George Nelson for Herman Miller 2-Pc Sectional Sofa with Tables Living Room Set
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in West Hartford, CT
Elegant and iconic midcentury signed living room set designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller
Steel
Sold|$19,500 / set
Large Half Circle Sectional Sofa by Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin
By Milo Baughman, Thayer Coggin
Located in Dallas, TX
Clean, Minimalist two-piece semi circular sofa, model no 825 designed by Milo Baughman for Thayer
Upholstery
Danish 1940s Curved Banana Shape Loveseat in Yellow Mohair
By Slagelse Mobelvaerk, Viggo Boesen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
1940's. This small sofa will make a strong statement in any room. Beautiful round voluptuous lines and
Mohair, Beech
German Brass, White, Grey, Blue and Yellow Glass Mosaic Side Table, 1950s
Located in Wolfurt, AT
forms in white, grey, blue and yellow. The Table legs are made of brass and form a loop-shaped leg.
Brass
Three Modular Chairs 'Amanta' by Mario Bellini for B&B 1970s
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Milano, IT
Three 'Amanta' model armchairs with black plastic frame, foam padding and fabric upholstery in shades of yellow, new. Usable either individually or side by side as a sofa. Very good ...
Fabric, Plastic
Vintage French Louis XV Rococo Style Yellow & Green Settee Loveseat Sofa
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Louis XV Rococo Style Yellow & Green Settee Loveseat Sofa. Item features a solid
Fabric, Wood
Italian Loveseat sofa by Renzo Zavanella in yellow velvet
By Renzo Zavanella
Located in Milano, IT
Step into the world of timeless sophistication and grace with the exquisite Italian sofa by the
Velvet, Wood
Karl Wittmann Sofa Daybed Independence, Patinated Yellow Leather, Austria, 1970s
By Karl Wittmann, Wittmann
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
Möbelwerkstätten, Austria, in midcentury, circa 1970. This is a very rare piece, especially in yellow. The leather
Metal
Ligne Roset "Togo" Sofa Upholstered in Yellow Velvet Fabric, Michel Ducaroy 1973
By Ligne Roset, Michel Ducaroy
Located in The Hague, NL
Magnificent Togo two seater lounge sofa designed by Michel Ducaroy in 1973 and was manufactured by
Fabric, Velvet
Ligne Roset "Togo" Sofa Upholstered in Yellow Velvet Fabric, Michel Ducaroy 1973
By Ligne Roset, Michel Ducaroy
Located in The Hague, NL
Magnificent Togo three seater lounge sofa designed by Michel Ducaroy in 1973 and was manufactured
Fabric, Velvet
Don Chadwick Yellow Modular Sofa, Herman Miller, UK, 1970s
By Herman Miller, Don Chadwick
Located in London, GB
best known for Aeron and Equa desk chairs. This vibrant two-piece modular sofa was manufactured by
Wool
Sold|$16,744 / set
DREIPUNKT MODULAR SECTIONAL SOFA ARMCHAIRS LEATHER YELLOW, GERMANY 1970s
By Dreipunkt International
Located in Reutlingen, DE
Exceptionally beautiful set of five modular lounge chairs, completely upholstered in yellow leather
Leather
George Nelson for Herman Miller Marshmallow Sofa in Yellow Vinyl
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Kansas City, MO
Marshmallow settee/loveseat/sofa.
Aluminum, Steel
20th century French Art Deco Walnut and Yellow Fabric Sofa, 1925s
Located in LEGNY, FR
Magnificent Art Deco sofa (1925s) in walnut in very high quality. Slightly curved sides, which
Fabric, Walnut
La Permanente Mobili Cantù Yellow and Blue Modular Two-Seat Bench Sofa, 1960s
By La Permanente Mobili Cantù
Located in Palermo, IT
Very beautiful wood and yellow / blue fabric modular two-seater bench sofa with top. Attributed to
Fabric, Wood
Contemporary Modern Green Sofa Saruyama by Toshiyuki Kita for Moroso Italy 1980s
By Toshiyuki Kita, Moroso
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
For your consideration is a fabulous, green Saruyama sofa by Toshiyuki Kita for Moroso, Italy
Togo Sofa Set or Livingroom Set Michel Ducaroy for Ligne Roset Pop Art Lime 1970
By Michel Ducaroy, Ligne Roset
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
two-seat, three-seat and corner sofa in a cheerful lime color. The set is very comfortable and can be
Fabric
Sold|$4,760 / set
Set of 4 Lion in Frost Lucite & Suede Dining Chairs, Circa 1970s
By Lion in Frost
Located in Los Angeles, CA
sculptural mid-century yellow sofa. .
