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International Style Sofas

INTERNATIONAL STYLE

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. 

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Style: International Style
Pucci Neo Classic Style Sofa From Maison Carlhian
Located in Hamburg, DE
French sofa 1950 from Maison Carlhian, Neo Classic Style, 6 no of Legs in total, new upholstered with loose cushions filled with dawns and feathers, ...
Category

1990s French International Style Sofas

Materials

Canvas

Classic International Style Navy Mohair Armless Sofa
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A well made and impeccably Custom Upholstered Sofa in the International Style. With a contrasting Black Lacquer Frame and Antique Style tapering bulbous carved legs. The Navy Mohair...
Category

20th Century International Style Sofas

Materials

Wood

Leather Box Style Loveseat Sofa by Charles Pfister for Knoll
Located in New York, NY
Chic, sophisticated, and voguish loveseat sofa, designed by Charles Pfister for Knoll. This example was executed in grayish blue leather, it is in good, original condition, showing l...
Category

Late 20th Century American International Style Sofas

Materials

Leather

Italian Modern Sling Sofa with Iron Frame and Original Red Upholstery, c. 1970s
Located in Deland, FL
Attention designers! An Italian sling sofa in original red velvet upholstery set on an architectural tubular metal bases. The lines are exceptional. Every angle is a good angle. Superb as-is, this sofa is also a great candidate for re-upholstery in a fabric of your choice. Perfect in a studio, home or office setting this captivating minimal sofa...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage International Style Sofas

Materials

Fabric

New York Sofa by Katavolos, Litell and Kelley
Located in Barcelona, ES
New York sofa originally designed in 1952 by William Katavolos, Ross Littell and Douglas Kelley for Laverne International, USA. This is an edition from ...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage International Style Sofas

Materials

Aluminum, Steel

Italian Sofa Red Velvet
By ALI Alabastri Lavorati Italiani
Located in Long Island, NY
Hand Made Italian Sofa Beautiful Red Velvet With Gold Accents.
Category

Early 2000s European International Style Sofas

Materials

Velvet

Italian Sofa Red Velvet
Italian Sofa Red Velvet
$6,880 Sale Price
20% Off
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Florence Knoll 2-Seater Sofa, Classic Mid Century Modern, Knoll
Located in Buffalo, NY
Vintage Florence Knoll 2 seater 'lounge series' sofa with original 2nd generation upholstery in a coarse woven off-white mottled wool fabric. This sofa d...
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1970s American Vintage International Style Sofas

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Chrome

Vintage Charles Pfister Knoll Studio Upholstered Sofa
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Charles Pfister Knoll Studio Upholstered Sofa Offered for sale is one upholstered three-seat sofas designed by Charles Pfister for Knoll Studio. The sofa was recently reuph...
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Late 20th Century American International Style Sofas

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Vintage Charles Pfister Knoll Studio Upholstered Sofa
Vintage Charles Pfister Knoll Studio Upholstered Sofa
$4,800 Sale Price
20% Off
H 26 in W 87.5 in D 33 in
Classic Danish 1960s Two-Seat Sofa or Loveseat in Cognac Colored Leather
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Classic Danish Børge Mogensen style sofa in cognac colored leather. Very much in the style of Illum Wikkelso also with the tapered angled legs very similar to this...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage International Style Sofas

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Leather, Teak

Hand Carved, Louis XV Style Sofa Made By La Maison London
Located in London, Park Royal
Louis XV style, hand-carved, curved back, freestanding, sofa. Hand finished in antique white and lightly distressed. Upholstered in a Lelievre, damask, fabric with deep filled, feath...
Category

2010s British International Style Sofas

Materials

Hardwood

Hand Carved, Louis XV Style Sofa Made By La Maison London
Hand Carved, Louis XV Style Sofa Made By La Maison London
$8,451
H 31.11 in W 66.93 in D 36.62 in
Italian Designer, Sofa, Velvet, Wood, Italy, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A yellow velvet and wood sofa designed and produced in Italy, c. 1950s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 28.0"H x 71.25"W x 36.5"D Seat Height (inches): 13.25" All upholstered furnitu...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage International Style Sofas

