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Turnidge Bar

Handpainted Rosewood Turnidge of London Dry Bar
Handpainted Rosewood Turnidge of London Dry Bar

Handpainted Rosewood Turnidge of London Dry Bar

By Turnidge Furniture

Located in Pasadena, TX

This desk was made by Turnidge of London. Its made of rosewood and has dual lower doors that leads

Category

Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Dry Bars

Materials

Rosewood

Freestanding Teak Cocktail Bar With White Laminate Top
Freestanding Teak Cocktail Bar With White Laminate Top

Freestanding Teak Cocktail Bar With White Laminate Top

By Turnidge Furniture

Located in Berkeley, CA

Origin: England Designer: Unknown Manufacturer: Turnidge of London Era: 1960s Materials: Teak

Category

Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Carts and Bar Carts

Materials

Laminate, Teak

Recent Sales

Turnidge Teak Metamorphic Home Bar Dry Bar, G Plan Eames Era Midcentury
Turnidge Teak Metamorphic Home Bar Dry Bar, G Plan Eames Era Midcentury

Turnidge Teak Metamorphic Home Bar Dry Bar, G Plan Eames Era Midcentury

By Turnidge Furniture

Located in Greater Manchester, GB

Turnidge of London created stunning furniture ranges from the UK based design studios, taking

Category

Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Dry Bars

Materials

Teak

Midcentury Teak Flip Top Home Cocktail Bar Space Saving by Turnidge of London
Midcentury Teak Flip Top Home Cocktail Bar Space Saving by Turnidge of London

Midcentury Teak Flip Top Home Cocktail Bar Space Saving by Turnidge of London

By Turnidge Furniture

Located in Norcross, GA

This is a gorgeous space saving midcentury teak bar by Turnidge of London. The top unfolds and the

Category

Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Dry Bars

Materials

Teak

Mid Century Modern Teak Vinatge Free Standing Bar by Turnidge of London
Mid Century Modern Teak Vinatge Free Standing Bar by Turnidge of London

Mid Century Modern Teak Vinatge Free Standing Bar by Turnidge of London

By Turnidge Furniture

Located in Los Angeles, CA

A fantastic mid-century cocktail bar from quality furniture makers Turnidge of London. Made from

Category

20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Carts and Bar Carts

Materials

Wood

1950s Walnut Cocktail Bar Cabinet Turnidge of London
1950s Walnut Cocktail Bar Cabinet Turnidge of London

1950s Walnut Cocktail Bar Cabinet Turnidge of London

By Turnidge Furniture

Located in Pasadena, TX

1950s cocktail bar cabinet by Turnidge of London  Turnidge of London manufactured cocktail

Category

Vintage 1950s European Art Deco Dry Bars

Materials

Burl

1960s Vintage Teak Bar / Drinks Cabinet by Turnidge
1960s Vintage Teak Bar / Drinks Cabinet by Turnidge

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

Category

Vintage 1960s European Mid-Century Modern Dry Bars

Materials

Teak

Mid-Century Modern Free Standing Bar Drinks Cabinet by Turnidge of London
Mid-Century Modern Free Standing Bar Drinks Cabinet by Turnidge of London

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

Category

Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Dry Bars

Materials

Teak

Mid Century Modern Teak Bar Drinks Cabinet By Turnidge of London Danish Style
Mid Century Modern Teak Bar Drinks Cabinet By Turnidge of London Danish Style

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

Category

Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Dry Bars

Materials

Teak

Mid-Century Modern Metamorphic Cabinet by Turnidge of London
Mid-Century Modern Metamorphic Cabinet by Turnidge of London

Mid-Century Modern Metamorphic Cabinet by Turnidge of London

By Turnidge Furniture

Located in Forney, TX

A fabulous British Danish designed Mid-Century Modern teak liquor cabinet dry bar by Turnidge of

Category

Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Dry Bars

Materials

Glass, Teak

English Modern Teak Freestanding Bar
English Modern Teak Freestanding Bar

English Modern Teak Freestanding Bar

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H 42 in W 32.5 in D 16.5 in

English Modern Teak Freestanding Bar

By Turnidge Furniture

Located in Berkeley, CA

This teak English modern freestanding bar was manufactured by Turnidge of London in the 1960s. Its

Category

Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Dry Bars

Materials

Teak

Mid Century Modern VIntage Teak Bar Cabinet Drybar by Tunbidge of London
Mid Century Modern VIntage Teak Bar Cabinet Drybar by Tunbidge of London

