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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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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 chaircrafted 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
Search Within: Three Piece Patio Set
Seicho 2 Pack Raku Planter Pot Pottery - Carbon Copper - Handmade Ceramic
Located in Petaling Jaya, MY
You get : 2 Units of Seicho Pot in a finish of your choice. Seicho ( 成長 ) - Growth Our Seicho pot is made to be a conversation starter for your precious indoor plant...
Category

2010s Malaysian Modern Furniture

Materials

Copper

Seicho Raku Planter Pot Pottery - Smoked Raku - Handmade Ceramic
Located in Petaling Jaya, MY
Seicho (成長) - Growth Our Seicho pot is made to be a conversation starter for your precious indoor plant collection. Its size is perfect to be used for specialty indoor plants. Each ...
Category

2010s Malaysian Modern Furniture

Materials

Copper

Seicho Raku Planter Pot Pottery, Full Copper Matte, Handmade Ceramic
Located in Petaling Jaya, MY
Seicho (成長) - Growth Our Seicho pot is made to be a conversation starter for your precious indoor plant collection. Its size is perfect to be used for specialty indoor plants. Each ...
Category

2010s Malaysian Modern Furniture

Materials

Copper

Seicho 2 Pack Raku Planter Pot Pottery - Obvara - Handmade Ceramic
Located in Petaling Jaya, MY
You get : 2 Units of Seicho Pot in a finish of your choice. Seicho ( ?? ) - Growth Our Seicho pot is made to be a conversation starter for your precious indoor plant collect...
Category

2010s Malaysian Modern Furniture

Materials

Copper

Seicho Raku Planter Pot Pottery, Half Copper Matte, Handmade Ceramic
Located in Petaling Jaya, MY
Seicho (成長) - Growth Our Seicho pot is made to be a conversation starter for your precious indoor plant collection. Its size is perfect to be used for specialty indoor plants. Each ...
Category

2010s Malaysian Modern Furniture

Materials

Copper

Seicho Raku Planter Pot Pottery, Obvara, Handmade Ceramic
Located in Petaling Jaya, MY
Seicho (成長) - Growth Our Seicho pot is made to be a conversation starter for your precious indoor plant collection. Its size is perfect to be used for specialty indoor plants. Each ...
Category

2010s Malaysian Modern Furniture

Materials

Copper

Seicho 2 Pack Raku Planter Pot Pottery - Smoked Raku - Handmade Ceramic
Located in Petaling Jaya, MY
You get : 2 Units of Seicho Pot in a finish of your choice. Seicho ( 成長 ) - Growth Our Seicho pot is made to be a conversation starter for your precious indoor plant collection. I...
Category

2010s Malaysian Modern Furniture

Materials

Copper

Seicho 2 Pack Raku Planter Pot Pottery, Half Copper Matte, Handmade Ceramic
Located in Petaling Jaya, MY
You get : 2 Units of Seicho Pot in a finish of your choice. Seicho ( 成長 ) - Growth Our Seicho pot is made to be a conversation starter for your precious indoor plant collection. I...
Category

2010s Malaysian Modern Furniture

Materials

Copper

Seicho 2 Pack Raku Planter Pot Pottery, Full Copper Matte, Handmade Ceramic
Located in Petaling Jaya, MY
You get : 2 Units of Seicho Pot in a finish of your choice. Seicho ( 成長 ) - Growth Our Seicho pot is made to be a conversation starter for your precious indoor plant collection. I...
Category

2010s Malaysian Modern Furniture

Materials

Copper

Seicho Raku Planter Pot Pottery - Carbon Copper - Handmade Ceramic
Located in Petaling Jaya, MY
Seicho (成長) - Growth Our Seicho pot is made to be a conversation starter for your precious indoor plant collection. Its size is perfect to be used for specialty indoor plants. Each ...
Category

2010s Malaysian Modern Furniture

Materials

Copper

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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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