Modern Furniture
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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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 chair — crafted 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
Creator: Kartell
Set of 2 Kartell Smatrik Chair in Crystal with Chrome Legs by Tokujin Yoshioka
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The constant interplay of design and technological innovation has led to the creation of Smatrik, the latest interpretation of a chair, designed by Tokujin Yoshioka. It has an innova...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Plastic
Set of 2 Kartell Lizz Mat Chairs in White by Patricia Urquiola
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A lightweight chair, with essential, strict lines, in synch with the minimalist and refined style of its designer, Piero Lissoni. Lizz is now also av...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Plastic
Kartell Maui Swivel Chair Adjustable in Navy Blue by Vico Magistretti
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Maui chairs form a family with a rich variety of colours and shapes, both hard and soft, capable of satisfying specific needs, at home or in professional environments. Thanks to ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Plastic
Kartell Taj Lamp in Crystal by Ferruccio Laviani
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Taj, more than a lamp, is a three-dimensional manifestation, a luminous sculpture, a presence as much at home on our desk as on another piece of furniture. Although it is a table lam...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Resin
Kartell Carpet Rug
By Kartell
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Kartell carpet collection consists of four different models of propylene-backed polyamide rugs. All patterns are digitally printed.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Nylon
Kartell Tall Planet Floor Lamp in Crystal by Tokujin Yoshioka
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A family of lamps: suspended, for a coffee table and with a metal structure and the most recent floor version of the lamp in 160 cm height. The distinctive trait is the shape of the ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Aluminum
Kartell Bellissima Pendant Light in Glossy Green and White by Ferruccio Laviani
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Bellissima is presented in the material version of glossy pink and white.
Bellissima is the collection of suspension lamps with a clean and contemporary line, available in a range o...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Plastic
Kartell Taj Mini Table Lamps in Copper by Ferruccio Laviani
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Taj mini is the small version of the three-dimensional lamp which becomes a luminous sculpture that fits perfectly into every corner of the home, thanks to it...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Crystal
Set of 2 Kartell Smatrik Outdoor Chair in White by Tokujin Yoshioka
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The constant interplay of design and technological innovation has led to the creation of Smatrik, the latest interpretation of a chair, designed by Tokujin Yoshioka. It has an innova...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Plastic
Set of 2 Kartell Maui Soft Trevira Chair in Beige by Vico Magistretti
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Maui chairs form a family with a rich variety of colours and shapes, both hard and soft, capable of satisfying specific needs, at home or in professiona...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Steel
Set of 2 Kartell Maui Soft Trevira Chair in Teal by Vico Magistretti
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Maui chairs form a family with a rich variety of colours and shapes, both hard and soft, capable of satisfying specific needs, at home or in professiona...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Plastic
Kartell Maui Soft Trevira ArmChair in Red by Vico Magistretti
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Maui chairs form a family with a rich variety of colours and shapes, both hard and soft, capable of satisfying specific needs, at home or in professional environments. Thanks to ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Steel
Kartell K-wood Arm-Chair by Philippe Starck in Dark Wood Chrome
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Smart Wood collection is the outcome of Kartell's unremitting research into the possibility of giving three dimensional form to a material which so far has always been two dimensional. Using patented technology, the wood is worked with a mold designed to bring the curvature of the panel to the very edges, creating a seat with sinuous roundness, K/Wood is a royal style...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Wood
Kartell K-Wood Arm-Chair by Philippe Starck in Dark Wood Black with Leather Seat
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Smart Wood collection is the outcome of Kartell's unremitting research into the possibility of giving three dimensional form to a material which so far has always been two dimensional. Using patented technology, the wood is worked with a mold designed to bring the curvature of the panel to the very edges, creating a seat with sinuous roundness, K/Wood is a royal style...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Leather, Wood
Set of 4 Kartell Lantern Table Lamps in Red by Fabio Novembre
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Lantern by Fabio Novembre is an original portable LED, transparent, “chargeable”, injection moulded lamp that charges by placing it onto a charging base. The light is projected by a ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Plastic
Kartell Kabuki Pendant Light in Black by Ferruccio Laviani
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Kabuki pendant light in black.
