Skip to main content

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.

20
2,838
to
388
1,903
899
2,838
2,838
2,838
736
480
313
311
293
277
267
190
157
100
84
80
77
75
68
43
35
4
8
159
34
2,160
446
4
4
7
11
79
520
547
322
42
6
Height
to
Width
to
1,811
873
477
378
369
1,273
1,259
1,192
367
328
207
146
121
86
56
Style: Mid-Century Modern
Period: 20th Century
Salterini Style Patio Seating
Located in Cumberland, RI
Salterini Style Patio Seating In stock and ready to ship this 6 piece metal versatile patio set ready for you to enjoy. Perfect for any patio, deck, or garden. Create your ideal vintage outdoor living space depending on your guests needs weather using the set as a 3 person patio sofa and 2 arm chairs or love seat and 3 arms chairs. Bright and contrasting new Teal and White Striped Cushions and pillows add another layer of interest on this vintage outdoor patio set...
Category

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

Materials

Metal, Iron

Jean Prouvé INSA Facade Panel, France, 1957
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Architectural grille facade element designed by Jean Prouve and manufactured by C.I.M.T, France 1957. This panel was part of the Institut National des Sciences Appliquées (INSA), Doua campus building, Villeurbanne, France 1957. This isolation element is made of pressed aluminium and is foam filled. It is a very decorative architectural element, when hanging on a wall it is like a piece of art. And of course, beautiful to combine with mid century furniture, or other Jean Prouvé furniture as the example on the pictures (chair not available for sale). The element is in original condition, has some bumps and signs of wear but this was hanging vertically...
Category

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

Materials

Aluminum

Brass India Andirons
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Pair of solid brass Andirons with animal heads at the bottom, Indian Design? Not sure of the design. They are very well made and good looking!
Category

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

Materials

Brass, Iron

Early Walter Lamb Bronze Patio Dining Table with Glass Top
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Square patio table designed by Walter Lamb from the late 40s or early 50s, either predating or from the early years of his work with Brown Jordan. The table has a glass table top tha...
Category

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

Materials

Bronze

Mid-Century Modern Terracotta Sculptural Planter Jardiniere Style of Picasso
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous and large terracotta planter -Jardiniere in the style of Picasso. Faces on both sides of the planter. Floral headband across the top edge. In ...
Category

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

Materials

Terracotta

Vintage Carved Stone Quartz Pedestal Sink
Located in Bensalem, PA
Beautiful 1970s carved solid stone onyx sink.
Category

1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Onyx, Quartz

Vintage Maurizio Tempestini for Salterini Radar Dining Table
Located in Cumberland, RI
Vintage Maurizio Tempestini for Salterini Radar dining table 48 inch Outdoor Mesh top dining table Pairs with a Set of 4 Radar Chairs by Maurizio Temp...
Category

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

Materials

Metal, Iron, Wrought Iron

Vintage Midcentury Wrought Iron 3 Piece Set Attributed to Authur Umanuff
Located in Parkesburg, PA
Vintage wrought iron 3 piece set attributed to Authur Umanuff. Unique Cattail Modern design sides, Hairpin style backing, with a Spanish clover motif along the lower front and side r...
Category

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

Materials

Wrought Iron

David Cressey "Expressive" Glazed Planter for Architectural Pottery
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A tulip-shaped planter by David Cressey for the Pro/Artisan collection by Architectural Pottery with Cressey’s signature “Expressive” texture. This ochre glazed planter has a rounded bottom...
Category

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

Materials

Clay, Pottery

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

Set of Three Vintage Italian Brass Handles
Located in Milano, IT
Set of three magnificent Italian handles from the 1950s. The set is made with a nickel-plated brass frame and hand drummed brass edges and contours. The shap...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Italian Design Coat Hooks by VECA C1970s - 4 available
By VECA
Located in Trensacq, FR
Italian design coat hooks from Veca C1970. Attractive blue glass on a chromed frame with a mirrored back plate. Part of a selection of accessories a...
Category

