Organically shaped, clean-lined and elegantly simple are three terms that well describe vintage mid-century modern furniture. The style, which emerged primarily in the years following World War II, is characterized by pieces that were conceived and made in an energetic, optimistic spirit by creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living.
ORIGINS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW
ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS
VINTAGE MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS
The mid-century modern era saw leagues of postwar American architects and designers animated by new ideas and new technology. The lean, functionalist International-style architecture of Le Corbusier and Bauhaus eminences Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius had been promoted in the United States during the 1930s by Philip Johnson and others. New building techniques, such as “post-and-beam” construction, allowed the International-style schemes to be realized on a small scale in open-plan houses with long walls of glass.
Materials developed for wartime use became available for domestic goods and were incorporated into mid-century modern furniture designs. Charles and Ray Eames and Eero Saarinen, who had experimented extensively with molded plywood, eagerly embraced fiberglass for pieces such as the La Chaise and the Womb chair, respectively.
Architect, writer and designer George Nelson created with his team shades for the Bubble lamp using a new translucent polymer skin and, as design director at Herman Miller, recruited the Eameses, Alexander Girard and others for projects at the legendary Michigan furniture manufacturer.
Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi devised chairs and tables built of wire mesh and wire struts. Materials were repurposed too: The Danish-born designer Jens Risom created a line of chairs using surplus parachute straps for webbed seats and backrests.
The Risom lounge chair was among the first pieces of furniture commissioned and produced by celebrated manufacturer Knoll, a chief influencer in the rise of modern design in the United States, thanks to the work of Florence Knoll, the pioneering architect and designer who made the firm a leader in its field. The seating that Knoll created for office spaces — as well as pieces designed by Florence initially for commercial clients — soon became desirable for the home.
As the demand for casual, uncluttered furnishings grew, more mid-century furniture designers caught the spirit.
Classically oriented creators such as Edward Wormley, house designer for Dunbar Inc., offered such pieces as the sinuous Listen to Me chaise; the British expatriate T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings switched gears, creating items such as the tiered, biomorphic Mesa table. There were Young Turks such as Paul McCobb, who designed holistic groups of sleek, blond wood furniture, and Milo Baughman, who espoused a West Coast aesthetic in minimalist teak dining tables and lushly upholstered chairs and sofas with angular steel frames.
Generations turn over, and mid-century modern remains arguably the most popular style going. As the collection of vintage mid-century modern chairs, dressers, coffee tables and other furniture for the living room, dining room, bedroom and elsewhere on 1stDibs demonstrates, this period saw one of the most delightful and dramatic flowerings of creativity in design history.
Luigi Massoni ‘Dilly Dally’ Vanity Set for Poltrona Frau, Italy, 1968
By Poltrona Frau, Luigi Massoni
Located in amstelveen, NL
Rare ‘Dilly Dally’ dressing table and matching chair, designed by Luigi Massoni for Poltrona Frau in 1968. A wonderful example of late 1960s Italian design, the set is characterized...
Leather, Plastic
Luigi Massoni ‘Dilly Dally’ Vanity Set for Poltrona Frau, Italy, 1968
By Poltrona Frau, Luigi Massoni
Located in amstelveen, NL
Rare ‘Dilly Dally’ dressing table and matching chair, designed by Luigi Massoni for Poltrona Frau in 1968. A wonderful example of late 1960...
Leather, Plastic
Stunning Mid-Century American Modern Craft Mirror by Dean Santner
By Dean Santner, George Nakashima, Wendell Castle
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
For your consideration is this beautifully sculpted mirror by Dean Santner. Master craftsman Dean Santner designs was part of the American Modern Craft movement along side Wendell Ca...
Wood
Sculptura Vanity With Matching Stool in Champagne by Heywood Wakefield
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A stunning very well-crafted solid maple wood vanity with large mirror, plate glass make- up shelve and three side drawers with flowing ribbon styled drawer fronts with intergraded p...
Maple, Upholstery, Mirror
Luigi Massoni ‘Dilly Dally’ Vanity Set in Cognac Leatherette
By Luigi Massoni, Poltrona Frau
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Luigi Massoni for Poltrona Frau, ‘Dilly Dally’ vanity set, leatherette, mirrored glass, plastic, brass, lacquered wood, metal, Italy, 1968 Outstanding It...
