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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
Period: 1970s
Logs Holder made of Brass and Lucite Imitating Tortoise Shell
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This very nice, rare and elegant logs holder is all made of brass and lucite imitating tortoise shell. This is a French work. Circa 1970
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Stan Bitters Bird Feeder, USA 1970s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful hanging bird feeder by noted Californian ceramicist, Stan Bitters. Plastic cords are attached at three points on the dish and meet in a k...
Category

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

Materials

Ceramic, Stoneware, Plastic

Black Lacquered Metal and Chrome Fireplace Tools on Stand "Golf" Model
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This very nice, rare and unusual "Golf" model fire kit in black lacquered metal and chrome-plated brass is made up of elements on the Golf theme represented...
Category

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

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Design logs holder made of intersecting brass and chrome strips. Circa 1970
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This very nice and unusual design logs holder is made of chrome and brass. The "Basket" is made of a great work of brass and chrome strips intersecting. This is a fine quality piece ...
Category

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

Materials

Brass, Chrome

Fireplace Screen Made of 3 Greenish Glass Panels Surrounded by a Brass Frame
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This nice and unusual fireplace screen is made of 3 greenish tempered glass panels, each panel surrounded by a brass Frame. This is a French work. Circa 1970
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Design Tempered Glass and Brass Fireplace Stand with Brushed Aluminium Tools
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This very nice and elegant design fireplace stand is made of tempered glass and brass with brushed aluminium tools. This is a French work. Circa 1970
Category

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

Materials

Chrome

Pair of Wrought Iron and Brass Andirons
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This very nice and unusual pair of andirons is made of a delicate twisted wrought iron work with brass bawls. This is a French work. Circa 1970
Category

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

Materials

Brass, Wrought Iron

Rattan, Black Lacquered Metal and Leather Logs Holder. French. Circa 1970
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This nice and unusual logs holder is made of rattan, black lacquered metal and leather . This is a French work. Circa 1970
Category

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

Materials

Iron

Vintage Mid-Century Salterini Curve Back Outdoor Cantilever/Springer Arm Chair
Located in Wilmington, DE
Vintage Mid-Century Salterini Curve Back Outdoor Cantilever/Springer Arm Chair Offered is a Vintage Mid-Century Salterini Curve Back Outdoor Cantilever/Springer Arm Chair in the styl...
Category

1970s North American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

Modernist Steel and Brass Fireplace Tools on Stand in the Style of Jacques Adnet
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This rare modernist fireplace tools on stand is made of steel and brass. This is a French work in the Style of Jacques Adnet. Circa 1970
Category

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

Materials

Brass, Steel

Pair of Wrought Iron and Brass Andirons
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This pair of andirosn is made of wrought iron and brass. This is a French work. Circa 1970
Category

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

Materials

Brass, Iron

Pair Of Large Andirons In Wrought Iron with Brass Orbs 1970s
Located in New York, NY
Pair of large andirons in wrought iron with brass orbs on top by Stover, American 1970's (signed “STOVER MFG. CO.” on base of andiron). Thes...
Category

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

Materials

Brass, Wrought Iron

Rattan Logs Holder
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This nice 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

Steel Fireplace Screen. French. Circa 1970
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This fireplace screen is made of steel with grilling. This is a very simple design and a French work. Circa 1970
Category

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

Materials

Steel, Iron

Modernist Brass and Gilt Grilling Fireplace Screen
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This modernist 3 panels fireplace screen is made of brass and gilt grilling. This is a French work. Circa 1970
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Pair of Artisan Andirons in Polished Brass and Wrought-Iron 1970s
Located in New York, NY
Pair of large and exceptional andirons in polished brass and wrought-iron, American 1970's. These andirons are beautifully made and would add a touch of elegance to any fireplace. ...
Category

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

Materials

Brass, Wrought Iron

Modernist Brass Fireplace Tools
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This nice modernist fireplace tools is made of brass . This is a French work. Circa 1970
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Rattan Logs Holder
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This nice and decorative 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

Andirons and Complete Fireplace Set by Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Italy, 1970s
Located in Argelato, BO
Andirons and Complete Fireplace Set by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for "Dimensione Fuoco", Italy, 1970s The fireplace set consists of three different elements: a set of fireplace tools (wit...
Category

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

Materials

Metal, Brass

Walking stick limited edition mice X
Located in Cantù, IT
Walking stick limited edition mice X
Category

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

Materials

Wood

Lacquered Metal and brass Design Fireplace Tools
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This design fireplace tools is made of black lacquered metal and brass. This is a French Work. Circa 1970
Category

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

Materials

Brass, Iron

Vintage Pair of Mid-Century Salterini Curve Back Outdoor Cantilever/Springer Arm
Located in Wilmington, DE
Set of 2 Mid-Century Modern Salterini Curve Back Cantilever/Springer Outdoor Arm Chairs Offered is a Vintage Mid-Century Salterini Curve Back Outdoor Cantilever/Springer Arm Chair in...
Category

