Marenco Seat System Sofa by Mario Marenco for Arflex
By Arflex, Mario Marenco
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 2000s. Italy. Green velvet fabric.
Category
Early 2000s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Materials
Velvet
Mid-Century Modern Sofas
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
- Emerged during the mid-20th century
- Informed by European modernism, Bauhaus, International style, Scandinavian modernism and Frank Lloyd Wright’s architecture
- A heyday of innovation in postwar America
- Experimentation with new ideas, new materials and new forms flourished in Scandinavia, Italy, the former Czechoslovakia and elsewhere in Europe
CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
- Simplicity, organic forms, clean lines
- A blend of neutral and bold Pop art colors
- Use of natural and man-made materials — alluring woods such as teak, rosewood and oak; steel, fiberglass and molded plywood
- Light-filled spaces with colorful upholstery
- Glass walls and an emphasis on the outdoors
- Promotion of functionality
MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW
- Charles and Ray Eames
- Eero Saarinen
- Milo Baughman
- Florence Knoll
- Harry Bertoia
- Isamu Noguchi
- George Nelson
- Danish modernists Hans Wegner and Arne Jacobsen, whose emphasis on natural materials and craftsmanship influenced American designers and vice versa
ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS
- Eames lounge chair
- Nelson daybed
- Florence Knoll sofa
- Egg chair
- Womb chair
- Noguchi coffee table
- Barcelona chair
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
Creator: Arflex
Mario Marenco 'Marenco' 3 Seater Sofa 255 for Arflex
$10,076 / item
Mario Marenco 'Marenco' 3 Seater Sofa 255 for Arflex
By Arflex, Mario Marenco
Located in Tilburg, NL
Mario Marenco 'Marenco' 3 Seater Sofa 255 for Arflex. New, current production. The unmistakable design and wide modularity still make the Marenco sofa a must-have in contemporary furniture. Designed by Mario Marenco in 1970, it is still a great classic of Italian design. With this large-rounded cushions sofa, Mario Marenco has combined strength and comfort. In 2007 the Marenco collection won the Wallpaper Design Awards Best Reissues. The Sofa is available in a wide variation of fabrics and leather upholstery. Please ask us about the possibilities. Designed by Mario Marenco (1933-2019) 1957 degree at Naples University. 1957/1960 he gained 5 awards for research at Stockholm and Chicago universities. 1960 he formed the DEWG Studio in Rome : community buildings. 1970 designer for arflex, Artemide, Bernini, B&B, Comfortline 1982 collaboration with FIAT, LANCIA, ALFA ROMEO for display stands. 1985 watches...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Materials
Fabric
Mario Marenco 'Marenco' 2 Seater Sofa 254 for Arflex
$8,818 / item
Mario Marenco 'Marenco' 2 Seater Sofa 254 for Arflex
By Arflex, Mario Marenco
Located in Tilburg, NL
Mario Marenco 'Marenco' 2 Seater Sofa 254 for Arflex in fabric. New, current production. The unmistakable design and wide modularity still make the Marenco sofa a must-have in contemporary furniture. Designed by Mario Marenco in 1970, it is still a great classic of Italian design. With this large-rounded cushions sofa, Mario Marenco has combined strength and comfort. In 2007 the Marenco collection won the Wallpaper Design Awards Best Reissues. The Sofa is available in a wide variation of fabrics and leather upholstery. This listing is for a sofa with fabric upholstery. Please ask us about the possibilities. Designed by Mario Marenco (1933-2019) 1957 degree at Naples University. 1957/1960 he gained 5 awards for research at Stockholm and Chicago universities. 1960 he formed the DEWG Studio in Rome : community buildings. 1970 designer for arflex, Artemide, Bernini, B&B, Comfortline 1982 collaboration with FIAT, LANCIA, ALFA ROMEO for display stands. 1985 watches...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Materials