Metal, Brass
L. Massoni Dilly Dally White Leather Vanity Table by Poltrona Frau, Italy 1960s
By Luigi Massoni, Poltrona Frau
Located in Roma, IT
Stunning white “Dilly Dally” dressing table designed by Luigi Massoni and produced by Poltrona Frau in Italy during the 1960s. Fully origin...
Metal
Vintage Mid Century Art Deco Vanity or Desk with Mirror in Pine
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A funky art deco vanity with mirror. Solid pine with period deco hardware. Mirror has some small dark spot from age. All in all very good condition. Price includes both vanity & mirr...
Mirror, Pine
Black "Dilly Dally" vanity by Luigi Massoni for Poltrona Frau Italy c1968
Located in London, GB
Original vanity table, model 'Dilly Dally' designed by Luigi Massoni for Poltrona Frau Italy c1968. Upholstered in original black skai leather. Comprises a chair on castors which...
Mirror, Acrylic
M.C. Magnani & A. Schieppati 1950s Milanese Vanity Table in Walnut and Maple
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Studio Architettura Ambientazione Arredamento M.C. Magnani & A. Schieppati, vanity table, walnut, maple, mirrored glass, Milan, Italy, 1950s This charming vanity table is a 1950s de...
Mirror, Maple, Walnut
1950s Retro Wall Mounted Salon Vanity with Mirror and Wooden Shelf with Drawer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Wall-mounted salon vanity set from the 1950s comprising a frameless mirror and a coordinating wooden shelf with drawer. The mirror features scalloped concave notches at each corner, ...
Mirror, Wood
Studio Kastilia Silvi, Italian White Vanity Table with Blue Seat, 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Fantastic Mid-Century transformable white Kastilia vanity table with its original blue upholstered chair. This stunning piece was designed in Italy dur...
Metal
Psyche Full Length Mirror Dressing Table Vanity Cabinet, French, circa 1950
Located in Labrit, Landes
Vanity dressing table with central mirror and little drawer circa 1950 Oak and coral-colored beveled mirror. Three drawers on the right side and a cabinet on the left side. The mirr...
Mirror, Oak
Rare Paul McCobb 3 Pc. Vanity with Chair for Planner Group
By Paul McCobb
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A three-piece vanity set with a two-drawer cabinet model #1503 on each end and center drop in hanging vanity model # 1559 with lift up lid having a mirror and four storage compartmen...
Brass
$2,071Sale Price|20% Off
Minimal Vanity Italian Design MIM Production Rosewood
By Mobili Italiani Moderni (MIM)
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Minimal vanity Italian design MIM production, pouff 40 cm height cm.75 width, 45 cm depth, height of vanity with mirror opened cm.114.
Fabric, Mirror, Laminate, Rosewood
Mid Century Danish Teak Dresser Vanity Desk Combo by Borge Mogensen
Located in Las Vegas, NV
This Danish modern dresser–vanity features classic mid-century lines in warm teak with tapered legs and recessed pulls. The center drop-front opens to create a vanity or desk surface...
Teak
Oak Vanity Table With Lighted Adjustable Top Mirror and Upholstered Bench
Located in Elkton, MD
A Scandinavian-inspired mid-century oak vanity featuring a distinctive tri-fold mirror and integrated light, produced in the United States circa 1970s. 54.5" tall 29" table top hei...
Mirror, Oak, Walnut
Studio Kastilia Silvi, Italian White & Cream Vanity Table with Blue Seat, 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Fantastic Mid-Century transformable Kastilia vanity table in a charming and unique ivory-white and cream color completed by blue upholstered chair. Thi...
Metal
Vintage Mid Century Modern Teak Vanity Desk
Located in Gardiner, NY
Authentic vintage mid century modern teak dressing table / vanity / desk with mirror. This piece is in excellent condition with few signs of age-related wear (see photos). If you w...
Teak
20th Century Luigi Massoni for Poltrona Frau Dilly Dally Vanitiy Dressing Table
By Luigi Massoni, Poltrona Frau
Located in Torino, Piemonte
Dressing table model Dilly Dally designed by Luigi Massoni for Poltrona Frau in 1960s. The dressing table is composed of two pieces, one round armchair (which alone measures 74 x 66 ...