1970s North American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

Paire de chenets en acier brossé par Jean-Paul Créations vers 1970
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Paire de chenets en acier brossé et métal chromé édition Jean-Paul Créations. France, vers 1970. Parfait état.
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Mushroom Table and Stools by Stan Bitters for Hans Sumpf Company, USA 1970s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful and rare mushroom table and stools set by noted Californian ceramicist, Stan Bitters for Hans Sumpf company. As a pioneer of the organic modernist craft movement in the 1960s, Bitters has been producing rough-hewn ceramic birdhouses...
Category

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

Materials

Concrete

Pair of Modernist Steel Andirons. French Work. Circa 1970
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This very nice and interesting pair of modernist andirons are made of steel and iron. This is a French Work. Circa 1970
Category

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

Materials

Steel, Iron

Brown Jordan Nomad Garden Patio Poolside Chaise Lounge Ca. 1970's
Located in New York, NY
Classic 1970's California Modern style garden, patio, poolside, chaise lounge from the Nomad series by Brown Jordan. The chaise has a lightweight aluminum frame and sophisticated can...
Category

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

Materials

Aluminum

Pair of Wrought Iron and Brass Andirons
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This pair of decorative andirons aere made of wrought iron and brass. This is a French work. Circa 1970
Category

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

Materials

Brass, Wrought Iron

Modernist Walnut and Aluminum Architectural Planters by Habitat International
Located in Buffalo, NY
Modernist Walnut and Aluminum Architectural Planters by Habitat International,, Stunning sleek, simple ,classic design,Fit seamlessly into any modern, contemporary, environment.Price...
Category

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

Materials

Aluminum

1970s Teak Curved Barrel Kidney Slatted Settee Table Chairs, Set of 4
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
On offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning, teak kidney set you could hope to find. This is Outstanding design is exhibited throughout. Just look at the gorgeous curved de...
Category

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

Materials

Teak

Vintage Pair of Mid-Century Salterini Curve Back Outdoor Cantilever/Springers B
Located in Wilmington, DE
Set of 2 Mid-Century Modern Salterini Curve Back Cantilever/Springer Outdoor Arm Chairs Offered is a Vintage Mid-Century Salterini Curve Back Outdoor Cantilever/Springer Arm Chair in...
Category

1970s North American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

Vintage Garden Stack Decorations of Mushroom Bloomers
Located in Seattle, WA
Red and White Spotted Mushroom Garden Decoration . No Makers Mark. Vintage Condition Consistent with Age as Pictured. Dimensions. 19 W ; 30 H
Category

1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wood

Royal luxury wood holder
Located in Cantù, IT
Royal luxury wood holder
Category

1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Brass

Black Glazed Ceramic Planter By Angelo Mangiarotti, Italy 1970s
Located in Hellouw, NL
Italian architect and industrial designer Angelo Mangiarotti was extremely productive during his eclectic career and left few disciplines within his field untouched. Ranging within t...
Category

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

Materials

Ceramic

Alessandro Albrizzi Lucite and Chrome Fireplace Tools
Located in Chicago, IL
1970's fireplace tool set by Alessandro Arizzi, Italy. The stand is made of a tall lucite post with chrome tools and accents. The chrome is very clean and appears to be unused.
Category

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

Materials

Chrome

Set of 4 Mid-Century Modern Salterini Curve Back Outdoor Chairs C
Located in Wilmington, DE
Set of 4 Mid-Century Modern Salterini curve back outdoor arm chairs Offered is a set of 4 Mid-Century Modern outdoor arm chairs in the style of Salterini(circa 1960's). Features enam...
Category

1970s North American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

Set da giardino vintage in finto bamboo e rattan, Giorgetti Italia anni 70
Located in Ceglie Messapica, IT
Set di sedute composto da grande poltrona e due poltroncine con seduta in tessuto floreale. Prodotto da Giorgetti negli anni 70. Struttura composta da finto bambù e rattan. Grande p...
Category

1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Fabric, Faux Bamboo, Rattan

Willy Guhl for Eternit Modernist Concrete Garden Chairs Switzerland 1974, Signed
Located in Mortsel, BE
Introducing an extraordinary trio of Modernist concrete garden chairs with the accompanying table by the renowned Willy Guhl for Eternit. These pieces proudly bear the distinct Etern...
Category

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

Materials

Concrete

Fabulous Set Danny Alessandro Fireplace Tools in Lucite and Chrome Mid-Century
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Fabulous and chic set of fireplace tools in polished chrome and Lucite by Danny Alessandro. We love the added warmth of the teak handles with the chrome on the tools. They measure 3...
Category

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

Materials

Chrome

Vivai del Sud Bamboo Handcrafted Stylish Mid-Century Modern Rattan Pedestal
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Offered is an absolutely stunning, 1970s Italian decorative flower pot seat or end / side table. Original midcentury era. Minor patina gives this piece a classy statement. Attributed...
Category

