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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Dos Gallos Custom X Console Cabinet in Walnut
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Custom console or cabinet, with three doors and interiors shelves. Can be made in any configuration, size and finish and in a variety of woods. Shown here in Walnut with a medium dis...
Walnut
Mid Century Serpentine Burled Olive Wood Marble Top Credenza Made in Italy
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous olive wood cabinet with criss cross banding on the two front doors. Cabinet is serpentine, paneling on the sides while the legs and frame are a rich mahogany all supporting ...
Marble, Brass
Contemporary Matias Sagaría Bookcase Storage Self-Standing Italian Walnut Marble
Located in San Polo, Parma
Nemesi #6 is a bookcase and self standing storage unit, designed by SAGARÍA Classic yet contemporary, essential yet extremely personal, Nemesi #6 wall unit is boldly defined by th...
Marble, Metal
Amarcord Credenza by Promemoria, Wooden Modular Cabinet with Bronze handles
By Promemoria
Located in Chicago, IL
A historic design from Promemoria, the Amarcord Credenza was inspired by the 1975 Federico Fellini film of the same name. Designer Romeo Sozzi drafted and created the modular cabine...
Bronze
Carved buffet-chest of drawers, France, circa 1860.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Carved buffet-chest of drawers, France, circa 1860. The furniture is in very good condition, after professional renovation. Wood: oak height 170 cm depth 75 cm long 153 cm
Glass, Oak
Cabinet D'Architecture No. 12 by Eileen Gray for Classicon
By Eileen Gray
Located in Ravenna, IT
This piece is number 12 of the now closed edition of 25. The cabinet has several drawers of different sizes for storing tools and documents and has a folding shelf to provide a writi...
Steel
$1,365Sale Price|20% Off
Oak French Henri II Cabinet, Late 19th Century
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Wonderful and high quality Henri II cabinet. Striking French design from the late 19th century. Solid oak with original solid brass handle on the dr...
Brass
Small Maltese Walnut Commode Chest of Drawers
Located in Swadlincote, GB
Excellent quality Maltese deep serpentine burr walnut crossbanded commode chest of two drawers, oak lined throughout, top quality ormolu mounts, in very nice condition throughout wit...
Walnut
Contemporary Sagaría Sideboard Double-Sided Glass Italian Walnut Green Marble
Located in San Polo, Parma
Nemesi #1 is a sideboard, designed by Sagaría. The clean geometry and the authentic eloquence of the material, the fluted glass mixed with the honed Guatemala marble, are the intr...
Marble
Contemporary Matias Sagaría Cocktail Double-Sided Cabinet Italian Walnut Marble
Located in San Polo, Parma
BONDO is a storage and cocktail cabinet. Designed by SAGARÍA Both familiar and unique. The narrative of the the rounded contours that curve gracefully around the sides and the hidde...
Marble
Tall French Barristers Filing Cabinet, Notaire’s Bookcase
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
This is a traditional French Cartonniere, the top section holds 10 removable brass fitted box files. The main body of the cabinet is made in pine and it has a two-door shelved cupbo...
Pine
Set of Nine Brass Wall Hooks by Herta Baller, Austria, 1960s
By Herta Baller
Located in Vienna, AT
A set of nine brass wall hooks designed by Herta Baller in Austria during the 1960s. With their clean, sculptural forms and warm brass finish, they exemplify the understated elegance...
Brass
Herta Baller Brass Coat Hook 1960 Set of 4
Located in Vienna, AT
A set of timeless brass wall hooks produced by Herta Baller in Austria during the 1960s. Their clean, sculptural form reflects the refined simplicity of mid-century Austrian design. ...
Brass
Moderne style collectors vitrine with storage
Located in Ferndale, MI
Attractive display cabinet with storage . Left side holds two fixed shelves with two adjustable shelves behind hinged door . Open right side holds four adjustable glass shelves below...
Glass, Wood
Special Michael Aram Eight Handles for Furniture, Doors and Gates
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
The famous leaf-shaped handles created by Michael Aram early 90s: the most beautiful, in my opinion. There are EIGHT. I applied them on many designer furniture. Look at all the other...
Iron
Contemporary Matias Sagaría Double-Sided Sideboard Canaletto Wood Marble Green
Located in San Polo, Parma
NEMESI #1 is a doble sided wooden sideboard, designed by SAGARÍA The clean geometry and the authentic eloquence of the material, the solid Canaletto walnut doors mixed with the Cala...
Marble
Contemporary Matias Sagaría Sideboard Double-Sided Glass Italian Walnut Marble
Located in San Polo, Parma
Nemesi #1 is a sideboard, designed by SAGARÍA The clean geometry and the authentic eloquence of the material, the fluted glass mixed with the Calacatta gold marble, are the intrinsi...
Marble
Contemporary Matias Sagaría Sideboard Self-Standing Italian Walnut Wood Marble
Located in San Polo, Parma
Nemesi #4 is a sideboard and storage unit with shelves, designed by SAGARÍA The round painted-metal pedestal bases, the rigorous yet playful tubular framing narrative along with the...
