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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
Large Ceramic Piece, Andre Baud, Vallauris c. 1950
Located in St Ouen, FR
Exceptional decorative piece with generous dimensions. Satin black and white glazes with a vibrant yellow interior characterise the universe of this Artist with sobriety and simplic...
Category

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

Materials

Ceramic

Custom Architectural Mirror Polished Stainless-Steel Mid-Century Modern Planter
Located in Dallas, TX
This stainless planter was custom made for a local architect. Exceptional quality.
Category

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

Materials

Stainless Steel

Marble Planter by Angelo Mangiarotti, Italy, 1970s
Located in Brussels, BE
Marble Planter by Angelo Mangiarotti, Italy, 1970s
Category

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

Materials

Marble

David Cressey Pro/Artisan Charcoal Glazed Bowl Planter
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Ceramic planter from David Cressey's Pro/Artisan collection for Architectural Pottery. The 4066 pedestal bowl planter has a wide belly that tapers at the base with a charcoal glazed ...
Category

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

Materials

Clay, Pottery

Mid-Century Modern White Enameled Aluminum Bench Attributed to Superstudio
Located in New York, NY
Italian Mid-Century Modern white enameled aluminum bench attributed to Superstudio. The bench is in reverse U-shaped form and composed of a series of grooved pieces of aluminum. It is light and designed to be easily transported as they will easily wraparound a person's body. Italian Radical...
Category

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

Materials

Aluminum

Ancient Planter in Lacquered Metal and Wood, circa 1950
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Ancient planter in lacquered metal and wood, circa 1950.
Category

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

Materials

Metal

1950s Sculptural Hand Forged Iron Andirons
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1950s Sculptural Forged Iron Andirons  Elegant and unique design 25.25 h x 11 w x 24 d Preowned original vintage unrestored. Lovely patina. Could be powder coated if desired (an addi...
Category

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

Materials

Iron

Modernist Lucite and Chrome Fireplace Tool Set by Albrizzi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Modernist set of fireplace tools attributed to Alessandro Albrizzi and Danny Alessandro feature a clear Lucite and polished chrome holder with polished chrome and black resin tools.
Category

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

Materials

Chrome

XXL Wooden Crankshaft Molds
Located in Weesp, NL
Pair of early 20th century crankshaft molds tagged with part numbers. An impressive pair of large-scale sculptural art / Industrial pieces. Measurements: H 140 x W 57 x D 16 cm. Th...
Category

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

Materials

Wood

Four Patio Chairs in ZAK+FOX ‘Fantasma’ Collection 2020 Upholstery
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Dining patio chairs, white lacquered metal, fabric, Italy, 1960s. Elegant chairs in white metal. The chairs have an elegant, bold design, as is quintessential of Italian patio chair...
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Set of Two Mid-Century Flower Stands, Czechoslovakia, 1960s
Located in Praha, CZ
Made by Kovona, Czechoslovakia Chrome-plating with minor use of age - polished. The upper side of plywood refinished.
Category

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

Materials

Chrome

David Cressey & Robert Maxwell Stoneware “Sunburst” Bowl Planter for Earthgender
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An unglazed stoneware bowl planter from David Cressey and Robert Maxwell's 1970's collaboration, Earthgender. The 15.5" diameter planter has a rounded lip with an unglazed interior, ...
Category

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

Materials

Pottery, Stoneware

Set of 4 Outdoor American Art Moderne Lyre Side Chairs
Located in Queens, NY
Set of 4 Outdoor American Art Moderne black and gold trim painted metal side chairs with lyre form backs and upholstered seat
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Pair of Mid-Century Modernist Torqued Flame Andirons in Polished Chrome
Located in New York, NY
This bold and elegant Pair of Mid-Century Modernist Torqued Flame Andirons in Polished Chrome originate from the United States, Circa 1970. Features a dynamic minimal composition ren...
Category

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

Materials

Chrome

Set of French 1960s Nickel-Plated Fireplace Tools
Located in Buchanan, NY
Five-piece set of Mid-Century Modern nickel-plated fireplace tools, French, 1960s.
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Patrick Reyntiens 'B.1925' Stained Glass Window Depicting Fish
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A contemporary stained glass window from the studio of Patrick Reyntiens (1925-2021). Attributed to the artist, this stained glass panel dep...
Category

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

Materials

Stained Glass

David Cressey "Linear" Stoneware Pro/Artisan Planter for Architectural Pottery
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cigar planter by David Cressey from the Pro/Artisan collection for Architectural Pottery. This stoneware planter has an unglazed interior as well as an unglazed natural warm brown cl...
Category

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

Materials

Stoneware

Pair of French Painted Iron Garden Chairs
Located in Buchanan, NY
This pair of vintage French garden chairs is a timeless and elegant addition to any outdoor space. The tall back design offers ample suppor...
Category

