$2,438
H 59.85 in W 51.19 in D 17.33 in
Mid-Century Danish Teak Hutch Cabinet Johannes Andersen for Wilhelm Schaum Oy
By Johannes Andersen
Located in Seaford, GB
Vintage Mid-Century Teak Drinks Cabinet/highboard / high hutch / Sideboard by Johannes Andersen
Teak
$5,573 / set
H 79.14 in W 168.12 in D 14.18 in
Mid Century Ladderax Six Bay Shelving System, Desk Drinks Cabinet Staples
By Robert Heal
Located in Norwich, GB
with pigeon hole interior • 1 × teak drinks cabinet with bird’s‑eye maple interior • 1 × teak cupboard
Steel
Vintage Drinks Cabinet from Beithcraft, 1950s
By Beithcraft
Located in South Shields, GB
A mid century mahogany Beithcraft drinks cabinet or linen cabinet There's a cupboard with a
Teak, Walnut
$5,587
H 51.6 in W 29.5 in D 16 in
Great Quality Midcentury Modern Solid Teak Wood Drinks Cabinet or Dry Bar, 1960s
Located in Lisse, NL
Handcrafted double tier credenza or dry bar. This beautiful and handcrafted midcentury drinks
Brass
$3,134
H 44.69 in W 50.99 in D 16.93 in
Rare Ercol Tall Sideboard / Drinks Cabinet, English, by Lucian Ercolani, 1960s
By Lucian Ercolani
Located in Richmond, Surrey
Rare Ercol tall sideboard / drinks cabinet, English, By Lucian Ercolani, 1960s. Description
Teak
$1,908
H 27.17 in W 27.56 in D 17.33 in
1960s Danish Teak Arrebo Møbler Folding Drinks Cart Bar Trolley Andreas Hansen
By Arrebo Mobler, Andreas Hansen
Located in London, England
1960s Vintage Danish Teak folding dry bar drinks trolley by Andreas Hansen for Arrebo Møbler which
Brass
$975
H 27 in W 31.5 in D 20 in
Danish Teak Mid Century Bar Cart or Drinks Trolley in the Style of Dane Decor
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Expertly crafted from high-quality Danish teak, this mid-century bar cart or drinks trolley is the
Teak
British Teak Drinks Cabinet
Located in Nottingham, GB
A teak and laminate veneer drinks cabinet featuring bottle storage rack, fold down mirrored drinks
Glass, Laminate, Teak
Midcentury Teak Drinks Cabinet from Younger, 1960s
Located in South Shields, Tyne and Wear
Midcentury design - Midcentury drinks cabinet / dry bar / sideboard - Manufactured in the UK by
Teak
G Plan Scandinavian Range Teak Sideboard Drinks Cabinet
By G Plan Furniture
Located in Greater Manchester, GB
drawers creating a focal point and framed by a drop down drinks cabinet and large storage cupboard
Teak
Unavailable
H 26.78 in W 43.31 in D 19.3 in
1960s Danish Teak Corner Bar Drinks Cabinet with rotating Shelf
Located in Zurich, CH
inspiration. This bar cabinet features a rotating interior, mirrors and sliding doors.