Mid Century Modern VIntage Teak Bar Cabinet Drybar by Tunbidge of London

By Turnidge Furniture

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Discover the elegance of the Mid Century Modern Vintage Teak Bar Cabinet by Turnidge of London at

Category

Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Dry Bars

Materials

Teak

Mid Century Modern Teak Bar Cocktail Display Cabinet by Turnidge of London
Mid Century Modern Teak Bar Cocktail Display Cabinet by Turnidge of London

Mid Century Modern Teak Bar Cocktail Display Cabinet by Turnidge of London

By Turnidge Furniture

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Discover the elegance of the mid-century era with this fantastic mid-century modern home bar

Category

Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Cabinets

Materials

Teak

Mid Century Modern Vintage Bar China Cabinet by Turnidge of London Danish Style
Mid Century Modern Vintage Bar China Cabinet by Turnidge of London Danish Style

Mid Century Modern Vintage Bar China Cabinet by Turnidge of London Danish Style

By Turnidge Furniture

Located in Los Angeles, CA

A stunning display bar/china cabinet by British furniture maker Turnidge of London is a beautiful

Category

Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Cabinets

Materials

Glass, Teak

Mid Century Modern Vintage Bar China Cabinet by Turnidge of London Danish Style
Mid Century Modern Vintage Bar China Cabinet by Turnidge of London Danish Style

Mid Century Modern Vintage Bar China Cabinet by Turnidge of London Danish Style

By Turnidge Furniture

Located in Los Angeles, CA

A stunning display bar/china cabinet by British furniture maker Turnidge of London is a beautiful

Category

Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Cabinets

Materials

Wood, Teak

Mid Century Modern Vintage Bar China Cabinet by Turnidge of London Danish Style
Mid Century Modern Vintage Bar China Cabinet by Turnidge of London Danish Style

Mid Century Modern Vintage Bar China Cabinet by Turnidge of London Danish Style

By Turnidge Furniture

Located in Los Angeles, CA

A stunning display bar/china cabinet by British furniture maker Turnidge of London is a beautiful

Category

Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Cabinets

Materials

Wood, Teak

Mid Century Bar Cabinet Cocktail Bar from Turnidge, 1960s
Mid Century Bar Cabinet Cocktail Bar from Turnidge, 1960s

Mid Century Bar Cabinet Cocktail Bar from Turnidge, 1960s

Located in South Shields, GB

This stylish teak home bar - made by Tunridge of London during the 1960s It stands on castors for

Category

Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Sideboards

Materials

Teak

Mid Century Bar Cabinet Cocktail Bar from Turnidge with Stool, 1960s
Mid Century Bar Cabinet Cocktail Bar from Turnidge with Stool, 1960s

Mid Century Bar Cabinet Cocktail Bar from Turnidge with Stool, 1960s

Located in South Shields, GB

This stylish teak home bar - made by Turnidge of London during the 1960s The tall side panel

Category

Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Sideboards

Materials

Teak

1960's Mid Century Modern Teak Bar Cabinet
1960's Mid Century Modern Teak Bar Cabinet

1960's Mid Century Modern Teak Bar Cabinet

By Turnidge Furniture

Located in Southampton, NJ

Mid 20th century Teak bar Cabinet or server featuring top utensil drawer, drop down lower cabinet

Category

Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Dry Bars

Materials

Brass, Stainless Steel

Narrow Teak + Glass Mirror Backed Bookcase / Bar
Narrow Teak + Glass Mirror Backed Bookcase / Bar

Narrow Teak + Glass Mirror Backed Bookcase / Bar

By Turnidge Furniture

Located in Berkeley, CA

Origin: England Designer: Unknown Manufacturer: Turnidge of London Era: 1960s Dimensions: 36

Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Teak

Mid Century Modern Teak Home Cocktail Dry Bar by Turnidge
Mid Century Modern Teak Home Cocktail Dry Bar by Turnidge

Mid Century Modern Teak Home Cocktail Dry Bar by Turnidge

By Turnidge Furniture

Located in Atlanta, GA

This is an amazing 1970's teak veneer cocktail bar by Turnidge of London. Made in England

Category

Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Dry Bars

Materials

Teak

Mid Century Modern Teak Home Cocktail Bar Turnidge Of London England
Mid Century Modern Teak Home Cocktail Bar Turnidge Of London England

Mid Century Modern Teak Home Cocktail Bar Turnidge Of London England

By Turnidge Furniture

Located in Atlanta, GA

This is an amazing 1970's teak veneer cocktail bar by Turnidge of London. Made in England

