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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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.
Handcrafted English Oak 4 Drawer Desk by SUM Furniture
Located in London, GB
Handcrafted in England by skilled artisans, this four drawer desk is a celebration of true cabinetmaking tradition. Every element is carefully shaped using time honoured techniques, ...
Oak
Large Green Study Desk with Natural Linoleum Top, Customizable Writing Table
By &New
Located in Leicester, GB
This large Study desk is made with a bright green powder-coated steel frame and a deep green linoleum top made from all-natural ingredients, such as flax, wood flour, and limestone. ...
Steel
Beautiful Solid Cherry Desk by Harden, NY, Moser Style
By Harden Furniture 1, Thomas Moser
Located in Miami, FL
Solid cherry desk with hidden compartments, hand cut dovetail construction and a leather writing top made by Harden Furniture. Writing surface height is 29" Knee clearance height is ...
Cherry
Architect designed Desk in Oak Veneer, 2016
Located in Berlin, Berlin
Text to follow.
Ash
FIJN Desk in Solid Black Walnut
Located in Calgary, AB
Our FIJN desk is handcrafted in solid wood. Both desks pictured were built in figured Oregon black walnut. Solid wood drawers are lined in leather and inserts can be customized to su...
Steel
Contemporary Sitting Standing "Work" Desk in Solid White Oak by Casey Lurie, USA
By Casey Lurie
Located in Chicago, IL
Work desk is the smaller sibling of our WORK table, a contemporary take on the traditional working tables used by artists and designers for centuries. The choice of materials combine...
Wood, Oak
Jacques Pine Green Console Table in Bird's Eye Maple by Fred&Juul
By Fred&Juul
Located in Fiesole, Florence
Designed with the aim to find the perfect balance between clean lines and warm texture. Consisting of 5 rounded, 50 mm thick slats with bird’s eye maple veneer, the console table is ...
Wood, Birdseye Maple, Maple
Contemporary Trestle Table "Work" in Solid White Oak by Casey Lurie USA
By Casey Lurie
Located in Chicago, IL
Introduced in 2016, WORK table is a contemporary take on the traditional working tables used by artists and designers for centuries. The table has height adjustable trestles...
Wood, Oak
Anonima Castelli Platone foldable Desk in White by Giancarlo Piretti, 1970
By Anonima Castelli, Giancarlo Piretti
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Platone was designed by Giancarlo Piretti in 1970. The three-disc mechanism is the common thread of all Piretti bestsellers, of which Platone is the most daring. With a sturdy cantil...
Aluminum
The Square Desk Carbonized Finish with Shou Sugi Ban, Japanese
Located in São Paulo, SP
The Square Desk was inspired by the design of Brazilian modern furniture from the 1950s and 1960s, featuring straight lines and Indian straw weaving. It's delicate and highly comfort...
Straw, Wood
Parsons Metal Wrapped Desk Writing Table Modern
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration a parsons metal wrapped desk / writing table. Modern design. :legs can be removed for safe and easy shipping. Dimensions: 47.5" W x 23.88" D x 30.13" H Del...
Aluminum
$1,849 / item
Walnut Orange MiMi Table by Miduny, Made in Italy
Merging clean lines with warm materials, the faceted geometry of the MiMi table creates a slender, graceful profile punctuated with painted surfaces that ca...
Birch, Oak, Plywood
Bertu Desk, Hobby Modern Office Desk, White Maple and Oak
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
This Modern Hobby Desk in White is made in the heart of Ohio with locally sourced wood. Each desk is hand-made in maple with a white matte lacquer commercial grade finish. The base i...
Maple
$9,555 / item
Lucite and Natural Walnut floating Desk
Located in Ballard, CA
A highly engineered modernist desk made from a walnut (or oak, mahogany, or rosewood veneer) case “floating” on a Lucite base, which is affixed by custom-designed hardware. Custom si...
Metal
Waxed Iron and Exotic Wood Dining Table from Costantini, Fierro, in Stock
By Costantini
Located in New York, NY
This one of a kind table is inspired by the massive sculptures of cold rolled steel by Richard Serra. The raw iron top was allowed to oxidize for several years before we applied a wa...
Metal, Iron
$7,450 / item
Octavia Solid Wood Desk by Crump and Kwash
Located in Baltimore City, MD
Octavia Desk by Crump and Kwash Features a solid wood frame and drawer faces / oiled or acrylic finish / premium, full extension, soft close drawer slides / solid maple, dovetailed...
