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International Style Home Accents

INTERNATIONAL STYLE

The International Style, a modernist movement within architecture and furniture design that was given its name by American architect Philip Johnson and historian Henry-Russell Hitchcock, was born during the 1920s and ’30s. It gained steam initially in Europe and then in the United States as a response to the first World War. Building projects associated with the movement, as well as vintage International Style chairs, tables and other furnishings, are minimal and pared back. 

Pioneers of the International Style — architect Walter Gropius and his Bauhaus colleagues Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Marcel Breuer, De Stijl advocate and Dutch architect J.J.P. Oud and visionary designer Le Corbusier — stripped away decorative elements and placed considerable value on functionality and clean lines, integrating the use of industrial materials like steel, concrete and large sheets of glass in their work. Quite aptly, this mode of design and architectural style coincided with an era now known as the Machine Age and became a global symbol of modernism. The primary motive of its practitioners was to address the changing needs of a rapidly industrializing society, especially the demand for office complexes and apartments in large cities, through economical, technologically advanced, yet aesthetically pleasing designs for furniture and buildings. 

“Space and light and order. Those are the things that men need just as much as they need bread or a place to sleep,” said Le Corbusier of the philosophy behind his practical modernist architecture

The International Style’s designers and architects were inspired by the advantages afforded them by the era’s new technology and industrial machinery as well as state-of-the-art materials. Le Corbusier was fond of framing his buildings in steel but reinforced concrete made far more economic sense. He is probably most admired for the iconic private homes and commercial buildings that he designed or codesigned with his cousin Pierre Jeanneret, which are spread across the world, from New York City to Paris to Chandigarh, India. Today, Breuer’s Wassily Lounge chair; the elegant LC series created by Le Corbusier, Jeanneret and Charlotte Perriand; and Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona chair, crafted with his romantic partner, designer Lilly Reich, are emblems of progressive modernist design and all make prominent use of tubular steel. Vintage originals are the prized cornerstone of collections.

“The International Style is probably the first fundamentally original and widely distributed style since the Gothic,” posited Johnson in the book that accompanied “Modern Architecture: International Exhibition,” an architectural show he cocurated with Hitchcock that featured the work of Frank Lloyd Wright, Le Corbusier, Richard Neutra and others. While the term “International Style” had previously been circulating in Europe, when the show opened at the Museum of Modern Art in 1932, it yielded a much broader application of this important style of design. 

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Style: International Style
Louis Vuitton Monogram Toiletry Bag Pochette Pouch 15
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Monogram LV Toiletry Pochette Pouch 15 Date Code 881 TH, France Authentic LOUIS VUITTON LV Monogram Toiletry Pouch 15. This cosmetic/ lipstick pouch or sm...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French International Style Home Accents

Materials

Brass

A fine pair of miniature globes on stands
By Karl Muller
Located in ZWIJNDRECHT, NL
A rare pair of miniature terrestrial and celestial globes. by K. Müller, 1822 Karlsruhe, Germany Diameter globes: 7 cm. Total high: 14,5 cm. Each with 12 hand-coloured engraved p...
Category

Early 19th Century German Antique International Style Home Accents

Materials

Hardwood, Paper

Antique Tsarist Russian Ladies Silver & Yellow Gold Clutch Purse or Evening Case
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique ladies clutch purse or evening case is unsigned, but presumed to have originated from Tsarist Russia and date to approximately 1900 and done...
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown International Style Home Accents

Materials

Gold, Silver

Natural Rose Quartz Bookends, a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Rose quartz is known as the "Stone of Love" It symbolizes self-acceptance, compassion, and forgiveness. This pair of natural Rose Quartz bookends are polished flat on three sides....
Category

1980s Unknown Vintage International Style Home Accents

Materials

Rose Quartz

SET Suitcase and Beauty Case with Kilim and Leather, Vuitton Model
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
Anatolian Old Cicim manufactured suit-case and beauty-case, with Italian fine red Bordeaux leather . They are not recommended by plane, but elegant on Your car. If you don't use as...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage International Style Home Accents

Materials

Leather

SET Suitcase and Beauty Case with Kilim, Vuitton Model
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
Anatolian Old Cicim manufactured suit-case and beauty-case, with Italian red Bordeaux fine leather - I suggest to place on a shelf or cupboard - ref. 01/02 -     
Category

1980s Italian Vintage International Style Home Accents

Materials

Leather

Black and Brown Indonesia Petrified Wood
Located in Roma, IT
This piece of peerless beauty is a perfect example with proportions and appear that make any interior unique. The predominant color is a gradation of black with white veins. The natural wood base was specially made to hold the mineral. Not only does it ensure stability and protection, it adds an extra...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Indonesian Antique International Style Home Accents

Materials

Petrified Wood

Large Summer Painting Signed and Dated or Sliding Door
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
Antique particular large painting "Summer" like an open window on a garden - There is also another one "Autumn" - Signed and dated 1894 - May be used also as a sliding door between t...
Category

