Minimalist Sofa, Rolf Grunow for Walter Knoll
By Walter Knoll
Located in Neuss, NW
Minimalist sofa by Rolf Grunow for Walter Knoll from the 1950s. High-quality wooden frame with
Vintage 1950s German Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Steel
Minimalist Sofa, Rolf Grunow for Walter Knoll
By Walter Knoll
Located in Neuss, NW
Minimalist sofa by Rolf Grunow for Walter Knoll from the 1950s. High-quality wooden frame with
Steel
$2,355
H 31.5 in W 72.45 in D 29.14 in
Knoll Antimott Sofa Midcentury Couch Walter Wilhelm Knoll Ahorn
By Knoll Antimott, Wilhelm Knoll, Walter Knoll
Located in Berlin, DE
Knoll / Wilhelm Knoll Herkunftsland: Deutschland Epoche: 1950er, Mid Century Material: Ahorn, Stoff Maße
Fabric, Maple
Vintage Sofa Couch Walter Wilhelm Knoll ausziehbar Nussbaum
By Walter Knoll, Wilhelm Knoll
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten ein wunderschönes ausziehbares Vintage Sofa im Design von Walter & Wilhelm Knoll zum
Fabric, Walnut
Large German Modular Sofa by Walter Knoll
By Walter Knoll
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large German modular sofa by Walter Knoll.
Fabric
$5,243
H 25.6 in W 69.3 in D 29.14 in
Knoll- Antimot Walnut Three Seat U-Vorm Sofa by Walter Knoll, Germany
By Knoll Antimott, Walter Knoll
Located in Antwerp, BE
. Original good vintage condition. The furniture manufacturing brand currently known as Walter Knoll traces
Wool, Walnut
$8,876 / set
H 27.96 in W 151.58 in D 34.65 in
Sectional Sofa by Friedrich Hill for Walter Knoll Collection, Germany 1970s
By Walter Knoll
Located in Wien, AT
Modular sofa designed by Friedrich Hill and produced by Walter Knoll Collection, Germany. The set
Leather
$2,957 / set
H 35.44 in W 24.81 in D 34.26 in
Pair of Two Black Leather Modular Sofa Chairs by Walter Knoll, Germany, 1970s
By Walter Knoll
Located in Praha, CZ
- Germany, around 1970s - Good original condition with patina - Made of leather - marked by manufacturer jr.
Leather
$10,500
H 29 in W 79.5 in D 31 in
Preben Fabricius for Walter Knoll Cordovan Leather and Chromed Steel Sofa
By Preben Fabricius, Walter Knoll
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Three-seater sofa designed as part of the "710 Series" by Preben Fabricius for Walter Knoll
Steel, Chrome
$10,500
H 29 in W 79.5 in D 31 in
Cordovan Leather and Chrome-Steel Sofa by Preben Fabricius for Walter Knoll
By Preben Fabricius, Walter Knoll
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Three-seater sofa designed as part of the "710 Series" by Preben Fabricius for Walter Knoll
Steel, Chrome
$1,479
H 31.5 in W 49.22 in D 31.5 in
Leather sofa by Preben Fabricius and Jorgen Kastholm for Walter Knoll, 1960
By Jørgen Kastholm & Preben Fabricius, Walter Knoll
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Mid century sofa by Preben Fabricius and Jorgen Kastholm for Walter Knoll, 1960s. Beautiful
Chrome
$3,300
H 29.93 in W 88.59 in D 27.56 in
Florence Knoll for Knoll International Sofa in Blue Upholstery and Steel
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Florence Knoll for Knoll International, sofa, model '67A', steel, fabric, United States, design
Steel
Knoll Brown Leather Fabricius Sofa
By Preben Fabricius, Knoll
Located in Basildon, London
clean lines showcase Walter Knoll’s renowned craftsmanship. Generously cushioned seats provide
Steel
$9,450
H 29.93 in W 90.56 in D 31.5 in
Florence Knoll for Knoll International Sofa in Teak and Grey Upholstery
By Florence Knoll
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Florence Knoll for Knoll International, sofa, model '2557', fabric, teak, 1955 This sofa model
Fabric, Teak
Otto Zapf Follow Me sofa 1970s.