Metal
1970s Dutch Modern Pine Vanity Set in the Style of Ate van Apeldoorn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vanity set designed in the style of Dutch furniture designer Ate van Apeldoorn, exemplifying the geometric, material-forward aesthetic of 1970s Dutch Modern. The desk surface is supp...
Pine
Italian Mid-Century Vanity Console by Cesare Lacca with Mirror in Burl Walnut
By Cesare Lacca
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Code: FH27 Measures cm: H 178 x W 136 x D 40. Elegant and highly distinctive Italian vanity or dressing table dating from the early 1950s, bearing the label of La Permanente Mobili ...
Mirror, Walnut
1960s Mid-Century Maple Vanity by Heywood-Wakefield
Located in North Hollywood, CA
This iconic mid-century modern vanity by Heywood-Wakefield showcases the brand's celebrated Streamline Modern aesthetic and exceptional craftsmanship. Designed with a beautifully fin...
Glass, Mirror, Maple
$2,118Sale Price|20% Off
Olof Ottelin, 1950s Vanity Desk Elisabeth for Stockmann Oy, Finland
By Oy Stockmann AB, Olof Ottelin, Keravan Puuteollisuus Oy
Located in Turku, Varsinais-Suomi
Stylish Mid-Century Modern vanity desk with two drawers made in mahogany. Two sliding mirrors covering two glass shelves for storing make-up and oth...
Mirror, Mahogany
Vanity Table, attributed to Paolo Buffa, Italy, Mid-20th Century
By Paolo Buffa
Located in New York, NY
Vanity table crafted from solid walnut, featuring a kidney-shaped top with three drawers and raised on tall, tapering legs. The piece is fitted with a round mirror mounted in a lyre-...
Mirror, Walnut
Italian Modernist Maple Wood Vanity Table with Stool and Cabinet, 1950
Located in New York, NY
Italian Modernist Maple Wood Vanity Table with Stool and Cabinet, Italy, circa 1950 A highly unique vanity table with elegant and graceful proportions. Hand-crafted from warm-toned...
Glass, Maple
Kazuhide Takahama Antella multi-functional Table for Cassina, new
Located in Berlin, DE
Price is dependent on the chosen material/ color. Available in matte or glossy. Japanese architect Kazuhide Takahama designed Antella as a truly multi-functional piece of furniture...
Plywood, Lacquer
George Nelson Leather & Walnut Illuminated Vanity with Mirror & Ottoman for Herm
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Dimensions: 54.50in H x 48in W x 20in D Desk Height 27in Ottoman: 17in H x 22.50in W x 16in D Materials: Walnut Wood, Vintage Leather, Original Glass _______________________ Trans...
Leather, Glass, Walnut, Wood
Vintage Mid Century Modern Art Deco Walnut Vanity Table w Mirror by Joerns Bros
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Vintage Mid Century Modern/Art Deco Burl Walnut Vanity Table with Mirror by Joerns Br...
Mirror, Walnut
Vintage Dressing Table by Loughborough
Located in London, GB
A stylish and very well made vintage dressing table by Loughborough. This was made in England, it dates from the 1950’s. The quality is outstanding, it is beautifully designed and i...
Mirror, Wood
Mid-20th Century Hand-Carved Folk Art Cat Form Sculptural Bench
Located in Elkton, MD
Hand-carved wooden bench in the form of a stylized cat, featuring a painted surface with decorative detailing throughout. The elongated form rests on four carved legs, with a carved ...
Wood
$458Sale Price|50% Off
Lady’s Desk or Vanity in Mahogany, Czechoslovakia, 1970s
By Up Závody
Located in Zohor, SK
Beautiful midcentury desk, originally used as a desk for a lady, or vanity in the bedroom. The table is elegant combination of lighter birch wood on the sides and mahogany wood on to...
Birch, Mahogany
Danish Modern Floating-Top Teak Desk with Bookcase by Dyrlund
By Dyrlund
Located in Miami, FL
A stylish and modern teak executive desk with floating top designed and made in Denmark by Dyrlund. The Scandinavian writing table features three drawers on the left, an open filing ...