1890s French Antique International Style Home Accents

Materials

Canvas

Large French Autumn Painting Dated and Signed or Sliding Door
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
Particular proposal of a large painting "Autumn": like an open window on a forest. There is also another one like "Spring- Summer". Dated 1894 - Signed G. Marion - May be used also a...
Category

1890s French Antique International Style Home Accents

Materials

Canvas

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Vintage Petrified Wood Square Red Bookends, a Pair
Located in Farmington Hills, MI
We are very pleased to offer a unique pair of heavy-weight, petrified wood bookends, circa the 1960s. Petrified wood is the name given to wood that has been turned into stone (fossil...
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1960s Vintage International Style Home Accents

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20th Century Louis Vuitton Steamer Bag In Monogram Canvas, Made In France
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
A lovely Louis Vuitton steamer travel bag in monogram canvas and natural tan leather, made in France in the latter quarter of the 20th century. Steamer bags have been produced by Lou...
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1980s French Vintage International Style Home Accents

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Vintage Louis Vuitton Suitcase, Monogrammed Coated Canvas, Small-Sized
Located in San Francisco, CA
Vintage classic Louis Vuitton soft side suitcase with leather trims, zipper closure and wheels for easy transport. Open interior for you to pack as you like. Small-sized.
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Late 20th Century French International Style Home Accents

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Louis Vuitton Suitcase Trunk with Key
Located in North Bergen, NJ
French, 20th century. A Louis Vuitton suitcase with a monogram canvas exterior, leather and brass-bound (all rivets and hardware are marked), opens to fitted interior with removable ...
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Early 20th Century International Style Home Accents

Louis Vuitton Suitcase Trunk with Key
Louis Vuitton Suitcase Trunk with Key
H 9 in W 21.75 in D 14 in
Pair Brass Sailboat Bookends
Located in New York, NY
Brass Sailboat bookends. Nice detail in casting, heavy weight with substantial feel. Holds a shelves worth of books. Good condition, some slight patina. Thin pad on bottom to protect...
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20th Century Korean International Style Home Accents

Materials

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Pair Brass Sailboat Bookends
Pair Brass Sailboat Bookends
H 5 in W 3.5 in D 3 in
Pair of Midcentury Marble Horse Head Bookends
Located in San Diego, CA
Stylish pair of midcentury marble horse head bookends, circa 1970s. The bookends are heavy and well crafted, they are honey cream in color w...
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Mid-20th Century Greek International Style Home Accents

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20th Century Louis Vuitton Steamer Bag In Monogram Canvas, Made In France
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
A 20th Century Louis Vuitton steamer travel bag, crafted from monogram canvas and natural tan leather, serves as a quintessential representation of the brand's unwavering commitment to a design seamlessly harmonising style and utility. Inspired by the practical proportions of mailbags from the Americas, these bags effortlessly combine chic aesthetics with practical functionality—whether hung on a cabin door, displayed on a deck, or utilised for a spontaneous weekend getaway. The monogram canvas, adorned with iconic LV initials and floral motifs, stands out not only for its recognisability but also for its exceptional durability. Teamed with natural tan leather, this pairing gracefully matures, developing a lavish patina over time that enhances the bag's inherent character. The enduring design underscores Louis Vuitton's timeless allure, elevating these pieces to coveted collector's items that encapsulate the brand's storied history and commitment to impeccable craftsmanship. A brief history about Louis Vuitton trunks: Louis Vuitton was born in 1821 to a farmer and milliner and came from a long-established working-class family in eastern France. Vuitton grew up understanding the effects of perseverance and a strong work ethic from watching his family. At the age of 16, he made the decision to walk 292 miles from his hometown to Paris to try and make a new life for himself. When he arrived the city was in the midst of industrialisation with current modes of transportation evolving quickly allowing for longer journeys. With this came the need for sturdy travel pieces. Vuitton was taken as an apprentice for a successful box maker and packer named Monsieur Marechal. He learned to craft durable containers and how to pack them properly – a well-respected profession at the time.In 1854, years after he had mastered his craft and became well respected for it, Vuitton ventured out on his own to open a shop on Rue Neuve des Capucines. It was here that he began to establish himself as a luggage maker. Then, in 1858, Vuitton designed the first Louis Vuitton steamer trunk. At the time trunks had rounded tops to allow for water to run off but this did not allow for convenient stowage. Vuitton introduced a flat, yet waterproof, trunk that was easily stackable. The first of his trunks were outfitted with a grey canvas referred to as Trianon – it wouldn’t be until several decades later that the signature monogram would be introduced. With a burgeoning business, Vuitton moved his family and workplace to Asniere, where he employed twenty workers to craft his trunks. By 1900 he would have 100 employees, and in 1914 the company would more than double in size. After years of success, Vuitton began to experiment with the design of his luggage by introducing a new striped canvas pattern (1876) and later the still well-known Damier print (1888). The hand-painted patterns were developed to prevent counterfeits. Even in the late 1800s, Louis Vuitton was enough of a status symbol to warrant counterfeiting. In 1886, his son George invented and patented an ingenious locking system that made it impossible to pick the lock of their trunks. This lock is still used today. 1892 would prove to be a time of mourning for the family as Louis Vuitton passed...
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20th Century French International Style Home Accents

