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International Style Stools

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. 

Find International Style furniture on 1stDibs.

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Style: International Style
21st century Woven Leather Bata Stool
Located in Lekki, LA
BATA means shoes in Yoruba. Inspired by the concept of Journey and ‘walking in someone’s shoes’. The BATA stool’s identity is emphasized in it’s sculptural legs. It is a lovely addi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Nigerian International Style Stools

Materials

Metal

21st century Leather Talking Stools
Located in Lekki, LA
The Talking Stools celebrate traditional Hand-woven Matts in a contemporary manner by extending it’s use as stools. These sculptural stools are the perfect pieces for inspired inte...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Nigerian International Style Stools

Materials

Leather, Bamboo, Raffia, Rattan

21st century (Woven) Leather Talking Stools
Located in Lekki, LA
The Talking Stools celebrate traditional Hand-woven Matts in a contemporary manner by extending it’s use as stools. These sculptural stools are the perfect pieces for inspired inte...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Nigerian International Style Stools

Materials

Leather, Bamboo, Raffia, Rattan

M Stool, Contemporary Handcrafted Stool in Hardwood
Located in São Paulo, SP
Our M Stool is part of our M collection! Handcrafted in traditional woodworking techniques with certified brazilian wood. This stool is made with "Jequitibá Ro...
Category

2010s Brazilian International Style Stools

Materials

Hardwood

Set of 2 M Stools, Contemporary Handcrafted Stools in Hardwood
Located in São Paulo, SP
Set of 2 M Stools. Our M Stool is part of our M collection! Handcrafted in traditional woodworking techniques with certified brazilian wood. This stool is made...
Category

2010s Brazilian International Style Stools

Materials

Hardwood

Carlo Hauner brasilian tricolor stool in wood and iron circa 1960
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible Carlo Hauner stool tricolor circa 1960 in wood and iron polychromed. Perfect conditions.
Category

1960s Brazilian Vintage International Style Stools

Materials

Wood

Pair of Vintage bentwood Low Tables or Stools After a Design by Alvar Aalto
Located in Hudson, NY
This pair of vintage 3-legged low stools or tables from the designer Alvar Aalto were first introduced in the 1930s. Both made circa 1955 and clearly having always lived their life t...
Category

1950s Finnish Vintage International Style Stools

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Modern Italian Swivel Upholstered Stool from Bontempi Casa Collection
Located in Titusville, PA
Designed by Bontempi Casa, Clara stool is a swivel barstool with metal frame, gas lift piston and adjustable height. Combining classical style and modern design, it can be matched wi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian International Style Stools

Materials

Metal, Other

Modern Italian Metal, Wood and Polypropylene Stool from Bontempi Casa Collection
Located in Titusville, PA
Designed by Studio E-ggs, Polo barstool is characterised by solid and welcoming shapes, fluid lines which recall 50s' design, and it is part of a collection of seats in full Bontempi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian International Style Stools

Materials

Metal, Other

Modern Italian White Polypropylene Stool from Bontempi Collection
Located in Titusville, PA
This White Polypropylene stool is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. Designed by Pocci&Dondoli, Galaxy is aesthetics, strength and functionality.The graphic decoration of the ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian International Style Stools

Materials

Plastic, Fiberglass

Modern Italian Upholstered Stool with Metal Frame from Bontempi Casa Collection
Located in Titusville, PA
Designed by Pocci&Dondoli, this low barstool is part of a family of seats that are rich of fashion and characterised by an elegant design in each detail. The wrinkles of seat and bac...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian International Style Stools

Materials

Metal, Other

Modern Italian Swivel Upholstered Stool from Bontempi Casa Collection
Located in Titusville, PA
Designed by Bontempi Casa, Clara stool is a swivel barstool with metal frame, gas lift piston and adjustable height. Combining classical style and modern design, it can be matched wi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian International Style Stools

Materials

Metal, Other

Modern Italian Completely Upholstered Stool from Bontempi Casa Collection
Located in Titusville, PA
Designed by Daniele Molteni, Linda stool is part of a whole family of chairs and stools. This low Linda stool has a metal frame completely upholstered and covered in Sand hide leathe...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian International Style Stools

Materials

Metal, Other

Modern Italian Swivel Upholstered Stool from Bontempi Casa Collection
Located in Titusville, PA
Designed by Bontempi Casa, Clara stool is a swivel barstool with lacquered metal frame, gas lift piston and adjustable height. Combining classical style and modern design, it can be ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian International Style Stools

Materials

Metal, Other

Modern Italian Light Grey Polypropylene Stool from Bontempi Collection
Located in Titusville, PA
This light grey Polypropylene stool is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. Designed by Pocci&Dondoli, Galaxy is aesthetics, strength and functionality.The graphic decoration of...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian International Style Stools

Materials

Plastic, Fiberglass

Modern Italian Swivel Upholstered Stool from Bontempi Casa Collection
Located in Titusville, PA
Designed by Bontempi Casa, Kuga stool, which can be combined with the chairs of the same collection, is a swivel barstool with chromed metal frame, gas lift piston and adjustable hei...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian International Style Stools