Fabric
Mario Marenco 'Marenco' Extra Large Sofa 354 in Leather for Arflex
By Arflex, Mario Marenco
Located in Tilburg, NL
Mario Marenco 'Marenco' Extra Large Sofa 354 for Arflex in leather. New, current production. The unmistakable design and wide modularity still make the Marenco sofa a must-have in contemporary furniture. Designed by Mario Marenco in 1970, it is still a great classic of Italian design. With this large-rounded cushions sofa, Mario Marenco has combined strength and comfort. In 2007 the Marenco collection won the Wallpaper Design Awards Best Reissues. The Sofa is available in a wide variation of fabrics and leather upholstery. This listing is for a sofa with leather upholstery. Please ask us about the possibilities. Designed by Mario Marenco (1933-2019) 1957 degree at Naples University. 1957/1960 he gained 5 awards for research at Stockholm and Chicago universities. 1960 he formed the DEWG Studio in Rome : community buildings. 1970 designer for arflex, Artemide, Bernini, B&B, Comfortline 1982 collaboration with FIAT, LANCIA, ALFA ROMEO for display stands. 1985 watches...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Materials
Fabric
Tito Agnoli '9000' Sofa for Arflex 240cm
$12,151 / item
Tito Agnoli '9000' Sofa for Arflex 240cm
By Tito Agnoli, Arflex
Located in Tilburg, NL
Tito Agnoli '9000' Sofa 1969 for Arflex, Italy. New, current production. Modular seating system, this listing is for a 3 seater 240cm. The modular seating system '9000' by Tito Agn...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Materials
Fabric
Tito Agnoli Modular '9000' Sofa for Arflex 5 Piece Serpentine Version
By Tito Agnoli, Arflex
Located in Tilburg, NL
Tito Agnoli '9000' Sofa 1969 for Arflex, Italy. New, current production. Modular seating system, this listing is for a 5 piece serpentine version. The modular seating system '9000'...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Materials
Fabric
Tito Agnoli '9000' 4 Seater Sofa for Arflex 312cm
$15,674 / item
Tito Agnoli '9000' 4 Seater Sofa for Arflex 312cm
By Arflex, Tito Agnoli
Located in Tilburg, NL
Tito Agnoli '9000' Sofa for Arflex, Italy. New, current production. Modular seating system, this listing is for a 4 seater 312cm. The modular seating system '9000' by Tito Agnoli i...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Materials
Fabric
Tito Agnoli modular sofa, Novemila 9000 Mod. for Arflex, original fabric, label
By Arflex, Tito Agnoli
Located in Milano, IT
Modular Sofa "Novemila 9000" by Tito Agnoli for Arflex, 1969 An extraordinary example of Italian design from the late 1960s and 1970s, the "9000" seating system designed by Tito Agn...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Sofa by Tito Agnoli, 1969
$26,903 / set
Sofa by Tito Agnoli, 1969
By Arflex, Tito Agnoli
Located in Berlin, DE
This rare set consisting of three armchairs and two corner elements was designed by Tito Agnoli for Arflex. The seating combination can be arranged in various ways. The dimensions ar...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Materials
Leather
Marco Zanuso "Square" Armchairs for Arflex, 1962, Set of 2
By Arflex, Marco Zanuso
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Marco Zanuso "Square" Armchairs for Arflex, camel velvet, Italy, 1962, set of two. The design of Marco Zanuso's "Square" armchairs, produced for Arflex in 1960s, reflects his commit...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Materials
Velvet
Arflex Marenco 1 Arm 2-Seater Sofa by Mario Marenco, Newly Reupholstered
By Mario Marenco, Arflex
Located in Toronto, CA
Originally designed by Mario Marenco in 1970, the namesake sofa has reached cult status. The unique rounded design and the wide modularity still make the Marenco sofa a must of conte...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Materials
Velvet