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

Materials

Iron

Standing Bronze Horse Fountain
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Bronze wall horse fountain. Beautiful piece perfect to create ambiance in any outdoor garden setting. Please confirm location with seller (NY or NJ)
Category

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

Materials

Bronze

1970s Mastercraft Stainless Steel Table Pedestals – a Pair
Located in Farmington Hills, MI
We are very pleased to offer a beautiful pair of pedestals by Mastercraft, circa the 1970s. Based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Mastercraft Furniture was recognized for its craftsmanshi...
Category

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

Materials

Stainless Steel

Vintage Klaus Grabe Chaise Lounge Model C5
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Klaus Grabe chaise lounge Model C5. USA, 1950. Stained plywood. This is the first Klaus Grabe we have come across with hand cut wood organic design floral appliqués attac...
Category

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

Materials

Wood

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

Mid-Century Rattan Flower Stand, 1960's
Located in Praha, CZ
Made in Czechoslovakia Made of rattan Cleared Good original condition.
Category

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

Materials

Rattan

Willy Guhl Chalice Shaped Planter, 1960s Switzerland
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Unique concrete planters by Swiss architect Willy Guhl. Planter in the shape of a chalice. Especially unique in that the base matches the top with pointed facets. Great vintage condi...
Category

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

Materials

Concrete

Scrolling Cast Iron Folding Patio Outdoor Chair, Pair
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Woodard style scrolling cast iron folding patio/outdoor chairs with floral print seat cover and decorative rounded back.
Category

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

Materials

Iron

Pair of Large Arched Reclaimed Steel Garden Trellis Panels
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A pair of large arched metal panels, crafted in steel with a repeated quatrefoil pattern. This striking pair could be used as fixed panels within a garden scheme as decorative garden...
Category

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

Materials

Metal, Steel

Kipp Stewart Bronze Patio Side Table for Terra
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Round bronze side table with glass top by Kipp Stewart for Terra of California, USA, c.1970s. The table features four patinated bronze tubing legs which attach the round frame of the...
Category

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

Materials

Bronze

Donald Deskey Andirons in Brass and Iron
Located in Kansas City, MO
Donald Deskey Andirons. Heavy iron with Brass fronts. Very good condition and may have been restored at some point in time. Few if any signs of use.
Category

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

Materials

Brass, Iron

Mid Century Italian Wrought iron Sculptural Tree Planter, circa 1950
Located in Richmond, Surrey
Midcentury Italian wrought iron sculptural tree planter, circa 1950 Midcentury Italian wrought iron sculptural tree plant pot holder. Beautifully scul...
Category

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

Materials

Wrought Iron

English 1930s Painted Lead Animal Sculpture Depicting a Squirrel Eating a Nut
Located in Atlanta, GA
An English painted lead animal sculpture of a squirrel from the first half of the 20th century. This sculpture features a sweet squirrel with a ni...
Category

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

Materials

Lead

Rare Pair of Horse-Shaped Wrought Iron Andirons
Located in Bridgewater, CT
Unusual pair of wrought iron fire dogs with stylized horses.
Category

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

Materials

Wrought Iron

Mid-Century Modern Italian Burnished Iron Palm Tree Sculpture, 1970s
Located in Prato, IT
Mid-Century Modern Italian burnished iron palm tree sculpture.
Category

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

Materials

Iron

Brass Art Deco Modern torqued Andirons and Fire Tools Set, Deskey Style
Located in St. Louis, MO
Unique designed solid brass in the Art Deco style andirons and fire tool set. in the style of Donald Deskey. The andirons and tools are in a brushed satin brass finish. These tools a...
Category

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

Materials

Brass, Iron

Patio Side Table attributed to Salterini
Located in Newtown, CT
Salterini attributed hard to find patio side table. It is 20" high to glass shelf and 27.5" high to top of hook. The glass top is 23.75' wide. The finish is a powder blue over a d...
Category

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

Materials

Iron

Pair of French 1950s Modernist Cast Iron Andirons
Located in New York, NY
Pair of modernist cast iron andirons. France, 1950s. Dimensions: 10 W x 16 H x 17 D.
Category

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

Materials

Iron

Rare Watering Can in Brass and Copper by Carl Auböck, 1950's
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare 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 Bolighu...
Category

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

Materials

Copper

Selection of Magazine Racks or Log Holders
Located in Atlanta, GA
Selection of magazine racks or log holders, circa 19th century to 1950s. They are: 1) Italian gilt metal faux bamboo magazine rack, circa 1950s, seen at the top left. It measures: 1...
Category

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

Materials

Copper, Metal

Black Carrara Marble Soap Tray
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
A sculptural Italian marble soap tray from the 1970s, elegantly carved with a minimalist sensibility. The rectangular form is softened by gently rounded corners and a shallow concave...
Category

