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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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Item Ships From: Europe
Style: Mid-Century Modern
Set of 4 Vintage Windowsill Planters, Italian, Terracotta, Window Box Jardiniere
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a set of 4 vintage windowsill planters. An Italian, terracotta window box jardiniere, dating to the late 20th century, circa 1970. Charmingly petite windowsill planters, ide...
Category

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

Materials

Terracotta

Arne Jacobsen Brass Door Handle Sets in Solid Brass
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Arne Jacobsen - Scandinavian Modern Original, solid brass door handles. Beautiful organic shape. An iconic design for both modern and classic interiors. Designed for the SAS H...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Bamboo Armchairs & Coffee Table, 1960s, Set of 5
Located in Montelabbate, PU
1960s bamboo set 4 armchairs with coffee table, 2 free fabric and metal vase baskets. Armchairs 76hx54x73p seat 33 coffee table 56hx82x56.
Category

1960s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Bamboo

Stone Ware Garden Monkey Fountain, 1970s
By Kees Verkade
Located in Den Haag, NL
Love this golden garden monkey. Ready for fountain use, imagine this in your garden Makes you smile every day. Heavy piece. Indoor and outdoor.
Category

1970s Dutch Vintage Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Cast Stone

Pair of Large Gio Ponti Cherrywood Boiserie Panels from Hotel Royal, Naples 1955
Located in Rome, IT
A pair of unique Gio Ponti wood panels from the furniture of the Hotel Royal in Naples, 1955. Manufactured by Giordano Chiesa by Dassi. cherrywood thick edge with owl's beak these pi...
Category

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

Materials

Cherry

Early 20th Century Traditional Spanish Beige Ceramic Mortar
Located in Barcelona, ES
Antique vintage beige ceramic mortar. Made by unknown manufacturer in Spain circa 1930.. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful...
Category

1930s Spanish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Ceramic

Russell Woodard Pair of White 'Sculptura' Patio Chairs
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Russell Woodard, pair of 'Sculptura' patio chairs, wrought iron, white lacquer, United States, 1950s. These 'Sculptura' patio chairs are designed by Russell Woodard. Executed in iro...
Category

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

Materials

Wrought Iron

Large Set of Italian Patio Chairs in Green Lacquered Steel
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Dining patio chairs, lacquered steel, Italy, 1960s This collection of patio chairs from Italy has a strikingly refined design that is emblematic of the quintessential Italian patio ...
Category

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

Materials

Steel

Rattan logs holder. French work. Circa 1970
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This logs holder is made of rattan. This is a French work. Circa 1970
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Rattan

Pair of Fireplace Andirons Wrought Iron Firedogs, France, circa 1960
Located in Labrit, Landes
Pair of andirons of the périod Mid-century modern Wrought iron firedogs French circa 1960. Good condition Shipping: 52 / 30.5 / 50 cm 14 kg     
Category

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

Materials

Wrought Iron

German colorful Mid-Century style Plant Stand
Located in BARCELONA, ES
This Plant Stand is a piece that exudes the timeless charm of Mid-Century style. Featuring a palette of pastel hues characteristic of the 1950s, this stand is more than just a simple...
Category

Mid-19th Century German Antique Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wood

Lot of Six Tiny Terracotta Garden Gnomes, Germany ca. 1950s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Lot of Six Tiny Terracotta Garden Gnomes, Germany ca. 1950s A whimsy set of six tiny garden gnomes made in Germany ca. 1950s probably by Heissner. They are made of terracotta and ha...
Category

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

Materials

Terracotta

Pair of Large Handles 1940s Seguso Glass Art Murano and Brass handles Italy
Located in Palermo, Sicily
pair of Unique and Rare Large Murano glass knobs by Seguso with solid brass conical base 1940s
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Brass

Pair of Large Handles 1940s Seguso Art Glasses Murano and Solid Brass
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Pair of Large Handles 1940s Seguso Art Glasses Murano and Solid Brass
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Italian Handles in Solid Brass Rational Minimal Design Gold
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Mid-century Italian handles in solid brass rational minimal design gold.
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Vintage Door 1950s 'Italian Osteria' - Decorative Door - Artistic Door - Italian
Located in Milano, IT
Vintage Double Door - Mid Century Modern Door - Classic Glass Door - Orignal Patina Saved from an old café, lovingly run by "Signora Rosina" for over sixty years, this door is a be...
Category

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

Materials

Glass, Wood

Mid Century Minimalist Tiered Plant Stand
Located in Bern, CH
Stylish Mid Century Swiss minimalist tiered plant stand made of perforated metal with rubber feet. Reputedly produced for Möbel Pfister, Switzerland in the late 1950’s, early 1960's ...
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Luigi Caccia Dominioni M3 Solid Brass Door handles, Azucena, Italy set of 30
Located in Argelato, BO
Important Set of solid brass handles model "Melanzana", designed by the Italian architect and designer Luigi Caccia Dominioni in 1960, and made by the Azucena company (see hallmarkin...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Mid Century Tiered Plant Stand
Located in Bern, CH
Stylish Mid Century Swiss tiered plant stand made of perforated metal with rubber feet. Reputedly produced for Möbel Pfister, Switzerland in the late 1950’s, early 1960's (unconfirme...
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Mid-Century Italian Wrought Iron Set, 4 Chairs & Table w/ Plant Holder, 1950s
Located in Roma, IT
Spectacular patio or garden set in wrought white enameled iron which includes a round dining table and 4 chairs. This charming set was hand-made in Italy during the 1950s and is in a...
Category