Dimensions: Height 19.67 in.; diameter 23 in. Made of Thermoplastic techno polymer. Assembly required. Voltage: 120. C...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Other
Kartell Short Planet Floor Lamp in Fume by Tokujin Yoshioka
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A family of lamps: suspended, for a coffee table and with a metal structure, and the most recent floor version of the lamp in 130 cm height. The distinctive trait is the shape of the...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Aluminum
Set of 2 Kartell Charles Ghost Large Stools in Chrystal by Philippe Starck
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The shape conjures up stools of the 1800s and the line of the legs is rounded and slightly upturned, an icon of the classic high stool. Charles Ghost is constructed from a single blo...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Plastic
Set of 2 Kartell Smatrik Chair in White with White Legs by Tokujin Yoshioka
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The constant interplay of design and technological innovation has led to the creation of Smatrik, the latest interpretation of a chair, designed by Tokujin Yoshioka. It has an innova...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Plastic
Set of 4 Kartell Battery Lamps in Metallic Chrome by Ferruccio Laviani
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Battery is an iconic compact lampshade. It is made from transparent PMMA and truly embodies innovation, being 100% rechargeable when plugged in and with a battery life of up to 8 hours. This allows it to be moved around extremely easily: perfect for use in outdoor restaurants...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Resin
Set of 4 Kartell Battery Lamps in Amber by Ferruccio Laviani
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Battery is an iconic compact lampshade. It is made from transparent PMMA and truly embodies innovation, being 100% rechargeable when plugged in and with a battery life of up to 8 hours. This allows it to be moved around extremely easily: perfect for use in outdoor restaurants...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Resin
Italian modern Yellow plastic chairs Louis Ghost by Starck Kartell, 2000-2010s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern Yellow-trasparent plastic chairs Louis Ghost by Philippe Starck for Kartell, 2000-2010s
Set of 4 chairs mod. Louis Ghost entirely in transparent-yellow plastic. The ba...
Category
Early 2000s Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Plastic
Italian modern black shiny plastic shelves by Marcello Siard for Kartell, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern black shiny plastic shelves by Marcello Siard for Kartell, 1970s.
Set of two shelves in glossy black plastic, one small and one large. It is possible to mount them in ...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Plastic
Italian modern metal and plastic ashtray by Gino Colombini for Kartell, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Round ashtray with chromed metal plate for collecting butts and with cantilevered profile and external container in beige plastic. Can also be used as a pocket emptier.
Produced by K...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Metal
Italian Modern Plastic, Yellow Glass Floor Lamp, Annig Sarian for Kartell 1970s
By Annig Sarian, Kartell
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern white plastic and yellow glass floor lamp by Annig Sarian for Kartell, 1970s.
Floor lamp mod. KD59 or 4059 with elongated base of irregular conical shape with spheric...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Furniture
Materials
Glass, Plastic
Italian Modern Grey Fabric and Black Iron Foliage Sofa by Kartell, 2000s
By Kartell
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern Grey fabric and black iron Foliage sofa by Kartell, 2000s
Two seater Foliage sofa with tubular structure in black painted iron. The seat and back are padded with poly...