Teak
1940's ash vanity console with a shaped drawer
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Milano, IT
Elegant ash vanity console with a shaped drawer, tapered legs, and a tilting mirror in shaped brass. Italian manufacture, circa 1940.
Ash
Luigi Massoni Dilly Dally Vanity Table and Chair, Poltrona Frau, Italy, 1960s
By Poltrona Frau, Luigi Massoni
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
A rare Italian "Dilly Dally" vanity by Luigi Massoni and manufactured by Poltrona Frau Italy in the 1960s. Newly upholstered in off white leatherette. Modular vanity fully upholstere...
Faux Leather
Paul McCobb Vanity Table for Calvin, Irwin Collection, Circa 1950s
By Calvin Furniture, Paul McCobb
Located in Peabody, MA
A mid-century modern vanity table in Honduran mahogany by Paul McCobb, for Calvin Furniture, Irwin Collection, circa late 1950s.
Mirror, Mahogany
Mid-Century Modern Teak Desk /Vanity Table/ Cabinet, 1960's, Denmark
Located in The Hague, NL
Mid-Century Modern period vanity or make up table also useable as a desk made in Denmark, 1960. Teak veneer wood with solid teak handles and feet. Four drawers and mirror when you ...
Mirror, Teak
Danish Vanity Table or Desk in Teak by Kurt Østervig, Denmark
Located in Karlstad, SE
A desk or vanity table in teak by Kurt Østervig, Denmark, 1950s. Small desk with exciting details. The drawers have beautifully carved handles. On the tabletop is a jewelry box with...
Brass
$1,932Sale Price|50% Off
Beresford & Hicks Tola Wood Four Drawer Kneehole Ebonised Dressing Table
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Beresford & Hicks Tola Wood Four Drawer Kneehole Dressing Table. With Ebonised Legs & A Swing Framed Tryptic Mirror For There Berwick Furniture Range Made in Hoxton, Londo...
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Vanity, Exotic Wood, Italy, 1950s
By Non-Standard Furniture and Lighting
Located in Milano, IT
Vintage hanging dressing table with rectangular mirror, shelf and drawer with exotic wood veneer.
Mirror, Wood
Wall-mounted Vanity Console with Mirror by Gio Ponti, Italy, 1930s
By Gio Ponti
Located in New York, NY
Wall-mounted console featuring a tilting oval mirror and two shelves with gracefully curved outlines. The shelf edges and wall mounting are executed in chromed metal. The upper shelf...
Chrome
$2,071Sale Price|20% Off
Mid-Century Modern Oak & Mirror Vanity, Italy, Designer Unknown
By Non-Standard Furniture and Lighting
Located in Milano, IT
Vintage 20th-century Italian-made toilet made of oak veneer wood with stool, shelf and small chest of drawers, 1970s mirror and light point serviced and working.
Mirror, Oak
Alfred Cox Dressing Table in Walnut by Alfred Cox for Heals, 1950s
By Alfred Cox
Located in South Shields, GB
A mid-century walnut dressing table by Alfred Cox, dating from the 1960s. Standing on elegant tapered legs and beautifully figured walnut veneers. Featuring the original shaped mir...
Walnut
1960s Swedish White Lacqured Vanity Set by Torsten Totti Laakso for Asko
By Asko
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-Century white lacquered " AKKA " vanity set by Finnish designer Torsten Totti Laakso for the Swedish Asko company, 1960s.The company was known for their high quality pieces and t...
Fabric, Glass, Wood
Bamboo and Rattan Vanity / Dressing Table with Drawer and Mirror, 1970's Mid-cen
Located in Cork, IE
With an arched bamboo frame and rounded corners this vanity table is a great example of organic modernism often found in European furniture designs from the 1970's. Well crafted and...
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
Mid-Century African Mahogany Vanity or Desk by E. Gomme for G-Plan
By Ebenezer Gomme, G-Plan
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Mid-century modern vanity/desk designed by E. Gomme for G-Plan in the United Kingdom, circa 1950s. This exquisite vanity is a true masterpiece and features four intricately crafted drawers...