Category

Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Dry Bars

Materials

Teak

Mid Century Modern Teak Cocktail Home Bar By Turnidge Of London
Mid Century Modern Teak Cocktail Home Bar By Turnidge Of London

Mid Century Modern Teak Cocktail Home Bar By Turnidge Of London

By Turnidge Furniture

Located in Atlanta, GA

This is an amazing 1970's teak cocktail bar by Turnidge of London. Made in England. The side panel

Category

Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Dry Bars

Materials

Teak

Mid Century Modern Teak Cocktail Home Bar By Turnidge Of London
Mid Century Modern Teak Cocktail Home Bar By Turnidge Of London

Mid Century Modern Teak Cocktail Home Bar By Turnidge Of London

By Turnidge Furniture

Located in Atlanta, GA

This is an amazing 1970's teak cocktail bar by Turnidge of London. Made in England. The top has a

Category

Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Dry Bars

Materials

Teak

Mid-Century Modern Teak Dry Home Cocktail Bar Made in England Turnidge
Mid-Century Modern Teak Dry Home Cocktail Bar Made in England Turnidge

Mid-Century Modern Teak Dry Home Cocktail Bar Made in England Turnidge

By Turnidge Furniture

Located in Atlanta, GA

This is an amazing 1970's teak cocktail bar by Turnidge of London. Made in England. White bar

Category

Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Dry Bars

Materials

Teak

Mid Century Modern Teak Home Cocktail Dry Bar Turnidge Of London England
Mid Century Modern Teak Home Cocktail Dry Bar Turnidge Of London England

Mid Century Modern Teak Home Cocktail Dry Bar Turnidge Of London England

By Turnidge Furniture

Located in Atlanta, GA

This is an amazing 1970's teak cocktail bar by Turnidge of London. Made in England. Features side

Category

Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Dry Bars

Materials

Teak

Mid Century Modern Teak Cocktail Home Dry Bar With Side Panel By Turnidge
Mid Century Modern Teak Cocktail Home Dry Bar With Side Panel By Turnidge

Mid Century Modern Teak Cocktail Home Dry Bar With Side Panel By Turnidge

By Turnidge Furniture

Located in Atlanta, GA

This is an amazing 1970's teak cocktail bar by Turnidge of London. Made in England. The side panel

Category

Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Dry Bars

Materials

Teak

Mid-Century Modern Teak Home Cocktail Bar Turnidge England
Mid-Century Modern Teak Home Cocktail Bar Turnidge England

Mid-Century Modern Teak Home Cocktail Bar Turnidge England

Located in Atlanta, GA

This is an amazing 1970s teak cocktail bar by Turnidge of London. Made in England. Original label

Category

Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Dry Bars

Materials

Teak

The Best English Flip Top Bar, Envelope or Yacht Bar by Turnidge
The Best English Flip Top Bar, Envelope or Yacht Bar by Turnidge

The Best English Flip Top Bar, Envelope or Yacht Bar by Turnidge

Located in Oakland, CA

One of my personal favorites. This is the ultimate. Compact bar yet practical and become the focus

Category

Vintage 1940s English Dry Bars

Materials

Metal

Fabulous 1950s Cocktail Cabinet Bar Drinks Turnidge of London Mahogany Glass
Fabulous 1950s Cocktail Cabinet Bar Drinks Turnidge of London Mahogany Glass

Fabulous 1950s Cocktail Cabinet Bar Drinks Turnidge of London Mahogany Glass

Located in Longdon, Tewkesbury

A beautiful midcentury 1950s Turnidge of London Cocktail cabinet with all the original accessories

Category

Vintage 1950s British Art Deco Dry Bars

Materials

Glass, Mahogany

Mid Century Modern Teak Cocktail Home Bar By Turnidge Of London
Mid Century Modern Teak Cocktail Home Bar By Turnidge Of London

Mid Century Modern Teak Cocktail Home Bar By Turnidge Of London

By Turnidge Co.

Located in Atlanta, GA

This is an amazing 1970's teak cocktail bar by Turnidge of London. Made in England. The top has a

Category

Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Dry Bars

Materials

Teak

Dramatic Streamline Art Deco Bar with Great Chrome Accents
Dramatic Streamline Art Deco Bar with Great Chrome Accents

Dramatic Streamline Art Deco Bar with Great Chrome Accents

By Turnidge Furniture

Located in Mount Penn, PA

Great design Art Deco bar with flip-top serving space and original skeleton key for lock. Sliding

Category

Vintage 1930s English Art Deco Dry Bars

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Sculptural Wall-Mounted Mid-Century Teak Console, Style of Ico Parisi, 1950s
Sculptural Wall-Mounted Mid-Century Teak Console, Style of Ico Parisi, 1950s

Sculptural Wall-Mounted Mid-Century Teak Console, Style of Ico Parisi, 1950s

By Ico Parisi

Located in Los Angeles, CA

An extraordinary and rare Mid-Century wall-mounted teak console, exquisitely crafted and evocative of the visionary work of Italian designer Ico Parisi. Strikingly sculptural and hig...