Category
Early 2000s Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Iron
Set of 16 Large Kartell Trama Glasses in Pinkish by Patricia Urquiola
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A comprehensive line of glasses made from colorful and transparent PMMA plastic. The line's individuality is down to the fact that each model presents a different organic pattern tha...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Resin, Plastic
Set of 16 Large Kartell Trama Glasses in Smoke by Patricia Urquiola
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A comprehensive line of glasses made from colorful and transparent PMMA plastic. The line's individuality is down to the fact that each model presents a different organic pattern tha...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Resin, Plastic
Set of 2 Kartell Jellies Vase in Chrome by Patricia Urquiola
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A comprehensive line of trays made from colorful and transparent PMMA plastic. The line's individuality is down to the fact that each model presents a different organic pattern that ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Resin, Plastic
Set of 2 Kartell Jellies Vase in Copper by Patricia Urquiola
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A comprehensive line of trays made from colorful and transparent PMMA plastic. The line's individuality is down to the fact that each model presents a different organic pattern that ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Resin, Plastic
Set of 4 Kartell Jellies Round Trays in Crystal by Patricia Urquiola
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A comprehensive line of trays made from colorful and transparent PMMA plastic. The line's individuality is down to the fact that each model presents a different organic pattern that ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Resin, Plastic
Set of 4 Kartell Jellies Round Trays in Smoke by Patricia Urquiola
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A comprehensive line of trays made from colorful and transparent PMMA plastic. The line's individuality is down to the fact that each model presents a different organic pattern that ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Resin, Plastic
Set of 4 Kartell Jellies Round Trays in Green by Patricia Urquiola
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A comprehensive line of trays made from colorful and transparent PMMA plastic. The line's individuality is down to the fact that each model presents a different organic pattern that ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Resin, Plastic
Kartell Aledin Tec Desk Lamp in Green by Alberto E Francesco Meda
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Aledin Dec is defined by the faceted decoration of its cone-shaped diffuser. The luminous beam throws a wider and more atmospheric light which well lends itself to residential applic...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Plastic
Kartell Aledin Tec Desk Lamp in Amber by Alberto E Francesco Meda
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Aledin Dec is defined by the faceted decoration of its cone-shaped diffuser. The luminous beam throws a wider and more atmospheric light which well lends itself to residential applic...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Plastic
Kartell Aledin Tec Desk Lamp in Blue by Alberto E Francesco Meda
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Aledin Dec is defined by the faceted decoration of its cone-shaped diffuser. The luminous beam throws a wider and more atmospheric light which well lends itself to residential applic...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Plastic
Kartell Aledin Tec Desk Lamp in Crystal by Alberto E Francesco Meda
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Aledin Dec is defined by the faceted decoration of its cone-shaped diffuser. The luminous beam throws a wider and more atmospheric light which well lends itself to residential applic...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Plastic
Set of 2 Kartell Charles Ghost Medium Stools in Glossy White by Philippe Starck
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The shape conjures up stools of the 1800s and the line of the legs is rounded and slightly upturned, an icon of the classic high stool. Charles Ghost is constructed from a single blo...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Crystal
Kartell Viscount of Wood Table by Philippe Stark in Ash and Black Frame
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Viscount of wood tables are the latest addition. These naturally composed tables complement the collection's choice of seats and create a sustainable livin...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Chrome
Kartell Round Glossy Table in Brown Emperador Chrome Frame by Antonio Citterio
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The TopTop table line is distinguished by its leg which can be either a round or square transparent section with a multi-faceted surface and metal core.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Marble, Steel
Kartell Round Glossy Table in Tropical Grey Chrome Frame by Antonio Citterio
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The TopTop table line is distinguished by its leg which can be either a round or square transparent section with a multi-faceted surface and metal core.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Marble, Steel
Kartell Round Glossy Table in Brown Emperador Marble by Antonio Citterio
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The TopTop table line is distinguished by its leg which can be either a round or square transparent section with a multi-faceted surface and metal core.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Marble, Steel
Kartell Clap Chair by Patricia Urquiola in Grey Brown
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Clap is a small chair designed especially for the contract sector, suitable for the most diverse furnishing requirements.
