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.
Find International Style furniture on 1stDibs.
$20,006 / item
Daybed in Pilat by Laura Gonzalez
Located in Paris, FR
Made in France with an oak structure and topped with high-density foam and a feather topper, this fully upholstered daybed is covered in a textured woven jacquard fabric (LG.FB-32) c...
Fabric, Oak
Sixteen Foot Mies van der Rohe Barcelona Daybed from the IBM Building
Located in Highland, IN
Here is an extraordinarily rare piece with fantastic provenance– this oversize version of Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona daybed is 16 feet in length and custom fabricated of fiberglass and steel. You would not know that it is fiberglass without touching it. The level of detail and realism is stunning. It’s like an artwork using the principal of transference of material– when an object appears to be made of one expected material, but is really crafted of something totally different, often incongruent with one's expectations. The reason fiberglass was used to make this daybed is that it was created for use in the lobby of Mies van der Rohe’s IBM building at 330 N. Wabash in Chicago. Mies often specified that the public spaces in the buildings he designed be furnished with tables and seating also of his design. In the 1990s the owner of the IBM building hired Chicago designer Judy Niedermaier to decorate the public spaces. Having seen ordinary Barcelona chairs and sofas suffer the abuse of high-traffic spaces see with hundreds of people using them on a daily basis, she opted to something different that would hold up under extreme wear. Interestingly, this was not the first time Niedermaier employed fiberglass in her design work, nor would it be her last. Her firm had used fiberglass for store displays, pots and mannequins in some of their prop and merchandise display work, and then in the early 2000s with the famous downtown Chicago outdoor art projects “Cows on Parade” and “Suite Home Chicago” (fiberglass outdoor furniture...
Steel
$13,500
H 17.5 in W 78 in D 39 in
Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe, Vintage Barcelona Daybed Knoll 1975 Black Leather
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Vintage Barcelona Daybed by Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe in warm patinated classic black leather, all original with original label (KNOLL November 1975) The Barcelona Chair by Ludwig ...
Metal
Knoll Barcelona Stools by Mies Van Der Rohe
By Knoll, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Located in Atlanta, GA
Iconic Pair of Barcelona stools or ottomans, designed by Mies van der Rohe for Knoll, American, circa 2000s. Retains Knoll tag underneath. They have been cleaned and a leather condit...
Metal
$6,750
H 16 in W 79 in D 39 in
1970s Barcelona daybed In The Style of Ludwig Mies Van der Rohe for Knoll
By Knoll
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
On offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning and iconic Barcelona daybed. Not signed but in the Style of Ludwig Mies Van der Rohe for Knoll. Very high quality. Black leather...
Chrome
$750
H 16.5 in W 23.5 in D 21.5 in
Mid-Century Barcelona Foot Stool White Leather & Chrome style Mies Van der Rohe
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, mid-century modern Barcelona ottoman stool in white leather and chrome designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. Unmarked. Dimensions: 16.5" H x 21.5" D x 23.5" ...
Chrome
$12,000 / set
H 17.5 in W 78 in D 39 in
Vintage circa 1985 Mies Van Der Rohe Barcelona Daybed with Zebra Rug
By Knoll, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Located in SAINT LOUIS, MO
We collected this cult-favorite, vintage Mies Van Der Rohe daybed at auction. The stainless steel legs, walnut base, and black leather upholstery are all in excellent condition. See ...
Leather, Zebra Hide
Pair of Knoll Barcelona Chairs by Mies Van Der Rohe
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Knoll
Located in San Mateo, CA
Pair of Barcelona chairs manufactured by Knoll. These have a polished stainless steel frame with tan or saddle colored leather. These were purchased in the 1970's. The chair frames s...
Stainless Steel
$23,327
H 16.93 in W 78.75 in D 35.44 in
Midcentury Modern Barcelona Daybed by Mies Van Der Rohe, Vintage Camel Leather
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Lilly Reich, Knoll
Located in Antwerp, BE
A beautiful, authentic original daybed for a designer collection. The daybed is in good vintage condition. Several pieces of leather in the patchwork were replaced in the 1980s. The ...