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Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dry Bars

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1960s Art Deco Mid-Century Italian Walnut Burl and Mirror Mosaic Dry Bar Cabinet
1960s Art Deco Mid-Century Italian Walnut Burl and Mirror Mosaic Dry Bar Cabinet

1960s Art Deco Mid-Century Italian Walnut Burl and Mirror Mosaic Dry Bar Cabinet

By Ico & Luisa Parisi, Guglielmo Ulrich, Vittorio Dassi, Gio Ponti, Paolo Buffa

Located in Carimate, Como

Beautiful Italian Art Deco Mid-Century Modern dry bar cabinet decorated in various veneer briar burl wood, with two side doors, central slant door and antique brass handles. When ope...

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Art Deco Dry Bars

Materials

Brass

Alice Flushmount or Sconce in Brass with Hand Blown Sandblasted Glass Cube
Alice Flushmount or Sconce in Brass with Hand Blown Sandblasted Glass Cube

Alice Flushmount or Sconce in Brass with Hand Blown Sandblasted Glass Cube

By Atelier de Troupe

Located in Los Angeles, CA

The Alice collection is inspired by brutalist modular architecture. The textured hand blown glass cubes are sandblasted to create a soft glow. Available in satin brass or matte black...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Brutalist Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Brass

Dry Bar in Blackened Laser-Cut Steel Frame with Oak Slats and Leather Top
Dry Bar in Blackened Laser-Cut Steel Frame with Oak Slats and Leather Top

Dry Bar in Blackened Laser-Cut Steel Frame with Oak Slats and Leather Top

By Klein Agency

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Be it in the gentleman’s corner of your apartment or centre stage in your living room, this contemporary Dry Bar in its simplicity, serves as a humble vessel for your most precious l...

Category

2010s American Modern Dry Bars

Materials

Cut Steel

High Art Deco Sideboard, Dry Bar, Cabinet, Walnut Veneer, France, circa 1930
High Art Deco Sideboard, Dry Bar, Cabinet, Walnut Veneer, France, circa 1930

High Art Deco Sideboard, Dry Bar, Cabinet, Walnut Veneer, France, circa 1930

By René Joubert and Philippe Petit

Located in Bochum, NRW

High Art Deco sideboard, dry bar, cabinet, walnut veneer, France circa 1930. Greatly restored original Art Deco Sideboard, Buffet or Cabinet in asymmetric design, curved lyre left, ...

Category

Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Dry Bars

Materials

Wood

Gunnar Asplund Large Outdoor Wall Lamp by ASEA in Sweden
Gunnar Asplund Large Outdoor Wall Lamp by ASEA in Sweden

Gunnar Asplund Large Outdoor Wall Lamp by ASEA in Sweden

$4,831

H 14.97 in W 14.18 in D 21.66 in

Gunnar Asplund Large Outdoor Wall Lamp by ASEA in Sweden

By Gunnar Asplund

Located in Limhamn, Skåne län

Rare and large outdoor wall lamp designed by Gunnar Asplund. Produced by ASEA in Sweden.

Category

Vintage 1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Steel

1940s Art Deco Mid-Century Italian Walnut Burl and Mirror Mosaic Dry Bar Cabinet
1940s Art Deco Mid-Century Italian Walnut Burl and Mirror Mosaic Dry Bar Cabinet

1940s Art Deco Mid-Century Italian Walnut Burl and Mirror Mosaic Dry Bar Cabinet

By Ico & Luisa Parisi, Guglielmo Ulrich, Vittorio Dassi, Paolo Buffa, Gio Ponti

Located in Carimate, Como

Unique and very elegant Italian Art Deco Mid-Century Modern dry bar cabinet, in beautiful veneer walnut briar burl wood, two doors with amazing interior part in mirrors mosaic, black...

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Art Deco Dry Bars

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Brass

Art Deco Figured Walnut Dry Bar Cocktail Cabinet, English, c1930
Art Deco Figured Walnut Dry Bar Cocktail Cabinet, English, c1930

Art Deco Figured Walnut Dry Bar Cocktail Cabinet, English, c1930

Located in Devon, England

For your consideration is this fabulously stylish 1930's Art Deco cocktail cabinet. This dry bar dates to the 1930's and has all the bells and whistles you want from a cocktail cabin...

