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Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements

MID-CENTURY MODERN STYLE

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 legendary 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.

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.

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Style: Mid-Century Modern
Color:  White
Mid Century Modern Round White Strapped Metal Plant Stand after Russell Woodard
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A petite mid-century modern round plant stand. A fun piece for any outdoor sitting area or any space with lots of light! This piece is created from metal and features three twisted m...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Metal

Entrance or Passage Way Large Single Door Starburst Hardware Kit
Located in South Charleston, WV
Aaron Saxton for History Never Repeats LLC. Produced for doors from 24" to 50" wide and from 79" to 120". All doors exceeding 96" will be custom quoted. See other listings for custom...
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Brass

Mid Century Modern White Ceramic Swan Planter by McCoy
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A ceramic swan planter by McCoy Pottery. This rare piece will be a fabulous addition to any Mid-Century Modern collector's home. The piece depicts...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Ceramic, Paint

Set of Six Braided Resin in Warm White Color Outdoor Chairs
Located in Tourcoing, FR
Set of six white braided resin chairs indoor/outdoor. Design and retro style, practical (stackable!) They will be perfect on your terrace, in your veranda, around the swimming-pool, ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Aluminum

Painted Ceramic White Swan Planter - Signed 1969
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A petite ceramic swan planter. Signed at the bottom, "Mother 1969" Dimensions: 10" Wide 7" Deep 9" Tall
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Ceramic, Paint

Four Large Cream White Ceramic Studio Pottery Architectural Mobach Planters
Located in London, GB
Set of four studio pottery planters in different sizes created on the turning wheel by sophisticated and advanced skilled Dutch ceramist in the 1980's. The warm lustrous oat white an...
Category

1980s Dutch Vintage Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Ceramic

Pair of Chairs 1960, American
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
2 Chairs We have specialized in the sale of Art Deco and Art Nouveau and Vintage styles since 1982. If you have any questions we are at your disposal. Pushing the button that rea...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

Stand Plinth Pedestal Ribbed White
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
Stylish, funky addition to the interior Sturdy and ergonomic, offering an unusual display for sculpture, ceramics, plants Ingeniously made from numerous bent and twisted turned wo...
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wood

David Cressey Phoenix-1 Planter in White Glaze for Architectural Pottery
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed by David Cressey in 1963 as part of the Pro/Artisan stoneware collection for Architectural Pottery, the slip cast Phoenix planter has a bowl shape with an allover geometric ...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Ceramic, Stoneware

Willy Guhl White Basin Planter, 1960s Switzerland
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large concrete planter by Willy Guhl in a cream paint with light patina. Low profile bin with a large diameter and 25" depth. Sturdy and substa...
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Concrete

Octagonal Woodard Dining Table, Iron with Original Vitrolite / Milk Glass Top
Located in Kansas City, MO
Not your typical Woodard octagonal dining table. This example has never been outside on a patio and retains the original finish and original white Vitrolite (milk glass) top. The gla...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Steel, Iron

Pair of White Fiberglass Planter Pots Attributed to Habitat
Located in Ferndale, MI
Unique round cylinder form planter pots. In appearance very much like an Architectural Pottery piece . These are molded in fiberglass much the same way as a boat. White gel coat over...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Fiberglass

Large MCM Blue and Cream Ceramic Studio Pottery French Jardiniere Planter
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A large earthenware ceramic jardiniere or planter. This piece is decorated with a creamy white and blue design. Each side features an applied free-form handle. This would be great in...
Category

20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Ceramic, Earthenware

Mid-20th Century French Wrought Iron Patio Set
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a striking suite of 4 chairs with a cocktail table en-suite that date to c. 1950s-1960s. The suite features clam shell shaped chairs decorated in scrolling wrought iron. The ...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wrought Iron

Italian Mid-Century Garden Table in White Wrought Iron Finely Worked, 1960s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian mid-century Garden table in white wrought iron finely worked, 1960s Garden round table has a cream white painted wrought iron structure. The round top is perforated. The cur...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron, Wrought Iron

