$4,600 / set
H 28 in W 54 in D 27 in
Pair of Mid Century Modern outdoor 'Sculptura' settees by Russell Woodard
By Russell Woodard
Located in Asheville, NC
'Sculptura' wrought iron set of settees designed by Russell Woodard. Circa 1950s. 28”H x 54”W x 27
Wrought Iron
Midcentury Woodard Sculptura Settee
Located in Bloomfield Hills, MI
settee is a fine example of their timeless design. Manufactured in the mid-20th century, this piece has
Iron
$1,600
H 35.5 in W 41 in D 28 in
Vintage Russell Woodard Sculptura Mid Century Modern Iron Patio Settee Bench
By Russell Woodard
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Russell Woodard Sculptura Mid Century Modern Iron Patio Settee Bench. Item features heavy
Wrought Iron
Black Powder Coated ‘Sculptura’ Patio Settee by Russell Woodard
By Russell Woodard
Located in Palm Springs, CA
1950’s black powder coated two seater Settee by Russell Woodard. Newly restored, newly powder
Steel, Wrought Iron
$3,990Sale Price / set|30% Off
H 27 in W 52 in D 29 in
Russell Woodard Mid Century Modern Sculptura Mesh Patio Settee & Rocking Chair
By Russell Woodard
Located in Dayton, OH
Mid century modern Russell Woodard Sculptura bench / settee / loveseat and rocker armchair. Made
Metal, Iron
$2,796Sale Price|30% Off
H 27 in W 52 in D 29 in
Russell Woodard Mid Century Modern Sculptura Mesh Patio Settee Loveseat Sofa 52"
By Russell Woodard
Located in Dayton, OH
Mid century modern Russell Woodard Sculptura bench / settee / loveseat. Made of wrought iron and
Metal, Iron
$2,995 / item
H 27 in W 52 in D 29 in
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Sculptura Outdoor Loveseat Lounge Chairs by Woodard
By Russell Woodard
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous matching pair of sculptura lounge settees by Russell Woodard in old paint. Priced and sold
Steel, Iron
$575 / item
H 17.58 in Dm 24.38 in
Russell Woodard Round Black Wrought Iron & Mesh Patio Coffee of Side Table
By Russell Woodard, Woodard Furniture Co.
Located in St. Louis, MO
Russell Woodard designed round coffee or side often seen along side his Sculptura line chairs and
Wrought Iron
$675Sale Price|25% Off
H 17.5 in Dm 24.38 in
Russell Woodard Furniture Round Black Wrought Iron Patio Coffee or Side Table
By Russell Woodard, Woodard Furniture Co.
Located in Wayne, NJ
his Sculptura line chairs and settees
Wrought Iron
$675
H 17.38 in Dm 30.5 in
Russell Woodard 30" Round Black Wrought Iron & Mesh Patio Coffee of Side Table
By Woodard Furniture Co., Russell Woodard
Located in St. Louis, MO
Russell Woodard designed round coffee or side often see along side his Sculptura line chairs and
Wrought Iron
1950s Woodard Sculptura Settee & Lounge Chair
By Russell Woodard
Located in Hudson, NY
A 1950s wrought iron and steel mesh settee and large lounge chair from Russell Woodard's iconic
Wrought Iron
Pair of Classic 1950s 'Sculptura' Settees by Russell Woodard
By Russell Woodard
Located in Hudson, NY
A pair of 1950s wrought iron and steel mesh settees from Russell Woodard's iconic Sculptura series
Wrought Iron
Vintage 1950s 'Sculptura' Wrought Iron Settee by Russell Woodard
By Russell Woodard
Located in Hudson, NY
A 1950's wrought iron and steel mesh settee from Russell Woodard's iconic Sculptura series
Wrought Iron
Woodard Sculptura Settees
By John Woodard
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Available as a pair, these stylish and functional wrought iron settees make for a welcome addition
Iron
Russel Woodard Sculptura Settee
Located in Philadelphia, PA
54 inch settee of metal mesh and wrought iron ready to have cushions made for outdoor use.
Wrought Iron
Dark Green Woodard Sculptura Settee
By Russell Woodard, Woodard Furniture Co.