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Traveling Jewelry Case in Shagreen Brass w/Leather Handles by R&Y Augousti
Located in New York, NY
As an ode to vintage steamer trunks, R&Y Augousti revisits this old-world piece in a modern context by recreating their own version inlaid in th...
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21st Century and Contemporary French International Style Home Accents

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Drew & Sons London, Victorian Fine Crocodile Vanity Case with Silver Accessories
Located in Torquay, GB
A late Victorian fine crocodile skin travel luggage by Drew & Sons London, circa 1890s. In dark green colour with brassed lock and catches. Opening up to reveal matching green lined interior in watered silk, with side pockets for various hallmarked silver cut glass jars, leather bound accessories and other articles nécessaires. Accompanying accessories includes 5 cut glass jars of various sizes with hallmarked silver lids, 1 set of mini hair curling tongs with butane burner stove and a lighter box, 1 ink box with accompanying quilted pens, Mother of pearl trimmed manicure set...
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Late 19th Century English Antique International Style Home Accents

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Silver

A Rotating World Globe On Metal Stand For Desk or Study
Located in High Wycombe, GB
A Rotating World Globe on A Metal Base. Ideal for any Desk or Study.
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20th Century British International Style Home Accents

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Chrome

1920's Louis Vuitton Trunk in Monogram, Louis Vuitton Steamer Trunk
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
This superb Louis Vuitton steamer trunk features stenciled monogram canvas, deep chocolate color leather trim, LV stamped solid brass locks and studs as well as solid brass side hand...
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1920s French Vintage International Style Home Accents

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20th Century Louis Vuitton Garment Bag Classic Monogram Canvas 80s
Located in Turin, Turin
The Garment Cover by Louis Vuitton from the 80s is fashioned from Monogram canvas with a well-designed construction to insure a comfortable carry, even wit...
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1980s French Vintage International Style Home Accents

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Previously Available Items
Aux Etats Unis Steamer or Hat Trunk
Located in Bradenton, FL
A very rare vintage steamer or hat trunk by Aux Etats Unis Paris. In the same style and period as Louis Vuitton, this steamer trunk too was made in Fran...
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Early 20th Century French International Style Home Accents

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Leather

Aux Etats Unis Steamer or Hat Trunk
Aux Etats Unis Steamer or Hat Trunk
H 13.5 in W 22 in D 13.5 in
Vintage Mulberry Scotch-grain Attache Case, Briefcase or Small Suitcase
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Vintage mulberry Scotch-grain attach case, briefcase or small suitcase A wonderful vintage piece from the Scotch-grain collection by Mulberry, case i...
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Late 20th Century International Style Home Accents

Midcentury Italian Majolica Faïence Ear of Corn in a Basket Topiary Pyramid
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An unusual midcentury Italian, Majolica glazed ceramic Topiary, showing pendular ears of corn and husks in a pyramid form, set on a white woven basket....
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Mid-20th Century Italian International Style Home Accents

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Earthenware

Zuber Niagara Falls Panels "Views of North America" Zuber & Cie. Rixhem, France
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
Niagara Falls from "Views of North America" Produced by Zuber & Cie. Rixhem, Alsace, France, originally designed in 1834, After Jean-Julien Deltil (1791-1863). Mounted...
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Early 20th Century French International Style Home Accents

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Canvas, Wood, Paper

Louis Vuitton Wardrobe Trunk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare Louis Vuitton wardrobe trunk with all original hardware, monogrammed coat hangers, and leather handle.
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1930s French Vintage International Style Home Accents

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Leather

Louis Vuitton Wardrobe Trunk
Louis Vuitton Wardrobe Trunk
H 45 in W 21.65 in D 21.65 in
Louis Vuitton Vintage LV Monogram Excursion Travel Shoe Bag w/ Padlock & Dustbag
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A vintage, iconic LV monogram Louis Vuitton Excursion travel shoe bag along with the original padlock, two keys and the duster storage bag. Gold-tone brass hardware, including the zi...
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Late 20th Century French International Style Home Accents

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Leather, Canvas

Impressive Pair of Rock Crystal Obelisks Lamps by Superego
Located in Paris, Ile-de-France
An impressive pair of rock crystal obelisks, mounted as table lamps on polished brass bases. Designed and produced by Superego Design Studio, signed. Each block weights approximate...
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21st Century and Contemporary Italian International Style Home Accents

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Rock Crystal, Brass

Rare Goyard Monogram Suitcase, circa 1900
Located in Redding, CT
Goyard, established in 1792, is the oldest Parisian trunk maker still in business. This rare piece has the classic monogrammed exterior and boasts large solid brass hardware signed G...
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Early 20th Century French International Style Home Accents

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Brass

International Style home accents for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique International Style home accents for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Late 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage home accents created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include more furniture and collectibles, decorative objects, wall decorations and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with animal skin, canvas and other materials. If you’re shopping for used International Style home accents made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Italy pieces for sale on 1stDibs. 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 home accents differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $300 and tops out at $8,708 while the average work can sell for $2,136.

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