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Modern Settees

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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
Color:  Blue
Contemporary Channeled Fleure Sofa in Teal Blue Velvet with Walnut Legs
Located in Trowbridge, Wiltshire
The award winning Fleure Sofa is an eye-catching design which commands an audience. Exuding a contemporary vibe but with traditional style cues, as demonstrated by the exquisite flut...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Settees

Materials

Brass

Rodolfo Dordoni Large Cuba 25 Sofa Upholstered in Fabric or Leather, Cappellini
Located in New York, NY
A tribute to flexibility, Cuba 25 sofa by Rodolfo Dordoni is part of a collection of linear elements with removable covers, that includes two and three-se...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Settees

Materials

Metal

21st Century Belmer Sofa in Velvet by Matteo Cibic
Located in Cantù, Lombardia
"Between sculpture and design, Belmer is a wonder-object suggesting a newly discovered sociality. With its big dimension, it goes against the trend of miniaturization, appearing as a...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Settees

Materials

Metal

Rodolfo Dordoni Small Cuba 25 Sofa Upholstered in Fabric or Leather, Cappellini
Located in New York, NY
A tribute to flexibility, Cuba 25 sofa by Rodolfo Dordoni is part of a collection of linear elements with removable covers, that includes two and three-se...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Settees

Materials

Metal

Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec Basket 011 Three-Seat Sofa in Metal for Cappellini
Located in New York, NY
A casual, relaxed appeal characterizes the Basket 011 sofa, created for Cappellini by the French designer-duo, Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec. The collection, composed of a two and three...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Settees

Materials

Metal

Cappellini Elan Three-Seat Sofa with Fabric or Leather by Jasper Morrison
Located in New York, NY
An unstoppable commercial success, the Elan sofa continues to impress. Designed by Jasper Morrison in 1999, Elan sofas rest upon medium-density conglomerate ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Settees

Materials

Metal

Sofa Round Capitonné, Blue Velvet Fabric, Made in Italy
Located in Treviso, Treviso
VG furniture represent luxury in terms of exclusivity, distinction and high quality. They are the result of sophisticated and exclusive design with a strong identity and are the outc...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Settees

Materials

Fabric, Velvet, Wood

Sofa Venezia EticaLiving, Blue Fabric and Velvet, Made in Italy
Located in Treviso, Treviso
Eticaliving: A philosophy that becomes matter The project Eticaliving, a cobranding between Slow+Fashion+Design and VGnewtrend, was created to meet a market need, increasingly felt and shared. The world of luxury has changed its appearance over the years, moving towards a direction more attentive to the lifestyle than to the status symbols to be exhibited. A natural need for both food, clothing and living, in line with a healthy and ethical style. The Classic shapes of VG and the know-how of Slow+fashion+design have created a line made not so much by products, but by the realization of a philosophy. This is, in fact, Eticaliving: a concept that has become matter, giving life to the Slow Luxury concept. "We create products and uphold values that respect ethics and the environment as a way of life." Luxury today does not follow commercial logic, but is dedicated to the object for a pure passion for creation, for the pleasure of working precious materials using virtuous techniques, to create exclusive objects. VG’s furniture elements have therefore been reinterpreted through the search for sustainable materials and the use of natural fabrics, handcrafted. Eticaliving is identified in blue, gold, its essential lines and its uniqueness. The color Blue is a symbol of tranquility, has the property of generating a sense of relaxation and gives balance to the emotional sphere. Gold is the color of the sun, of purity and opulence, it brings energy and abundance. The dry lines of the furnishings are wrapped in velvet and jeans, the latter made precious by the skilled hands of local artisans who have created textures with an evocative taste, inspired by Mariano Fortuny and the ancient art of shibori. The uniqueness of the fabrics is the uniqueness of Eticaliving: they have been handcrafted and each element has been decorated with a piece. This may be reproduced, but it will never be identical to another, given its manual production. The internal structures, of Venetian processing, are in wood, steel, water foam and kapok. The intention is not to make a pure ecological line, but to create Italian products, worked with professionalism and passion. Eticaliving is a small collection for the living area: a sofa, two armchairs, two armchairs, two tapestries...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Settees

Materials

Steel

Cappellini High Time Three-Seat Sofa in Fabric or Leather by Christophe Pillet
Located in New York, NY
Extreme visual lightness, extreme versatility: the High Time sofa, designed by Christophe Pillet, can be used to create studied, yet essential compositions that reflect the individua...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Settees

Materials

Metal

Armchair Round Capitonné, Blue Velvet Fabric, Made in Italy
Located in Treviso, Treviso
VG furniture represent luxury in terms of exclusivity, distinction and high quality. They are the result of sophisticated and exclusive design with a strong identity and are the outc...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Settees

Materials

Velvet, Fabric, Wood

21st Century Belmer Two-Seater Sofa in Velvet by Matteo Cibic
Located in Cantù, Lombardia
"Between sculpture and design, Belmer is a wonder object suggesting a newly discovered sociality. With its big dimension, it goes against the trend of miniaturization, appearing as a...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Settees

Materials

Metal

Wood Frame Wing Back Settee in Walnut and Leather Designed by Craig Bassam
Located in Ridgefield, CT
“Living in a glass house makes you design pieces to look immaculate from every angle,” says Craig Bassam, who designed the BassamFellows wood frame lo...
Category

2010s American Modern Settees

Materials

Leather, Fabric, Wood

Related Items
Ether Curved Velvet Sofa
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Heaven sent. A curved sofa announces to the world that you are on the varsity decorating squad. Airy yet edgy, our Ether Curved sofa is upholstered in heavenly Bergamo Azure velvet a...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Settees

