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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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 16 Large Kartell Trama Glasses in Crystal 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 Kartell Trama Water Glasses in Crystal 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
Kartell Cara Chair Rusty Rust by Philippe Starck with Sergio Schito
Located in Brooklyn, NY
In cara armchair, classically rigorous lines surround a comfortable seat. The perfect combination of formalism and technological innovation, for an original product with an industrial vibe that extends Kartell's range of soft furnishings...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Plastic
Kartell Viscount of Wood Table by Philippe Stark in Walnut 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 Bloom Suspension in Black by Ferruccio Laviani
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Bloom is a tubular polycarbonate framework entirely covered by a structure of tiny transparent polycarbonate double corolla flowers. The result is an industrially produced lamp but w...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Plastic
Set 2 Kartell Smatrik Rocking Chair in Plum 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
Kartell Glossy Table in Gold / White 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
Plastic
Kartell Bloom Suspension in Crystal by Ferruccio Laviani
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Bloom is a tubular polycarbonate framework entirely covered by a structure of tiny transparent polycarbonate double corolla flowers. The result is an industrially produced lamp but w...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Plastic
Kartell Glossy Table in Symphonie 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 Round Glossy Table in Aged Bronze 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
Set of 2 Kartell Venice Chairs in Glossy Dove by Philippe Starck
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A tribute to the city of Venice in a chair for both the table and the living room, which combines classic lines with comfort. Venice is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Plastic
Kartell Clap Chair by Patricia Urquiola in Black Blue
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
Kartell Maui Soft Trevira Armchair in Orange 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
Kartell Pop Outdoor Armchair in Ikon White by Piero Lissoni
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pop outdoor is the modular sofa with evanescent profiles characterised by large seat and backrest cushions which make it soft and comfortable, made with fabrics conceived specificall...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Plastic
Set of 2 Kartell Louis Ghost Armchairs in Crystal Green by Philippe Starck
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A comfortable armchair in transparent and colored polycarbonate in the Louis XV style, it is the quintessence of baroque revisited to dazzle, excite and captivate. Louis Ghost is the...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Plastic
Set of 2 Kartell Lizz Mat Chairs in Black 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 Aledin Dec 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
Set of 2 Kartell Masters Chairs in Copper by Philippe Starck & Eugeni Quitllet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The masters chair is a powerful tribute to three symbolic chairs, re-read and re-interpreted by the creative genius of Starck. The unmistakable silhouett...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Plastic
Kartell Small Rectangular Francois Ghost Mirror in Mat White by Philippe Starck
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A series of rectangular two-dimensional wall mirrors which bring to mind milled crystal frames. The frames are made of transparent or colored polycarbonate with seagull wing sections...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Resin
Set of 2 Kartell Charles Ghost Large Stools in Glossy Black 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
Set of 2 Kartell Venice Chairs in Mat White by Philippe Starck
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A tribute to the city of Venice in a chair for both the table and the living room, which combines classic lines with comfort. Venice is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Plastic
Set of 2 Kartell Charles Ghost Large Stools in Light Blue 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 K-Wood Arm-Chair by Philippe Starck in Dark Wood Black
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 All Saints Mirror in Copper by Ludovica and Roberto Palomba
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Round mirror with a transparent or colored PMMA frame, with a unique pleated effect. The possibility of applying transparency even to gold and chrome, makes this mirror an extremely ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Resin
Kartell Madame Chair in New York Print by Philippe Starck and La Double J
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Thanks to its neutral colour palette, this chair makes the ideal furniture piece for inserting in sophisticated residential interiors or the most refined contract projects.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Fabric
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 dimens...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Wood, Leather
Kartell Battista Trolley in Black by Antonio Citterio & Oliver Löw
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Besides being a practical trolley with a striking combination of plastic and metal components, Battista is an all-out extendible and folding table, ideal for buffets and aperitifs or...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Aluminum
Set of 2 Kartell Venice Chairs in Grey by Philippe Starck
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Jellies coat hangers draw their inspiration from the tableware collection of the same name designed by Patricia Urquiola for Kartell in 2014.