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

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Vintage Metal Christmas Tree Stand, 1960's
Located in Praha, CZ
Made in Czechoslovakia. Made of metal. With aged patina. Original condition.
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Mid-Century Modern Steel Bank Vault Door Set w/ Sides
Located in New York, NY
Mid 20th Century Mid-Century Modern style three piece brushed steel door and side panel set. From the vault of a well known Park Avenue bank building in New York City. Priced as a se...
Category

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

Materials

Steel

Vintage Pair of French Midcentury Zinc Topiary Sculptures with Stepped Bases
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of French vintage zinc topiaries from the mid 20th century, with stepped bases. Created in France during the midcentury period, each of this pair of zinc sculptures features a...
Category

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

Materials

Zinc

Mid Century Italian Bronze Wind Chime
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Amazing bronze heavy Italian wind chime in very good used condition. Great design and style. Can be hung easily outdoors. Heavy and solid with lots of detail. Paolo Soleri designer.
Category

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

Materials

Bronze

Pair 1970s Canvas and Metal Reclining Garden Sun Lounger Chairs
Located in Stow on the Wold, GB
Wonderful pair of original 1970s garden lounge chairs. Metal tubular frames with distressed paint finish. Canvas seats attach to the frame with nylon cord. One of the nylon cords tha...
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Pair of Woodard Wrought Iron with Steel Mesh Settees Recently Powder Coated
Located in Ferndale, MI
Russell Woodard sculptura series pair of settees. Wrought iron frames support thinner wire mesh seat and back rests. Properly restored finished in gloss black powder coat. New foot g...
Category

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

Materials

Wrought Iron

Mid Century Salterini Radar Patio Dining Table
Located in Esperance, NY
Mid century Salterini Radar Patio dining table.
Category

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

Materials

Metal

1960s Imperial Grand Rapids Tall Solid Mahogany Tripod Pedestal Plant Stand
Located in Germantown, MD
A solid mahogany, Tall Tripod Pedestal plant stand by Imprial Grand Rapids furniture. Very good vintage condition. measures 17" wide x 17.5" deep at base, 12 inches in diameter at th...
Category

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

Materials

Mahogany

Pair of Vintage American Midcentury Iron Duck Sculptures with Weathered Patina
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of vintage American iron quacking ducks from the mid 20th century, with distressed patina. Made in the USA during the midcentury period, each of this pair or iron sculptures d...
Category

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

Materials

Iron

Salterini Leaf Nesting Tables
Located in Kennett Square, PA
Classic pair of Salterini nesting leaf tables in black. Curiously, the smaller/lower table shows the most weathering (which may suggest that these were sep...
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Luigi Colani Fiberglass Bench Sofa Garden Party for Heinz Essmann KG
By Luigi Colani, Essmann
Located in Munich, Bavaria
This Object is designed by Luigi Colani 1968 with the model name Garden Party. It is a bench or Sofa for outdoor use and also at home. As all Colanis design this has a organic & dynamic design. Made of white fiberglass, In Vintage condition. It has 2 tiny holes in the seating area where the rain...
Category

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

Materials

Fiberglass

Russell Woodard Round Black Wrought Iron & Mesh Patio Side Table or Drinks Stand
Located in St. Louis, MO
Russell Woodard designed round side or drinks table often see along side his Sculptura line chairs and settees. This table has been blasted, dipped in rust inhibitor and repainted sa...
Category

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

Materials

Wrought Iron

Set of Four René Prou 'Fer Forgé Rond' Iron Side Chairs, France, 1940's
Located in Aramits, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
A gorgeous set of four 'fer forgé rond' - iron side chairs designed by René Prou (French 1889-1947), France, circa 1940s. The chairs are decorated with a delicate scrolled design, th...
Category

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

Materials

Wrought Iron

Pair of Push and Pull Bronze Door Handles Formde as Doves
Located in London, GB
Pair of push and pull bronze door handles with original patina. Doves have long been seen as a symbol for eternal peace. The word 'dove' is of Norse origin and first appeared in the 14th century as 'dova' or 'douve'. When we gaze upon the push and pull cast bronze door handles...
Category