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Ether Curved Velvet Sofa
Ether Curved Velvet Sofa
H 32 in W 94 in D 52 in
21st Century Woodstock Carnival Sofa in Velvet and Wood by Etro Home Interiors
By Etro
Located in Cantù, Lombardia
A sofa with a welcoming and comfortable look, emphasized by the mattress conformation of the seat. Refined details such as the polished brass tips of the basement and the roll cushio...
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21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Settees

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Fabric, Wood

Vintage George Smith Kilim Upholstered Three Seat Couch or Sofa Feather Cushions
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning original George Smith three seat sofa with the period Kilim upholstery and feather filled cushions A stunning sofa which is one of G...
Category

2010s English Modern Settees

Materials

Upholstery

Ligne Roset by Erwan & Ronan Bouroullec Ploum High Back Red Sofa
Located in London, GB
Originally designed by Erwan and Ronan Bouroullec for Ligne Roset in 2011, the Pluom sofa is a fantastic example of modern design. The organic shape is formed from tubular steel an...
Category

2010s French Modern Settees

Materials

Fabric

Velvet 'Dress-Up' Sectional Sofa Designed by Rodolfo Dordoni for Cassina
Located in Dallas, TX
Three-piece velvet Cassina Sectional sofa designed by Rudolfo Dordoni. Upholstered in a high-grade deep wine-colored velvet. Purchased new but never installed. Can be reconfigured to...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Settees

Materials

Velvet

Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec Quilt Armchair for Established & Sons
Located in London, GB
The Bouroullec’s iconic Quilt series of feature seating comes in a selection of bright, springy, high-tech stretch fabrics that give a room an intense hit of colour. For a calmer fir...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Modern Settees

Materials

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Claire Sofa or Settee by DeMuro Das with Solid Antique Finish Bronze Legs
Located in New York, NY
The Claire sofa by DeMuro Das has a crescent-shaped back supported by six solid bronze legs with an antique finish. Construction includes solid hardwood frame with European webbing a...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Settees

Materials

Bronze

Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec Quilt Sofa for Established & Sons
Located in London, GB
The Bouroullec’s iconic Quilt series of feature seating comes in a selection of bright, springy, high-tech stretch fabrics that give a room an intense hit of color. For a calmer firs...
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21st Century and Contemporary Modern Settees

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Foam

19th Century French Napoleon III Curved Sofa, Newly Upholstered Bouclé fabric
Located in Paris, FR
Two-seat curved settee from the late 19th Century. Lovely shape and curves. Very comfortable seat. Front legs raised upon brass casters. This sofa has been fully restored and newly ...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Modern Settees

Materials

Brass

Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec Quilt Armchair for Established & Sons
Located in London, GB
Konstantin Grcic has created a compact, geometric divan with a purity of form and a big personality that offers a modern, Minimalist update on the traditional chaise...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Modern Settees

Materials

Foam

Rodolfo Dordoni ''Sail Out' Outdoor Sofa, by Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Sofa designed by Rodolfo Dordoni in 2020. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. Inspired by the spirit of 1950s seaside resorts, Sail Out is an outdoor modular...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Settees

Materials

Metal

"Hall" Fabric or Leather Three-Seat Sofa by Rodolfo Dordoni for Driade
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Hall" is an elegant three-seat sofa, designed by Rodolfo Dordoni and manufactured by Driade with wooden conglomerate structure, padding in polyurethane foams and wadding, fabric or leather fixed cover. Indoor use only. DIMENSIONS: D. 33", W. 90.5", H. 29.5", Seat H. 16.9" In 1991 Rodolfo Dordoni was among the first to begin a recovery process of traditional furniture by reinterpreting the classic English club sofa. Designed at the height of Minimalism, Hall collection recovers some fundamental values such as domesticity and comfort. RODOLFO DORDONI, architect and designer, was born in Milan, where he graduated in Architecture. Responsible over the years for the art direction of Artemide (glass collection), Cappellini (from 1979 to 1989), FontanaArte (furniture collection), Foscarini (lamps), Minotti (from 1997 until today) and Roda (since 2006), he designs for a lot of companies, including: Artemide, Cappellini, Cassina, Ceramica Flaminia, Ceramiche Mutina, Dada, Dornbracht, Driade, Effegibi, Emu, Ernestomeda, Fantini, Fiam Italia, Flos, Flou, FontanaArte, Foscarini, Jab, Kartell, Kettal, knIndustrie, MDF Italia, Minotti, Molteni&C, Moroso, Olivari, Pamar, Poliform, Poltrona Frau, Roda, RB Rossana...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Settees

Materials

Leather, Fabric, Foam, Wood

Previously Available Items
Modular Settee by Don Chadwick for Herman Miller
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Modular settee by Don Chadwick for Herman Miller. Can also be used separately in the room. Original tags. See images of the lobby ...
Category

1980s American Vintage Modern Settees

Materials

Upholstery, PVC

Nicoletti Salotti Postmodern Italian Leather Settee, circa 1980
Located in Costa Mesa, CA
Nicoletti Salotti Postmodern Italian blue leather settee / sofa, circa 1980.    
Category

20th Century Italian Modern Settees

Materials

Leather

Char-a-Banc Settee by Mario Bellini for Cassina
Located in Costa Mesa, CA
Char-a-Banc Settee sofa by Mario Bellini for Cassina.
Category

20th Century Italian Modern Settees

Materials

Fabric, Plastic

Modern settees for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique 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, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with fabric, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Modern settees made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and North America pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original settees, popular names associated with this style include Etro, Jillian O'Neill, Roberto Cavalli Home Interiors, and Ghidini 1961. 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 $843 and tops out at $80,000 while the average work can sell for $9,685.

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