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
- Emerged during the mid-20th century
- Informed by European modernism, Bauhaus, International style, Scandinavian modernism and Frank Lloyd Wright’s architecture
- A heyday of innovation in postwar America
- Experimentation with new ideas, new materials and new forms flourished in Scandinavia, Italy, the former Czechoslovakia and elsewhere in Europe
CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
- Simplicity, organic forms, clean lines
- A blend of neutral and bold Pop art colors
- Use of natural and man-made materials — alluring woods such as teak, rosewood and oak; steel, fiberglass and molded plywood
- Light-filled spaces with colorful upholstery
- Glass walls and an emphasis on the outdoors
- Promotion of functionality
MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW
- Charles and Ray Eames
- Eero Saarinen
- Milo Baughman
- Florence Knoll
- Harry Bertoia
- Isamu Noguchi
- George Nelson
- Danish modernists Hans Wegner and Arne Jacobsen, whose emphasis on natural materials and craftsmanship influenced American designers and vice versa
ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS
- Eames lounge chair
- Nelson daybed
- Florence Knoll sofa
- Egg chair
- Womb chair
- Noguchi coffee table
- Barcelona chair
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
8 Armchairs 1950, France
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
8 armchairs
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 rea...
Category
1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
Turquoise Finish Aluminum Dolphin and Sea Shell Glass Top Dining Table
Located in Westport, CT
Turquoise finished aluminum Glass top dolphin and sea shell designed dining Table 1/2” glass top with patinated turqouise color which is original and...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Aluminum
Whimsical Set Brass Iron Stylized Dog Fire Tools Mid-Century Modern
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Whimsical set of stylized brass dog handled fire tools from the Mid-Century.
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Brass, Iron
George Nelson Cast Iron Fire Starter
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-Century Modern, cast iron, fire starter by George Nelson for Howard Miller.
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
Mid-Century Painted Wood Outdoor Seating Set
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Handmade, mid-century, wooden, outdoor bench and lounge chair set with over-sized, circular armrests has been primed and ready for paint. The chair measures 24.5" wide.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wood
Steel Tree Stand
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A beautifully designed and sturdy, heavy tree stand made solid steel with a black patina. This stand can accommodate a tree of up to 20 feet in height.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Steel
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
Pair of Elegant Flame Andirons in Polished Chrome 1960s
Located in New York, NY
Pair of flame andirons in polished chrome, American 1960's. These andirons are very chic. The flames of a fire would reflect beautifully off the gently curving surfaces of the andir...
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Chrome, Wrought Iron
4 Armchairs 1960, Italian
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
4 Armchairs
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.
...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
Vase Planter by Marilyn Kay Austin for Architectural Pottery
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fabulous rounded glazed planter in gold by ceramics artist Marilyn Kay Austin for Architectural Pottery. This example, called the floor vase, has an al...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Ceramic
Model T-102 Planter by Lagardo Tackett for Architectural Pottery
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Model T-102 Planter by Lagardo Tackett for Architectural Pottery, Midcentury, USA
Black Matte Glaze
H 21" x D 11"
FDV11361
*Wear consistent with age and use.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Ceramic
Vintage Richard Schultz High Top Dining Table & 4 Chairs
Located in west palm beach, FL
Elevate your outdoor dining experience with the Vintage Boho Richard Schultz High Top Dining Set. Crafted with American craftsmanship, this set combines bohemian flair with Richard S...
Category
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wrought Iron
Chrome Flame Form Andirons
Located in San Francisco, CA
Chrome and steel flame form andirons. Stylish combination of form with a function, in very good original condition.
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Steel, Chrome
Midcentury Outdoor Painted Iron Stool
Located in Sheffield, MA
The outdoor stool is sturdy and made of tubular iron soldered together and painted.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
Stan Hawk for Hawk House California Modern Barbeque Brazier / Fire Pit, Circa 19
By Stan Hawk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Solid iron fire pit brazier / barbeque grill by artist and designer Stan Hawk for company Hawk House.
Made in California, circa 1950's. The piece is...
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Metal, Iron
A Collection of Tilted Planters by Willy Guhl, 1960's, Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Collection of Tilted Planters by Willy Guhl, 1960's, Switzerland
Large // H 18.5" x D 25" // FDV11408
Small // H 14.5" x D 25" // FDV11513
*Wear consistent with age and use.
Col...
Category
1960s Swiss Vintage Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Concrete
Midcentury Czech White Metal Chair
Located in High Point, NC
A white metal garden chair from Czechia, circa 1960. Bent tubular metal frame construction with wooden slats for seat and back. Imagine yourself: seated on this chair in the garden, ...