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

Materials

Bronze

Vintage Brass Horse Andirons, Screen, Log Holder and Tools, Complete Set
Located in Esperance, NY
Vintage brass horse andirons, screen, log holder and tools - complete set Measures: Screen: 31.25” H x 38” W x 5.5” D Andirons 17.25” H x 4.25”...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Large Midcentury Sculpture of a Standing Egret, in the Style of Maison Jansen
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Large midcentury sculpture of a standing egret, in the style of Maison Jansen, raised on a circular enameled base.
Category

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

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Pair of White Rattan Sofa Frames by Paul Frankl
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of white Rattan sofa Frames by Paul Frankl, complete with vintage cushions. Each with six strand square pretzel side arms and stacked rattan ba...
Category

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

Materials

Upholstery, Rattan

John Salterini Style Seven Piece Garden Dining Suite
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Mid-Century Modern seven piece garden patio dining suite consisting of six chairs and a dining table measuring 64.5 inches wide 32.5 inches deep and 30 inches high. Crafted from painted wrought iron in a weeping flower leaf motif. The chairs have a whimsical oval backrest...
Category

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

Materials

Iron

Baccarat Mid-Century Crystal Cat
Located in New York, NY
French mid-century (1980/90s) limited edition crystal figure of a stylized seated cat (signed R RIGOT, BACCARAT).  
Category

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

Materials

Crystal

Willy Guhl Orange Pod Chairs, Pair
Located in New York, NY
Iconic "pod" chairs designed by Willy Guhl and realized by Eternit, circa 1950s in Switzerland. Orange in color. Handled for ease of movement. Handmade with cast fiber cement and ...
Category

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

Materials

Cement

Three Graduating Wrought Iron & Ceramic Mosaic Tables by Jon Matin
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Three graduating wrought iron & ceramic mosaic tables by Jon Matin Set of three hexagonal graduating tables, stunning blue and green color palette. Can use individually or group/ li...
Category

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

Materials

Wrought Iron

Set of Two Bronze Door Handles with Lunar Landscape Design, European, 1970s
Located in London, GB
Set of two square bronze door handles of square form with raised lunar landscape design. Push or pull fittings. European, 1970s. These are heavy pieces made of cast bronze, which ...
Category

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

Materials

Bronze

Willy Guhl Rare Shape Large Planters, Pair
Located in New York, NY
Swiss designer and architect Willy Guhl for Eternit, 1960s. Pair of yellow coated wide vessel planters with classic Guhl diablo spindle shape base. Rare shape, not seen anywhe...
Category

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

Materials

Concrete

Pair of White Marble Bolections / Profiled Fireplace Mantels
Located in Haarlem, Noord-Holland
A nice pair of strong profiled bolection. Executed in white Carrara marble both mantels have the same proportions and dimensions. Great pair for opposite or back to back placement.  
Category

1910s Dutch Vintage Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Carrara Marble

Outdoor Metal Lounge Chairs, Attrib to Maurizio Tempestini for Salterini
Located in Buffalo, NY
Stunning pair outdoor metal / iron lounge chairs, attributed to Maurizio Tempestini for Salterini. Great classic modernist design, extremely comfortable, retain newer seat and back c...
Category

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

Materials

Metal, Iron

Zanesville Pottery Homespun Planter Pot Aqua with Green Ribs
Located in Ferndale, MI
Ribbed cone shape planter pot. Part of the Homespun line by Zanesville.
Category

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

Materials

Stoneware

Mid-Century Modern Gilded Cast Iron Ram Floor Ashtray
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Mid-Century Modern gilded iron ram ashtray. Feast your eyes on this beautiful golden tall floor ashtray. Even if you are not a smoker, this beautiful cast iron floor statue...
Category

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

Materials

Iron

Roger Tallon, Helicoid Staircase M400, 1964 Gallery Lacloche Edition, Paris
By Editions Lacloche, Roger Tallon
Located in Munster, NRW
Roger Tallon, France (1929–2011) - extraordinary Helicoid staircase model - 1964 for Gallery Lacloche Edition, Paris. This piece of design histor...
Category

