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.
Vintage Small Modernist Chromed and Glass Cube Low Side Table
Located in Hudson, NY
Made in the 70s this low cube table is a perfect accent in a modern interior. Clean and fresh without surfaced detail but long on design-savvy and clearly is the product of the international style...
Chrome
Porto Set Side Table, by Rain, Contemporary Side Table, Laminated Oakwood
By RAIN
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
Set composed of two Porto side tables, a high and a low. Dimensions: High table L 45/ W 25/ H 45 cm - Low table L 60/ W 32/ H 34 cm Porto low tab...
Wood
Porto Side Table, High, by Rain, Contemporary Side Table, Laminated Oak Wood
By RAIN
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
The collection has rounded lines that look for inspiration in the anchor elements present in the ports. The weight and scale of this elements guide t...
Wood
Dos Gallos Custom Round Walnut Wood Side or End Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Petite round walnut table with criss cross stretchers. Can be made in any size and finish. Made in Los Angeles by Dos Gallos Studio. CUSTOM PRICES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. PLEASE INQUI...
Walnut
Solida Center Table, by Rain, Contemporary Center Table, 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...
Wood
Porto Side Table, High, by Rain, Contemporary Side Table, Ebonized Oak
By RAIN
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
The collection has rounded lines that look for inspiration in the anchor elements present in the ports. The weight and scale of this elements guide t...
Wood
$3,460 / item
Abide Marble Side Table in Green
Located in Istanbul, TR
Handcrafted Abide marble side tables are the modern interpretation of the iconic evil eye symbol. The Evil Eye protection consists of an eponym...
Marble
$3,460 / item
Abide Marble Side Table in Yellow
Located in Istanbul, TR
Handcrafted Abide marble side tables are the modern interpretation of the iconic evil eye symbol. The Evil Eye protection consists of an eponym...
Marble
$3,460 / item
Abide Marble Side Table in Blue
Located in Istanbul, TR
Handcrafted abide marble side tables are the modern interpretation of the iconic evil eye symbol. The evil eye protection consists of an eponym...
Marble
$3,460 / item
Abide Marble Side Table in Pink
Located in Istanbul, TR
Handcrafted Abide marble side tables are the modern interpretation of the iconic evil eye symbol. The Evil Eye protection consists of an eponym...
Marble
Side Table by Jordi Vilanova I Bosch
Located in Saint Ouen, France
Jordi Vilanova i Bosch (1925-1998) was a Catalan interior designer. He trained as a cabinetmaker and then developed his skills in furniture design. In 1960, he founded the multidisci...
Steel
$1,750
Z table
Located in Udaipur, IN
The Z Table is a bold and sophisticated piece that unites functionality with artistry, designed to serve as both a practical surface and a striking decorative accent. This rectangula...
Metal
Hand carved solid oak side table and stool set with marble gems from SoShiro
By 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...
Marble
Hand carved solid oak side table with marble gems from SoShiro Pok collection
By SoShiro
Located in London, GB
The side table 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 ...
Marble
Dos Gallos Custom Wood Nightstand/Side Table with Drawer and Shelf
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Custom nightstand or side table with drawer and shelf. Can be made in any size, wood and finish. Shown here in Walnut with a medium dark wa...
Wood, Oak, Walnut
Swimming Pool Table, Large, by RAIN, Contemporary Table, Metal and Painted Glass
By RAIN
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
The contemporary swimming pool table. The inspiration for this collection comes from dreamlike images of leisure and good times that swimming pools...
Metal
Contemporary Swimming Pool Table by RAIN, Small Side Table
By RAIN
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
The contemporary swimming pool table which also functions as a small contemporary styled side table. The inspiration for this collection comes fro...
Metal
Swimming Pool Table, Medium, by RAIN, Contemporary Side Table, Metal and Glass
By RAIN
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
The contemporary swimming pool table. The inspiration for this collection comes from dreamlike images of leisure and good times that swimming pools...
Metal
Leme Table, High, by RAIN, Contemporary Side Table, Brazilian Granite
By RAIN
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
Leme tables have their lines inspired by the rudders of the boats. The rudders are designed to operate underwater, where everything is lighter and, all movement, more fluid. Based on...
Granite
Porto Side Table, Low, by Rain, Contemporary Side Table, Ebonized Oak
By RAIN
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
The collection has rounded lines that look for inspiration in the anchor elements present in the ports. The weight and scale of this elements guide t...