Brass
Unavailable
H 44.1 in W 31.89 in D 16.93 in
1970s Mid Century English Drinks Cabinet/Sideboard by Avalon
By Nathan
Located in London, GB
This is a drinks cabinet by well known English furniture maker Avalon. The top part for drinks with
Teak
Mid Century Teak Drinks Bar / Dry bar
Located in Hull, GB
DRINKS BAR A stunning mid century teak drinks bar circa 1960 . The drinks bar has stunning grain
Teak
Unavailable
H 40.16 in W 38.19 in D 18.51 in
1960s ’Tola’ Drinks Cabinet / Sideboard by E Gomme for G Plan
By G Plan Furniture, Ebenezer Gomme
Located in London, GB
Mid-Century G plan Tola chest of drawers / sideboard / drinks cabinet in good sturdy condition
Brass
Mini Cabinet
Located in Llandudno, Conwy
A 1960s teak and rosewood drinks cabinet. Comprises of a cocktail cabinet, drop down the table
Rosewood
Mid Century Danish Tambour Door cocktail Cabinet
Located in Hull, GB
DRINKS BAR A stunning mid century danish teak tambour door cocktail cabinet / drinks bar circa
Teak
Unavailable
H 27.96 in W 25.6 in D 13.78 in
Mirrored Bar Cart Dry Bar Drinks Trolley by Jacques Adnet, France ca. 1950
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Very elegant oak veneered drinks trolley with in the inside a mirrored bottle compartment, 2
Copper
Teak Drinks Cabinet, 1960s
Located in South Shields, GB
A teak drinks cabinet, circa 1960s Featuring two drawers, two cupboards and a pull down drinks
Teak
Teak Drinks Cabinet from Younger, 1960s
By G Plan Furniture
Located in South Shields, GB
- Midcentury drinks cabinet / dry bar / sideboard. - Manufactured in the UK by Younger - Made
Teak
1960's Danish Teak Drinks Cabinet / Bar by Dyrlund
By Dyrlund
Located in London, GB
A stylish and very practical vintage Danish drinks cabinet / dry bar. This was made by Dyrlund, it
Teak, Formica
1960s Mid Century Modern English Teak Drinks Cabinet by Nathan
By Nathan Furniture
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
1960s mid century modern drinks cabinet by Nathan, England. Teak. "Nathan Quality" label intact
Teak
Mid-Century Modern Danish Teak Drinks Cabinet by Dyrlund Dry Bar
By Dyrlund
Located in Los Angeles, CA
tambour doors and striking design it is a true statement piece. Originally used as a drinks cabinet it
Teak
1960's Danish Teak Drinks Cabinet / Bar by Reno Wahl Iversen
By Dyrlund, Reno Wahl Iversen
Located in London, GB
A stylish and extremely well made vintage Danish teak drinks bar. This was designed by Reno Wahl
Teak
Teak Sideboard or Highboard from G-Plan, 1960s
By G Plan Furniture
Located in South Shields, GB
A compact size teak drinks cabinet or highboard from G Plan - Circa 1960s It features a two
Teak
Teak Sideboard or Highboard from G-Plan, 1960s
By G Plan Furniture
Located in South Shields, GB
A compact size teak drinks cabinet or highboard from G Plan - Circa 1960s It features a two
Teak
Teak Sideboard or Highboard from G-Plan, 1960s
By G Plan Furniture
Located in South Shields, GB
A compact size teak drinks cabinet or highboard from G Plan - Circa 1960s It features a two
Teak
Teak Sideboard or Highboard from McIntosh, 1960s
By A.H. McIntosh Furniture
Located in South Shields, GB
A teak drinks cabinet or highboard from McIntosh - Circa 1960s It features two pull down drinks
Teak
Teak Sideboard or Highboard from G-Plan, 1960s
By G Plan Furniture
Located in South Shields, GB
A compact size teak drinks cabinet or highboard from G Plan - Circa 1960s It features a two
Teak
1960s Vintage Domed Teak Cabinet by Robert Heritage
By Robert Heritage
Located in London, GB
A very stylish and extremely rare vintage teak drinks cabinet. This was almost certainly designed
Teak
Sold
H 44 in W 51 in D 18 in
Mid Century Modern Vintage Bar Cart Cabinet Credenza by G Plan Danish Style
By G Plan Furniture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A scarcely seen Mid Century teak drinks cabinet manufactured by G-Plan. A beautifully proportioned
Teak
1960s Danish Vintage Teak Fredericia Drinks Cabinet
Located in London, GB
A stunning and extremely well made 1960s vintage cabinet in teak, this was made in Denmark, this
Teak, Sycamore
1960s Danish Vintage Teak Fredericia Drinks Cabinet
Located in London, GB