By Otto Zapf, Knoll
Located in bari, IT
Walter Knoll & Co. Early 20th-century Germany was the epicenter of modern design theory, expressed
Fabric, Beech
Otto Zapf Follow Me sofa 1970s.
By Otto Zapf, Knoll
Located in bari, IT
Walter Knoll & Co. Early 20th-century Germany was the epicenter of modern design theory, expressed
Fabric, Beech
$2,106
H 16.74 in W 50.79 in D 27.17 in
Mid-Century Modern Antimott Large Coffee Table by Walter Knoll / Wilhelm Knoll
By Walter Knoll, Wilhelm Knoll
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Stunning and elegant Mid-Century Modern Antimott coffee table Design by Walter Knoll & Wilhelm
Teak
$14,000 / set
H 28.5 in W 29.25 in D 29.5 in
Pair of Preben Fabricius for Walter Knoll Cordovan Leather Lounge Chairs
By Walter Knoll, Preben Fabricius
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of lounge chairs designed as part of the "710 Series" by Preben Fabricius for Walter Knoll
Steel, Chrome
$14,202
H 28.35 in W 90.56 in D 31.5 in
Large three-seater sofa, by Florence Knoll, Knoll International, circa 1970
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Paris, FR
Large three-seater sofa, chrome steel frame, new foam padding for the upholstered seat and back
Steel, Chrome
$14,794
H 22.45 in Dm 39.38 in
Art Deco Vintage Walnut Circular Coffee Table Sofa Table Circle Josef Frank 1927
Located in Vienna, AT
could be perfectly paired with Contemporary interiors as well as Antique or Mid Century Modern items
Walnut
Unavailable
H 26.78 in W 125.99 in D 68.9 in
Vintage Modular Sofa by Friedrich Hill for Walter Knoll 1970s
By Walter Knoll
Located in Vienna, AT
Vintage Modular Sofa by Friedrich Hill for Walter Knoll. Great comfort and style in very soft
Leather
Unavailable
H 28.25 in W 61.25 in D 32.5 in
Walter Knoll Studio Line Series Black Leather Sofa Designed by Jürgen Lange
By Jürgen Lange, Walter Knoll
Located in North Hollywood, CA
produced by Walter Knoll, Germany, 1975 as part of their Studio Line Series. Seat depth is 19.5”.
Leather
Unavailable
H 28.25 in W 61.25 in D 32.5 in
Walter Knoll Studio Line Series black leather sofa designed by Jürgen Lange
By Jürgen Lange, Walter Knoll
Located in North Hollywood, CA
produced by Walter Knoll, Germany, 1975 as part of their Studio Line Series. Measures: Seat depth is 19.5”.
Leather
Rare Cubic Livingroom/Sofa Set by Walter Knoll, 1970s
By Walter Knoll
Located in Schagen, NL
This wonderful set consists of a two seat sofa, an armchair and a coffee table and was manufactured
Leather, Wood
Knoll Sofa - Daybed in Original Upholstery
By Knoll
Located in Brussels, BE
Midcentury day d/sofa designed by Walter Knoll. Designed and produced in the 1950s. When you extend
Upholstery, Wood, Beech
Unavailable
H 29.53 in W 70.87 in D 31.5 in
MidCentury German Extendable Beech Wood Daybed Sofa from Knoll Antimott, 1950s
By Knoll Antimott
Located in Riga, Latvia
Freestanding model by Walter/Wilhelm Knoll from 1950s. Daybed has an adjustable backrest and an
Fabric, Wood
Sold
H 31.11 in W 73.63 in D 30.91 in
Mid-Century Modern Three-Piece Antimott Sofa by Walter Knoll / Wilhelm Knoll
By Walter Knoll, Wilhelm Knoll
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Stunning and elegant Mid-Century Modern Antimott three-piece sofa. Design by Walter Knoll & Wilhelm
Fabric, Teak
Walter Knoll Leather Sectional Sofa
By Walter Knoll
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful Walter Knoll leather three-piece sectional sofa with clips on bottom for fastening
Leather
Walter Knoll Black Leather Sofa, Germany, 1960s-1970s
By Walter Knoll
Located in Pijnacker, Zuid-Holland
This beautiful large 4 seat sofa was designed and manufactured by the renowned Walter Knoll company
Chrome
Half Round Leather Lounge Sofa by Walter Knoll, 1960s
By Walter Knoll
Located in Telgte, DE
Half round leather lounge sofa by Walter Knoll, 1960s Lounge sofa, which offers very good comfort