Category
1960s Czech Vintage Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Steel
Pair of sea horses andirons France 1950
Located in PARIS, FR
Nice pair of wrought iron French andirons circa 1950 with sea horse shape
In the front
Heavy high quality of iron
Category
1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wrought Iron
Patinated Copper Hood from USA
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A large scaled and beautifully constructed custom copper flue or hood made of standing seam tapered panels having a warm patina.
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Copper
A Near Pair of Large Horse Heads in Cast Iron
Located in Pewsey, GB
A Fabulous Near Large Pair of Cast Iron Horses Heads. Both heavy and well weathered and signs of ageing but a fabulous pair for multiple purposes and standing on bases 19 cm x 16 cm ...
Category
Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
Robert Maxwell Sunburst Studio Chalice
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hand thrown studio pottery planter by California ceramicist Robert Maxwell, c.2004. The chalice shape is incised with Maxwell's signature sunburst design. The interior of the planter...
Category
Early 2000s American Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Ceramic, Stoneware
Brutalist planter, Willy Guhl for Eternit. Switzerland, 1960s
By Willy Guhl
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
John Follis Hand Thrown Stoneware Bell Planter for Architectural Pottery
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hand Thrown stoneware planter by John Follis for Architectural Pottery, C.1960s, USA. The bell shaped planter, features the warm natural clay tones with light speckling. Our favorite...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Stoneware
Model T-103 Planter by Lagardo Tackett for Architectural Pottery
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Model T-103 Planter by Lagardo Tackett for Architectural Pottery, Midcentury, USA
White Matte Glaze
H 15.75" x D 21.25"
FDV-M014
*Wear consistent with age and use.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Ceramic
Single Door Handle Erwin Burger Laboratorio Erwin Burger, Italy, 1960
Located in New York, NY
Faceted and reverse-painted glass door handle, a gilt lattice design on a red ground.
OUR REFERENCE N9410
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Brass
Reclaimed Modernist Designer Garden Planter
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A reclaimed modernist designer garden planter. Resembling stylised trees, with the legs as trunks and canopy forming the bowl, this unusual item would certainly make a statement piec...
Category
Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Clay, Fiberglass
Midcentury Woodard Sculptura Settee
Located in Bloomfield Hills, MI
For over 150 years, Woodard has manufactured some of the most distinctive and popular outdoor furniture in the world. Woodard is a Classic U.S. company based in Owosso, Michigan, tha...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
One-Door Handle by Erwin Burger, Laboratorio Erwin Burger, Italy, 1960
Located in New York, NY
Verre églomisé́ (reverse-painted glass) door handles, decorated with a gilt flower design on a sienna-gold ground, set with two screws.
OUR REFERENCE N9408
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Art Glass
Pair of Ming Wooden Planters with Brass Hardware
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair of Ming planters with brass hardware. Planters are in good vintage condition with visible wear from age and use.
Dimensions:
24"sq x 18"t.
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements
Pair of Vtg Red Distress Painted Fiberglass Round Garden Planter Pots Faux Stone
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Red Distressed Painted Fiberglass Round Garden Planter Pots Faux Stone - a Pair. Item features faux terracotta stone form, woven and cast ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Fiberglass
Chrome Andirons
Located in Bridgehampton, NY
Chrome andirons.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Chrome, Iron
Vintage Set of Fireplace Wall Hanging Tools
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage set of fireplace wall hanging tools. Attributed to Arthur Umanoff. In the manner of Jens Quistgaard and Paul McCobb.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
Pair of Large Cast Iron Arts and Crafts Andirons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of oversized cast iron andirons. This large pair of andirons feature a patinated Arts & Crafts style front design with a curved detailing seen at both the front and back of the ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
Modernist French Brass Andirons and Fire Tools by Jean Paul Creations
Located in Atlanta, GA
Modernist French Andirons and fire tools, by Jean Paul Creations, France, circa 1970s. They are priced at $1500 each or $2500 for both. They retain their warm original patina. The fi...
Category
1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Brass, Iron, Metal
Marble Sculptural Chimney
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Marble sculptural chimney by the French artist Jean Frederic Bourdier.
Unique handmade crafted piece signed by the artist.
Estremoz marble.
Category
2010s French Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Marble
Pair of Lacquered Wooden Wall Ornaments from the Beginning of 20th Century
Located in Prato, IT
Pair of lacquered wooden wall ornaments from the beginning of 20th century.
Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wood
Vintage Modern Garden End Tables
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Sturdy pair of Mid-Century Modern stacking end tables. These wrought iron side tables work perfectly on a patio, pool deck, or balcony.
Please confirm it...
Category
1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Metal
Pair of Post-War Brass Cylinder Andirons
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of French Post-War Design brass andirons with a center tall cylinder surrounded by 2 smaller cylinders. (PRICED AS Pair)
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Brass
Large Wicker Coffee Table
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Beautiful diamond wove coffee table with glass top. Great for indoor and outdoor use.
(Please confirm item location - NY or NJ - with dealer).
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wicker, Glass
Mid-Century Modern Italian Vintage Souvenir Silk Scarf Throw Pillow, 1970s
Located in Prato, IT
Mid-Century Modern Italian vintage souvenir silk scarf throw pillow with cashmere reverse.
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wool, Silk
Pair of Wrought Iron Dachshund Andirons
Located in Brussels, BE
Pair of wrought iron dachshund andirons.
Category
Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
Andirons by Donald Deskey for Bennett, 1950s
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A pair of sculptural patinated bronze andirons having simple diagonally cropped tapered blades projecting vertically from footed cast iron bases.
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Bronze, Iron
Log Holder in Bamboo, circa 1960
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Log holder in bamboo circa 1960.
Category
1960s European Vintage Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Bamboo
Fun Plant Shelf in Painted Wood circa 1950
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Fun plant shelf in painted wood circa 1950.
Category
1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wood
Midcentury Outdoor/Patio Side Chair with Scrolling Pattern, Set of Four
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Set of four outdoor patio chairs with scrolling pattern and mesh steel seats.
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Metal, Steel
Fire Guard by Donald Deskey for Bennett
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A sculptural fire guard in iron and brass having a flaring tapered form, floating on two angled legs.
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron, Brass
Two Modernist Lacquered Metal Planters , circa 1950
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Two modernist lacquered metal planters , circa 1950
Category
1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Metal
1940s Mid Century Italian Capital for Column
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Italian stone capital for column 1940s.
Category
1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Stone
"Chester" Pedestal Sink Made of Marble
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
The Chester pedestal made of marble is fully customizable.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Marble
Large Carved Stone Clam Shell Sculpture
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
This large 20th century stone clam shell sculpture is a simply spectacular object. Circa 1920, it is by the Dudley, UK artist, John Vernon, and was possibly a commissioned piece for a city park. It depicts the distinct form of an ocean clam shell, possibly a gapers clam indicated by its wide proportions and curved horizontal scallops, deeply carved into grey blue sandstone...
Category
Early 20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Stone, Sandstone
Bamboo Plant Holder circa 1970
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Bamboo plant holder circa 1970.
Category
1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Bamboo
Architectural Pottery Medium Black Tulip Planter
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautiful black glaze tulip planter by Architectural Pottery. This AP-3203 planter has a drum shape with a rounded lip that curves in at the top of the piece. Architectural Pottery...
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Stoneware
19th Century, Vintage Columns, Wood Structure with Baroque Decorations
Located in Milan, IT
Vintage columns, dating back to the end of the 19th century, Italian manufacture. The columns have a black stained wood structure with baroque decorati...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wood
Pair of Paul Laszlo Patio Armchairs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A pair of rare patio dining armchairs by Paul Laszlo for Pacific Iron Products, circa 1950s. The chairs feature a black iron frame with newly upholstered se...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wrought Iron
Four Wooden Supports for Wall Lamps
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Four wooden supports for wall lamps, carved wooden architectural elements.
Model 1 - H: 5 cm, W: 44 cm, D: 15 cm
Model 2 - H: 9 cm, W: ...
Category
20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wood
Mid-Century Modern Lucite Large-scale Handle Set of 3, Clear Acrylic, 12”, USA.
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-Century Modern Lucite Large-scale Handle Set of 3, Clear Acrylic, 12”, USA. Lovely thick sculptural pieces. 1” diameter. Gorgeous gentle curved form. Approx 12” Center to cente...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Lucite
Mid-Century Modern Lucite Large-scale Handle Set of 3, Clear Acrylic, 10”, USA.
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-Century Modern Lucite Large-scale Handle Set of 3, Clear Acrylic, 10”, USA. Lovely thick sculptural pieces. 1” diameter. Gorgeous gentle curved form. Approximately 10” center to...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Lucite
Italian Futurist Planter by La Casa dell'Arte
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A planter with bold polychromed decoration and three stepped levels, each separate and sealed from the one below.
Category
1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Ceramic
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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