Brass
"Volpi" writing desk with drawer in natural Brazilian wood, office table
Located in Alto da Lapa, SP
Alfredo Volpi is a Brazilian painter who, throughout his career, experimented with geometric shapes, especially variations on flag shapes. The Volpi desk is inspired by the geometric...
Oak, Walnut
Finn Juhl Nyhavn Desk, Black Lino & Steel, Modern Design, Denmark Available Now
By Finn Juhl
Located in Barcelona, ES
Desk designed by Finn Jhul Manufactured by one collection Finn Juhl, (Denmark) When Finn Juhl established his first studio at the exclusive address of 33 Nyhavn in central Copenhage...
Steel
$4,366 / item
ClassiCon Jean Fold Out Table by Eileen Gray
By Eileen Gray
Located in New York, NY
Jean, named after Eileen Gray‘s intimate friend of many years, the architect Jean Badovici, stood in various modeis in their summer villa E 1027. "Every room has at its disposal one ...
Steel
Modern Eglomise Glass Byzantine Gold Vanity and Forged Metal Legs by Ercole Home
By Ercole Home
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Mystic Byzantine Gold Green vanity by Ercole Home has a 9-drawer, with ivory wood finish on oak. Hand painted eglomise glass panels are inset on the surface. There are nine pulls in brushed brass finish. The hand hammered metal base...
Metal
$9,555 / item
Lucite and Dark Walnut floating Desk
Located in Ballard, CA
A highly engineered modernist desk made from a walnut (or oak, mahogany, or rosewood veneer) case “floating” on a Lucite base, which is affixed by custom-designed hardware. Custom si...
Metal
$107,033 / item
Zemlia Pratsya Ceramic Writing Desk by Makhno
Located in Geneve, CH
Zemlia Pratsya Ceramic Writing Desk by Makhno Dimensions: D 360 x W 260 x H 78 cm. Materials: Ceramic, wood. It is a place of inspiration. The PRATSYA table has a truly unique chara...
Ceramic, Wood
Contemporary Black Leather Desk with Brass Rivets, Modern Design, USA
Located in Queens, NY
Contemporary black paneled leather rectangular desk with rivets.
Leather
Large Bespoke Study Desk with Linoleum Top and Drawer, Customizable
By &New
Located in Leicester, GB
This large beetroot color study desk is made with a powder coated steel frame and a beautiful natural linoleum top made out of linseed oil. This modern minimal desk has two steel dra...
Steel
Handcrafted English Quartersawn Oak Desk by SUM Furniture
Located in London, GB
Our prime English quartersawn oak two drawer desk is a celebration of craftsmanship, material, and European design. Each component is designed and meticulously handcrafted using trad...
Oak
The Chiquita desk with 8 drawers in Brazilian sollid wood
Located in São Paulo, SP
The Chiquita desk features smooth and delicate lines. In this version, it has 8 drawers with natural cane fronts and brass handles, giving it a nostalgic and romantic touch. Availabl...
Brass
21st Century Elena Salmistraro Table Polyurethane Classic Travertino Glossy Legs
Located in Tezze sul Brenta, IT
Isotopo table design by Elena Salmistraro, product by Scapin Collezioni Limited Edition A vibrant round top is combined with a sculptural base made of three rounded conical suppo...
Marble
Handcrafted English Oak Console Table Desk by SUM Furniture
Located in London, GB
Our customisable Neves twin drawer console table/desk is handcrafted in England from the finest quartersawn English oak using skilled traditional furniture making techniques. Bold ye...
Oak, Walnut
Modern Eglomise Glass Pink Dust Vanity with Forged Metal Legs by Ercole Home
By Ercole Home
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The églomisé pink dust vanity by Ercole Home has a 5-drawer, with silver leaf wood finish. Hand painted églomisé glass panels are inset on the su...
Metal
$13,025Sale Price / item|10% Off
'005' Palm Wood and Metal Desk in the Manner of Pierre Chareau
By Maison Paname, Pierre Chareau
Located in Los Angeles, CA
'005' Palm Wood and Metal Desk in the Manner of Pierre Chareau Handcrafted in the Los Angeles and French workshops of noted French designer a...