Marco Zanuso "Square" Sofa for Arflex, 1962
By Marco Zanuso, Arflex
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Marco Zanuso "Square" Sofa for Arflex, camel velvet, Italy, 1962 The design of Marco Zanuso's "Square" sofa, produced for Arflex in 1960s, reflects his commitment to modernist desig...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Materials
Velvet
Superb 'Grand Prix' lounge chairs & sofa by Sculptor Maurice Calka, Arflex, 1960
By Arflex, Maurice Calka
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
Fabulous, super rare, and monumental sculptural form 'Grand Prix' lounge set by prestigious French sculptor Maurice Calka (1921-1999) for Arflex, Italy, 1960. The upholstery on ...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Materials
Steel, Nickel
Set of 2 Two - Seater Sofas "Triennale", Design: Marco Zanuso for Arflex 1950s
By Marco Zanuso, Arflex
Located in Wolfurt, AT
Set of 2 This "IX Triennale" sofa was designed by Marco Zanuso in the 1950s and manufactured by Arflex in Italy. The pair of sofas has an metal frame and seat cushions on Pirelli str...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Materials
Iron
Arflex L Shape Black Lacquered Sofa with Light Suede Orange Cushions
$13,120Sale Price|20% Off
Arflex L Shape Black Lacquered Sofa with Light Suede Orange Cushions
By Arflex
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Arflex black lacquered L shape design sofa with newly professionally reupholstered suede cushions from Italy. Arflex is a well-known Italian furniture manufacturer that has been i...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Materials
Velvet, Wood, Lacquer
Two-Seat Triennale Sofa, Marco Zanuso, Arflex, Italy, 1950s
By Arflex, Marco Zanuso
Located in Wolfurt, AT
This two-seater "Triennale" sofa was designed by Marco Zanuso in the 1950s and manufactured by Arflex in Italy. The upholstery is covered in pink velvet fabric, which shows slight si...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Materials
Brass
Italian mid-century modern cream white sofa Square Marco Zanuso for Arflex 1960s
By Arflex, Marco Zanuso
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian mid-century modern cream white sofa Square Marco Zanuso for Arflex 1960s Three-seater sofa mod. Square covered with cream-white linen fabric. The backrest has two round butto...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Materials
Metal
Mid-Century Modern Sofa by Marco Zanuso for Arflex, Italy
$7,982Sale Price|20% Off
Mid-Century Modern Sofa by Marco Zanuso for Arflex, Italy
By Arflex, Marco Zanuso
Located in Milano, IT
This splendid Milord sofa, designed by Marco Zanuso for Arflex in the 1950s, is a masterpiece of mid-century Italian design, perfectly balanced between elegance, innovation, and fun...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Materials
Brass
Superb Mohair 'Lady' Sitting Room Set Designed by Zanuso for Arflex, Italy, 1951
By Arflex, Marco Zanuso
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
Sumptuous and extremely rare 'lady' living room set designed by Marco Zanuso for Arflex ,Italy in 1961. The set consists of a super rare and extremely elegant , three seat elliptical form, 'Lady' sofa ,the largest size produced complete with a matching pair of very early (artisan wood frame) production 'Lady Chairs '. Please note the coffee table is not included with this set. This set has been recovered in an extremely elegant high quality 'Musco' 00 mohair fabric by the famous Dutch textile manufacturer 'De Ploeg' . The fabric creates a warm luxurious organic glow as the mohair pile...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Materials
Brass, Steel
Newly Upholstered Regent Sofa by Marco Zanuso for Arflex in Petrol Color
By Arflex, Marco Zanuso
Located in Berlin, DE
Marco Zanuso Regent 3-seater for Arflex, Italy, 1960s. The piece is on walnut glides and newly upholstered in Kvadrat steelcut fabric.
