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Mid-Century Modern Settees

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

CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW

ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS

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
1960s Wingback Sofa
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
Only active in the 1950s and 1960s, the Dutch furniture company Bovenkamp left its mark with its furniture's solid, hardwood construction and clean, sculptural lines, clearly influen...
Category

20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Settees

Materials

Wood

Elegant Duresta Three Seater Waldorf Sofa in Gold Checkered Fabric
Located in Pulborough, GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this elegant duresta sofa retailed by harrods three seater sofa in a goldish checkered fabric. Duresta is very w...
Category

20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Settees

Materials

Fabric

French Modernist Iron / Leather Two-Seat Sling Seating, After Jacques Adnet
Located in Buffalo, NY
Stunning French modernist iron / leather two-seat sling garden seating with center table. Stunning design, sculpture, reminiscent of amazing designs by Jacques Adnet. Light moss gree...
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Settees

Materials

Iron

French Modern Craftsman Hand Carved Wood Alpine Bench in an Organic Form, 1930
Located in New York, NY
A Unique, French Mid-Century Modern Craftsman Hand Carved bench or settee from the French Alpine region reflecting the balance of rustic and modern sensibilities with its cool, organic form. The bench or settee is comfortable and can seat one or two. Additional References: Black Forest, Adirondack...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Settees

Materials

Hardwood

Modernist Thonet Carved and Bentwood Sofa
Located in Dallas, TX
Stunning bentwood three-seat sofa manufactured by Thonet, circa 1950s. Features a super stylish organic curved line bentwood arm frame, brass accent details on the back and upholster...
Category

1950s Unknown Vintage Mid-Century Modern Settees

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

DOOQ Mid-Century Modern Off-white Bouclé Malibu Sofa, Soft Cotton Velvet, w=240
By DOOQ
Located in Lisbon, PT
 Like a warm embrace, Malibu Sofa welcomes you to stay within and relax. An elevated homage to the golden age of midcentury design and organic architecture, it radiates through its u...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Settees

Materials

Bouclé, Velvet

French Beechwood 3-Piece Living Room Set
By Rene Melin
Located in Queens, NY
Set of 3 French 1950s beechwood living room / salon set with contoured ribbed upholstery & spring supports (att: RENE MELIN-model #FS123) SETTEE: 51
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Settees

Materials

Beech, Upholstery

Guillerme et Chambron, Banquette Grand Repos, Two-Seater Settee, Circa 1960
Located in New York, NY
Robert Guillerme studied design and architecture at the École Boule, graduating in 1934. After the Second World War he moved to Lille, in the north of France, where he decorated home...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Settees

Materials

Upholstery, Oak

Dust Sofa 3-Seater
Located in Lisbon, PT
Dust sofa is a tribute to comfort and discreet elegance. With a comfy structure and available in many color and texture options, Dust makes a strong impressi...
Category

2010s Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Settees

Materials

Velvet, Wood

Dust Sofa 3-Seater
Dust Sofa 3-Seater
$3,843 / item
Cherry Wood Sofa and Padded Blue Velvet attributed to Nino Zoncada
Located in London, GB
Italian sofa by Nino Zoncada, c.1950s, made from cherry wood and upholstered in padded blue velvet. Dimension: H90 x W114 x D50 cm.
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Settees

Materials

Cherry, Wood

Selrite Three-Seat Settee with Red Wool Upholstery Rare and Fantastic
Located in Buchanan, MI
Rare and fantastic selrite three-seat settee with red wool upholstery. Also have nine dining armchairs out of the same estate. Would look great in kitchen or dining room
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Settees

Materials

Iron

Mid-Century Modernism Vintage Milo Baughman Style Brown Fabric Two Seat Settee
Located in Secaucus, NJ
A fabulous 1970s Milo Baughman style Two-Seat Settee upholstered in the original light Brown fabric on Chrome base. Features a slim angular silhouette with four loose seat and back ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Settees

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Jonathan DePas, Donato D'urbino, Paolo Lomazzi, Ligne Roset Sofa/Settee, 1970
Located in Chicago, IL
Jonathan DePas, Donato D'urbino, Paolo Lomazzi, Ligne Roset Sofa/Settee, 1970. Original Charcoal gray leather. Measures 29" tall, 39" deep, 61" long, set height 16.5"
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Settees

Materials

Leather

Mid-century Modern settees for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern settees 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 settees created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, building and garden elements and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with fabric, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Mid-Century Modern settees made in a specific country, there are Europe, North America, and Italy pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original settees, popular names associated with this style include DOOQ, Mambo Unlimited Ideas, Guillerme et Chambron, and ISA Bergamo. 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 settees differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $495 and tops out at $66,813 while the average work can sell for $5,198.

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