Leather
Walter Knoll Modular Sofa in Green Velvet
By Walter Knoll
Located in Dronten, NL
Very comfortable five-piece sectional sofa with two lounge chairs in beautiful green velvet. The
Velvet
Walter Knoll Thick Brown Leather 3-Seat Sofa
By Walter Knoll, Wilhelm Knoll
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large handsome midcentury 3-seat sofa by Walter Knoll. Thick natural brown leather with nice heavy
Leather
Vintage modular Piccolino sofa by Walter/Wilhelm Knoll
By Walter Knoll, Wilhelm Knoll
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Vintage curvy modular sofa designed by Walter/Wilhelm Knoll - Model Piccolino. Cool original green
Fabric
Walter Knoll Modular High Back Green Sectional Sofa
By Walter Knoll
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Walter knoll modular high back green sectional sofa. Fun avocado colored original upholstery with
Upholstery
Mid-Century Modular Sofa by Friedrich Hill for Walter Knoll
By Brayton International, Walter Knoll
Located in Raleigh, NC
for the Walter Knoll Collection and produced by Brayton International, circa 1970s. This sofa has
Leather, Fabric, Foam
Sold
H 31.5 in W 68.9 in D 32.29 in
Stella Sofa Ash wood Daybed by Walter Knoll & Wilhelm Knoll, Germany, 1950
By Walter Knoll, Wilhelm Knoll
Located in Gaggenau, DE
Midcentury Stella Sofa Ash wood Daybed by Walter Knoll & Wilhelm Knoll, Germany, 1950s Style
Fabric, Ash
Walter Knoll Leather Sofa for Sirino Brayton International
By Walter Knoll, Brayton International
Located in New York, NY
Great broken in leather sofa by Walter Knoll "Sirino" for Brayton International. Greyish blue
Leather
Sold
H 26.78 in W 178.75 in D 43.31 in
Walter Knoll Friedrich Hill Sectional Sofa Dark Brown Leather, Germany, 1972
By Walter Knoll
Located in Pijnacker, Zuid-Holland
Sectional sofa model 144 by Friedrich Hill for Walter Knoll Collection in dark brown (almost black
Leather
Sold
H 30.71 in W 64.97 in D 31.5 in
Mid-Century Sofa, Daybed Antimott Series by Walter Knoll, Germany, 1950s
By Hvidt & Mølgaard, France & Søn
Located in München, Bavaria
comfortable sofa is part of the Antimott series and was designed and manufactured by Walter Knoll in the 1950s
Fabric, Wool, Upholstery
Sold
H 29.93 in W 62.21 in D 31.5 in
Early Florence Knoll Parallel Bar Sofa by Knoll International, circa 1955
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
, entrepreneur — Florence Knoll had a subtle but profound influence on the course of Mid-Century American
Steel, Chrome
Sold
H 27.56 in W 77.96 in D 35.83 in
Rare Wilhelm Knoll Three-Seater Sofa in Bouclé, Germany, ca 1970s
By Wilhelm Knoll
Located in Utrecht, NL
century to shine with their own light, and still continue. Walter Knoll appears every year in the top
Fabric, Wood
Sold
H 28.55 in W 107.09 in L 28.55 in
Tobia Scarpa for Knoll International, Extralarge Bastiano Sofa in Leather 4-Seat
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Knoll
Located in Munster, NRW
Tobia Scarpa for Knoll International, extralarge 'Bastiano' sofa, leather and walnut, Italy, design
Leather, Wood
1970s Italian Bastiano Sofa, Tobia and Afra Scarpa, Knoll
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in MIlano, IT
Tobia Scarpa for Knoll, 'Bastiano' sofa, leather and walnut, Italy, design 1960, manufactured
Leather, Walnut
Sold
H 28.35 in W 83.47 in L 28.35 in
Tobia Scarpa Bastiano Three-Seat Sofa for Knoll International, circa 1970
By Tobia Scarpa
Located in Labrit, Landes
Tobia Scarpa for Knoll Bastiano sofa Italian design, 1960 Unusual color original linen fabric
Upholstery, Wood
Midcentury 3-Seat Adjustable Sofa by Walter Knoll, 1960s
By Walter Knoll
Located in Praha, CZ
- made in German - made of beech, fabric - two years ago reupholstered - dimensions of sleeping area: D 106 cm x W 190 cm - very comfortable - very good condition.