Metal, Chrome
$8,500Sale Price|22% Off
H 33.75 in W 26 in D 70.5 in
Oxblood Leather MR Adjustable Chaise Lounge by Mies van der Rohe for Knoll Intl
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Knoll
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautifully preserved example of the iconic MR Chaise Lounge, originally designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe in 1927 and later produced by Knoll International. This particular piece is best attributed to Knoll’s mid to late 1980s to 1990s production, distinguished by its seamless heavy-gauge tubular steel frame with a continuous bend, stitched (as opposed to riveted) saddle leather support straps, exposed button-head cushion straps, and its original deep oxblood / burgundy leather upholstery. Unlike earlier two-position examples from the 1970s, this model features Knoll’s three-position reclining system, a refinement introduced in the late 20th century to enhance comfort and usability. The original leather cushion presents beautifully, with a rich, even patina consistent with careful use in a well-maintained environment. As expected of Knoll International’s production in the 1980s and 1990s, the leather is of exceptional quality, supple yet robust, complemented by thick matching saddle-leather straps with stitched detailing that reinforce the chaise’s luxurious character. The polished tubular steel retains its bright luster with only minimal signs of age, while the upholstery remains supple, surface-rich, and clearly consistent with Knoll’s late-20th-century construction methods. Highly versatile, this MR Adjustable Chaise...
Chrome
$10,320 / item
+ 7 moreH 11.75 in W 76.38 in D 33 in
Daybed in Walnut and Leather Designed by Craig Bassam
Located in Ridgefield, CT
For many who’ve encountered it or been lucky enough to recline upon it, the BassamFellows Daybed is more than a piece of furniture - it’s an obsession. While a sofa is made to accomm...
Leather, Wood
Contemporary Italian Daybed in Boucle
Located in London, London
Daybed Beech frame Pillow seat in boucle Italy Contemporary.
Bouclé, Beech
Ludwig mies Van Der Rohe Barcelona Chairs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A fine original Pair of Mies Van Der Rohe Barcelona Chairs Original Full Grain Leather Seats and Straps Clean Polished Steel Frame Or...
Leather
Ludwig mies Van Der Rohe Daybed For Knoll
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe Daybed Manufactured By Knoll 1970s Production Walnut frame Beautiful Black Leather Cloth Manufacturers label
Leather
Mies van der Rohe Barcelona Couch Daybed
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Knoll
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Barcelona Couch, designed by Mies van der Rohe and manufactured by Knoll. An iconic modernist design, issued in the 1970s in a chic tan leather. Tufted...
Steel
Sold
H 38 in W 63 in D 31 in
Handwoven Malawi Cane Chaise Lounge in Classic Weave with White Linen Cushion
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This chaise ever so artfully combines handwoven cane, luxuriously curved arms and a backrest with a plush linen and down-filled cushion, bringing long-lasting comfort to nearly any i...
Wood, Linen, Cane, Rattan
Sold
H 16.5 in W 193.5 in D 37.5 in
Sixteen Foot Mies van der Rohe Barcelona Daybed from the IBM Building
Located in Highland, IN
Here is an extraordinarily rare piece with fantastic provenance– this oversize version of Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona daybed is 16 feet in length and custom fabricated of fiberglass and steel. You would not know that it is fiberglass without touching it. The level of detail and realism is stunning. It’s like an artwork using the principal of transference of material– when an object appears to be made of one expected material, but is really crafted of something totally different, often incongruent with one's expectations. The reason fiberglass was used to make this daybed is that it was created for use in the lobby of Mies van der Rohe’s IBM building at 330 N. Wabash in Chicago. Mies often specified that the public spaces in the buildings he designed be furnished with tables and seating also of his design. In the 1990s the owner of the IBM building hired Chicago designer Judy Niedermaier to decorate the public spaces. Having seen ordinary Barcelona chairs and sofas suffer the abuse of high-traffic spaces see with hundreds of people using them on a daily basis, she opted to something different that would hold up under extreme wear. Interestingly, this was not the first time Niedermaier employed fiberglass in her design work, nor would it be her last. Her firm had used fiberglass for store displays, pots and mannequins in some of their prop and merchandise display work, and then in the early 2000s with the famous downtown Chicago outdoor art projects “Cows on Parade” and “Suite Home Chicago” (fiberglass outdoor furniture...
Steel
Bentwood and Webbing Midcentury Scandinavian Chaise Longue
Located in Highclere, Newbury
Midcentury Scandinavian bentwood and webbing chaise longue. I’ve never seen another one like it, this mystery chaise loungehails from Scandinavia and has been expertly crafted in ...
Metal
19th Century Guatemalan Day Bed
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th century Guatemalan day bed in cedro wood. Fits a twin mattress snugly. Sturdy and functional with good symmetry. Nice patina.
Wood