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Materials
Fabric
Marco Zanuso "Regent" Sofa for Arflex, Sage Green Velvet, 1960
By Marco Zanuso, Arflex
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Marco Zanuso "Regent" Sofa for Arflex, sage green velvet, Italy, 1960. In the realm of luxury design, few pieces evoke the essence of mid-century Italian style as eloquently as the ...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Materials
Velvet
Italian Mid-Century Modern Triennale Sofa by Marco Zanuso for Arflex circa 1951
By Arflex, Marco Zanuso
Located in New York, NY
An Original Marco Zanuso Triennale Sofa , 3 seat model, made for Arflex, Italy, circa 1951. "This model was first presented by Marco Zanuso at t...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Materials
Brass, Steel
Italian Mid-Century Pink and Grey Fabric Sofa Giubba by Cuneo for Arflex, 1980s
By Marcello Cuneo, Arflex
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian mid-century pink and grey fabric sofa Giubba by Cuneo for Arflex, 1980s Two seater sofa mod. Giubba fully padded and covered in fabric. The s...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Materials
Fabric
“Triennale” 4 seater curved sofa by Marco Zanuso for Arflex 60s
By Arflex, Marco Zanuso
Located in Padova, IT
The Triennale seater (often referred to as the Triennale sofa or settee) is a landmark piece of mid-century Italian design created by Marco Zanuso for Arflex in 1951. It is named aft...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Materials
Fabric
Velvet Deep Blue Three-Seat Sofa Model “Triennale”, Marco Zanuso, Arflex, 1956
By Arflex, Marco Zanuso
Located in Wolfurt, AT
This three-seater "Triennale" sofa was designed by Marco Zanuso in the 1950s and manufactured by Arflex in Italy. The deep blue velvet cover of the upholstery contrasts beautifully with the patinated brass sleeves. The piece of furniture is in good overall condition. Do not hesitate to contact us for further details. Literatur: Giuliana Gramigna, Repertorio 1950-2000, Allemandi, Torino, 2003, p. 84 Mobili Tipo...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Materials
Brass
rare marco zanuso lady sofa by arflex
$4,585Sale Price|30% Off
rare marco zanuso lady sofa by arflex
By Arflex, Marco Zanuso
Located in Munich, DE
rare and elegant lady sofa by marco zanuso. only produced for a short period by arflex / italy.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Materials
Metal, Brass
Lady model sofa, Marco Zanuso for Arflex Italia 50's velvet Pierre Frey
By Arflex, Marco Zanuso
Located in Catania, IT
Beautiful and authentic sofa model Lady by Marco Zanuso for Arflex, Italy 1950s. It has recently been upholstered with a fine velvet "OPERA" burnt orange/earth color produced by Mai...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Materials
Brass, Iron
Rare Curved Italian Mid-Century Triennale Sofa by Marco Zanuso, 1951
By Marco Zanuso, Arflex
Located in New York, NY
A Rare and Important Italian Mid-Century Modern Triennale Sofa / Divan/ Couch by Marco Zanuso for Arflex, Italy, circa 1951. The piece is in it's original Ultra-marine faux leather / vinyl upholstery and Features a rare, subtle, curved form and recessed cushions. The slightly curved form sets it apart from other Zanuso Triennale sofa...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Materials
Brass, Steel
Marco Zanuso "IX Triennale" Sofa for Arflex, Italy 1950s
By Arflex, Marco Zanuso
Located in Utrecht, NL
“There is no border between craftsmanship and design. What we do on the model, which will then be reproduced a thousand times, is an activity in which we bring all our experience.” s...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Materials
Metal
Marco Zanuso Sofa for Arflex Mid Century Italian Modern Teal Upholstery Clean!
By Arflex, Marco Zanuso
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Marco Zanuso Sofa Pull Out Daybed for Arflex Mid Century Italian Modern Teal Upholstery Clean! seat height: 16
Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Materials
Upholstery
Set of 2 sofas and 1 armchair model "Square" by Marco Zanuso for Arflex
By Marco Zanuso, Arflex
Located in Correggio, IT
"Square" living room set, designed by Marco Zanuso for Arflex in 1962. The set consists of a 3-seater sofa (193 cm x 90 cm x h 70 cm), a 2-seater sofa (142 cm x 90 cm x h 70 cm) and ...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Materials
Iron
Sofa Two-Seat, Model 'Delfino' by Erberto Carboni, Arflex, 1954
Located in Berlin, DE
Sofa two-seat, model 'Delfino' by Erberto Carboni, Arflex, 1954. Complete new upholstery true to the 1954's orginal. High quality woolen Danish fabric.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Materials
Steel
Italian Mid-Century 'Sleep-o-Matic" Sofa in Leather by Marco Zanuso for Arflex
By Marco Zanuso, Arflex
Located in New York, NY
An Important Italian Midcentury Modern 'Sleep-o-Matic" model sofa / couch in Tan Calf Leather by Marco Zanuso for Arflex, 1951. The divan / canape is composed of a metal structure, s...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Materials
Brass, Steel
Mid-century Modern sofas for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern sofas 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 sofas created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with fabric, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Mid-Century Modern sofas 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 sofas, popular names associated with this style include Cassina, Arflex, Marie Burgos Design, and Antonio Citterio. 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 sofas differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $203 and tops out at $430,372 while the average work can sell for $6,767.
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