Chrome
Canted-front, Flat-top, Pennsylvania Grain Bin In Mustard Paint ca. 1840
Located in York County, PA
Pennsylvania grain bin in early mustard paint over an earlier white wash. The yellow surface is mid
Italian Mid-Century Sofa Two-Seat in Yellow Velvet, 1950s
Located in Traversetolo, IT
This stunning Italian sofa of the 1950s is very stylish, with two seats extremely comfortable
Velvet, Wood
Mid-Century Modern Scandinavian Long Low 4 Seat Yellow Tweed Sofa Couch by DUX
By Dux of Sweden
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Midcentury Scandinavian Modern long low 4 seat low sofa couch by DUX in original Yellow woven tweed
Chrome
Sold|$3,900
Eames For Herman Miller Yellow Compact Sofa
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Pasadena, TX
A mid century modern Sofa Compact designed by Charles and Ray Eames and made by Herman Miller. The
Chrome
Danish Art Deco 'Banana' Sofa in Yellow Upholstery
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Sofa, fabric and wood, Denmark, 1950s. Simplistic Danish sofa with clean lines and a high back
Fabric, Wood
1960's Norwegian Vintage Teak Sofa in Mustard Yellow Boucle
Located in London, GB
A stunning and very comfortable vintage four seat sofa with a solid teak frame and original yellow
Teak, Bouclé
California Designer George Kasparian Yellow Velvet and Chrome Lounge Sofa
By George Kasparian
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Architectural sofa by George Kasparian wrapped in plush velvet in a canary yellow. Linear chrome
Metal
MCM Broyhill Furn Flared Tuxedo Sofa Lt Yellow Floral Fabric by Lenoir Chair Co.
By Lenoir Chair Company, Broyhill
Located in Topeka, KS
Fantastic vintage MCM (a.k.a.) mid-century modern Broyhill Furniture flared tuxedo style sofa with
Fabric, Tapestry, Foam, Wood
Italian Sofa Semi-Curved Quilted Yellow Fabric with Fringe
By Midcentury Italian school
Located in Milano, IT
the time in yellow colour. The particularity of the sofa is in its elegantly quilted back. Its back
Velvet, Wood
Sold|$3,000
Italian Sectional Sofa
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Three piece sofa in vibrant yellow vinyl. Please confirm item location with dealer (NJ or NY).