The seat structure is available in different colours, whi...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Plastic
Set of 2 Kartell Lizz Matt Gray Chair by Piero Lissoni
By Kartell, Piero Lissoni
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A light, essential and rigorous chair. Its square line is designed by Piero Lissoni, with a wide seat and a wide, low backrest. Created for use around tables, it was born in a range ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Plastic
Kartell Smatrik Outdoor Stool in White by Tokujin Yoshioka
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Smatrik stool joins the family of seats created by Tokujin Yoshioka and is crafted using a mould which enables the recreation of a 3D net that overlaps and crosses over.Thanks to...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Steel
Kartell Smatrik Stool in Crystal by Tokujin Yoshioka
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Smatrik stool joins the family of seats created by Tokujin Yoshioka and is crafted using a mould which enables the recreation of a 3D net that overlaps and crosses over.Thanks to...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Steel
Set of 2 Kartell Maui Soft Trevira Chair in Red by Vico Magistretti
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Maui chairs form a family with a rich variety of colours and shapes, both hard and soft, capable of satisfying specific needs, at home or in professiona...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Plastic
Set 2Kartell Smatrik Rocking Chair in White with Chrome Legs by Tokujin Yoshioka
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Smatrik is available transparent in white with painted or chrome-plated steel legs, and in stainless steel with oak-stained wood finish.
Dimensions: Height 30.33 in.; Width 24 in....
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Plastic
Set of 2 Kartell Smatrik Chair in White with White Legs by Tokujin Yoshioka
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The constant interplay of design and technological innovation has led to the creation of Smatrik, the latest interpretation of a chair, designed by Tokujin Yoshioka. It has an innova...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Plastic
Set of 2Kartell Smatrik Rocking Chair in Crystal Chrome Legs by Tokujin Yoshioka
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Smatrik is available transparent in white with painted or chrome-plated steel legs, and in stainless steel with oak-stained wood finish.
Dimensions: Height 30.33 in.; Width 24 in....
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Plastic
Kartell Smatrik Stool in White by Tokujin Yoshioka
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Smatrik stool joins the family of seats created by Tokujin Yoshioka and is crafted using a mould which enables the recreation of a 3D net that overlaps and crosses over.Thanks to...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Steel
Kartell Planet Stand Lamp in Yellow by Tokujin Yoshioka
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Planet stand lamp in crystal. Its special feature is the shape of its slightly elliptical diffuser. Its transparent surface, which is many-sided both inside and out, creates a rich t...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Aluminum
Set of 2 Kartell One More Square Bar Stools in Black by Philippe Starck
Located in Brooklyn, NY
If you want to sip a drink at the bar in peace and quiet, you need a comfortable tall stool with a back to lean against. Sometimes one drink is not enough, and you need "One more" an...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Crystal
Set of 4 Kartell Lantern Table Lamps in Smoke by Fabio Novembre
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Lantern by Fabio Novembre is an original portable LED, transparent, “chargeable”, injection moulded lamp that charges by placing it onto a charging base. The light is projected by a ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Plastic
Kartell Aledin Mat Desk Lamp in Black by Alberto e Francesco Meda
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Aledin Dec is defined by the faceted decoration of its cone-shaped diffuser. The luminous beam throws a wider and more atmospheric light which well lends itself to residential applic...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Plastic
Kartell Smatrik Rocking Chair in Black with Chrome Legs by Tokujin Yoshioka
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Smatrik is available transparent in white with painted or chrome-plated steel legs, and in stainless steel with oak-stained wood finish.
Dimensions: Height: 30.33 in.; Width: 24 i...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Plastic
Kartell Aledin Tec Desk Lamp in Crystal by Alberto e Francesco Meda
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Aledin Tec has a flat head which throws a direct luminous beam and is also adjustable thanks to the movement of the diffuser itself. These characteristics make it suitable for office...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Plastic
Set of 4 Kartell Taj Mini Table Lamps in Crystal by Ferruccio Laviani
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Set of 4 Taj curved mini table lamps in crystal.
Voltage: 24V dc. Adaptable for other countries. Integrated LED. Kelvins: 2700k. Bulb type: 2.8W LED.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Crystal
Modern furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Modern furniture 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 furniture created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, lighting, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, fabric and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Modern furniture 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 furniture, popular names associated with this style include Rug & Kilim, Schumacher, Vistosi, and Kartell. 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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