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Modern Armchairs

MODERN STYLE

The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw sweeping social change and major scientific advances — both of which contributed to a new aesthetic: modernism. Rejecting the rigidity of Victorian artistic conventions, modernists sought a new means of expression. References to the natural world and ornate classical embellishments gave way to the sleek simplicity of the Machine Age. Architect Philip Johnson characterized the hallmarks of modernism as “machine-like simplicity, smoothness or surface [and] avoidance of ornament.”

Early practitioners of modernist design include the De Stijl (“The Style”) group, founded in the Netherlands in 1917, and the Bauhaus School, founded two years later in Germany.

Followers of both groups produced sleek, spare designs — many of which became icons of daily life in the 20th century. The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics. While Bauhaus principals Marcel Breuer and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe created furniture from mass-produced, chrome-plated steel, American visionaries like Charles and Ray Eames worked in materials as novel as molded plywood and fiberglass. Today, Breuer’s Wassily chair, Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona chaircrafted with his romantic partner, designer Lilly Reich — and the Eames lounge chair are emblems of progressive design and vintage originals are prized cornerstones of collections.

It’s difficult to overstate the influence that modernism continues to wield over designers and architects — and equally difficult to overstate how revolutionary it was when it first appeared a century ago. But because modernist furniture designs are so simple, they can blend in seamlessly with just about any type of décor. Don’t overlook them.

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Style: Modern
Creator: Ludovica + Roberto Palomba
Kartell Hiray Armchair by Ludovica + Roberto Palomba
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Hiray takes metal, one of the most important materials for the greening of the Kartell catalogue, and uses the welded wire process to shape it. The result is an essential and functional product that is nevertheless rich in emotion. Metal wires form well-defined yet lightweight structural parts of the collection’s chair...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Metal

Ludovica and Roberto Palomba Driade "Sissi" Armchair in Glass Fiber, 2017
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The new armchair designed by Ludovica and Roberto Palomba and manufactured by Driade– Sissi - is a sculptural, very versatile, self-centred and contemporary piece. Sissi is made in p...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Fiberglass

"Plie'" White or Light Grey Armchair Designed by L. and R. Palomba for Driade
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Plie'" is a white or light grey polyethylene monobloc iconic armchair, designed by Ludovica e Roberto Palomba and manufactured by Driade. White version only is available in quick ship. Indoor and outdoor use. DIMENSIONS: D. 30.3", W. 35.4", H. 48.4", Seat H. 17.7" An outdoor sofa designed for the old and very noble art of conversation. Everyone can find his own ideal depth of seating position and posture on this sofa: more composed or more gently relaxed, depending on mood or circumstances of the day. Ludovica e Roberto Palomba wanted Grand Plié...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Plastic

Ludovica+Roberto Palomba Driade "Lirica" Armchair in Wood, 2017
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Designed by Ludovica+Roberto Palomba and manufactured by Driade, the "Lirica" armchair has a wooden structure with elastic belting and padding in polyurethane foams with different d...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Aluminum

Ludovica+Roberto Palomba Driade "Mody" Armchair in Wood and Foam Padding, 2017
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The "Mody" armchair is designed by Ludovica +Roberto Palomba and manufactured by Driade. The Mody armchair is made from a wooden structure with elastic belting and padding in polyure...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Armchairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

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Shapely and utterly comfortable, the distinctive Roly Poly Armchair by Driade is a well rounded lounge chair with a graceful, bowl-like seat up top and four solid legs beneath. It's a statement chair that's considered a classic of contemporary design, and can be found displayed in the permanent collections of many museums worldwide. Designed by Faye Toogood, the Roly Poly collection is the latest line for the Italian design house that's become an instant hit, coveted by both residential and commercial clients alike. The armchair can be augmented with upholstered cushions to create a cozy, scoop-like seat. The collection also features the Roly Poly Sofa...
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Roly Poly Armchair Peat By Driade, Faye Toogood
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Shapely and utterly comfortable, the distinctive Roly Poly Armchair by Driade is a well rounded lounge chair with a graceful, bowl-like seat up top and four solid legs beneath. It's a statement chair that's considered a classic of contemporary design, and can be found displayed in the permanent collections of many museums worldwide. Designed by Faye Toogood, the Roly Poly collection is the latest line for the Italian design house that's become an instant hit, coveted by both residential and commercial clients alike. The armchair can be augmented with upholstered cushions to create a cozy, scoop-like seat. The collection also features the Roly Poly Sofa...
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Roly Poly Armchair Flesh By Driade, Faye Toogood
Roly Poly Armchair Flesh By Driade, Faye Toogood
H 24.81 in W 22.45 in D 33.08 in
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Shapely and utterly comfortable, the distinctive Roly Poly Armchair by Driade is a well rounded lounge chair with a graceful, bowl-like seat up top and four solid legs beneath. It's a statement chair that's considered a classic of contemporary design, and can be found displayed in the permanent collections of many museums worldwide. Designed by Faye Toogood, the Roly Poly collection is the latest line for the Italian design house that's become an instant hit, coveted by both residential and commercial clients alike. The armchair can be augmented with upholstered cushions to create a cozy, scoop-like seat. The collection also features the Roly Poly Sofa...
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Pratfall Armchairs by Philippe Starck for Driade, 1980s, Set of 2
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Postmodern design classic "Pratfall" arm chair designed by Philippe Starck for Driade. 1st Edition made in the early 90s. Both arm chairs are in good condition with normal wear of ...
Category