Category

Mid-20th Century English Art Deco Dry Bars

Materials

Chrome

LUMfr Sconce
LUMfr Sconce

LUMfr Sconce

$1,600 / item

H 13 in W 8 in D 5.5 in

LUMfr Sconce

By Lumfardo Luminaires

Located in Los Angeles, CA

The fantastic LUMfr Sconce is a patinated brass and champagne toned fringe wall sconce inspired by mid century Italian design. This sconce is created by Lumfardo Luminaires and made ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights an...

Materials

Brass

Rare Paul McCobb 2pc. Bar Cabinet by H. Saks & Sons Connoisseur Collection
Rare Paul McCobb 2pc. Bar Cabinet by H. Saks & Sons Connoisseur Collection

Rare Paul McCobb 2pc. Bar Cabinet by H. Saks & Sons Connoisseur Collection

By Paul McCobb

Located in Cincinnati, OH

A unique and stunning walnut 2 piece bar cabinet with the top having a pull down door that is also a drink mixing and serving area with an aluminum surface and a upper built in light...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dry Bars

Materials

Aluminum, Chrome

Space Age Meets Tradition Bar Cabinet from Denmark
Space Age Meets Tradition Bar Cabinet from Denmark

Space Age Meets Tradition Bar Cabinet from Denmark

$990Sale Price|38% Off

H 43.71 in W 39.38 in D 17.72 in

Space Age Meets Tradition Bar Cabinet from Denmark

Located in Munich, DE

Wonderful wow effect bar cabinet from Denmark, clear lines and traditional craftsmanship outside and very modern brushed aluminum details inside. All backs inside with linen. LOCA...

Category

20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Dry Bars

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Teak

Mid-Century Folding Bar Cabinet, Italy circa 1950s
Mid-Century Folding Bar Cabinet, Italy circa 1950s

Mid-Century Folding Bar Cabinet, Italy circa 1950s

$7,800Sale Price|20% Off

H 25 in W 33 in D 13 in

Mid-Century Folding Bar Cabinet, Italy circa 1950s

Located in New York, NY

An Italian modernist folding bar cabinet. Bar folds open in the middle and is finished on all sides to be free standing. Mahogany, teak, patinated brass details.

Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dry Bars

Materials

Mahogany

Custom Dry Bar Murano Glass Cabinet Available
Custom Dry Bar Murano Glass Cabinet Available

Custom Dry Bar Murano Glass Cabinet Available

$5,314Sale Price / item|20% Off

H 35.44 in W 31.5 in D 21.66 in

Custom Dry Bar Murano Glass Cabinet Available

Located in Guazzora, IT

Introducing our limited edition Dry Bar Murano Glass Cabinet, a true masterpiece of Italian craftsmanship. Handcrafted in Italy, this exquisite cabinet combines the warmth of solid...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Dry Bars

Materials

Brass

1950s Atomic Drop Down Liquor Cabinet Dry Bar
1950s Atomic Drop Down Liquor Cabinet Dry Bar

1950s Atomic Drop Down Liquor Cabinet Dry Bar

$5,800

H 56.5 in W 36.5 in D 13.5 in

1950s Atomic Drop Down Liquor Cabinet Dry Bar

Located in Los Angeles, CA

This ingenious piece of furniture design, features a compact cocktail cabinet which cleverly incorporates a fold down bar that can be stored away when not in use. This function has b...

Category

Vintage 1950s British Mid-Century Modern Dry Bars

Materials

Wood

Italian Dry Bar - Vitrine
Italian Dry Bar - Vitrine

Italian Dry Bar - Vitrine

$3,200

H 28 in W 32 in D 16 in

Italian Dry Bar - Vitrine

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Italian dry bar - vitrine base is wood and the side is inline fruit wood. The bar interior is surrounded by mosaic glass.  

Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dry Bars

Materials

Art Glass, Wood

Merton Gershun Mid Century Walnut Bar for American of Martinsville w/ Barware
Merton Gershun Mid Century Walnut Bar for American of Martinsville w/ Barware

Merton Gershun Mid Century Walnut Bar for American of Martinsville w/ Barware

By American of Martinsville

Located in Cincinnati, OH

A rare Mid Century walnut dry bar with pull down front door with light up drink area and storage for glasses . When down the door has a white laminate backing making a bar surface fo...

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Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dry Bars

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A Close Look at Mid-century-modern Furniture

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.

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.