Fabric, Wood
Sold
H 28.75 in W 63 in L 28.75 in
Vintage 1950s Mid-Century Modern Knoll 'Stella’ Convertible Daybed Sofa Couch
By Knoll, Walter Knoll
Located in Sherborne, Dorset
1950s Mid-Century Modern Knoll ‘Stella’ convertible daybed/sofa. Petite when folded, the sofa uses
Upholstery, Beech
Sold
H 32.68 in W 74.81 in D 33.08 in
Walter Knoll Teak & Newly Upholstered Daybed/ Sofa for Knoll Antimott, 1950's
By Knoll Antimott, Walter Knoll
Located in The Hague, NL
This sofa daybed was designed by Walter Knoll for Knoll Antimott in the 1950s Germany. Frame is
Fabric, Teak
Sold
H 32.68 in W 74.81 in D 33.08 in
Walter Knoll Teak & Newly Upholstered Daybed/ Sofa for Knoll Antimott, 1950's
By Knoll Antimott, Walter Knoll
Located in The Hague, NL
This sofa daybed was designed by Walter Knoll for Knoll Antimott in the 1950s Germany. Frame is
Fabric, Teak
Sold
H 32.29 in W 66.93 in D 31.5 in
Rare 1950s Sofa and Daybed by Walter Knoll for Antimott, New Upholstered
By Walter Knoll
Located in The Hague, NL
This sofa daybed was designed by Walter Knoll for Knoll Antimott in the 1950s. It is made from
Teak
Mid Century Sofa Daybed Rolf Grunow Couch Knoll Beech
By Knoll
Located in Berlin, DE
: Knoll Designer: Rolf Grunow Country of origin: Germany Epoch: 1950s, Mid Century Material: Beech, metal
Beech
Sold
H 25.6 in W 26.78 in D 29.14 in
Knoll- Antimott Walnut Lounge Chair designed by Walter Knoll, 1960
By Walter Knoll, Knoll Antimott
Located in Antwerp, BE
the original upholstery in woven wool. A beautiful living room set designed by Walter Knoll for KNOLL
Wool, Walnut
Sold
H 31.5 in W 49.22 in D 25.6 in
Leather Sofa Set by Preben Fabricius and Jorgen Kastholm for Walter Knoll, 1960s
By Walter Knoll, Jørgen Kastholm & Preben Fabricius
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Mid century living room set by Preben Fabricius and Jorgen Kastholm for Walter Knoll, 1960s
Steel
Leather Ottoman Bench by Walter Knoll for Brayton International
By Walter Knoll, Brayton International
Located in New York, NY
Geryish blue leather ottoman designed by Walter Knoll for Brayton International. Great for use as
Leather
Daybed Sofa Sofa bed Guest bed Canapé Walter Knoll 1950s
Located in Telgte, DE
For sale is an original Walter Knoll sofa bed/daybed from the 1950s, a well thought-out and
Aluminum, Steel
Modular Vintage Leather Sofa by Bernd Münzebrock for Walter Knoll
By Bernd Münzebrock
Located in Oirlo, LI
Modular Vintage Leather Sofa by Bernd Münzebrock for Walter Knoll Discover the timeless elegance
Leather
Seating Group by Knoll, Teak wood, Reupholstery, Germany, 1950s
By Walter Knoll, Eley Kishimoto
Located in Regensburg, DE
Mid-Century Modern seating Group by Walter Knoll. The group consists of two armchairs and one bench
Metal
Sold
H 27.56 in W 61.03 in D 27.56 in
Vintage Executive Desk JK212 by Jørgen Kastholm with complimentary leather chair
By Jørgen Kastholm & Preben Fabricius, Alfred Kill International
Located in Highclere, Newbury
produced today by Walter Knoll. All their desks are based on a stainless steel main frame, often with
Stainless Steel, Chrome
Sold
H 31.5 in W 114.18 in D 32.68 in
Walter Knoll, Hollywood Lounge 4 Seater Sectional Sofa, 1972 for Knoll, Olive
By Walter Knoll
Located in Munster, NRW
Stylish & cubist 4 piece sofa in olive green leather by Walter Knoll for Knoll in the 1970s
Stainless Steel
Sold
H 31.11 in W 28.75 in D 30.71 in
Mid-Century Modern Antimott Armchair by Walter Knoll / Wilhelm Knoll, 1960s