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

Materials

Rattan, Bamboo

Set of Mid Century Modern Fireplace Tools w Glass Holder attributed to Albrizzi
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous simple and elegant set o fireplace tools with stainless steel handles and a holder with the central piece being a piece of glass. Holders top and bottom is also stainless st...
Category

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

Materials

Stainless Steel, Iron

Door Handles Italy 20th Century Set of 2 Brass Painted in Brown Color
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Door Handles in the Style of Paolo De Poli, Italy 20th Century Set of 2.
Category

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

Materials

Bronze, Brass

Tobia Scarpa Flos "Tamburo" Green Outdoor Lighting Fixtures ( 11 available )
Located in Sacile, PN
11 Tamburo available Flos Tamburo is a series of Classic outdoor lighting fixtures. A beautiful light which is is ideal for the patio or outdoor walki...
Category

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

Materials

Aluminum

Pair of wrought iron fire dogs, anonymous, Sweden, 1970s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Pair of fire dogs, anonymous, Sweden, 1970s Wrought iron. H: 18 cm L: 47 cm W: 26 cm
Category

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

Materials

Wrought Iron

Vintage Beech Bentwood Standing Planter, Czechoslovakia
Located in Praha, CZ
- good original condition with minor signs of use
Category

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

Materials

Bentwood, Beech

Vintage Dining Set - Four Armchairs & Table - by Brown-Jordan, USA 1970's
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Introducing the timeless elegance of the Vintage Dining Set by Brown-Jordan, USA, crafted in the iconic 1970s era. This exquisite set includes four armchairs and a matching table, me...
Category

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

Materials

Aluminum

Pair of Andirons, France, 1970’s
Located in New York, NY
Nickelled metal spiral-form andirons, featuring iron bases and bars.           
Category

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

Materials

Chrome

Alessandro Albrizzi Modernist Chrome Fire Tools
Located in Atlanta, GA
Set of Sculptural Chrome Fireplace Tools, designed by Alessandro Albrizzi, American, circa 1970s. They are constructed of chromed metal with a slate base. Fire tools.
Category

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

Materials

Slate, Metal

Mid Century Modern Spun Fiberglass Swivel Arm Chairs - Set of 4
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Elevate your space with the charm of the Mid Century Modern Fiberglass Chairs, thoughtfully presented as a set of four. These rema...
Category

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

Materials

Fiberglass

Vintage Paolo Soleri Arconsanti Multi-Color Bronze Bell / Wind Chime
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Wind chime/bell designed by architect, Paolo Soleri for Arconsanti (the city he designed and built in Arizona in 1970). Bronze cast elements with verdigris patina and multi-color pig...
Category

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

Materials

Bronze

Vintage Bronze Resin Square Planters by Forms and Surfaces
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Beautiful mid-century modern bronze resin square planters manufactured in the United States, circa 1970s. These planters are manufactured by the well-known company Forms and Surfaces...
Category

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

Materials

Bronze

Mid-Century Modern Italian Fountain with Gilt Brass Swans and Weeping Willow
Located in Prato, IT
Mid-Century Modern Italian fountain with gilt brass swans and weeping willow, 1970s This beautiful object can be used either to embellish a garden, or to enrich a spacious living ro...
Category

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

Materials

Metal, Brass

Vintage Garden Patio Poolside Lounge Chair circa 1970's
Located in New York, NY
Chic architectural vintage 1970's lounge chair, having repeating wood planks, with an anodized aluminum gold tone frame. Design reminiscent of the classic De Stijl School, by Gerrit ...
Category

1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Aluminum

Wrought Iron Dining Table 1970s, Italy
Located in Antwerp, BE
Wrought iron table with clear glass faceted top, Italy 1970s, A great elegance and very rare, the glass presented in excellent condition also suitable as an important desk or console...
Category

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

Materials

Wrought Iron

White Spun Fiberglass Glass Top Circular Coffee Table
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Vintage mid century modern Russell Woodard spun fiberglass coffee table. Features a circular in laid glass top.
Category

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

Materials

Fiberglass

Russell Woodard Spun Fiberglass Lounge Chairs With Ottomans and Side Tables
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Exceptional vintage mid century modern Russell Woodard spun fiberglass patio set. Features to lounge chairs with adjustable back rests, one small hourglass side table and a pair of r...
Category

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

Materials

Glass, Fiberglass

Mid-Century Modern Burl Wood Milo Baughman Style Column Pedestal Display Stand
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Mid-Century Modern Milo Baughman style display pedestal column. Tall square base is wrapped in Laminate resembling a faux tortoise or faux burl wood. A sturdy piece for displaying a ...
Category

1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Laminate, Wood

Four Mid Century Patio Chairs
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Four steel mid century patio chairs. We had the cushions replaced with a grey sunbrella fabric. Each chair measures 17.5" wide, 19" deep...
Category

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

Materials

Steel

1970s Set of Five Vintage Glass Amber Panels Modern Optical Art
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Set of Five Vintage Glass Amber Panels Modern Optical Art 13.5 x 12.88 total of 5 glass panels Thickness 0.19 Preowned original vintage condition See all images.
Category

1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Art Glass

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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