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

Materials

Wrought Iron, Metal

Traditional Spanish Yellow Ceramic Mortar, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Antique vintage yellow ceramic mortar. Made by unknown manufacturer in Spain circa 1950. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful...
Category

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

Materials

Ceramic

Rattan Logs Holder, French, Circa 1950
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This unusual logs holder is made of rattan. This is a French work, circa 1950.
Category

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

Materials

Rattan

Midcentury Lounge Door Knobs in Brass & Glass by Verrina Sweden, 1970s, Set of 5
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A rare set of Swedish door handles / doorknob set by the company Verrina Sweden. Made during the 1970s in the style Art Deco Revival - Midcentury Modern Hotel Lounge and indeed suita...
Category

1970s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Brass

Traditional Spanish Green Ceramic Mortar, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Antique vintage green ceramic mortar. Made by unknown manufacturer in Spain circa 1950. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful ...
Category

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

Materials

Ceramic

Five Tiny Terracotta Garden Gnomes, Germany ca. 1950s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Five Tiny Terracotta Garden Gnomes, Germany ca. 1950s A whimsy set of five tiny garden gnomes made in Germany ca. 1950s probably by Heissner. They are made of terracotta and hand-pa...
Category

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

Materials

Terracotta

Stan Bitters Bird Houses in Spray Metal, USA, 2017
Located in Berlin, DE
Excellent handmade bird houses of porous lowlfier clay in spray metal by Stan Bitters. The birdhouses are available in different colors. The houses are a favorite with finches.  
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Clay

Large Studio Pottery Fruit bowl by Mobach 1980's
Located in London, GB
The studio pottery fruit bowl is created on the turning wheel by sophisticated and advanced skilled Dutch ceramist Jaan Mobach at Mobach Studio Utrecht i...
Category

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

Materials

Ceramic

Set of Two Traditional Spanish Yellow Ceramic Mortars, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Set of Two Antique vintage yellow ceramic mortars. Made by unknown manufacturer in Spain circa 1950. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving...
Category

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

Materials

Ceramic

Large planter jardiniere Willy Guhl from France, 1950's
Located in LYON, FR
Large fiber cement planter (Eternit) from the 1950s. Attributed to Willy Guhl, its patina is superb and its metal base ensures great stability for the basin. The latter can be orient...
Category

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

Materials

Concrete

Italian mid-century modern rattan, bamboo and Vienna straw armchairs, 1960s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian mid-century modern rattan, bamboo and Vienna straw armchairs, 1960s. Pair of rattan armchairs with Vienna straw seat, therefore both the legs and the backrest and armrests of...
Category

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

Materials

Bamboo, Straw, Rattan

Black and White Lacquered Design Fire Place Tools on Stand, French, Circa 1980
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This design fire place tools on stand are made of black and white lacquered metal. This is a French work, circa 1980.
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Watering Can in Brass and Copper by Carl Auböck, 1950's
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Watering Can in Brass and Copper by Carl Auböck, 1950's Additional Information: Material: Brass and copper Style: Mid century, Scandinavia Produced in Denmark by Illums Bolighus Dim...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Very Rare Brass Watering Can with Movable Spider, 1950s, Austria
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
Very rare brass watering can with a small spider as decoration.
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Traditional Spanish Yellow Ceramic Mortar, circa 1970
Located in Barcelona, ES
Antique vintage yellow ceramic mortar. Made by unknown manufacturer in Spain circa 1970. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful...
Category

1970s Spanish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Ceramic

Midcentury Pair of Door Pull Handles in Brass and Lucite, Italy 1950s
Located in Rome, IT
Midcentury amazing pair of door handles / door pulls in brass and lucite. Made in Italy in the 1950s.
Category

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

Materials

Metal, Brass

Watering Can, Vienna, around 1960s
Located in Wien, AT
Watering can, Vienna, around 1960s Copper and brass Polished and stove enamelled.
Category

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

Materials

Brass, Copper

Enormous 100cm diameter Willy Guhl sculptural planter, Switzerland 50's concrete
Located in Forest, BE
This is a planter like a sculpture! made out of fiber concrete in the 1950's in Switzerland. It is the biggest and strongest from that series. We have two of that model and measureme...
Category

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

Materials

Concrete

Queen Lavanette steel kitchen vanitie
Located in Mortsel, BE
Queen Lavanette “Vanette” steel bathroom kitchen vanities
Category

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

Materials

Metal, Steel

Lot of Four Tiny Terracotta Garden Gnomes, Germany ca. 1950s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Lot of Four Tiny Terracotta Garden Gnomes, Germany ca. 1950s A whimsy set of four tiny garden gnomes made in Germany ca. 1950s probably by Heissner. They are made of terracotta and ...
Category