A stunning and extremely well made 1960s vintage cabinet in teak, this was made in Denmark, this
Sycamore, Teak
Sold
H 45.48 in W 54.14 in D 18.12 in
Alfred Cox for Heals Teak Drinks Highboard Drinks Cabinet / Sideboard, 1950s
By Alfred Cox
Located in Richmond, Surrey
Alfred Cox for heals Danish design teak highboard drinks cabinet / sideboard, English, 1950s
Teak
1960s Danish Teak Captains Bar / Drinks Cabinet by Dyrlund
By Drylund
Located in London, GB
A stunning and very rare captains bar / cabinet in teak, this was made in Denmark by Dyrlund, it
Teak
1960s Vintage Teak Bar / Drinks Cabinet by Turnidge
By Turnidge Furniture
Located in London, GB
A fabulous and very well made vintage teak drinks bar, dating from the 1960s. This was made in
Teak
Teak Sideboard or Drinks Cabinet from G-Plan, 1960s
By G Plan Furniture
Located in South Shields, GB
- Mid century drinks cabinet / dry bar / sideboard. - Manufactured in the UK by G Plan. - Made
Teak
Mid Century Teak Narrow Drinks Cabinet from Austinsuite, 1960s
By Austinsuite
Located in South Shields, GB
A mid century teak narrow drinks cabinet from Austinsuite, circa 1960s The low profile cupboard
Teak
1960s Danish Teak Captains Bar or Drinks Cabinet by Dyrlund
By Drylund
Located in London, GB
A stunning and very rare captains bar or cabinet in teak, this was made in Denmark by Dyrlund, it
Teak
Retro Teak and Elm Drinks Cabinet by GW Evans, Vintage, 1950s
By G.W. Evans
Located in London, GB
A very stylish and rare drinks cabinet made by GW Evans, this was probably designed by Ian Audley
Elm, Teak
Danish Teak Corner Bar Carousel Drinks Cabinet, circa 1960s
By Torbjørn Afdal
Located in Peabody, MA
Teak corner cabinet with revolving bookcase, revealing storage for five liquor bottles and stemware
Mirror, Teak
Sold
H 48.04 in W 31.89 in D 16.15 in
1960s Teak Drinks Cocktail Cabinet Richard Hornby for Fyne Ladye Furniture UK
By Fyne Ladye, Richard Hornby
Located in Sherborne, Dorset
A very attractive African teak freestanding drinks cabinet designed by Richard Hornby in the mid-to
Laminate, Teak
Sold
H 43.5 in W 41.5 in D 21.5 in
Mid-Century Modern Teak Media Record Tv Drinks Cabinet by Dyrlund Danish
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A truly stunning mid-century Danish cabinet by Dyrlund. This is a superb quality piece of furniture
Teak
Sold
H 58 in W 53 in D 18 in
Mid Century Retro Teak Nathan Credenza Highboard Vintage Bureau Drinks Cabinet
By Nathan Furniture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
and elegant piece with plenty of storage and featuring some fabulous drawer and cabinet handles.
Teak
Sold
H 83.5 in W 99 in D 16.5 in
Superior Strength Danish Teak Three-Piece Bookcase with Drinks Cabinet
Located in South Charleston, WV
identical cabinets on the bottom with recessed finger pulls in solid teak, and all have a removable solid
1960s Teak Vintage Drinks Bar
Located in London, GB
A stunning vintage teak drinks bar, this was made in England and date from the 1960’s. It is of
Teak
Sold
H 50.4 in W 44.1 in D 17.92 in
Tom Robertson Teak Cocktail Bar, Dry Bar, Drinks Cabinet by McIntosh, 1960s.
By Tom Robertson
Located in Dublin 8, IE
There are many names used to describe these types of bar cabinet - cocktail bar, dry bar, drinks
Teak
Drinks Cabinet / Sideboard from Greaves & Thomas, 1950s
By Greaves and Thomas
Located in South Shields, GB
A mid century mahogany Greaves and Thomas drinks cabinet or sideboard. It also features a small
Teak, Walnut
Sold
H 55.52 in W 36.62 in D 17.33 in
1960's Scandinavian Dry / Bar Drinking Cabinet in Teak and Oak by Westbergs
Located in Silvolde, Gelderland
Beautiful and high quality dry bar / drinking cabinet in teak on a oak stand attributed to
Oak, Teak
Sold
H 52 in W 38 in D 63 in
Mid Century Modern Teak Bar Drinks Cabinet By Turnidge of London Danish Style
By Turnidge Furniture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Enhance your home with the exquisite Mid Century Modern Teak Bar Drinks Cabinet by Turnidge of
Teak
1960’s Teak Vintage Drinks Bar
Located in London, GB
A stunning vintage teak drinks bar, this was made in England and date from the 1960’s. It is of
Teak
Sold
H 61 in W 26 in D 26 in
Mid Century Modern Danish Teak Corner Drinks Cabinet Bar by Skovmand & Anderson
