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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 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.

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Style: Mid-Century Modern
Watering Can vienna around 1960s
Located in Wien, AT
Watering Can vienna around 1960s Brass polished and stove enameled
Category

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

Materials

Brass

1950s Style Gainey Glazed Art Pottery Architectural Green Planter Pot
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1950s Style Gainey Glazed Drip Art Pottery Architectural Green Planter Pot Earthenware planter 7 h x 18.25 diameter Unrestored original vintage c...
Category

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

Materials

Pottery

Roberto Mango Set Two Armchairs and Coffee Table in Rattan, Italy 1960s
Located in Naples, IT
Pair of garden chairs and small round table in woven rattan and black lacquered steel tube bases designed by Roberto Mango, Italy, 1960s. Italian architect Roberto Mango began his ca...
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Sculptura Patio Loveseat Sofa by Russell Woodard
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-Century Modern, outdoor, patio, powder-coated, steel mesh and wrought iron loveseat sofa by Russell Woodard, Sculptura. Cushions are not available.
Category

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

Materials

Steel, Wrought Iron

Mid 20th Century Haeger Ceramic Round Octopus Planters in Bright Yellow - A Pair
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Glazed in a bold bright matte yellow, this set of vintage ceramic planters are a gorgeous example of mid-century modern pottery. This is a set ...
Category

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

Materials

Ceramic

Vintage Boho Moroccan Carved Wooden Door With Brass Detail
Located in west palm beach, FL
Infuse your space with exotic charm using our Vintage Boho Moroccan Carved Wooden Door with Brass Detail. This stunning piece blends traditional Moroccan craftsmanship with American ...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Ceramic Plant Pot & Pedestal West German Pottery by Scheurich, W-Germany, 1960s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Ceramic plant pot and pedestal from West German pottery factory Scheurich. Slightly brighter brown pedestal compared to the plant pot.
Category

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

Materials

Ceramic

Mid Century Cast Iron Fireplace Insert Grate
Located in New York, NY
Larger than most, this impressive fireplace insert grate is solid and sturdy - the surface shows obvious signs of age and use, normal and consis...
Category

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

Materials

Iron

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

Curved Brass and Grilling Fireplace Screen
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This nice curved fireplace screen is made of brass and grilling. This is a French work. Circa 1970.
Category

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

Materials

Brass

David Cressey Cylindrical Flame-Glaze Planter for Architectural Pottery
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A planter by David Cressey for the Pro/Artisan collection by Architectural Pottery with Cressey’s signature “Flame Glaze.” This planter has a slim cylindrical body, a simple shape re...
Category

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

Materials

Ceramic

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

1980s Virginia Metalcrafters Polished Brass and Iron Andirons
Located in Germantown, MD
We are offering from a Richmond, Virginia estate a very fine pair of Virginia Metalcrafters (Harvin) brass andirons in the "Binney" design. These are not ...
Category

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

Materials

Brass, Iron

Monumental Blue Lacquered Copper Dish, Italy 1960s
Located in Milan, IT
Monumental Blue Lacquered Copper Dish, Italy 1960s
Category

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

Materials

Copper

Large Modular Cast Aluminum Orange Yard Art Indoor Outdoor Playground Sculpture
Located in Ferndale, MI
Modular in that this is three pieces of cast aluminum. Each has been sand blasted and powder coated. Measures 75" tall assembled.
Category

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

Materials

Aluminum

Copper Watering Can Around, 1950s
Located in Wien, AT
Copper Watering Can Around, 1950s Original condition
Category

1950s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Copper

Large Scale 1970s Concrete Planter Trough in the Manner of Willy Guhl
Located in Llanbrynmair, GB
A large scale Mid Century Concrete Planter, freshly salvaged. The piece is in the style of Willy Guhl - not at all attributed to the designer but certainly of its period, with rounde...
Category

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

Materials

Concrete

1970's Modernist Aluminum Planters/Vases
Located in New York, NY
1970's modernist well made and very heavy aluminum planters or vases made by AZ Cast Products, in vintage original condition with some wear and patina due to age and use.
Category

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

Materials

Aluminum

Set of Three American Midcentury Painted Concrete Mushroom Garden Ornaments
Located in Atlanta, GA
A set of three American Midcentury painted concrete mushroom garden ornaments with red and black tops and nicely weathered appearance. Envelop your garden in a veil of enchantment with this set of three American Midcentury painted concrete mushroom garden ornaments. Conjuring up images of fairytale...
Category

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

Materials

Concrete

A set of 5 Studio Stonehouse Cotswold Planters This is a good large set
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
A set of 5 Studio Stonehouse Cotswold Planters This is a good large set, 5 in all, the planters are round and they have drainage hole at the centre,...
Category