By Walter Knoll, Wilhelm Knoll
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Stunning and elegant Mid-Century Modern Antimott armchair Design by Walter Knoll & Wilhelm Knoll
Fabric, Teak
Pristine Florence Knoll Sofa for Knoll International
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Los Angeles, CA
workplace environment. To connoisseurs of Modernism, the mid-20th-century designs of Florence Knoll, were
Stainless Steel
Walter Knoll Attributed Mid-Century Daybed and Sofa
By Walter Knoll
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Very cool 1950s daybed attributed to Walter Knoll. Made from solid beech and later re-upholstered
Beech
Sold
H 28.35 in W 107.09 in D 30.71 in
Tobia Scarpa - 4 seater Bastiano Sofa, 1969 for Knoll International in Leather
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Knoll
Located in Munster, NRW
Tobia Scarpa for Knoll International - extralarge 4 seater Bastiano Sofa. Leather and walnut, made
Leather, Wood
Tobia Scarpa Bastiano Sofa in Leather
By Knoll, Tobia Scarpa
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Tobia Scarpa for Knoll, 'Bastiano' sofa, leather and walnut, Italy, design 1960, manufactured
Leather, Walnut
Sold
H 28.35 in W 83.47 in D 30.71 in
Tobia Scarpa Bastiano Three-Seat Sofa for Knoll International, circa 1970
By Tobia Scarpa
Located in Labrit, Landes
Tobia Scarpa for Knoll Bastiano sofa Italian design, 1960 Unusual color original linen fabric
Upholstery, Wood
Tobia Scarpa 'Bastiano' Sofa in Walnut and Black Leather
By Knoll, Tobia Scarpa
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Tobia Scarpa for Knoll, 'Bastiano' sofa, leather and walnut, Italy, design 1960, manufactured
Leather, Walnut
Sold
H 26.78 in W 83.47 in D 29.93 in
Tobia Scarpa Pair of 'Bastiano' Sofas in Rosewood and Cognac Leather
By Tobia Scarpa, Knoll
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Tobia Scarpa for Knoll, pair of 'Bastiano' sofas, leather and rosewood, Italy, design 1960
Leather, Rosewood
1960s Walter Knoll Pullout Sofa or Daybed
By Knoll, Walter Knoll
Located in Den Haag, NL
Handsome and practical pullout daybed designed by Walter Knoll for Knoll International. Featuring a
Beech
Walter Knoll Leather Lounge Chair
By Wilhelm Knoll, Walter Knoll
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Walter Knoll thick leather lounge chair with nice heavy patina. In Original condition with visible
Leather
Sold
H 29.5 in W 41.5 in D 35 in
Pair of Leather Club Chairs by Walter Knoll for Brayton International
By Walter Knoll, Brayton International
Located in New York, NY
Nice pair of leather club chairs designed by Walter Knoll for Brayton International. Upholstered in
Leather
Sold
H 28.55 in W 49.61 in D 24.81 in
Herta-Maria Witzemann Settee for Schörle & Gölz, Stuttgart, Germany, 1950s
By Herta-maria Witzemann, Schörle & Gölz Stuttgart
Located in Utrecht, NL
in both carpentry and architecture. The design is in the vein of mid-century modernism’s sleek and
Fabric, Wood
4 Seat Sofa by Walter Knoll
By Walter Knoll
Located in Houston, TX
Rare 4 seat sofa with original upholstery. Mid century modern.
Leather Lounge Sofa by Walter Knoll, 1960s
By Walter Knoll
Located in Frankfurt / Dreieich, DE
Beautiful lounge leather sofa by Walter Knoll, Germany, late 1960s. Brown leather and seven
Leather
Black Leather Sofa from Walter Knoll, Germany, 1960s
By Walter Knoll
Located in Berlin, DE
manufacturer Walter Knoll in the 1960s and is in excellent original condition.