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

Materials

Terracotta

Pair Of Thonet 1951 Siesta Lounge Deck Garden Chairs Medizinal Hans Luckhardt
Located in Cambridge, GB
New Stock ✅ Pair of Thonet 1951 Siesta Medizinal Chairs by Hans & Wassili Luckhardt After several years of study into relaxation and comfort, first versions of the Siesta Medizinal...
Category

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

Materials

Beech

Pair 75cm diameter Willy Guhl sculptural planter, Switzerland 50's concrete
Located in Forest, BE
This is a pair of planters created like a sculpture! made out of fiber concrete in the 1950's in Switzerland. It is the second size from that series. We have two of that model and me...
Category

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

Materials

Concrete

Mid century Brass Horse Door Knocker Italiano 1960s
Located in Palermo, IT
Mid century Brass Door Knocker. Depicting a horse's head with moving hoof. Weight: 900 grams Note: We try to offer our customers an excellent service even in shipments all over t...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

French Mid Century Rose Flower Towel Bar or Rail C1950s
Located in Trensacq, FR
Charming French mid-century rose bloom gilded towel bar or rail C1950. Part of a selection of bathroom accessories and wall light sconces available in the same style - please see our...
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Two Sets Mid-Size Circular Door Handles in Bronze, Mid-20th Century, France
Located in London, GB
Two mid-size circular push-and-pull door handles in bronze, mid-20th century, France, sold as shown in image 1. Simple elegant handles, made up of two separate round pieces, held by...
Category

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

Materials

Metal, Bronze

Pair of Modernist Cast Iron and Wrought Iron Andirons
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This pair of modernist andirons is made of wrought iron. This is a French work in the style of Jacques Adnet. Circa 1940.
Category

1940s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron, Wrought Iron

French Mid Century Blue Glass and Chrome Vanity Button Hooks C1960s
Located in Trensacq, FR
Charming French vanity button hooks in chrome with blue-faceted glass and daisy flower detailing. Well-made, good-quality hooks in great vintage condition with only light wear commen...
Category

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

Materials

Chrome

Italian mid century white metal outdoor chair with armrests, 1950s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian mid century white metal outdoor chair with armrests, 1950s. Outdoor chair with white enamelled metal structure, with armrests and micro-perforated seat, with an "enne" decora...
Category

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

Materials

Metal

French Mid Century Blue Glass & Chrome Toilet Paper Holder C1960s
Located in Trensacq, FR
Charming French mid-century toilet paper holder in chrome with blue-faceted glass and daisy flower detailing. Well-made, good-quality hooks in great vintage condition with only lig...
Category

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

Materials

Chrome

1970s wicker garden side table
Located in Premariacco, IT
Vintage wicker rectangular coffee table with double shelf. It has some signs of wear as shown in the photos.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wicker

Large Modernist Push-Pull Door Handle of Cast Bronze
Located in London, GB
A large push-pull door handle of cast bronze with geometric modernist design. Found in Germany and dating from the third quarter 20th century. The handle has been left as found, unp...
Category

Late 20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Bronze

Wave panel from Jean Prouvé “onde” circa 1954
Located in Bruxelles, BE
The Wave Panel, designed by Jean Prouvé in 1954, was originally created for a school building in Cameroon. Combining aluminum and wood, this panel features a distinctive wavy pattern...
Category

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

Materials

Aluminum

Mid-Century Modern Scandinavian String and Wood Étagère / Flower Stand, 1960s
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
Mid-Century Modern Scandinavian String and Wood Étagère / Flower Stand, 1960s Very good condition, light wear of usage.
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Reclaimed Mid-century English Oak Fire Mantel
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A handsome reclaimed mid-century English oak fireplace with a limed oak finish, ready for applying with stain, wax or paint. With a traditional style, this solid oak fireplace is sim...
Category

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

Materials

Wood, Oak

Sculptural 50cm diameter Willy Guhl planter, Switzerland 50's concrete
Located in Forest, BE
This is a planter like a sculpture! made out of fiber concrete in the 1950's in Switzerland. It is the third size from that series. We have other models and measurements. _________...
Category

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

Materials

Concrete

Vintage Circular Jardiniere, Italian, Terracotta, Garden, Patio, Planter Pot
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage circular jardiniere. An Italian, terracotta garden or patio planter pot, dating to the mid 20th century, circa 1960. Fascinating cylindrical form with great colour...
Category

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

Materials

Terracotta

Modernist Cast Iron Fireback Showing an Owl
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This modernist fireback showing an owl is mad of cast iron. This is a very nice and decorative model. This is a French work. Circa 1970.
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

Pair of Willy Guhl Diablo Hourglass Planters by Eternit
Located in Baambrugge, NL
Price for the set! Beautiful 'Diablo' concrete spindel planters by Swiss architect Willy Guhl. Manufactured by Eternit AG, who produced all of Guhl's designs. Made from fiber cement,...
Category

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

Materials

Concrete

1960s Arne Wahl Iversen Teak Planter, Denmark
Located in Praha, CZ
- Item has been carefully refurbished - danish control label.
Category

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

Materials

Teak

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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