Located in Highland, IN
The "Sculptura" line by Russel Woodard is a great group of designs for outdoor furniture. Long
Russell Woodard Wire Mesh Settee
By Russell Woodard
Located in Chicago, IL
Sculptura settee by Russell Woodard. Sofa and pair of chairs also available.
Metal
Full Size Woodard Sculptura Sofa
By Russell Woodard
Located in New York, NY
Sculptura sofa, designed by Russell Woodard in fresh white powder coat finish. Hard to find the
Wrought Iron
Sold
H 27.5 in W 52 in D 28 in
Set of Mid Century Russell Woodard Sculptura Sette and Four Lounge Chairs
By Russell Woodard
Located in Bedford Hills, NY
Great set of Russell Woodard Sculptura series patio furniture, 1950s. Consists of settee with four
Wrought Iron
White Wrought Iron and Mesh Steel Settee by Russell Lee Woodard Co.
By Russell Woodard
Located in Asheville, NC
'Sculptura' wrought iron set of settees attributed to Russell Woodard. Freshly restored in gloss
Wrought Iron
Sold
H 31.25 in W 30 in D 28 in
Maurizio Tempestini for Salterini Cantilevered Radar Spring Lounge Chairs a Pair
By Salterini, Maurizio Tempestini
Located in Forest Grove, PA
20 years. Recently I purchased a Woodard Sculptura settee so...
Iron
1950s Woodard Sculptura Iron Mesh Settee
Located in Tarrytown, NY
1950s Woodard sculptura iron mesh settee. Needs painting. Out of a Southampton, N.Y. Estate.
Iron
Sculptura outdoor settee by Russell Woodard
Located in Dallas, TX
available. Other Sculptura also available in the same finish.
Sold
H 28.5 in W 53 in D 29.5 in
Russell Woodard Sculptura Patio Set with Settee, Lounge Chairs and Ottoman
By Russell Woodard, Woodard Furniture Co.
Located in Kansas City, MO
This Woodard patio set has been professionally media blasted and power coated in a black satin finish. Love Seat - 53"w x 28.5"h x , 29.5"d. seat height 12" Arm Chair - 33"w x 31....
Iron
Sold
H 17.38 in Dm 30.5 in L 17.38 in
Russell Woodard Round Black Wrought Iron & Mesh Patio Coffee of Side Table
By Woodard Furniture Co., Russell Woodard
Located in St. Louis, MO
Russell Woodard designed round coffee or side often see along side his Sculptura line chairs and
Wrought Iron
Russell Woodard Round Black Wrought Iron & Mesh Patio Coffee of Side Table
By Woodard Furniture Co., Russell Woodard
Located in St. Louis, MO
Russell Woodard designed round coffee or side often see along side his Sculptura line chairs and
Wrought Iron
Russell Woodard Sculptura Settee
By Russell Woodard
Located in SAINT LOUIS, MO
, the handcrafted Sculptura chairs transform sturdy iron mesh into an airy silhouette that comfortably
Iron
Woodard Sculptura Settee
By Russell Woodard, Woodard Furniture Co.
Located in Highland, IN
The Sculptura line by Russell Woodard is an enduring design for comfortable and long-lasting modern
Steel
Pair of Original Russell Woodard Black "Sculptura" Settees, 1950s
By Russell Woodard
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Pair of original 1950s Russell Woodard black sculptural loveseats. Indoor. Outdoor. Classic. Comfortable. Lightly restored. Freshly powder coated. Like new.
Wrought Iron, Wire
Pair of Original Russell Woodard Black "Sculptura" Settees, 1950s
By Russell Woodard
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Pair of 1950s Russell Woodard Black Sculptural Loveseats. Indoor. Outdoor. Comfortable. Classic. Freshly powder coated. Lightly restored. Like new.
Wrought Iron, Wire
Sold
H 22.5 in W 53.25 in D 28 in
Mid-Century Modern Woodard Sculptura Patio Rare Settee Loveseat White, 1950s
By Woodard Furniture Co.