Steel
21st Century Elena Salmistraro Table Polyurethane Green Marble Scapin Collezioni
Located in Tezze sul Brenta, IT
Isotopo table design by Elena Salmistraro, product by Scapin Collezioni Limited Edition A vibrant round top is combined with a sculptural base made of three rounded conical suppo...
Marble
Organic Modern Pontes Desk, Green Marble Brass, Handmade Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Pontes Desk, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. Designed by Rute Martins for the Contemporary Collection, the Pontes ...
Marble, Brass
Milo Baughman Rosewood & Chrome Writing Desk, USA, c.1969
Located in San Francisco, CA
A small writing desk by Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin. Rosewood top with three storage drawers sit atop contemporary bases of chromed steel. Overall in very good condition. The ro...
Chrome
$9,555 / item
Lucite and Walnut floating Desk
Located in Ballard, CA
A highly engineered modernist desk made from a walnut (or oak, mahogany, or rosewood veneer) case “floating” on a Lucite base, which is affixed by custom-designed hardware. Custom si...
Metal
Italian Mahogany & Lacquer Dining Table
Located in Denton, TX
Italian mahogany & lacquer dining table. This table top stands on a black lacquer and wood accented pedestal. One leaf extends this table out to fit up...
Mahogany, Lacquer
$3,627 / item
Modern Light Oak Desk
Located in Westwood, NJ
With its rounded subtle barrel-shaped top with alternating quarter straight cut oak veneers stands squarely on solid trapezoid-style legs. The facing two drawers have adequate enough...
Wood
Italian modern wood, steel and leather desk attributed by Fabio Lenci, 1970s
By Fabio Lenci
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern wood, steel and leather desk attributed by Fabio Lenci, 1970s Desk for center of the room with a C-shaped structure in white painted wood. The rectangular top is uphol...
Metal, Steel
Modern Glass Desk 'Foil' by Cellule Studio, Metal & Brass, Italy
Located in bari, IT
Introducing the "Foil" desk, a design piece that combines functionality and pure aesthetics. Its name, "Foil," evokes the lightness and brilliance of its surfaces: a transparent glas...
Metal, Brass
Extraordinary Pierre Jeanneret Library Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
We are very pleased to present this exceptional and rare Pierre Jeanneret illuminated reading table with provenance from DAV (Dayanand Anglo-Vedic) College Chandigarh which was built...
Teak
Italian Modern Brass Desk with Inset Bordered Leather Surface
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Circa 1970 Italian All Brass and Inlaid Leather Writing Desk. Featuring a heavy, rectangular, all Brass desk with single drawer, including removable, Brown felt lined organizational ...
Brass
$4,500 / item
Herringbone Waterfall Desk
Located in Westwood, NJ
Herringbone Waterfall Desk, create a serene space for work and moments of reflection with this parsons style desk, engaging the senses with its fluid f...
Wood
$4,900 / item
"Xilte" Desk
By ADN Studio
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
The "Xitle" desk is part of ADN Studio´s Volcan Collection. This collection seeks to go back to basics. It is a subtle and refined interpretation of the archetypical modern furniture...
Wood
white desk Claudio Colucci Y2K style design space age Idee Japanese design
By Marc Newson, Karim Rashid, Idée Japan
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
White desk designed by Claudio Colucci. Designed in the 90s for Idee. Desk made of plywood board and steel legs. The tabletop has a raised section, which is a striking design featur...
Steel
PAPILLON 48" Round Dining Table in Black Metal and Black Glass by Soraya Osorio
Located in Vero Beach, FL
The Papillon Dining Table forms the perfect union between black glass and a dark grey/black metal base. Use as an entry foyer table or desk/writing table. Featured in Architectural Digest and Elle...
Steel
Table " Marilyn, the most beautiful woman" by Mimmo Rotella - Marco Ferreri, Italy
By Marco Ferreri, Mimmo Rotella
Located in Firenze, FI
Table titled “Marilyn, the Most Beautiful Woman” by Mimmo Rotella and Marco Ferreri This table/desk entitled " Marilyn, the most beautiful woman" is part of the "Decollage Collecti...
Metal
$2,650 / item
Modern Industrial Leather Desk
Located in Westwood, NJ
A modern industrial leather desk with a solid hammered metal base. It has three drawers accented with cast brass campaign drawer pulls. Dimensions...