Materials

Metal, Other

Modern Italian Completely Upholstered Stool from Bontempi Casa Collection
Located in Titusville, PA
Designed by Daniele Molteni, Linda stool is part of a whole family of chairs and stools. This low Linda stool has a metal frame completely upholstered and covered in Black hide leath...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian International Style Stools

Materials

Metal, Other

Modern Italian Completely Upholstered Stool from Bontempi Casa Collection
Located in Titusville, PA
Designed by Daniele Molteni, Linda stool is part of a whole family of chairs and stools. This low Linda stool has a metal frame completely upholstered and covered in Anthracite hide ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian International Style Stools

Materials

Metal, Other

Modern Italian Upholstered Stool from Bontempi Casa Collection
Located in Titusville, PA
Designed by Bontempi Casa, Kuga stool, which can be combined with the chairs of the same collection, represents a modern reinterpretation of a classic and rigorous seat that ensures ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian International Style Stools

Materials

Metal, Other

Modern Italian Swivel Upholstered Stool from Bontempi Casa Collection
Located in Titusville, PA
Designed by Bontempi Casa, Clara stool is a swivel barstool with metal frame, gas lift piston and adjustable height. Combining classical style and modern design, it can be matched wi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian International Style Stools

Materials

Metal, Other

Solida Stool, by Rain, Contemporary Stool, Solid Garapá Wood
By RAIN
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
The Sólida series’ main characteristic is the synthetic character of its design contrasted with the use of a natural material. Each piece in the collection is composed of two or thre...
Category

2010s Brazilian International Style Stools

Materials

Wood

Modern Italian Swivel Upholstered Stool from Bontempi Casa Collection
Located in Titusville, PA
Designed by Bontempi Casa, Chantal stool is a swivel barstool with lacquered metal frame, gas lift piston and adjustable height. The proportion of shapes of this barstool delights yo...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian International Style Stools

Materials

Metal, Other

Modern Italian Swivel Polypropylene Stool from Bontempi Casa Collection
Located in Titusville, PA
Designed by Yoshino Toshiyuki, Shark is a swivel barstool with chrome metal frame, gas lift piston and adjustable height. The oval opening gives to Shark stool personality and determ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian International Style Stools

Materials

Metal

Modern Italian Polypropylene Stool from Bontempi Casa Collection
Located in Titusville, PA
Design by Pocci&Dondoli. A polypropylene shell characterised by soft and enveloping lines resting on a solid metal structure give life to Eva, a stool ready to furnish any space. The...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian International Style Stools

Materials

Metal

Modern Italian Swivel Polypropylene Stool from Bontempi Casa Collection
Located in Titusville, PA
"Designed by Yoshino Toshiyuki, Shark is a swivel barstool with chromed metal frame, gas lift piston and adjustable height. The oval opening gives to Shark stool personality and dete...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian International Style Stools

Materials

Metal

Hand carved solid oak side table and stool set with marble gems from SoShiro
Located in London, GB
The side table and stool from the SoShiro Pok collection are hand-carved in Italy from solid oak, finished in turtle dove grey, and embellished with inlaid polished marble gems. Thes...
Category

2010s Kenyan International Style Stools

Materials

Marble

Hand carved solid oak stool with marble gems from the SoShiro Pok collection
Located in London, GB
The stool from the SoShiro Pok collection is hand-carved in Italy from solid oak, finished in turtle dove grey, and embellished with inlaid polished-marble gems. This ergonomic woode...
Category

2010s Kenyan International Style Stools

Materials

Marble

Contemporary Matias Sagaría Swivel Stool Ribbed Wood Velvet Seat Italian Walnut
Located in San Polo, Parma
Sga Bello is a swivel stool, designed by Studio Sagarìa. Bold and asymmetrical, Sga Bello has his design rooted in the mix of Milan’s and New York City’s narratives, with nods to bo...
Category

2010s Italian International Style Stools

Materials

Metal

Handmade International Style Upholstered Mary Stool Brass, Textured Black/White
Located in Lisbon, PT
Playing with dichotomies between rough materials and soft textures, cold and hot materials, round and straight shapes is what Mary stool is all about. A great accent piece that can b...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese International Style Stools

Materials

Brass

Contemporary Wood Stool
Located in Boston, MA
Flexus plywood stool. One of a kind.
Category

2010s Brazilian International Style Stools

Materials

Plywood

Modern Steel Stool
Located in Boston, MA
Arrepita carbon steel with epoxy paint and naturally finished wood legs. Black, white and yellow.
Category

2010s Brazilian International Style Stools

Materials

Steel

International Style stools for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique International Style stools 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 stools created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, other and other materials. If you’re shopping for used International Style stools made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and Brazil pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original stools, popular names associated with this style include Bontempi Casa, Studio Lani, Pedro Useche, and SoShiro. 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 stools differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $314 and tops out at $5,116 while the average work can sell for $1,229.

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