Italian Mid-Century White Iron Garden Armchairs with Fabric Cushions, 1960s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian mid-century White iron garden armchairs with fabric cushions, 1960s Pair of garden armchairs in white painted iron. The structure is in tubular with a series of intertwined springs on the seat and back, on which are placed two quilted cushions...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

Rectangular Balconia Planters Willy Guhl for Eternit, 1960s
Located in Wichita, KS
Rectangular planter by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit. Planter is made of cement and has good color and patina. Great lines and clean design. This planter would be magnificen...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Concrete

Italian White Porcelain Floor Planter by Angelo Mangiarotti for Brambilla, 1965s
Located in MIlano, IT
Porcelain floor planter by Angelo Mangiarotti for Brambilla, 1965s Large floor planter in white porcelain stoneware, composed of two separable pie...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Porcelain

Large Mathieu Matégot White Planter, France, c. 1955
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Large Mathieu Matégot white planter, France, c. 1955 Original paint & in superb vintage condition.
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Metal, Enamel

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Mid-Century Architectural Pottery "Double Cone" Planter by LaGardo Tackett
Located in St. Louis, MO
Mid-Century Modern Architectural Pottery sculptural "Double Cone" Planter by LaGardo Tackett , rarely seen double cone version with wider base than top in a white glaze. Provenance 1960s MCM building of the Odd Fellows Association Hall - St. Louis. It was used with sand for an ashtray , seen in photos 5 & 6. The 1960s MCM modification to an existing building was designed by architect William E. Duncan and demolished in the summer of 2020. Duncan not only selected these planters , the entire hall, had Saarinen , Eames, Nelson, Howard Miller and Nessen designs. The condition is good, only with minor scuffs, no chips and light staining to interior as seen in photos. Stamped Architectural Pottery made in the USA. When the planter is on its side, it reminds me of the famous brass drawer pull on Paul McCobb designed furniture. Building & Rendering Odd Fellows Association Hall at 3765 Lindell Blvd, St. Louis Mo. designed by William E. Duncan and Associate Architect Lawrence H. Smith , Delineation by Harry A, Osborn Demolished in 2020 If your into Architecture, Search for this MCM church...
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Maitland Smith French Empire Brass Swan Tessellated Marble Planter Jardinière
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Maitland Smith French empire brass swan tessellated marble planter jardinière. Item features fiberglass jardinière with tessellated marble exterior, solid brass winged swans, iron fr...
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Pair of Enamel Ceramic Planters Signed Lechenet, Nice, France, circa 1900
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Pair of enamel ceramic planters signed Lechenet. Nice, France, circa 1900.
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Gainey Brown C-8 Ceramic Planter, 1960's
Located in Costa Mesa, CA
Gainey Brown C-8 Ceramic Planter, 1960's.
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Mid Century Modern Spun Fiberglass Plant Stand
Located in Topeka, KS
Fabulous Mid-Century Modern spun fiberglass plant stand. It is in wonderful vintage condition and has a fresh coat of black paint. Please see ph...
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Mid Century Modern Set of Outdoor Wicker Chairs and Side Tables, 60s
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Mid Century Modern Set of Patio and Garden Wicker Chairs and Side Tables, 60s. A lovely patio and garden set of 1 wicker chairs and 2 small side tables in different sizes from the...
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Charming Large Green Glaze Pottery Frog Planter Mid-Century Modern
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Absolutely charming large green glazed frog planter from the Mid-Century. Its takes all of my will power not to take this piece home to live with me but h...
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1 Large Mid-Century Modern Fiber Concrete Architectural Planter by Willy Guhl
Located in New York, NY
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Set of Six Resin String Chairs, Modernist Indoor / Outdoor by Troy Sunshade
Located in Buffalo, NY
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Previously Available Items
Italian Mid-Century Modern Staircase Chair in Cream White Wood, 1960s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian Mid-Century Modern Staircase chair in cream white wood, 1960s Chair convertible into a staircase, with cream white painted wooden structure. The folding backrest transforms ...
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1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements

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Wood

Vintage Outdoor Bar Cart
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage outdoor bar cart painted in white and yellow, perfect for any patio, garden, or indoor placement. Please confirm item location with seller (NY...
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Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements

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Metal

Vintage Outdoor Bar Cart
Vintage Outdoor Bar Cart
H 33.5 in W 38 in D 17.75 in
Vintage Mid-Century Modern Red Porcelain Finish Preway Fireplace
By Preway
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Cool --original red 1970’s enamel vintage, Eames Era Mid-Century Modern large preway Freestanding fireplace. These orignals are extremely sought after!! The pictures say it all. This is pretty much a must have for any true Mid Century or Mid Century Post modern home...
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1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements

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Italian Mid-Century White Wooden Planter by Ettore Sottsass for Poltronova, 1961
Located in MIlano, IT
White square planter by Ettore Sottsass for Poltronova, 1961 White square planter composed of rectangular wooden strips painted in white. Produced by Poltronova in the 1960s and desi...
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1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements

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Verner Panton Style Wire "Cone" Chairs and Dining Table Patio Set
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Midcentury era wire "Cone" chairs and dining table patio/outdoor set in the style of Verner Panton. This set includes one table along with four matching chairs. Each chair and tab...
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1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements

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Wire

'Clairitex Paris' White Coffee Table, France, 1960's
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Clairitex Paris was a French Furniture Maker that designed Indoor/Outdoor Furniture for Interiors, Patios, Pools, and the Classic French Cruise Liners.  
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1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements

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Pair of Mid-Century Modern Bottemiller Atomic Orange Siesta Chaise Lounge Chairs
Located in Wilmington, DE
What a find. Offered is a pair of vintage Mid-Century Modern high-back Riviera Siesta Rocker patio lounge chairs (model 36) made by Homecrest, circa 1965....
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1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements

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Petite White Painted Iron Garden Chairs
Located in South Salem, NY
Pair of midcentury wirework armchairs from an unknown maker. Some rust in spots and missing pads on feet. Requires replacement cushions. Overall g...
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Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements

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Petite White Painted Iron Garden Chairs
Petite White Painted Iron Garden Chairs
H 37.5 in W 20.5 in L 37.5 in
Signed Molla White Cast Aluminum 7 Pc Patio Dining Set, Table and 6 Chairs
Located in West Hartford, CT
All original and signed Molla Italy cast aluminum dining room set with boat shaped thick glass top table and six Molla chairs. Circa 1970's. A rare find i...
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Samsonite Mid Century Outdoor Patio Metal and Vinyl Rocking Chair
Located in Countryside, IL
Samsonite mid century outdoor patio metal and vinyl rocking chair This chair is 25.25 wide x 28.25 deep x 31 inches high, with a seat height of...
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1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements

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Alvar Aalto Sculptural Brass Door Handles
Located in Copenhagen, DK
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Alvar Aalto Sculptural Brass Door Handles
Alvar Aalto Sculptural Brass Door Handles
Free Shipping
H 1.19 in W 5.12 in D 2.37 in
Mid-Century Modern Pair of Cream White Iron Spanish Rotating Armchair circa 1940
Located in Miami, FL
Armchair with metal structure lacquered in cream white. Seat upholstered in a blue cotton fabric. Very comfortable and chic.
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Mid-20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements

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Mid-century Modern building and garden elements for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern building and garden elements for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage building and garden elements created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include building and garden elements, seating, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, iron and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Mid-Century Modern building and garden elements made in a specific country, there are North America, Europe, and United States pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original building and garden elements, popular names associated with this style include Willy Guhl, Russell Woodard, Eternit, and Woodard Furniture Co.. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for building and garden elements differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $55 and tops out at $1,078,195 while the average work can sell for $1,887.

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