Leather, Wood
Two-Seat Leather Sofa from Walter Knoll, Germany, 1960s
By Walter Knoll
Located in Berlin, DE
This cubic two-seat sofa from the 1960s was produced by the German furniture manufacturer Walter
Leather, Wood
Three-Seat Leather Sofa from Walter Knoll, Germany, 1960s
By Walter Knoll
Located in Berlin, DE
This three-seat sofa from the 1960s was made by the German furniture manufacturer Walter Knoll. The
Leather, Wood
Sold
H 27.56 in W 137.8 in D 29.53 in
Customizable Modular Sofa Model "Piccolino" by Walter Knoll, Germany, 1960s
By Walter Knoll
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Elegant modular sofa from the 1960s by Walter Knoll. Model "Piccolino". The sofa is a 15 seater
Fabric
Sold
H 29.53 in W 61.03 in D 31.5 in
Midcentury Black Leather Two-Seat Sofa by Walter Knoll, Germany, 1960s
By Walter Knoll, Knoll
Located in Amsterdam, NL
High end two-seat sofa by Walter Knoll. The two-seat is made of black leather with a lacquered
Leather, Wood
$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 “...
Textile
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.
With entire areas of our homes reserved for “sitting rooms,” the value of quality antique and vintage seating cannot be overstated.
Fortunately, the design of side chairs, armchairs and other lounge furniture — since what were, quite literally, the early perches of our ancestors — has evolved considerably.
Among the earliest standard seating furniture were stools. Egyptian stools, for example, designed for one person with no seat back, were x-shaped and typically folded to be tucked away. These rudimentary chairs informed the design of Greek and Roman stools, all of which were a long way from Sori Yanagi's Butterfly stool or Alvar Aalto's Stool 60. In the 18th century and earlier, seats with backs and armrests were largely reserved for high nobility.
The seating of today is more inclusive but the style and placement of chairs can still make a statement. Antique desk chairs and armchairs designed in the style of Louis XV, which eventually included painted furniture and were often made of rare woods, feature prominently curved legs as well as Chinese themes and varied ornaments. Much like the thrones of fairy tales and the regency, elegant lounges crafted in the Louis XV style convey wealth and prestige. In the kitchen, the dining chair placed at the head of the table is typically reserved for the head of the household or a revered guest.
Of course, with luxurious vintage or antique furnishings, every chair can seem like the best seat in the house. Whether your preference is stretching out on a plush sofa, such as the Serpentine, designed by Vladimir Kagan, or cozying up in a vintage wingback chair, there is likely to be a comfy classic or contemporary gem for you on 1stDibs.
With respect to the latest obsessions in design, cane seating has been cropping up everywhere, from sleek armchairs to lounge chairs, while bouclé fabric, a staple of modern furniture design, can be seen in mid-century modern, Scandinavian modern and Hollywood Regency furniture styles.
Admirers of the sophisticated craftsmanship and dark woods frequently associated with mid-century modern seating can find timeless furnishings in our expansive collection of lounge chairs, dining chairs and other items — whether they’re vintage editions or alluring official reproductions of iconic designs from the likes of Hans Wegner or from Charles and Ray Eames. Shop our inventory of Egg chairs, designed in 1958 by Arne Jacobsen, the Florence Knoll lounge chair and more.
No matter your style, the collection of unique chairs, sofas and other seating on 1stDibs is surely worthy of a standing ovation.
Modern icons are showing up in gracefully layered dining nooks, living rooms and lounges — proof that great design only gets better with context.
You know the designs, now get the stories about how they came to be.
The enduring appeal of the Barcelona chair is in the details.
The brand that turned Charles and Ray Eames, Isamu Noguchi and George Nelson into mid-century household names is just as relevant today as it was six decades ago.
Our feed is filled with the world's most beautiful spaces. See the rooms our followers have deemed the best of the best this month.
Our feed is filled with the world's most beautiful spaces. See the 10 our followers have deemed the best of the best this month.
There are many lessons to be learned from the lofts, apartments and townhouses of architects and decorators in Manhattan and beyond.
Having created extravagant homes for reality TV’s biggest stars, the designer is stepping into the spotlight with his first book.