Upholstery
Midcentury Scottish Patterned Red, Green and Yellow Fabric Sofa, Italy 1950s
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
This sofa has been recently reupholstered. It is a vintage item, therefore it might show slight
Fabric, Wood
Mario Bellini Camaleonda Modular Sofa Reupholstered in Sunflower Yellow Velvet
By Mario Bellini
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mario Bellini, modular 'Cameleonda' sofa in yellow velvet, Italy, 1972. The sectional elements
Fabric
Jan des Bouvrie Custom Yellow Velvet Sectional Sofa
By Gelderland
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning newly upholstered lemon yellow 3 piece velvet sectional sofa by Jan des Bouvries for
Velvet
Strips Modular Sofa in gold/yellow velvet by Cini Boeri for Arflex, 1970s
By Cini Boeri, Arflex
Located in amstelveen, NL
Strips sofa designed by Cini Boeri for Arflex in the late 1960s. One of the most famous products of
Velvet
Restored Edward Wormley Tuxedo Sofa for Dunbar in yellow beige fabric, USA 1960s
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Berlin, DE
Edward wormley tuxedo sofa for Dunbar, USA 1960s. Three-seat sofa with respectively three seat and
Upholstery
Adrian Pearsall Pit Style Yellow Semi-Circular Sofa 3 Piece Sectional
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Adrian Pearsall semi-circular sectional sofa by Craft & Associates, circa 1970s. Inset base gives a
Upholstery
Rare Ico & Luisa Parisi Large Gold Yellow Velvet Curved Sofa by Isa, circa 1952
By Ico & Luisa Parisi
Located in Rome, IT
Important and extremely rare Ico & Luisa Parisi curved sofa produced by Isa Bergamo, circa 1952
Brass
Sold|$2,320
1950's Curved Oak Sofa
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Mid Century curved yellow sofa with oak wood arm rest. In very good condition, no stains or marks
Oak
Ligne Roset by Michel Ducaroy Togo Yellow leather Modular Sofa Set of 4
By Ligne Roset, Michel Ducaroy
Located in Gardena, CA
Togo sofa A curved design for a quality use Beyond its singular aesthetics, it is for the immense
Leather
Edward Wormley Style Sectional Sofa with Striped Velvet, Dated 1972
By Jack Lenor Larsen, Edward Wormley, Edward Fields
Located in Los Angeles, CA
which is in excellent condition with no major issues and is fresh and clean, this Mid-Century Modern
Fabric
Pair of Regency Style Sofas or Loveseats Gold Upholstery
By Baker Furniture Company, Heritage-Henredon
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of nice fruitwood sofas or love seat with tufted backs. Very good vintage condition with light
Upholstery, Cherry
Danish 1940s Curved Banana Shape Loveseat in Yellow Mohair
By Slagelse Mobelvaerk, Viggo Boesen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Viggo Boesen style banana shaped or curved Loveseat made in Denmark, circa 1940. This small sofa
Mohair, Beech
Danish 1940s Curved Banana Shape Loveseat in Yellow Mohair
By Slagelse Mobelvaerk, Viggo Boesen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Viggo Boesen style banana shaped or curved Loveseat made in Denmark, circa 1940. This small sofa
Beech, Mohair
Danish 1940s Curved Banana Shape Loveseat in Yellow Mohair
By Slagelse Mobelvaerk, Viggo Boesen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
1940's. This small sofa will make a strong statement in any room. Beautiful round voluptuous lines and
Mohair, Beech
Milo Baughman Yellow & Blue Lattice Three-Piece Sectional, Thayer Coggin, 1970s
By Milo Baughman, Thayer Coggin
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Milo Baughman yellow and blue lattice three-piece sectional, Thayer Coggin, 1970s. Gorgeous
Textile
Chippendale Style Camelback Yellow Damask Sofa with Mahogany Frame
Located in Queens, NY
English Georgian Chippendale style (mid-20th century) camel back yellow damask sofa without
Upholstery, Mahogany, Satinwood
Suite Sofa Daybed Armchairs Table Independence Karl Wittmann Yellow Leather 1970
By Wittmann, Karl Wittmann
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
A set of a freestanding sofa, a pair of armchairs, and a table from the 'Independence' series
Metal, Chrome
Ligne Roset "Togo" Sofa Upholstered in Yellow Velvet Fabric, Michel Ducaroy 1973
By Ligne Roset, Michel Ducaroy
Located in The Hague, NL
Magnificent Togo two seater lounge sofa designed by Michel Ducaroy in 1973 and was manufactured by
Fabric, Velvet
1960s FRENCH OIL - PORTRAIT OF FASHIONABLE LADY GREEN DRESS YELLOW SOFA INTERIOR
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Artist/ School: French School, circa 1960's period Title: The Lady in Green Medium: oil painting on canvas, unframed Size: painting: 21.5 x 18.25 inches Provenance: from a priv...
Canvas, Oil
Mid-Century Curved Back Sofa in Mustard Yellow Fabric
By Charlotte Perriand
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful solid Mid-Century sofa with Perriand style base.