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
For your consideration is a fabulous wrought iron, patio settee, with brown vinyl cushions, by
Wrought Iron
Russell Woodard Sculptura Wrought Iron Settee, Restored
By Russell Woodard
Located in St. Louis, MO
Russell Woodard designed sculptura wrought iron mesh settee. This settee has just been restored
Wrought Iron
Vintage 1950s "Sculptura" Garden Settee Loveseat by Russell Woodard
By Russell Woodard
Located in Pemberton, NJ
A vintage 1950's wrought iron and steel mesh settee from Russell Woodard's classic and iconic
Iron
Sold
H 27.25 in W 52 in D 28 in
Russell Woodard Sculptura Woven Wire Outdoor / Patio Settee Loveseat. Excellent
By Russell Woodard
Located in Kansas City, MO
Russell Woodard "Sculptura" Settee. Professionally media blasted and powder coated in a
Wire, Wrought Iron
Sold
H 28.75 in W 52.5 in D 28 in
Russell Woodard Mid-Century Modern Sculptura Wrought Iron Settee - Restored -
By Russell Woodard, Woodard Furniture Co.
Located in St. Louis, MO
Mid-Century Modern Russell Woodard designed Sculptura wrought iron mesh settee. This settee to be
Wrought Iron
Sold
H 27 in W 54 in D 26 in
Sculptura Outdoor Settee or Loveseat by John Woodard, Restored, Excellent
By Woodard Furniture Co., John Woodard
Located in Kansas City, MO
This John Woodard settee or loveseat has just been professionally media blasted and powder coated
Wrought Iron, Wire
Sold
H 17.58 in Dm 24.38 in
Russell Woodard Round Black Wrought Iron & Mesh Patio Coffee of Side Table
By Russell Woodard, Woodard Furniture Co.
Located in St. Louis, MO
Russell Woodard designed round coffee or side often see along side his Sculptura line chairs and
Wrought Iron
Vintage Sculptura Settee by Russell Woodard
By Russell Woodard
Located in Hudson, NY
a vintage 1950's wrought iron and steel mesh settee from Russell Woodard's classic and iconic
Wrought Iron
1950s Sculptura Settee by Russell Woodard
By Russell Woodard
Located in Hudson, NY
A 1950s wrought iron and steel mesh settee from Russell Woodard's Classic and iconic sculptural
1950s Sculptura Settee by Russell Woodard
By Russell Woodard
Located in Hudson, NY
A 1950s wrought iron and steel mesh settee from Russell Woodard's classic and iconic sculptural
Russell Woodard 1950's 'Sculptura' Settee Sofa
Located in Hudson, NY
a classic Sculptura Wrought Iron and Steel Mesh Settee Sofa by Russell Woodard. iconic design by
Wrought Iron
Classic 1950s 'Sculptura' Settee by Russell Woodard
By Russell Woodard
Located in Hudson, NY
A 1950's wrought iron and steel mesh settee from Russell Woodard's iconic Sculptura series
Wrought Iron
Vintage 1950s Sculptura Settee by Russell Woodard
By Russell Woodard
Located in Hudson, NY
A 1950s wrought iron and steel mesh settee from Russell Woodard's classic and iconic Sculptura
Wrought Iron
Vintage 1950s Sculptura Settee by Russell Woodard
By Russell Woodard
Located in Hudson, NY
A 1950s wrought iron and steel mesh settee from Russell Woodard's classic and iconic Sculptura
Wrought Iron
Pair of Classic 1950s 'Sculptura' Settees by Russell Woodard
By Russell Woodard
Located in Hudson, NY
A pair of 1950s wrought iron and steel mesh settees from Russell Woodard's iconic Sculptura series
Wrought Iron
Pair of Classic 1950s 'Sculptura' Settees by Russell Woodard
By Russell Woodard
Located in Hudson, NY
A pair of 1950s wrought iron and steel mesh settees from Russell Woodard's iconic Sculptura series
Wrought Iron
Classic 1950's Sculptura Settee and Lounge Chair by Russell Woodard
By Russell Woodard
Located in Hudson, NY
A vintage 1950s 'Sculptura' wrought iron lounge chair and companion settee designed by Russell
Wrought Iron
Woodard Settee
By Russell Woodard
Located in New York, NY
Russel Woodard Sculptura line settee circa 1950 painted in industrial grey with safety white
Vintage 1950s "Sculptura" Garden Settee by Russell Woodard
By Russell Woodard
Located in Hudson, NY
a vintage 1950's wrought iron and steel mesh settee from Russell Woodard's classic and iconic
1950s Sculptura Lounge Chair and Settee by Russell Woodard
By Russell Woodard
Located in Hudson, NY
a beautiful and classic modern 1950's 'Sculptura' Lounge Chair & Settee. finished in satin black
Vintage 1950s 'Sculptura' Wrought Iron Settee by Russell Woodard
By Russell Woodard
Located in Hudson, NY
A vintage 1950s wrought iron and steel mesh settee from Russell Woodard's Classic and iconic
Set of Vintage Sculptura Lounge Chairs and Settee by Russell Woodard
By Russell Woodard
Located in Hudson, NY
A matched three-piece set of vintage 1950s 'Sculptura' garden lounge chairs and a settee designed
Mid-Century Sculptura Settee By Woodard
By Russell Woodard
Located in Chicago, IL
Mid-Century sculptura settee by Woodard.