Materials

Velvet, Wood

Italian Designer, Sofa, Velvet, Wood, Italy, 1950s
Italian Designer, Sofa, Velvet, Wood, Italy, 1950s
$11,500
H 28 in W 71.25 in D 36.5 in
Knoll Pfister Black Leather Sofa, 1971
Located in Chicago, IL
Knoll Pfister Black Leather Sofa, 1971. Original leather
Category

1970s American Vintage International Style Sofas

Materials

Leather

Knoll Pfister Black Leather Sofa, 1971
Knoll Pfister Black Leather Sofa, 1971
$5,500
H 28.5 in W 86.75 in D 33 in
Pair of Lounge Chairs by Katavolos, Littell & Kelley for Laverne International
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of leather sling lounge chairs designed by William Katavolos, Douglas Kelley and Ross Littell c.1952, USA. The iconic sling-back lounge chairs feature a chrome plated steel fram...
Category

1950s American Vintage International Style Sofas

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Large vintage 1950s red velvet curved sofa Italian design
Located in None, IT
Large curved sofa with red velvet upholstery, black metal legs with gilt brass finials, Italian design, 1950s.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage International Style Sofas

Materials

Metal, Brass

Large vintage 1950s red velvet curved sofa Italian design
Large vintage 1950s red velvet curved sofa Italian design
$3,251 Sale Price
40% Off
H 35.83 in W 98.43 in D 45.28 in
Loveseat Sofa by Claudio Salocchi for Sormani Italy, c 1970, Signed
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This newly reupholstered loveseat sofa by Claudio Salocchi for Sormani, circa 1970s, features a graceful chrome frame with nubby white bouclé fabric. Signed with 1960s/ 1970s Sormani label as shown in photo gallery. *Note, we have the matching pair of club chairs available in another listing. The graceful frame shares a design quality with Cassina's LC2 / LC3 design by Le Corbusier, as they are 'buckets of cushions' in similar fashion and comfort. However this Sormani sofa features some unique subtle details, such as the slight "twist" in the rear legs (see photos). Signed with a Sormani label, this particular rare design is attributed to Claudio Salocchi. While there were several other famous designers who created works for Sormani in this time period, the style best matches Salocchi's work. For collectors looking for something unique and rare within a collection of 1960s/ 1970s Italian designs, this pair two-seater couch is an amazing opportunity. This Cassina LC2 / LC3 loveseat...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage International Style Sofas

Materials

Chrome

Loveseat Sofa by Claudio Salocchi for Sormani Italy, c 1970, Signed
Loveseat Sofa by Claudio Salocchi for Sormani Italy, c 1970, Signed
$4,100 Sale Price
24% Off
H 26 in W 53.5 in D 22 in
Custom Classic Chesterfield Sofa
Located in Westwood, NJ
We offer an extensive collection and a fully customizable Chesterfield sofa program, made in America and produced within 8 weeks. Every element is customizable, from the leather or f...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American International Style Sofas

Materials

Leather

Custom Classic Chesterfield Sofa
Custom Classic Chesterfield Sofa
$8,750 / item
H 31 in W 86 in D 34 in
Classic Harvey Probber style 4 Seater Sofa Mid-Century Modern
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Classic Harvey Probber style 4 seater sofa with chunky round feet. This is a designer delight in that it needs new upholstery-original is well worn and faded. We love the long low...
Category

1960s American Vintage International Style Sofas

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Italian Corner Sofa in Red Upholstery
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Corner sofa, fabric, velvet, lacquered wood, Italy, 1950s This sofa of Italian origin has a cozy appeal and is characterized by a splendid construction. The body is upholstered in a...
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1950s Italian Vintage International Style Sofas

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Fabric, Velvet, Wood

Italian Corner Sofa in Red Upholstery
Italian Corner Sofa in Red Upholstery
$4,750
H 31.89 in W 106.3 in D 72.84 in
Previously Available Items
Divano in pelle mod.Brigadiere disegnato da Cini Boeri per Knoll
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Divano mod. brigadiere disegnato da Cini Boeri e prodotto da Knoll nel 1976, struttura laccata bianca, un solo divano disponibile della coppia. Buone condiz...
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1970s Vintage International Style Sofas