Carl Malmsten Mid Century Samsas Sofa in Yellow Linen, Swedish 1950’s
By Carl Malmsten
Located in London, GB
A beautiful two-seater sofa designed by world renowned furniture designer Carl Malmsten. An early
Linen, Elm
Sold|$5,600
Mustard Mid-Century Modern Sofa, 1960s
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Spice up your space with a dash of mustard-yellow magic. This Mid-Century Modern sofa is like a
Fabric, Foam, Walnut
Scandinavian Yellow and Brown Wool Teak Four-Seat Sofa, Mid-Century, 1960s
Located in London, GB
A beautiful Norwegian yellow and brown wool four-seat sofa, this would make a stylish addition to
Wool, Teak
Mid-Century Modernist Sofa Rob Parry Sofa 3-Seat Lotus 25 in Yellow, 1960s Dutch
By De Ster Gelderland, Rob Parry
Located in Beek en Donk, NL
Modest yet modern sofa, model Lotus 25, designed by Dutch Industrial designer Rob Parry for
Metal
Sold|$3,295 / item
Mid-Century Style Over-Sized Sofa in Soft Yellow Velvet w/ Lucite Legs
By Modshop
Located in Compton, CA
vintage stores, mid-century modern design & architecture, and the glitz and glam of the old Hollywood
Velvet, Lucite
Sold|$1,028
Italian Yellow Velvet Sofa Bed
Located in Savona, IT
. Cushions lined with new yellow velvet fabric. The two armrests are lowered by making the couch a bed
Metal, Brass
Sold|$3,250
Eames Compact Sofa in Yellow Velvet
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage Eames compact sofa for Herman Miller, 1960s. All steel frame with new yellow velvet
Steel, Chrome
Midcentury Yellow Velvet Italian 3-Seater Sofa, 1950s
Located in Savona, IT
Italian manufacture sofa produced in the 1950s. Wooden structure padded and lined with new yellow
Brass
Sold|$1,471
Italian Yellow Velvet Sofa Bed, 1960s
Located in Savona, IT
Italian manufacturing sofa produced in the 1960s. Structure in black painted metal. Perimeter in
Metal
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.
Black leather, silk velvet cushions, breathable bouclé fabric — when shopping for antique or vintage sofas, today’s couch connoisseurs have much to choose from in terms of style and shape. But it wasn’t always thus.
The sofa is typically defined as a long upholstered seat that features a back and arms and is intended for two or more people. While the term “couch” comes from the Old French couche, meaning to lie down, and sofa has Eastern origins, both are forms of divan, a Turkish word that means an elongated cushioned seat. Bench-like seating in Ancient Greece, which was padded with soft blankets, was called klinai. No matter how you spell it, sofa just means comfort, at least it does today.
In the early days of sofa design, upholstery consisted of horsehair or dried moss. Sofas that originated in countries such as France during the 17th century were more integral to decor than they were to comfort. Like most Baroque furnishings from the region, they frequently comprised heavy, gilded mahogany frames and were upholstered in floral Beauvais tapestry. Today, options abound when it comes to style and material, with authentic leather offerings and classy steel settees. Plush, velvet chesterfields represent the platonic ideal of coziness.
Vladimir Kagan’s iconic sofa designs, such as the Crescent and the Serpentine — which, like the sectional sofas of the 1960s created by furniture makers such as Harvey Probber, are quite popular among mid-century modern furniture enthusiasts — showcase the spectrum of style available to modern consumers. Those looking to make a statement can turn to Studio 65’s lip-shaped Bocca sofa, which was inspired by the work of Salvador Dalí. Elsewhere, the furniture of the 1970s evokes an era when experimentation ruled, or at least provided a reason to break the rules. Just about every area of society felt a sudden urge to be wayward, to push boundaries — and buttons. Vintage leather sofas of that decade are characterized by a rare blending of the showy and organic.
With so many options, it’s important to explore and find the perfect furniture for your space. Paying attention to the lines of the cushions as well as the flow from the backrest into the arms is crucial to identifying a cohesive new piece for your home or office.
Fortunately, with styles from every era — and even round sofas — there’s a luxurious piece for every space. Deck out your living room with an Art Deco lounge or go retro with a nostalgic '80s design. No matter your sitting vision, the right piece is waiting for you in the expansive collection of unique sofas on 1stDibs.
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.