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Materials

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In Stock Roly Poly Armchair Red Brick By Driade, Faye Toogood
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Shapely and utterly comfortable, the distinctive Roly Poly Armchair by Driade is a well rounded lounge chair with a graceful, bowl-like seat up top and four solid legs beneath. It's a statement chair that's considered a classic of contemporary design, and can be found displayed in the permanent collections of many museums worldwide. Designed by Faye Toogood, the Roly Poly collection is the latest line for the Italian design house that's become an instant hit, coveted by both residential and commercial clients alike. The armchair can be augmented with upholstered cushions to create a cozy, scoop-like seat. The collection also features the Roly Poly Sofa...
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Kartell Max-Beam Modern Acrylic Side Tables by Ludovica + Roberto Palomb, Italy
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Pair of geometric Max-Beam side tables by Ludovica + Roberto Palomba for Kartell. These modern transparent smoked grey acrylic side accent tables are also strong enough to use as sto...
Category

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Patricia Urquiola Small Armchairs Model Flo for Driade, Italy
Located in Milan, Italy
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"Leeon" Velvet Covered Daybed by Ludovica and Roberto Palomba for Driade
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Leeon" is an elegant daybed, designed by Ludovica and Roberto Palomba and manufactured by Driade, featuring a back in flexible cold-cured polyurethane foam working with metal inserts, seat with elastic straps and structure in painted steel and wood, padding in polyurethane foam and painted aluminum legs in black or white colors. Available in a sampler of fabric or leather fixed covers. Indoor use only. DIMENSIONS: D. 68.1", W. 35.4", H. 31.8", Seat H. 16.1" Ludovica and Roberto Palomba propose a collection of upholstered pieces of design recalling some distinctive features of aesthetics coming from the late 80s, such as the die-cast aluminum pointy supports (elegantly painted in this case) and the checkerboard motif of the upholstery. The result is a refined project, complete with different pieces of design such as sofa, daybed, bench and bed, and meant to be used both in private and public spaces. LUDOVICA and ROBERTO PALOMBA, architects, work and live in Milan. They founded Palomba Serafini Associati in 1994. They received many international awards such as Compasso D'Oro, Elle Decoration International Design Award, Red Dot, Design Plus, Good Design Award, German Design Award. Ludovica and Roberto Palomba plan architectures and design exhibitions worldwide. They work and are art director for some of the most established brands such as Antolini, Bisazza, Boffi, Brix, Cappellini, Dornbracht, Driade, Elica, Elmar, Exteta, Fiam, Flaminia, Foscarini, KitchenAid, Kos, Laufen, Lema, Plank, Poltrona Frau, Rapsel, Redaelli, Salviati, Sawaya & Moroni, Samsung, Schiffini, Tubes, Valli&Valli, Viccarbe, When Objects Work...
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Ludovica+Roberto Palomba Driade "Sissi" Chair in Glass Fiber, 2017
Located in Brooklyn, NY
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Materials

Fiberglass

Pair of King Tubby Rattan Armchairs by Platt & Young for Driade, Italy, 1990s
By Platt & Young, Driade
Located in SAINT-OUEN, FR
Mid-Century Modern style pair of King Tubby rattan wicker armchairs or lounge chairs by the designer Platt and Young for the quality and famous italian desi...
Category

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Modern armchairs for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Modern armchairs 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 armchairs created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, building and garden elements, asian art and furniture and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with fabric, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Modern armchairs made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and Portugal pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original armchairs, popular names associated with this style include Finn Juhl, De Sede, Jaime Hayon, and Philippe Starck. 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 armchairs differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $139 and tops out at $497,965 while the average work can sell for $4,833.

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