By Skovmand and Andersen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Exceptionally beautiful Danish teak corner cabinet from the 1960s.The high-quality workmanship and
Wood
G-Plan Teak Sideboard Cabinet
By G-Plan
Located in Banner Elk, NC
Beautiful teak g-plan Teak sideboard with drinks cabinet. Also has two drawers for storage and
Teak
Mid Century Modern Vintage Drinks Cabinet Bureau Desk Danish Style
Located in Los Angeles, CA
form and function. This versatile piece can serve as a desk, drinks cabinet, or storage unit, making it
Teak
1960s Danish Vintage Teak Bar Cart / Drinks Trolley
Located in London, GB
A stylish and rare vintage Danish drinks cart in teak, this dates from the 1960s. It is of super
Teak
1960s Danish Vintage Teak Bar Cart / Drinks Trolley
Located in London, GB
A stylish and rare vintage Danish drinks cart in teak, this dates from the 1960s. It is of super
Teak
Harry & Lou Epstein 1930's Art Deco Round Bar Drinks Cabinet Vitrine
Located in West Hartford, CT
Circular 1930's art deco drinks cabinet by H & L Epstein with signature bakelite handles. Can be
Bakelite, Teak, Walnut
Sold
H 40.95 in W 38.19 in D 18.51 in
Mid Century Tola and Black Librenza Drinks Cabinet Bureau G Plan, 1950s
By G Plan Furniture
Located in South Shields, GB
A mid century Tola and Black cabinet from G Plan (E Gomme) Featuring a pull down compartment and
Teak, Walnut
Mid Centruy Modern Vintage Teak Barcart Drinks Trolley Danish Style
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elevate your entertaining experience with this Mid Century Modern Teak Barcart Drinks Trolley. This
Teak
Sold
H 44.49 in W 45.67 in D 13.78 in
Mid Century French Teak Cocktail Drinks Bar With Illuminated Panel
Located in Norwich, GB
A very stylish Mid-Century French teak and blackened metal framed cocktail drinks bar with chromed
Metal, Chrome
Sold
H 71.5 in W 42 in D 12 in
Mid-Century Modern Stonehill Stateroom Teak Room Divider Display Drinks Bookcase
By Stonehill
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This retro cabinet by Stonehill for their stateroom range is a great way to store books, show off
Teak
Sold
H 30 in W 29.75 in D 29.75 in
Mid Century Modern Vintage Danish Hidden Barcart Drinks Cabinet Rosewood
Located in Los Angeles, CA
design and quality summed up in one piece. The Cabinet features an amazing revolving drinks bar and
Teak
Sold
H 38.5 in W 52 in D 34.5 in
Mid-Century Modern Free Standing Bar Drinks Cabinet by Turnidge of London
By Turnidge Co.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A fabulous and very well made vintage teak drinks bar, dating from the 1960s. This was made in
Teak
Sold
H 71.5 in W 42 in D 12 in
Mid Century Modern Stonehill Stateroom Teak Room Divider Display Drinks Bookcase
By Stateroom by Stonehill
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Display Drinks Bookcase from Mid Century Traders. This retro cabinet by Stonehill for their stateroom
Wood
Sold
H 43.31 in W 43.31 in D 15.75 in
Original danish modern bar cabinet in teak by Architect Kurt Østervig, KP Møbler
By Kurt Østervig
Located in København K, DK
Outstanding and original teak Tambour door Drinks Cabinet / Dry Bar by KP Møbler. Designed and
Glass, Formica, Beech, Teak
Pair of Custom Made Round Sheepskin Ottomans with Oak Ball Feet
Located in London, England
Dagmar Design - Round ottoman Custom-made ottomans developed & produced at our workshops in London using the highest quality materials. These examples are upholstered in Moonligh...
Sheepskin, Oak
$9,474 / item
H 19.69 in W 70.87 in D 27.56 in
Custom Oak & Cream Bouclé Daybed by Fosfeen Handcrafted, Made to Order
Located in Plymouth, GB
A handcrafted oak and cream bouclé daybed from Fosfeen’s Sunday Collection. Made to order with full customisation available, including COM, finishes, and dimensions. The Sunday Dayb...
Bouclé, Oak, Fabric, Textile, Upholstery, Wood, Hardwood
Pair of Custom Made Round Sheepskin Ottomans with Dark Ball Feet
Located in London, England
Dagmar design - round ottoman. Custom-made ottomans developed & produced at our workshops in London using the highest quality materials. These examples are upholstered in Moonligh...