Brass
Vanity dressing table by Raymond Loewy by Doubinsky Frères in the 1960s
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Dressing table - Raymond Loewy - model "DF2000" - Doubinsky Frères - 1960s Wear Consistent with age And Use : See Photos Compagnie de L’Esthétique Industrielle (CEI) was a design co...
Mirror, Plastic, Acrylic, Wood
1960s Fully Restored Danish Teak Dressing, Vanity Table
Located in Knebel, DK
Danish teak dressing - vanity table from the 1960s. The vanity table features a large adjustable mirror, an original black glass table top and 5 spacious drawers with room for wha...
Teak
Silvi red Vanity table on wheels by Studio Kastilia , 1970s
Located in Padova, IT
“Silvi” model dressing table, cylindrical body in plastic material containing an armchair with padded seat and backrest covered in fabric, a tilting mirror, wheels. Good conditions. ...
Fabric, Plastic
Mid Century Danish Vanity/Desk with Flip-Top Mirror and Stool
Located in Chicago, IL
Mid Century Danish Teak Vanity with Flip-Top Mirror and Storage with Matching Stool Beautifully designed in classic Mid-Century Danish modern style, this teak vanity features clean ...
Teak
Mid-Century John Stuart Mirrored Vanity Desk with Bench
By John Stuart
Located in Forney, TX
A rare Mid-Century Modern painted white mirrored vanity desk and bench by legendary American luxury designer John Stuart. Circa 1950 The sensational John Stuart designed demilune ...
Leather, Wood
$1,967Sale Price / set|60% Off
Umberto Mascagni console table in genuine leather and brass 1950s 20th century
Located in Palermo, IT
Dressing table/console with mirror by Umberto Mascagni, 1950s. Wooden frame and mirror with brass profile. Good conservative condition, there is no aesthetic or structural defect to ...
Metal, Brass
Vintage Dressing Table by Loughborough
Located in London, GB
A stylish and very well made vintage dressing table by Loughborough. This was made in England, and it dates from the 1950’s. The quality is outstanding, this is beautifully designed...
Mirror, Wood
1960s Fully restored Danish Rosewood Vanity Table
Located in Knebel, DK
Danish rosewood vanity table from the 1960s. The vanity table features a large adjustable mirror, and 2 spacious drawers with room for what you need at the vanity table. The table ...
Rosewood
Mid Century Modern Birch Fineline Vanity Dresser Chest Set John Sylvia Reid 1961
By John & Sylvia Reid, Stag Furniture 1
Located in Portland, OR
A rare Mid Century Modern, birch wood, vanity and chest of drawers set, designed by John and Sylvia Reid for Stag Furniture, 1961. Designed by John and Sylvia Reid and called the "Fi...
Steel
Harvey Probber Double Chest and Vanity with Leather and Brass
Located in Hanover, MA
Two beautifully restored complimentary chests flanking a hanging vanity case from Harvey Probber's "Cabinet Series" circa 1957. Hazelnut finished mahog...
Brass
Danish Modern Teak Vanity Table with Mirror, Denmark, 1960s
Located in Nørre Aaby, DK
Elegant vanity table in teak, produced in Denmark during the 1960s. The design features slender proportions, clean lines, and a practical storage compartment, making it both function...
Teak
Mid Century Vanity by White & Newton of Portsmouth
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A superbly crafted 1960s vanity/desk By White & Newton of Portsmouth. The company favored the use of teak in many of its staple designs, but on its higher end pieces used more lu...
Wood, Teak
Silvio Cavatorta Dressing Table 1950's
Located in Shibuya-ku, 13
This elegant dressing table was designed by Silvio Cavatorta, a renowned Italian designer celebrated for his dedication to traditional craftsmanship over industrial mass production. ...
Metal
1970s Red Orange Space Age Vanity Bucket Dressing Table Set by Bremshey & Co
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Unique and hard to find "Vanity Bucket" by Bremshey & Co. Made in West Germany circa late 60's / early 70's, this space-age, plastic-fantastic gem is presented in eye-popping ...
Metal
Danish Mid Century Teak Vanity Table with Black Glass Top, 1960s
Located in BERKEL EN RODENRIJS, NL
Beautiful Danish mid century modern vanity table from the 1960s. Made of warm teak wood with a rich natural grain and elegant proportions. The design is light and refined, standing o...
Glass, Teak