Iron
Sold
H 28 in W 53 in D 28 in
Original Russell Woodard "Sculptura" Settee and Cantilevered Lounge Chair
By Russell Woodard
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A 1950s wrought iron and steel mesh settee and cantilevered rocking chair from Russell Woodard's
Wrought Iron
Vintage 1950s Sculptura Settee by Russell Woodard
By Russell Woodard
Located in Hudson, NY
A vintage 1950s wrought iron settee from Russell Woodard's Classic and iconic Sculptura series
Wrought Iron
Vintage 1950s 'Sculptura' Settee by Russell Woodard
By Russell Woodard
Located in Hudson, NY
A 1950's wrought iron and steel mesh settee from Russell Woodard's iconic Sculptura series
Wrought Iron
Classic 1950s 'Sculptura' Settee by John Woodard
By John Woodard, Woodard Furniture Co.
Located in Hudson, NY
A 1950s wrought iron and steel mesh settee from John Woodard's iconic Sculptura series. Beautiful
Wrought Iron
Custom Cushions for Woodard Settee and Woodard Sofa
Located in Hudson, NY
custom cushion sets (seat and back) for the woodard sculptura settee and the woodard sofa, in
Fabric
Set of 1950's Sculptura Lounge Chairs and Settee by Russell Woodard
By Russell Woodard
Located in Hudson, NY
A matched three-piece set of vintage 1950s 'Sculptura' garden lounge chairs and a settee designed
Wrought Iron
French Provincial Floral Needlepoint Tapestry Style Lumbar Pillow Cushion
Located in New York, NY
Pastel colored Floral French Provincial style Lumbar needlepoint pillow. Made of wool with a cream colored backing. It measures 17 x 13 inches. Needlepoint on the front is Pristine a...
Wool
French Louis XVI Period Sofa
Located in Pembroke, MA
An elegant neoclassical Louis XVI period sofa or canapé, with down-stuffed separate seat cushion, two small tasseled pillows, painted frame, and tapered fluted legs. Sofa has been m...
Upholstery, Wood, Down
$1,995
H 22.5 in W 28.25 in D 14.5 in
Gilded Wrought Iron Curule or Savonarola Italian Hollywood Regency Vanity Stool
Located in Topeka, KS
Wonderful, gilded wrought iron Italian Hollywood Regency vanity stool with twisted rope and tassels detail in a Curule or Savonarola style. This piece is in wonderful vintage conditi...
Wrought Iron
Great 18 Palmette Shallow Flush Ceiling Mount, Murano
By Barovier&Toso
Located in Tavarnelle val di Pesa, Florence
Here the larger version of the successful 12 leaves compact palmette ceiling fixture. This group of shallow ceiling mount Murano chandelier was first designed for a luxury yacht low...
Metal
Leather Meander Flexible Wall Sconce
Located in Pound Ridge, NY
Leather wrapped flexible arm wall light you can pose and adjust as you wish. This is our updated Meander Reader light with larger cone shade and new upward angled arm. Lamping: Sing...