1960s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Cast Stone

An American Regency Style Gray Aluminum Garden Lounge Chair by Brown Jordan
Located in San Francisco, CA
A stylish American mid-century regency style gray painted aluminum garden lounge chair by Brown Jordan; the sturdy aluminum frame with adjustable back rest; raised on graceful splaye...
Category

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

Materials

Aluminum

Carl Auböck Model #9070-1 Polished Brass Drawer Pull
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #9070-1 polished brass drawer pull. Designed in the 1950s, this versatile and Minimalist Viennese drawer pull is executed in poli...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Rustic Pair of Faux Bois Midcentury Trough Shaped Concrete Planters
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of faux-bois trough shaped planters from the Midcentury period, made of concrete and accented with grey and orange tones. Breathe an air of rustic charm into your garden with ...
Category

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

Materials

Concrete

21st Century Set of Four Woodard Sculptura Garden Dining Armchairs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Iconic 21st century re-released set of four molded wire Sculptura dining armchairs by Woodard. The chairs have a custom shimmery grey finish that sparkles and shines. Each chair has ...
Category

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

Materials

Wire

Outdoor Hinterland Sofa by Lawson-Fenning
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Hinterland Sofa is a deep lounging sofa with a powder coated solid steel frame with removable cushions. The sofa back features a wrapped rope detail. The Lawson-Fenning Collect...
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Steel

Mid-Century Minimalist Brass & Oak Fireplace Tool Set
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Attributed to Alessandro Albrizzi this brass and Oak fireplace tool set. Nice aged patina from many years of use. Solid, heavy and well made set. No structural damage.
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Large Stoneware 'Sgraffito' Planter David Cressey
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Great California design. Made with Cressey's own reduction fired stoneware "formula clay" with ocher glaze and hand carved 'Sgraffito' pattern design. No two are alike. One-of-a-kind...
Category

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

Materials

Ceramic

Pr. Patio Poolside Garden Footstools, Ottomans, Poufs, in Faux Bamboo Aluminum
Located in New York, NY
Chic pair of footstools, having aluminum frames with a faux bamboo motif, and woven plastic webbed tops. Made by note American leisure furniture compa...
Category

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

Materials

Aluminum

Mid-Century Space Age Table Lighter from Hadson from Angus Electronic, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Space Age Table Lighter from Hadson from Angus Electronic, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional informati...
Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Metal

Handcrafted Murano Glass Sconces with Gold Inlay Fish Shell Design 1980s Italy
Located in Villaverla, IT
A Trio of Exquisite Handcrafted Decorative Murano Glass Sconces with Gold Inlay Fish Shell Design 1980s Italy. This remarkable set of three sconces, featuring large gold shells encas...
Category

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

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Cut Glass, Murano Glass

1960s Architectural Pottery Orange Drip Glaze Planter
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1960s Orange Drip Glaze planter Pot California 8 tall x 9.75 diameter Planter garden patio home In the Style of David Cressey Original preowned unre...
Category

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

Materials

Pottery

Jean-Paul Créations, Rarely Complete Modernist Fireplace Set, France 1970's
Located in Philadelphia, PA
For your consideration is this rarely seen complete fireplace set in stainless steel designed by Jacques Charles and manufactured by Jean-Paul Créat...
Category

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

Materials

Stainless Steel

Mid Century Modern Four-Piece Fireplace Tool Set with Stand by Pilgrim
Located in San Jose, CA
Vintage four piece fireplace tools with floor stand by Pilgrim Manufacturing circa 1960's. This set is made of heavy cast iron with black enamel handles. Includes poker, shovel, tong...
Category

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

Materials

Iron

Willy Guhl Black Painted Diabolo Planter
Located in Atlanta, GA
Bring iconic mid-century design into your space with this striking Willy Guhl Painted Diabolo Planter. Originally created in the 1950s by renowned Swi...
Category

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

Materials

Concrete

Garden Seating Group by Stanislaus Karasek & Co, 1950s, Austria
Located in Wien, AT
Garden seating group by Stanislaus Karasek & Co, 1950s, Austria. Good Original condition.   
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Pair of cast iron and wrought iron andirons representing a belt. French work.
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This pair of andirons representing a belt is made of cast iron and wrought iron. This is a French work. Circa 1950.
Category

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

Materials

Metal, Iron, Wrought Iron

Pair of Luxury Handles Midcentury Italian Design Carlo Mollino Style Gold Brass
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Curved sculpture pair of luxury handles midcentury Italian design Carlo Mollino style gold brass. Carlo Mollino style.
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Whimsical Ceramic Fountain Sculpture
Located in Tarrytown, NY
Whimsical ceramic fountain sculpture depicting a pantless man.
Category