Wood
Porto Side Table, by RAIN, Contemporary Side Table, Laminated Ebanizated Oak
By RAIN
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
Porto low tables are composed of a circular top that seems to rest on a sturdy oblong base. Lightness and weight overlap creating a harmonic and unconventional monoblock. The unagreement between the geometry of the elements generates irregular pieces capable of evoking movement, as they elude the gaze, changing according to the viewing angle. The tables give continuity to the Porto collection, whose inspiration comes from the weight and scale...
Wood
Solida Squared Table, by Rain, Contemporary Center Table, 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...
Wood
Porto Set Side Table, by Rain, Contemporary Center Table, Laminated Oakwood
By RAIN
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
Set composed of two Porto side tables, a high and a low. Dimensions: High table D 50/ H 50 cm - Low table D 70/ H 40 cm Porto low tables are composed of a circular top that seems to rest on a sturdy oblong base. Lightness and weight overlap creating a harmonic and unconventional monoblock. The unagreement between the geometry of the elements generates irregular pieces capable of evoking movement, as they elude the gaze, changing according to the viewing angle. The tables give continuity to the Porto collection, whose inspiration comes from the weight and scale...
Wood
Porto Side Table, Low, by Rain, Contemporary Side Table, Laminated Oak Wood
By RAIN
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
The collection has rounded lines that look for inspiration in the anchor elements present in the ports. The weight and scale of this elements guide t...
Wood
Leme Table, High, by Rain, Contemporary Side Table, White Matarazzo Marble
By RAIN
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
Leme tables have their lines inspired by the rudders of the boats. The rudders are designed to operate underwater, where everything is lighter and, all movement, more fluid. Based on...
Marble
Leme Table, Low, by RAIN, Contemporary Side Table, Brazilian Granite
By RAIN
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
Leme tables have their lines inspired by the rudders of the boats. The rudders are designed to operate underwater, where everything is lighter and, all movement, more fluid. Based on...
Granite
$1,440Sale Price / set|20% Off
Steel and Glass Nesting Tables by Friedrich Moller for Ronald Schmitt Tische
Located in New York, NY
Rare and important set of half round nesting tables designed by Friedrich Wilheim Moller for Ronald Schmitt Tische, made in Germany, circa 1970s. This set consists of two D shaped ta...
Stainless Steel
STONE VALLEY Contemporary Side Table - Gema - Blue Bahia Granite – Cubic
Located in NEUILLY-SUR-SEINE, FR
Compose your interior with our Gema tables, cubic in shape. Alone or combined in several blocks for a graphic scenography, the multi-purpose Gema tables can be used as a side table...
Granite
Leme Table, Low, by Rain, Contemporary Side Table, Grey Alba Marble
By RAIN
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
Leme tables have their lines inspired by the rudders of the boats. The rudders are designed to operate underwater, where everything is lighter and, all movement, more fluid. Based on...
Marble
Leme Table, Low, by RAIN, Contemporary Side Table, White Matarazzo Marble
By RAIN
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
Leme tables have their lines inspired by the rudders of the boats. The rudders are designed to operate underwater, where everything is lighter and, all movement, more fluid. Based on...
Marble
Leme Table, High, by Rain, Contemporary Side Table, Grey Alba Marble
By RAIN
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
Leme tables have their lines inspired by the rudders of the boats. The rudders are designed to operate underwater, where everything is lighter and, all movement, more fluid. Based on...
Marble
Contemporary Matias Sagaría Round Coffee Table Italian Walnut Marble Top Grey
Located in San Polo, Parma
Tanghero #1 is a coffee table, designed by Studio Sagaría TANGHERO is a series of tables in different sizes, distinguished by the pronounced presence of his round base. Shaped by fo...
Marble, Metal
Verner Panton danish white and steel pair of side tables circa 1960
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible Verner Panton danish white pair of side tables in formica and steel circa 1960.
Steel
Elle et Lui brazilian acrylic pair of side tables circa 1970
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible ELLE ET LUI pair of acrylic side tables transparent circa 1970.
Metal
$3,798Sale Price / item|10% Off
Allen Side Table
Located in Ciudad de México, MX
In our first collection of furniture, Design and Joinery, we invite great designers from the Mexican scene to collaborate with us to demonstrate our mastery in joinery and carpentry ...
Wood, Walnut
Carlo Hauner brasilian tricolor side table wood lacquered and iron circa 1960.
By Carlo Hauner
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible Carlo Hauner tricolor circa 1960 wood lacquered and iron side table. Unusual.
Wood