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

Materials

Carrara Marble

Pair of Wrought Iron Andirons, Circa 1940
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
"Pair of Wrought Iron Andirons, Circa 1940" Pair of painted wrought-iron andirons with brass balls, circa 1940. h: 40cm, w: 20cm, d: 41cm
Category

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

Materials

Iron

Willy Guhl Petite Concrete Urn, 1960s Switzerland
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Petite concrete urn by Willy Guhl in a beautiful red patina. Urn has a delicate cement ridge around the mouth and two handles right under the upper rim. The body of the jar tapers do...
Category

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

Materials

Concrete

Brutalist planter, Willy Guhl for Eternit. Switzerland, 1960s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Rectangular planter produced by the company "Eternit" in the 1960s, made of fiber cement, perfect for outdoor designs. Good original condition, with patina and marks that only the pa...
Category

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

Materials

Cement

Big Door of Handles in Chrome
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
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 reads 'View All...
Category

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

Materials

Chrome

5x Venner English vintage 1965 retro Industrial galvernised metal boxes
Located in Markington, GB
5x Venner English vintage 1965 retro mid century Industrial galvernised metal boxes, price is per 5. Can be used as planter boxes or storage.
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Willy Guhl Off-Kilter Planters
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of off-kilter planters, designed by Willy Guhl for Eternit. A play on the classic diabolo form. Strong and robust, these tilted garden planters are sculpted from fibrous cement....
Category

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

Materials

Concrete

Italian Mid Century Hand Painted Chimpanzee Planter
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Who doesn't love a chimpanzee? Hand painted Italian Mid Century ceramic planter. Festive. Fun. Lots of hand painted detail - a work of cera...
Category

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

Materials

Ceramic

Rare Ico Parisi for Stildomus 'Altair' Fireplace Tools
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ico Parisi for Stildomus Selezione, 'Altair' fireplace tools with standard, model '2001', nickel-plated brass, wood, steel, Italy, 1959 The Altair design is a rare creation by Ico P...
Category

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

Materials

Brass, Steel, Nickel

Set of RFH Terrace TableRD5 & 2ChairsRD4- Teak &Black Steel -by Robin Day for &T
Located in Dubai, AE
Constituting part of Robin Day’s Royal Festival Hall collection, the RFH Terrace Table is crafted from black, powder-coated steel, making...
Category

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

Materials

Steel

Pair of Andirons with Hammered Texture and Cannonball Crown
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Handsome pair of mid-20th Century hammered texture andirons. The andirons are in traditional form with the hourglass body balanced on elegantly curved legs. A round cannonball shape ...
Category

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

Materials

Iron

Contemporary Modern Decorator Style Coffee Table
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage iron coffee table with nine glass panel inserts. Strong metal frame with bowed runners makes an impressive modern addition to home or...
Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Glass

Hugh Acton Pedestal
Located in Chicago, IL
Custom acton from "Megaform" series, polished Italian marble cube 29.50" high 8" deep and 8" wide, with decorative asymmetric circular opening as a design element.   
Category

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

Materials

Marble

Architectural Pottery Purple Glazed Bell Planter
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Medium sized planter by Architectural Pottery with a pop of color in a purple glaze. This planter has a bell-shaped body with its widest section through its middle region. Dimension...
Category

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

Materials

Stoneware

Arflex Solar Lounge Set by Carlo Bartoli, Italy, 1960's
Located in Austin, TX
A hard-to-find pair of Carlo Bartoli "Solar" lounge chairs by Arflex. Same model is included in the permanent collection of the MoMA in New York. Fiberglass and polyester resin wit...
Category

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

Materials

Fiberglass

Italian Marble Planter or Pedestal with Light, 1970's
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Outstanding Italian marble planter with light, 1970's. Handcrafted out of beautiful marble. On the upper part there is the possibility to pu...
Category

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

Materials

Marble

Green Mushroom Floor Lamp Expo 58, BEGA Belgium
Located in Antwerp, BE
Floor-lamp 1958 by the BEGA brand that can be used both indoors and outdoors. These kind of lamp was popular to use at patio's, mini golf courses and other p...
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Vintage English Midcentury Stone Planter with Textured Finish and Aged Patina
Located in Atlanta, GA
A vintage English stone planter from the mid 20th century, with textured finish and moss. Created in England during the midcentury, this stone pl...
Category

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

Materials

Stone

Vintage Willy Guhl Urn 12.5"
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Vintage willy guhl white urn with distinct weathered patina. These planters are unique and rare. Willy guhl (1915-2004) was a swiss industrial designer...
Category

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

Materials

Concrete

Vintage 19th Century Brass Cannonball Andirons - Set of 2
Located in west palm beach, FL
Add historic charm to your fireplace with the American style Vintage 19th Century Brass Cannonball Andirons. These antique andirons feature c...
Category

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

Materials

Brass, Wrought Iron

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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