Dimensions: Height 2.38 in.; diam...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Plastic
Kartell Blast Rectangle Table in Chrome with Bronze Top by Philippe Starck
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Kartell lifestyle enhances the living room with Philippe Starck’s Blast, a coffee table rectangular with rounded corners and clear bases and tops. The design is a development of the Sir Gio table...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Glass
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 4 Kartell Lantern Table Lamps in Amber 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 Smatrik Outdoor Stool in Black 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 Acid Green 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 Taj Lamp in Glossy White 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
Set 2Kartell 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
Set of 2 Kartell Lizz Mat Chairs in Grey 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 Aledin Dec 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
Kartell Aledin Mat Desk Lamp in White 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 Louis Ghost Armchairs in Smoke Grey by Philippe Starck
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A comfortable armchair in transparent and colored polycarbonate in the Louis XV style, it is the quintessence of baroque revisited to dazzle, excite and captivate. Louis Ghost is the...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Plastic
Set of 2 Kartell Charles Ghost Large Stools in Smoke Grey 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 Maui Swivel Chair Adjustable in Pale 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
Set of 2 Kartell Maui Soft Trevira Chair in 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 professiona...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Steel
Kartell Glossy Table in Aged Bronze 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
Plastic
Kartell Sir Gio Round Coffee Table with Pink Top by Philippe Starck
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Kartell lifestyle enhances the living room with Philippe Starck’s Blast, a coffee table square with rounded corners and clear bases and tops. The design is a development of the Sir Gio...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Glass
Kartell Planet Suspension 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
Kartell Sir Gio Round Coffee Table with Bronze Top by Philippe Starck
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Kartell lifestyle enhances the living room with Philippe Starck’s Blast, a coffee table square with rounded corners and clear bases and tops. The design is a development of the Sir Gio...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Glass
Kartell Sir Gio Square Coffee Table with Yellow Top by Philippe Starck
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Kartell lifestyle enhances the living room with Philippe Starck’s Blast, a coffee table square with rounded corners and clear bases and tops. The design is a development of the Sir Gio...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Glass
Kartell Foliage Armchair in Cardinal Red by Patricia Urquiola
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Foliage collection is a family of soft chairs. The key players are a two-seater sofa and an armchair, that seem to have grown "naturally": the frame provides support for a comfortabl...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Fabric
Kartell Bloom Suspension in Pink & Black by Ferruccio Laviani
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Bloom is a tubular polycarbonate framework entirely covered by a structure of tiny transparent polycarbonate double corolla flowers. The result is an industrially produced lamp but w...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Plastic
Kartell 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 Round Glossy Table in Aged Bronze 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
Set of 2 Kartell Lizz Chairs in Grey by Piero Lissoni & Carlo Tamborini
By Kartell
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A light, ultra-streamlined chair, so representative of the minimalist and elegant style of its designer, Piero Lissoni. Made of a mass-tinted thermoplastic technopolymer, Lizz is manufactured in a single piece, using gas-blowing technology. Its name (from Liz Taylor) as well as the traditional chair...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Plastic
Set of 2 Kartell Generic C Chairs in White by Philippe Starck
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Generic is an ambitious project of deeply ethical connotations, in which new objectives are defined for contemporary design to fulfil and creativity is seen in the light of a public ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Plastic
Set of 2 Kartell Venice Chairs in Glossy Black by Philippe Starck
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A tribute to the city of Venice in a chair for both the table and the living room, which combines classic lines with comfort. Venice is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Plastic
Set of 2 Kartell Smatrik Chair in Black with Black 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 Venice Chairs in Glossy White by Philippe Starck
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A tribute to the city of Venice in a chair for both the table and the living room, which combines classic lines with comfort. Venice is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Plastic
Kartell Planet Stand Lamp in Fume by Tokujin Yoshioka
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Planet stand lamp in fume. 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 tape...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Aluminum
Kartell Maui Soft Trevira ArmChair 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 professional environments. Thanks to ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Furniture
Materials
Steel
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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