Marble, Metal
Contemporary Sagaría Bookcase Storage Self-Standing Italian Walnut Black Marble
Located in San Polo, Parma
Nemesi #6 is a bookcase and self standing storage unit, designed by SAGARÍA Classic yet contemporary, essential yet extremely personal, Nemesi #6 wall unit is boldly defined by the ...
Marble, Iron
Contemporary Matias Sagaría Sideboard Double-sided Glass Marble Italian Walnut
Located in San Polo, Parma
Nemesi #2 is a double sided fluted glass sideboard, designed SAGARÍA The round painted-metal pedestal bases, the clean pattern of the tambour along the discrete technical solutions ...
Marble
Italian Brass Inlaid Walnut Hotel Restaurant Reception Desk, Greeter
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Italian Brass Inlaid Walnut Hotel Restaurant Reception Desk, Greeter An Original Italian Front of House Walnut Greeter, this is a very impo...
Walnut
Contemporary Matias Sagaría Cocktail Cabinet Viennese Straw Italian Walnut
Located in San Polo, Parma
BONDO is a storage and cocktail cabinet. Designed by SAGARÍA Both familiar and unique. the narrative of the geometric wings covered in Viennese woven-straw, the rounded contours tha...
Walnut, Straw
$4,816Sale Price|30% Off
Sculptural Contemporary Drinks Cabinet by Gustavo Martini, Lacquered MDF & Wood
Located in Roma, IT
Drinks Cabinet by Gustavo Martini, contemporary Brazilian design, launched at Milan Design Week 2017. Designed by award-winning Brazilian designer Gustavo Martini, this exceptional ...
Metal
Contemporary Matias Sagaría Bookcase Storage Doble-Sided Metal Wood Pink Blue
Located in San Polo, Parma
Nemesi #5 is a bookcase and self standing storage unit, designed by SAGARÍA Classic yet contemporary, essential yet extremely personal, Nemesi #5 wall unit is boldly defined by the two round painted-metal plates to serve as anchor to the wall. The verticals are rounded pipes customizable in height , while the four shelves and storage units can also be set at various heights upon request. The high can be adjusted during assembling. The Maximum high is 270cm. Edges: extra gloss blue lacquer Top: honed Calacatta gold marble Frame: powder coated metal canapa extra matte Body: extra gloss pink...
Metal
Contemporary Matias Sagaría Bookcase Storage Doble-Sided Metal Wood Red White
Located in San Polo, Parma
Nemesi #5 is a bookcase and self standing storage unit, designed by SAGARÍA Classic yet contemporary, essential yet extremely personal, Nemesi #5 wall unit is boldly defined by th...
Marble, Metal
Contemporary Matias Sagaría Sideboard Bookcase Double-Sided Wood Marble Black
Located in San Polo, Parma
Nemesi #3 is a sideboard and storage unit with shelves, designed by SAGARÍA The round painted-metal pedestal bases, the rigorous tubular frame, the clean pattern of the tambour alon...
Marble, Metal
6-drawer cabinet of lacquer carved wood and steel from SoShiro Ainu collection
By SoShiro
Located in London, GB
The All Aid Wellness Cabinet from SoShiro’s Ainu collection, a collaboration between award-winning artist Toru Kaizawa and Shiro Muchiri, was initially imagined as a large-scale medi...
Stainless Steel
Contemporary credenza of oak, leather and marble from the SoShiro Pok collection
By SoShiro
Located in London, GB
This credenza from the SoShiro Pok collection is an oak veneer storage unit embellished with intricate and complex beading artistry, leather, and marble top. The beadwork is done on ...
Marble
3-drawer cabinet of lacquer carved wood and steel from SoShiro Ainu collection
By SoShiro
Located in London, GB
The Mini Aid Wellness Cabinet from SoShiro’s Ainu collection, a collaboration between award-winning artist Toru Kaizawa and Shiro Muchiri, was initially imagined as a large-scale med...
Stainless Steel
African old vitrine in noble wood circa 1800
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible African old vitrine in noble wood circa 1800.
Wood
Contemporary Matias Sagaría Double-Sided Sideboard Wood Marquiña Marble Black
Located in San Polo, Parma
Nemesi #2 is a double sided wooden sideboard, designed SAGARÍA The round painted-metal pedestal bases, the clean pattern of the tambour along the discrete technical solutions are th...
Marble
Contemporary credenza of oak, leather and marble from the SoShiro Pok collection
By SoShiro
Located in London, GB
This credenza from the SoShiro Pok collection is an oak veneer storage unit embellished with intricate and complex beading artistry, leather, and marble top. The beadwork is done on ...
Marble
Contemporary credenza of oak, leather and marble from the SoShiro Pok collection
By SoShiro
Located in London, GB
This credenza from the SoShiro Pok collection is an oak veneer storage unit embellished with intricate and complex beading artistry, leather, and marble top. The beadwork is done on ...
Marble