Modern Ottomans and Poufs
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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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 chair — crafted 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.
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Hickory, Leather
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Sheepskin
21st Century and Contemporary Belgian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Walnut
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Foam
2010s South African Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Linen
Early 2000s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood, Linen
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Stainless Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wood
2010s South African Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass, Steel
2010s Spanish Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s Ukrainian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Textile, Bouclé, Sheepskin, Faux Fur, Ash
2010s Spanish Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Other
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Bronze, Nickel
2010s Spanish Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
Late 20th Century American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin
2010s Ukrainian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Textile, Bouclé, Sheepskin, Wool, Velvet, Faux Fur
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Hide, Upholstery, Wood
2010s Spanish Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Felt
Late 20th Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Hardwood
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wool, Felt
1980s American Vintage Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Animal Skin, Wood
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Faux Fur
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Sheepskin
2010s Philippine Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
2010s Danish Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather, Walnut
1980s Vintage Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
2010s British Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Aluminum
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Faux Fur, Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Yarn
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Fabric, Leather
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Metal, Other
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Yarn
2010s British Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Aluminum
2010s American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
2010s Turkish Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Wrought Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Oak, Walnut
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Textile
20th Century Unknown Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
2010s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Other
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Wood
Late 20th Century American Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood, Paint