Metal, Brass, Nickel
$2,900 / item
H 31 in Dm 32 in
'Monarch' 3-Arm Modern Pendant in Brass and Blue Enamel by Blueprint Lighting
By Blueprint Lighting, Stilnovo, Mathieu Matégot
Located in New York, NY
The "Monarch" 3-arm pendant or small chandelier shown in natural brass and our high-gloss "Greece" cobalt blue enamel fabricated in NYC by Blueprint Lighting, 2018. The wide brass ba...
Bronze, Copper, Enamel, Chrome, Nickel, Aluminum, Brass
$3,146 / item
H 16.54 in W 55.12 in D 20.87 in
Klismos Walnut Wood Woven Leather Bench Customizable Upholstery and Wood
By Pescetta
Located in IT
Klismos walnut wood brown woven leather Bench, Customizable Upholstery and Wood. Other colors and upholstery are available. Italian artisanal production by Pescetta Home Decoration....
Leather, Walnut
$1,100
H 19 in W 29 in D 16 in
Italian Gilt Metal Ottoman Vanity Stool Bench with Metal Rope and Tassel
Located in New York, NY
Voguish Italian made gilt metal bench with rope and tassel motif. This example is in very fine, original condition, clean and ready to use. Perfect decorative accent bench, ottoma...
Metal
Vintage Natural Elm Wood Bench with Natural Curve 58"
Located in Old Town Orange, CA
Vintage Antique Elm Wood Bench Natural curved bench is such a unique piece for your space. These are the real vintage antique elm wood benches! Beautiful antique patina, with weather...
Elm
$35,200
H 25.6 in W 118.12 in D 33.47 in
Carlo Scarpa “Cornaro” Three-seater Sofa for Gavina, Ivory Velvet, 1973
By Carlo Scarpa, Gavina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Carlo Scarpa “Cornaro” sofa for Gavina, wood and ivory velvet, 1973. The Cornaro sofa represents a sublime exemplification of the harmony between Japanese minimalism and Ultraration...
Velvet, Foam, Wood
$5,808 / set
H 33.08 in W 19.3 in D 22.84 in
Trinidad Teak Dining Chairs by Nanna Ditzel 1990s Set of 6
By Nanna Ditzel, Frederecia Furniture
Located in Asaa, DK
Trinidad teak dining chairs by Nanna Ditzel for Fredericia Stolefabrik Denmark 1990s When designing the Trinidad Chair Model 3298 in 1993, Danish designer Nanna Ditzel found inspira...
Teak
$2,400
H 28.5 in W 21.25 in D 14.5 in
English 1920s Bamboo and Woven Rattan Side Table with Sectioned Shelves
Located in Atlanta, GA
An English bamboo and woven rattan side table from circa 1920 with sectioned shelves. This charming English side table from circa 1920 showcases the natural beauty of bamboo and wove...
Bamboo, Rattan
$1,550 / item
H 18 in W 12 in D 12 in
Stacked Bone and Brass Powder-Coated Table Lamp with Peekaboo Silver Leaf Shade
By Arvo Ray, Seth Premo
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Junius lamp makes a bold statement with its geometric stacked elements that appear almost to float above one another. The lamp is constructed with a powder-coated steel shade and...
Brass, Silver Leaf, Steel
Wrought Iron Garden Patio Poolside Settee Loveseat Bench by Salterini
By Salterini, Woodard Furniture Co.
Located in New York, NY
Chic wrought iron garden, patio, poolside loveseat, bench, sofa by Salterini. The sofa is in very good original condition, showing only light cosmetic wear, normal and consistent wit...
Wrought Iron
$2,195 / set
H 27.25 in W 27.5 in D 24 in
Mid Century Modern Sculptura Outdoor Dining Chairs by Russell Woodard
By Russell Woodard
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous set of 4 original Sculptura chairs, 2 arm, 2 side in white paint. Molded mesh which conforms to the body. In excellent vintage condition with minimal wear and lots of coatin...
Metal, Wire
$2,400 / set
H 19.5 in W 38 in D 16 in
Pair of Vintage Fret Chinese Chippendale Faux Bamboo Wood Benches End of Bed
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of vintage wood faux bamboo bench. Upholstery is original and will absolutely need to be recovered. May have stains, holes, dirt and indents to foam cushion interior from stacki...