Metal
Italian modern wood, steel and leather desk attributed by Fabio Lenci, 1970s
By Fabio Lenci
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern wood, steel and leather desk attributed by Fabio Lenci, 1970s Desk for center of the room with a C-shaped structure, made of wood with black wood profile. The rectangu...
Metal, Steel
$16,937 / item
Amuneal’s Collector's Knife Edge Console with 4 Drawers
By Amuneal
Located in New York, NY
Amuneal’s wall hanging bleached oak console table uses our traditional Collector’s Shelving hardware to support this four-drawer unit with vintage bronze metal details and raised kni...
Bronze
19th Century Walnut Writing Desk with Drawers, 1870s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A classic wooden writing desk with multiple drawers, both on the tabletop riser and beneath. The turned legs and rich grain add to its antique appeal
Walnut
Lilac Haze Customizable Study Desk with Linoleum Top and Two Drawers
By &New
Located in Leicester, GB
This large lilac color study desk is made with a powder coated steel frame and a beautiful natural linoleum top made out of linseed oil. Lilac is one of our latest pastel colours lau...
Steel
Oak and Brass Office Desk Shelving and Loft Storage Suite by Amuneal
By Amuneal
Located in New York, NY
This Oak and Brass Office Desk Shelving and Loft Storage Work Suite by Amuneal is a modular office system from Amuneal’s Loft shelving system. Posts in bl...
Brass, Steel
Rare Solid Mexican Cocobolo Wood Desk Don Shoemaker
Located in Atlanta, GA
A bespoken and rare desk by celebrated Mexican designer and woodworker Don Shoemaker, model no F46. Designed in 1970s and executed in 1981, the desk is constructed with patchwork of ...
Cocobolo
FRONT – Minimalist Work Desk in Solid Walnut Wood 160x80
Located in Lisboa, Lisboa
A statement piece for refined workspaces – handcrafted in solid walnut, this minimalist executive desk blends functionality and sculptural presence. Elevate your workspace with this...
Wood, Walnut, Plywood
21st Century Two-Drawer Mirrored Glass and Brass Writing Desk or Console
Located in Miami, FL
This is one of five exclusive pieces. Two-drawer mirrored glass and brass writing desk Beautiful and elegant design Perfect finished. Overall dimensions: 127 cm W x 51 cm D x 8...
Brass
Minimalist Metal Frame Desk in Custom RAL Colors by Sotiris Lazou Design
Located in New York, NY
Home desk comes in two sizes and the top has one drawer and one extra open box. There is a second open box in lacquer and the base is metallic with powder coating in variety of color...
Metal
Severin Hansen Model 36 Desk Rosewood for Haslev Møbelsnedkeri
By Severin Hansen, Haslev Mobelsnedkeri
Located in Kastrup, DK
Iconic Model 36 desk designed by Severin Hansen (also known as Erik Riisager Hansen) and produced by Haslev Møbelsnedkeri in 1958. Crafted in beautifully figured rosewood , the des...
Santos Rosewood
The Bi Writing Desk. Handcrafted from solid jequitibá and imbuia wood.
Located in São Paulo, SP
The Bi writing desk brings modernity and lightness combined with a classic touch. It's crafted from solid jequitibá and imbuia woods and features a movable storage compartment that c...
Wood
Molteni&C D.847.1 Ash Wood Desk by Gio Ponti
By Gio Ponti, Molteni & C
Located in Boston, MA
A Molteni&C exclusive has given new life to Gio Ponti's table which was originally designed 70 years ago. Thanks to dedicated craftsmanship, this signature piece has been reprodu...
Brass
Contemporary Desk 'Ernest' by Obstacles, Solid Oak, Umber
Located in Paris, IDF
'Ernest' Desk designed by Studio Obstacles in collaboration with Spanish artist Yoyo Balagué. Dimensions: W. 240 x L. 80 x H. 74 cm W.94.49 x L.31.50 x H.29.13 in Wood finishes: Na...
Wood, Oak
$2,174 / item
FRONT – Minimalist Work Desk in Walnut Wood 140x70
Located in Lisboa, Lisboa
A statement piece for refined workspaces – handcrafted in solid walnut, this minimalist executive desk blends functionality and sculptural presence. Elevate your workspace with this...
Wood, Plywood, Walnut