Panton, who created groundbreaking interiors as much as he did seating — see his revolutionary Panton chair — to contemporary multidisciplinary artists like Faye Toogood, furniture designers have been pushing the boundaries of plastic forever.

When The Graduate's Mr. McGuire proclaimed, “There’s a great future in plastics,” it was more than a laugh line. The iconic quote is an allusion both to society’s reliance on and its love affair with plastic. Before the material became an integral part of our lives — used in everything from clothing to storage to beauty and beyond — people relied on earthly elements for manufacturing, a process as time-consuming as it was costly.

Soon after American inventor John Wesley Hyatt created celluloid, which could mimic luxury products like tortoiseshell and ivory, production hit fever pitch, and the floodgates opened for others to explore plastic’s full potential. The material altered the history of design — mid-century modern legends Charles and Ray Eames, Joe Colombo and Eero Saarinen regularly experimented with plastics in the development of tables and chairs, and today plastic furnishings and decorative objects are seen as often indoors as they are outside.

Find vintage plastic lounge chairs, outdoor furniture, lighting and more on 1stDibs.

Finding the Right Storage-case-pieces for You

Of all the vintage storage cabinets and antique case pieces that have become popular in modern interiors over the years, dressers, credenzas and cabinets have long been home staples, perfect for routine storage or protection of personal items. 

In the mid-19th century, cabinetmakers would mimic styles originating in the Louis XIV, Louis XV and Louis XVI eras for their dressers, bookshelves and other structures, and, later, simpler, streamlined wood designs allowed these “case pieces” or “case goods” — any furnishing that is unupholstered and has some semblance of a storage component — to blend into the background of any interior. 

Mid-century modern furniture enthusiasts will cite the tall modular wall units crafted in teak and other sought-after woods of the era by the likes of George Nelson, Poul Cadovius and Finn Juhl. For these highly customizable furnishings, designers of the day delivered an alternative to big, heavy bookcases by considering the use of space — and, in particular, walls — in new and innovative ways. Mid-century modern credenzas, which, long and low, evolved from tables that were built as early as the 14th century in Italy, typically have no legs or very short legs and have grown in popularity as an alluring storage option over time. 

Although the name immediately invokes images of clothing, dressers were initially created in Europe for a much different purpose. This furnishing was initially a flat-surfaced, low-profile side table equipped with a few drawers — a common fixture used to dress and prepare meats in English kitchens throughout the Tudor period. The drawers served as perfect utensil storage. It wasn’t until the design made its way to North America that it became enlarged and equipped with enough space to hold clothing and cosmetics. The very history of case pieces is a testament to their versatility and well-earned place in any room. 

In the spirit of positioning your case goods center stage, decluttering can now be design-minded.

A contemporary case piece with open shelving and painted wood details can prove functional as a storage unit as easily as it can a room divider. Alternatively, apothecary cabinets are charming case goods similar in size to early dressers or commodes but with uniquely sized shelving and (often numerous) drawers.

Whether you’re seeking a playful sideboard that features colored glass and metal details, an antique Italian hand-carved storage cabinet or a glass-door vitrine to store and show off your collectibles, there are options for you on 1stDibs.

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