Wood, Faux Bamboo
Woodard Furniture Company’s diverse offerings have included everything from pine caskets to premium patio and garden furniture over the years.
Lyman E. Woodward founded the family business Woodard Brothers (he dropped the second w for his venture’s name), later Woodard Furniture Co., in Owosso, Michigan, in 1866. Woodard Furniture produced wood furniture such as birch and oak bedroom pieces, window and door blinds and even pine caskets. Demand for the latter increased during the spread of the Spanish flu in America, and Woodard’s casket business — a new company called Owosso Casket Company — thrived, becoming the largest casket manufacturer in the world throughout the 1920s. Two U.S. presidents, William McKinley and Benjamin Harrison, were buried in Owosso caskets.
On the furniture side, Lyman’s son Lee Woodard spun off his own business as Lee L. Woodard and Sons, opening a shop with his sons, Joseph, Lyman II and Russell Woodard. During the 1930s, the new company explored the use of metal in furniture-making and introduced a wrought-iron set of patio dining furniture featuring ornate grillwork inspired by French design called Orleans in 1940. The line became a best seller and kick-started the company’s international reputation as a patio-furniture maker, even as the Woodard factory subsequently shifted toward supporting the wartime efforts in manufacturing parts for trucks and military equipment. After World War II, the business returned to making furniture. Over the years, Woodard and Sons would go on to master metallurgy in furniture making, developing expertise in wrought iron, cast aluminum and tubular aluminum for both indoor and outdoor pieces. In colder regions, wrought iron, which can be left outdoors all year round, was the material of choice in outdoor furniture designs for the Atomic Age, and vintage Woodard outdoor furniture is widely coveted by collectors today.
While the business started with more traditional styles of furnishings, the company would go on to embrace mid-century modernism. In fact, one of Woodard’s most famous pieces is 1956’s Sculptura chair, variously credited over the years to Russell and/or Joseph. The Sculptura was reportedly the first sculpted chair made without molds. Not unlike Harry Bertoia’s elegant steel-wire Side chair (also a mid-century darling) in its undulating form, the Sculptura chair, which is composed entirely of enameled woven wrought-iron wire, bears similarity to Eero Saarinen’s Womb chair for Knoll and Charles and Ray Eames’s DAX chair. The beloved Woodard chair was added to the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum’s permanent collection in 1994.
While the Woodard business is no longer in family hands, the company continues to produce fine patio furniture today and even reintroduced the Sculptura chair in 2015 as nostalgia for mid-century modernism gained steam again.
On 1stDibs, find vintage Russell Woodard lounge chairs, dining chairs and patio furniture today.
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.
Whether you're sitting around a firepit, playing games or enjoying a meal, outdoor furniture is crucial for a successful social gathering.
We’ve come a long way from the rudimentary patio and garden furniture of yore, which, in the Ancient Roman and Greek eras, meant stone slabs. Back then, your grandiose patch of outdoor greenery was a place to relax and admire the manicured hedges and fruit orchards. Fortunately, advancements in the design of outdoor furniture as well as the burgeoning of artisan landscape designers have made it easier to do so since then.
The need for outdoor chairs, tables and benches to withstand varying weather conditions means that many contemporary offerings prioritize durability over form. For a touch of glamour in your garden, antique and vintage pieces from France or Italy, which have already proven they can stand the test of time, can introduce an elegant sensibility to your outdoor space.
In the late 1940s, Hawaii-based architect Walter Lamb began fashioning outdoor furniture from nautical rope and metal tubing rescued from sunken Pearl Harbor ships. Although his designs were originally intended as gifts for returning GIs, his creations gained such popularity that they were picked up by the then-new Brown Jordan furniture company of California.
Lamb’s adventurous creations inspired many designers who followed. The seating and tables crafted by other mid-century furniture makers noted for their seminal patio and garden works — a list that includes Hendrik Van Keppel and Taylor Green, Russell Woodard and Woodard Furniture, Maurizio Tempestini and Richard Schultz — remain highly sought after by collectors today.
Whether it’s wicker couches for your screened porch or wrought-iron armchairs for fireside drinks, find the antique and vintage patio and garden furniture you need to wind down the day or welcome the morning sun on 1stDibs.