Sheepskin, Oak
Mae Solid Wood Nightstand and Side Table by Crump and Kwash
By Crump and Kwash
Located in Baltimore City, MD
Mae Nightstand Solid wood frame / hand turned legs / hand rubbed oil finish / solid brass pulls / dovetailed solid wood drawer boxes / premium, full extension, soft close drawer ...
Maple, Oak, Walnut
$919 / set
H 5.71 in W 6.11 in D 6.7 in
Fritz Heidenreich Rosenthal Mid-Century Large Pair Porcelain Doves
By Fritz Heidenreich
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A stunning and quality pair German Rosenthal mid-century large porcelain doves designed by renowned sculptor Fritz Heidenreich (German, 1895-1966). The doves stand mounted on irregul...
Porcelain
Marble Scalloped Sink Basin
Located in Cranbrook, Kent
Classical Italian scalloped sink basin cut from one single block of Carrara marble. Custom sizes available
Marble
Custom Made Oak and Velvet Bench by Kai Kristiansen
Located in London, England
Bench designed by Danish master Kai Kristiansen in the 1950s and now produced under license by Dagmar. Hand-made to order, this upholstered bench has a fumed and oiled oak frame. Th...
Mohair, Oak
On Hold|$7,044 / set
H 16.54 in W 35.83 in D 13 in
Carl Auböck Four Rare Midcentury Rattan Couch Tables, 1980s, Austria
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Biebergemund, Hessen
Beautiful and rare rattan top coffee or side tables, manufactured by Carl Auböck Werkstätte in the 1980s, Vienna. The frames are made of black lacquered steel with woven rattan top. ...
Metal
$24,500 / set
H 29.5 in W 180 in D 34 in
Stunning Hollywood Regency Tufted 2-Piece Curved Sectional Sofa
Located in Dallas, TX
Vintage Hollywood Regency an extra long two-part sofa with a deep tufted back. The sofa splits in the centre, each side has a single seat cushion with rounded outer edge on an uphols...
Upholstery
$8,986 / set
H 28.35 in W 95.28 in D 35.44 in
Danish Vintage Dining Table and Chairs by Johannes Andersen
By Johannes Andersen, Christian Linnebergs Møbelfabrik
Located in London, GB
A stunning Danish vintage dining table and chairs by Johannes Andersen for Christian Linneberg. These were made in Denmark, they date from the 1960’s. The six chairs are the model 9...
Faux Leather, Wood
$6,850
H 26.5 in Dm 47.25 in
Osvaldo Borsani Round Dining / Center / Game Table with Travertine Top, Signed
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Kansas City, MO
Osvaldo Borsani dining table or center table or game table with the original one inch thick travertine top with a slightly tapered edge. Black steel base with aluminum panels. The t...
Travertine, Aluminum, Steel
$11,000
H 29.93 in W 72.45 in D 33.86 in
Danish Mid-Century Sofa by Schiller Polstermøbelfabrik, Denmark 1950s
Located in Utrecht, NL
Though the advent of new materials like plastic, foam, and fibreglass revolutionized the production process, Scandinavian designers still valued craft over industrialization. This sc...
Fabric, Wood
Pair of Minimalist Pine Lounge Chairs, Italy, 1970s
Located in Aartselaar, BE
Pine, Italian, design, rustic, minimalist, wabi-sabi, 1970s, mid-century modern A pair of minimalist lounge chairs made out of solid pine wood in Italy during the 1970s. These arm...
Wood, Pine, Fabric, Cotton
Vintage Danish Teak Extending Dining Table
Located in London, GB
A superb vintage Danish teak extending dining table, dating from the 1960’s. This is of the utmost quality, with an extremely sleek and stylish design. It is made from solid and ven...
Teak
USM Haller Mid Credenza D Storage System
By Paul Schaerer, Usm Haller, Fritz Haller
Located in New York, NY
Offered by M2L. With four drop down doors. Designed by Swiss architect Fritz Haller and Paul Schaerer in 1963. Made from powder coated steel and chrome plated steel tubes, the US...
Chrome, Steel
$668
H 37.8 in W 12.01 in D 11.82 in
Liberty and Co (attributed). An Arts and Crafts Walnut plant stand.
By Liberty & Co.
Located in London, GB
Liberty and Co (attributed). An Arts and Crafts Walnut plant stand.
Walnut
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.
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.