Materials

Leather, Wood

Divano in pelle bianca mod. Brigadiere disegnato da Cini Boeri per Knoll
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Divano modello Brigadiere disegnato da Cini Boeri per Knoll nel 1976, si tratta di una versione a tre posti da 230 cm con struttura laccata nera (la versione a due posti non è più di...
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1970s Vintage International Style Sofas

Materials

Leather, Wood

Pier Luigi Frighetto by Black Tie Extra Large Sofa
Located in Munster, NRW
Extraordinary extra large sofa design Pier Luigi Frighetto by Black Tie Upholstery in high density polyurethane foam, cover in thermal ...
Category

2010s Italian International Style Sofas

Materials

Fabric

Heartbeat Sofa by Karim Rashid for Nienkamper circa 2019
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
The heartbeat sofa blends sculpture and form. This sofa consists of three individual units (one concave and two convex units) that form a 5 seat sofa three facing one direction and o...
Category

2010s American International Style Sofas

Materials

Fabric

Bamboo Couch by Vivai del Sud
Located in Antwerp, BE
Vivai del Sud bamboo couch, 1970s, Italy. Well-matched contrast between the raw bamboo base and soft floral fabric. Would fit perfectly i...
Category

1970s European Vintage International Style Sofas

Materials

Fabric, Bamboo

Bamboo Couch by Vivai del Sud
Bamboo Couch by Vivai del Sud
H 31.11 in W 90.56 in D 37.41 in
Set Cassina Maralunga 2-Seat Sofa and Easy Chair by Vico Magistretti in Leather
Located in Halle, DE
Set of Maralunga 2-seat sofa and easy chair by Cassina, designed in 1973. This offer features one 2- seat sofa and one easy chair together. Fabric and color is identical, because bot...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage International Style Sofas

Materials

Leather

Cassina Maralunga 3-Seat Sofa by Vico Magistretti in Petrol-Darkgreen Leather
Located in Halle, DE
Maralunga 3-seat sofa by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, designed in 1973. Original upholstery in dark green / petrol leather. Color is really hard to captur...
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1970s Italian Vintage International Style Sofas

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Leather

Danish Two-Seat Sofa, Model EJ20 by Jørgen Gammelgaard for Erik Jørgensen
Located in Highclere, Newbury
1980s Danish 2-seat sofa, Model EJ20 by Jørgen Gammelgaard for Erik Jørgensen. This funky little 2-seat sofa in warm yellow alacantra with beech legs was designed by the architect...
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Late 20th Century Danish International Style Sofas

Materials

Fabric, Beech

Marion Cananzi & Roberto Semprini Edra Tatlin
Located in Munster, NRW
This unusual piece of furniture was designed by Marion Cananzi and Roberto Semprini for Edra. It is a sofa. However, due to its extraordinary shape, it is not suitable for home use, ...
Category

2010s Italian International Style Sofas

Marion Cananzi &  Roberto Semprini Edra Tatlin
Marion Cananzi &  Roberto Semprini Edra Tatlin
H 55.12 in W 86.62 in D 70.87 in
"Kennedee" Yellow Leather Sofa by Jean-Marie Massaud for Poltrona Frau
Located in Hanover, MA
The epitome of luxury. "Kennedee" modular lounge sofa by Jean-Marie Massaud for Poltrona Frau in Carioca yellow leather. Configuration is comprised of: Sectional two-seat ...
Category

Early 2000s Italian International Style Sofas

Materials

Steel

Extra Long Sofa by Steelcase
Located in New York, NY
Unusually long ( 107" ) International Style sofa, by Steelcase. This sofa has a bright chorme base, and original green chenille upholstery ( needs steam cleaning, but useable as is...
Category

1970s American Vintage International Style Sofas

Materials

Chrome

Extra Long Sofa by Steelcase
Extra Long Sofa by Steelcase
H 26 in W 107 in D 34 in
McArthur Terrace Settee
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A anodized tubular aluminum terrace settee with laced and fabric back, six cushions and rubber feet. Made in the 30's this rare and hard to find sofa has extreme bends which during t...
Category

1930s American Vintage International Style Sofas

Materials

Aluminum

McArthur Terrace Settee
McArthur Terrace Settee
H 33 in W 79 in D 36 in

International Style sofas for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique International Style sofas for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Late 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. 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.

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