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

Materials

Aluminum

Willy Guhl for Eternit, Mid-Century Modern Concrete Garden Handkerchief Planter
Located in London, GB
Willy Guhl for Eternit, a very rare 21 inch tall Mid-Century Modern sculptural concrete garden Handkerchief elephant ear planter. It looks like a large seed pod and will look very sp...
Category

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

Materials

Concrete

Gloss Black Wrought Iron and Mesh Steel Settee by Russell Lee Woodard Co.
Located in Ferndale, MI
A wrought iron and mesh settee by Russell Lee Woodard Co. Properly restored in gloss black powder coat with new foot glides installed.
Category

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

Materials

Steel, Wrought Iron

Lagardo Tacket Double-Cone Planter for Architectural Planter
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Lagardo Tackett's iconic double cone planter for Architectural Pottery. The is the larger version of the double cone form and has an unglazed natural bisque finish. The top portion w...
Category

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

Materials

Ceramic, Clay, Pottery

1930s Pair of Aluminum Art Deco Church Doors
Located in New York, NY
This 1930s pair of brilliantly colored stained glass doors are from a church built in the early 1900s. The doors are clad with ribbed aluminum and have the original Art Deco pulls...
Category

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

Materials

Aluminum

Mid-Century Modern Onyx and Brass Fireplace Tools
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Chic and modern 1950s fireplace tools of brass and onyx. The set with stand, brush, shovel and poker all with wood handles.
Category

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

Materials

Onyx, Brass

French Mid-Century Modern Armchair by Mathieu Matégot
Located in Paris, FR
A 20th-century vintage garden armchair by the iconic French designer Mathieu Matégot was designed with his distinct perforated sheet metal and steel tube structure. In white lacquer....
Category

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

Materials

Steel

Salterini American Midcentury Hollywood Regency Lounge Chair
Located in Miami, FL
American Mid-Century Hollywood Regency chaise lounge designed by John Salterini. Generous sized and great vintage quality made in the USA, circa 1950s. The black wrought iron pati...
Category

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

Materials

Iron

Mid-Century Green Fat Lava Cyclope Planter by Charles Cart, 1960s
Located in Miami, FL
A stunning Fat Lava Studio planter by Charles Cart, circa 1960. The distinctive glaze on this planter that was developed by Charles Cart the founder of the Le Cyclope Pottery...
Category

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

Materials

Pottery

Willy Guhl Rectangular Swiss Midcentury Planter for Eternit
Located in Doornspijk, NL
Rectangular planters designed by Swiss architect Willy Guhl for Eternit. The planters are made of moulded cement. The holes in its bottom allow for water drainage. These planters a...
Category

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

Materials

Concrete

Carl Auböck Planter, Cane Wicker Black Metal, Austria, 1950s
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
A planter with the original cane, wicker, and internal liner in zinc and a black painted metal frame designed by Carl Auböck, manufactured by Carl Auböck workshop in midcentury, circ...
Category

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

Materials

Zinc, Metal

Italian Mid-Century Rattan Patio Chair, Restored
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Italian Mid-Century rattan patio chair, restored.
Category

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

Materials

Metal, Brass

Sunball Chair by Rosenthal, Design 1969 Selldorf & Rijs, Made in Germany
Located in Munster, NRW
Exclusive design piece for outdoor use by Rosenthal. The "sun lounge chair" is an extremely rare and iconic piece of design history. The top slides down to shut and the shell can be ...
Category

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

Materials

Fiberglass

Solid Cast Bronze Large Scale Room Divider Syracuse, NY 1964
Located in New York, NY
Lobby room divider from the Public Safety Building in Syracuse, NY and crafted in 1964. This is a magnificent example of Mid-Century Modern design. Composed of alternating pod-shape...
Category

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

Materials

Bronze

Donald Deskey Fireplace Andirons Tool Set
Located in Westport, CT
Donald Deskey Fireplace Andirons, Tool Utensils set Made By Bennet Co,Wrought iron and brass All original. Measurements andirons 19"tall 18.75 "deep ,9 " wide Measurements for to...
Category

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

Materials

Brass, Wrought Iron

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.

Recently Viewed

View All