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

Materials

Ceramic

Italian 4 Piece Cast Aluminum Fuego Fireplace Tools
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Italian 4 piece cast aluminum Fuego fireplace tools - Sleek, modern, and architectural. The set compliments any fireplace and especially those wi...
Category

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

Materials

Aluminum

Pair of French Iron Scroll Back Zinc Coated Outdoor Garden Cafe Chairs
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous pair of heavy duty iron scroll back side chairs. Perfect for the garden. Zinc Coated for protection. In excellent vintage condition ...
Category

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

Materials

Iron, Zinc

Copper Watering Can Around, 1950s
Located in Wien, AT
Copper Watering Can Around, 1950s Original condition
Category

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

Materials

Brass, Copper

Mid-Century Teak and Iron Patio or Garden Table
Located in San Mateo, CA
Small teak and iron dining table. This table has legs that are easily removed by sliding the end out of a bracket underneath the top. The top is made of solid teak boards. The metal ...
Category

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

Materials

Iron

Vintage Danish Teak and Beech Side Table, 1950s
Located in Asaa, DK
Vintage Danish teak and beech side table 1950s. Beautiful table with top in solid teak and frame in solid beech with teak feet. Made by unknown Danish carpenter in the 1950s. Very ...
Category

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

Materials

Beech, Teak

Wrought Iron Fireplace Andirons. Modernist Curled Form with Sphere Top c1940's
Located in Chicago, IL
Wrought Iron Fireplace Andirons. Modernist style with a curled form and sphere tops. hard to pinpoint when they were made, but they seem to have a bit of that French 40's style about...
Category

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

Materials

Iron

Vintage Meadow Craft Floral and Leaf Coil Chairs
Located in Omaha, NE
Vintage Meadow Craft Floral and leaf Wrought Iron Barrel Chairs – Timeless Elegance and Comfort with a 48 inch wrought iron table. Elevate your outdoor or indoor space with the clas...
Category

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

Materials

Wrought Iron

Pair of Mid-Century Italian Solid Brass Handles, 1950s
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Pair of midcentury Italian solid crass handles, 1950s.
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Vintage Belgian Tile Faced Entry Door Pull Handle by Artist Juliette Belarti
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Architectural door pull by Belgian ceramic tile artist Juliette Belarti. Vintage midcentury Belgian tile faced entry door pull handle. Great b...
Category

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

Materials

Ceramic

Set of Mid Century Modernist Brass and Iron Fireplace Tools
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Set of Mid Century Modernist Brass and Iron Fireplace Tools in the style of Paul McCobb. The set consists of a brush, poker and a shovel. The set is accented in brass and topped with...
Category

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

Materials

Brass, Iron

Pair of Beacon Hill Collection Mahogany Pedestal PlantStands
Located in Germantown, MD
A Pair of Beacon Hill Collection Mahogany Pedestal Tripod Fern / Plant Stands in great vintage condition. Measures 16.5" in width and 16.5" in dwpth at the base and stand 43.5" Tall...
Category

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

Materials

Mahogany

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

Mid Century Modern Max Fellerer Eugen Wörle Vintage Garden Chair Steel 1948
Located in Vienna, AT
Mid century modern vintage garden chair from green lacquered tubular steel. Designed for the public bathing beach "Gänsehäufel" in Vienna, circa 1...
Category

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

Materials

Steel

Salerini Style Wrought Iron & Mesh Outdoor 3 Seat Sofa & Glass Coffee Table Set
Located in St. Louis, MO
Mid-Century Modern Salterini or Woodard style, three seat outdoor patio sofa and glass top rectangular coffee table set. Sofa having brown...
Category

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

Materials

Aluminum, Wrought Iron

1950's Donald Deskey Art-Deco Style Andirons
Located in New York, NY
1950's Donald Deskey designed for Bennet brass and irons andirons, in vintage original condition with minor wear and patina due to age and use.
Category

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

Materials

Brass, Iron

Watering Can, Vienna, Around 1950s
Located in Wien, AT
Watering can Vienna, around 1950s. Polished and stove enameled.  
Category

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

Materials

Brass

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

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

Materials

Iron

Pair of Italian 1950s Handles in Chromed Brass Airplane Tail Silver
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Pair of Italian 1950s handles in chromed brass airplane tail silver.
Category

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

Materials

Brass, Chrome

Mid-century pair of Solid Brass Handles with Geometric designs Italian
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Mid-century pair of Solid Brass Handles with Geometric designs Italian
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Outdoor Hinterland Coffee Table by Lawson-Fenning
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Hinterland Coffee Table features a powder coated iron tube base and choice of 3 different tops; teak slat, stone, or a cast tempered glass with a corduroy pattern. The Lawson-F...
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Travertine

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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